Hi all - just spent 1 month in paradise, not sure how many times now but exceeds 40, been very busy business wise prior to the trip, so this saga was slanted at looking for new product and enjoying some R&R. You are probably used to me winging about the fact that living on the Sunshine Coast I have to travel south to get to paradise so this time we went through Melb. so I could say hello to mum. As always we went with Garuda and flew business class which was faultless, excellent service and cheap compared to Aus airline providers. I have to say business class comfort on the late flight home makes the extra cost worthwhile on its own. Arrived in Bali on time and got to our usual haunt Yuli Bungalows Legian and settled in quickly. Our evening meal saw us straight around to good friend Nyoman at Warung Kartini a cold Binnie a Snapper with a lime/spice sauce, rice & vegs for under $10.00 Aus filled Jen and I. Lights out. The next weeks were a mix of business which I won't bore you with, early morning beach walks which saw average weather with afternoon showers, the beach was crappy but nowhere as bad as I have seen it in past trips, local friends all said all good after Nypee. Nypee was due and we had a great time as my family over there cooked smoked Snapper(Ikan Bakar) with vegies and rice, the night before
So we enjoyed an excellent Nypee with the Yuli boys and the boss Mr.Wayan.
I better summarise a bit - excellent food
Warung Kartini - ask anyone who's eaten there, everyone goes back, so cheap, excellent
Carefour Complex - Toko Teppanyaki end of food mall Japanese, could not go past Chicken Teppanyaki 17,000rp
My wife Jenny went to see Dr. Rudi and after we ate at Warung Warung an upmarket Warung with perfect food - shared an oversize Nasi Campur 2 juices 40,000rp Planet Hollywood complex.
Seaside and Blue Ocean on the beach Legian the only western eateries we use both excellent, Seaside ex. Mexican, chicken & fish(we don't eat red meat) as well as Arak Sunrise minum at sunset - Blue Ocean good value breakfast- insane strawberry juice both great to take in the varied sights on the beach.
After Nypee the weather came good and so did the surf, had some great surf. I was told by local friends that many people staying at MBR were p..d at new security measures in place where all had to state name and room no. on entering the resort, one guy got a temporary tattoo across his chest with his room number to avoid the questionair.
Great news was that I found an outlet to store my personals such as regular essentials, surfboards etc at a reasonable price until my next visit, so good not having to cart all of that clobber I need in Bali home again. We hired a car and drove up to Ubud and surrounds on our quest for new stock and came across some fabulous samples,will be interesting so see how our clients respond.Back to Ubud as we had 2 friends who we had to drop off as they booked a cooking lesson the following morning with Janet DeNeefe of Casa Luna., went there for lunch had the chicken satay and indo greens which was incredible, I am sure forumites who go to Ubud will know Casa Luna but if you dont and you are in Ubud dont miss it.The dry season was really coming on strong towards the end of our stay although we had the odd afternoon storm, power went off a few times but no drama, the beach stretch quickly became clean, although I feel for them as they clean up every morning after the high tide through the wet season to keep their respective areas presentable for us.Exchange rate was good and varied between 8200 - 8675rp,so the lunchtime nasi campur for 6000rp could not be beaten for taste and price. All up a good relax and enjoyed seeing all our friends and enjoying the stress free lifestyle we miss when arriving home,now looking forward to June.
Brent