This will be a very concise JBR with just the highlights. We did all the usual shopping, drinking, eating, etc., etc.
Just back after three weeks honeymoon in Bali. Flew Garuda from Sydney, all fine. Stayed Lokha Hotel Legian (5 nights) in Deluxe Room, nice, ground floor. Hotel and staff as lovely as ever.
Best meals - Drops, Padma Street, Trattoria, Eat Street,
Best coffee - The Coffee Shop, Padma Utara, Black Canyon, Discovery.
Best shopping - ring remade Mayang Jewellery Kuta Sq, Linen pants made at Komang Tailor, Padma St.
Ubud - stayed Puri Saraswati (10 nights), beautiful gardens, great spot, basic rooms. Have stayed several times before and love the location.
Best meal - BY FAR THE BEST MEAL IN BALI - Tropical Bale, absolutely fabulous, had lunch and dinner here, highly highly recommend, Terazzo - very good, Wyans (sentimental favourite), Kafe in Hanoman St, excellent for a funky hippy lunch!
Best shopping - little handmade soap shop in Bisama(?) love this shop, contemporary oil painting along Ubud main road, vanilla beans (heaps) for my pastry chef sons, Ubud markets.
Griya Santrian Sanur (10 nights). Love this place, have stayed before and always happy, such a good spot.
Best meal - Village, Arena (so good), Beach Cafe (breakfast). Also visited the new Russian restaurant - can't remember the name but obviously the only one in town!, beautiful decor, good food - if a bit expensive by Bali standards. Give it a try, we were pleasantly surprised.
Highlight - did the Anika Cooking Class with Stormy. Excellent. Apparently our tutor worked for Casa Luna Cooking School, Ubud and is now running Anika at Tuban. Only the two of us in the evening class (from 4.00pm to about 9.30pm). Included in price was my transport from Sanur to Tuban. The class was really interesting and informative and good fun. We ate what we cooked and I now have a Certificate in Balinese Cooking!! (actually cooked the chicken curry and nasi last night for dinner - not as good as dining in Bali but pretty good).
Had a lovely laid back happy honeymoon in Bali and wish we were still there! 'til next year..............