9 of us left Sydney 1/9 flying Garuda all good left on time, service good comfortable flight. Arrived 2.25pm with about 5 other flights this is the longest we have had to wait in queue 2 and 1/2 hours brother with disability extremely uncomfortable standing in heat in a lot of pain but unfortunately not noticed so we waited patiently Bali time. During our waiting period on of my sons friend offered to carry our duty free bourbon (2 bottles) in haste to get out and our bags being the last to be collected we proceed through customs (forgot to get my bag off sons mate, who has never travelled out of Oz) poor kid I turned around and he was being taken into THE ROOM I ran after them calling out permissi and when finally got into the room he was quite shaken, I explained to the officials that bag was mine and all was sorted (took him a while to settledown) anyway he has a story to tell his family. We settled into Kuta Lagoon Resort and our friends already at hotel to greet us, so suitcases into rooms and back out to the bar to catch up (we miss them so much) pretty exhausted we decided to get our acts together and head down to our favourite warung 96 to see another friends, the look on his face when he saw us and our sons brought tears to my eyes, such a lovely young man. We were honoured to go to his village and meet his family. The next few days were spent relaxing by the pool, shopping and of course visiting our favourite restaurants. We used to have daily caffine doses at Aromas to our disappointment there coffee is terrible, the first time we thought maybe just off milk, then the next day again terrible tasting coffee I asked if they had changed either milk or coffee and after no interest at all that was the last time we went there, which is a shame as we have been going there every trip for the past five years. So further on down the road to the Kopi Pot which have a wide variety of coffee and definately very very delish!! We took a day trip to Blue Point this is also a regular day for us, our friend Scooby arrived on time as usual and had organised 2 cars for this day it was thoroughly enjoyed by all the view, pool and of course the lunch that included "Best Burgers in Bali".
Restaurants we visited were Ketumba, Zanzibar, Neros, Venue at the Moon (definately the best) Pappas (has got very pricey not worth it at all) Warung 96, Uncle Norms, Purah Bali Indah, Kubu Candi Dasa, Bonsai, absolutely fabulous view and great food, Kopi Pot they all vary in price range but all good meals.
Exchange rate was about 7600 and upwards.
Bali is definately much busier that we have seen over the past 4 years, I have read jbr's where people had issues with street sellers, we did not at any time feel hassled and just enjoy the conversation as we stroll down through jl legian or the markets in melasti.
This is definately the best I have felt upon returning, I miss our friends a great deal but not sad to be back.
Check in at departures was easy unfortunately the garuda rep did not check the 9 in at one time, so my brother got hit up for 15 kilos, eventhough the rest of us were under, rather than get into it at the airport he will be following with Garuda Sydney.
In closing if you are going soon enjoy it is great to see Bali finally recovering and the streets buzzing.
Forgot got to watch the Kuta Karnival Parade from the Kopi Pot went for about 2 and 1/2 hours definately another hilite.
cheers