Garuda to and from Perth - fantastic.
Hotels.....Yulia Village in Ubud...budget hotel 300,000rp good location, clean, wonderful staff. Puri Dalem Cottages opposite Dirty Duck ..big rooms, great location, good staff, 300,00rp. Yulia Beach Inn Kuta...stayed in one of the new superior deluxe rooms 500,000rp wonderful, quiet, 2 minutes to beach and Matahari.
Food - Ubud
Dirty Duck....ribs great, Duck dehydrated.
Indian Delites...magnificent Indian fare
Pizza Bagus...magnificent Pizza's
Warung Mendez...magnificent local fare and prices so low.
Dragonfly...good atmosphere, lot's of arty type's gather here, snapper in coconut crumbs...magnificent
Black Canyon...OK no complaints, good for a quick lunch.
Food - other
Rumours in Seminyak...loved it.
Grocer and Grind Seminyak...loved it. Plus it sells bread, cheese, cold meats, bacon, olives etc
Carrefours Supermarket...would not race back there. It is big and has a fantastic food section and butcher.
Tours
Village Cycling...the best day. Have done this before. These guys are great. The people you meet along the way and lunch at this family compound where they have only 1 dish (chicken curry) is a great way to spend half a day.
Fruits of Bali Walk...half day walk along the Ayung River to see the local farmers at work and learn how cultivation is done and why. Very informative.
If you would like details and prices you can email me at svp@westnet.com.au
Nyepi Day...spooky to see everything closed and no motorbike noise, just doves and crickets. But it was great. Actually watched 5 DVD's in between dozing off and eating and drinking. The night before seeing the Ogah Ogah 'parade' what a night. The people having so much fun. Tourists everywhere. Foreign TV and Media filming and taking photo's.
Shopping
Crocs....50,000rp in Poppies 2
AFL gear....AFL shop in poppies 1 as well as in some stalls in Poppies 2...great quality.....50,000rp for XL t-shirt
BBong...they will find you if you need some. 60,000rp for XL
Weather was great, rained most afternoons. Exchange rate 8250 - 8600
This was our first trip for 2 years and we found the people and place to be as wonderful as always. Kuta Beach at sunset cannot beat it. 60,000rp for a 1 hour massage. The sheer beauty of Bedugal and the surrounding rural areas. Shopping in Matahari, Ramayana and Robinsons department stores outstanding for womens shoes. Security not as present as before, but still felt completely safe.
My advice...just go. You will love it.