In Reply to: JBR posted by Ariom on Tuesday, 12. August 2008 at 08:55 Bali Time:
Just a few bits and pieces from our time in Bali, most of the information is covered in others JBR's so I will add stuff that happened to us.
Firstly, Melasti Hotel in Legian. It was great for the cost. Rooms are a bit old and a bit shabby but it was clean and really quite large. Bathroom was huge, we had a shower over the bath and a shower cubicle so that was great because Im sporting knee injuries at the moment so this was very helpful. Plus we asked to be on the ground floor which was no problem. Not sure why people have reported that the pool is dirty etc, Im a bit fussy but found absolutely no problem with it. I wasnt keen on going through the "sheep dip" to get into the pool, but it was for health sake so it has to be done. Swim up pool bar was fabbo, I did every cocktail on the list (and proud of it), actually, I did the list a few times. Breakfast was good, it wasnt fabulous and there wasnt a lot of choice but certainly enough for the ordinary punter each day. As I said, when you consider that the hotel was about $60 a night, you aren't going to get 5 star. I had room service one night when I needed to rest the peg legs, food was fine and reasonably priced. The staff were okay, again not fabulous, not sure what the problem was, they were not as friendly as some people you will meet there but I only had minor dealings with them so it was no biggie.
Location was sensational, loved the local shopping, bars and restaurants. The Corner Bar (just up the corner, funny about that) was so cheap, great food (Nasi Goreng about $2) and great cocktails. Husband and 2 mates went there one night, they each had a meal and 6 beers, cost them each about $10. They were mighty happy with that.
Shopping, what can I say. Things are just so cheap and some quality is pretty good if you look around. I had clothes made at Janoko (in Poppies Lane 2) who are fabulous. I took (expensive) material from home and they made them up for me, fantastic, so cheap. I can bore people with costs of that if anyone wants to know.
Police. Okay, I either lost my husbands wallet or I was pickpocketed, I dont know which. One minute I had his wallet in my pocket (in tight'ish shorts) and next minute it wasnt there. Anyhow, took us ages to find out which police we had to go to, to report it. Long story cut short. They wanted payment, I think they called it an "administration fee" but it had to be cash and had to be paid to the big mean nasty policeman who took us into a room alone. I asked "how much" and he said "how much do you want to pay" and so I quickly got the drift of this conversation. So, I said "well, here's the story, as you can see from my report, we had all our money and credit cards taken so we have no money, we had to borrow money from our friends to get a taxi here" so, again, long story cut short, he let us off. Mmmmm.
We went to Ku De Ta for a special birthday for a friend, had a fabulous time, I dont care what anyone says, this place is uber cool and the food and service and drinks are fabulous. I love it, a really special place to go if you want to spend some moolah! Okay, against Bali standards, its expensive but in Australia, a restuarant like that, in a location like that would be far dearer. We had a fabulous night and took people there who hadnt been before (I warned them about the cost), they absolutely loved it! Also had a fabulous night at the Queens Tandoor (I think thats what its called), again not cheap but the quality of food (Indian) was fantastic. Went to Kori's in Poppies Lane 2, again, a lovely restaurant with the cleanest toilets and handtowels!! Had a few great Mojitos in there, great staff too. Went to the Bagus Bar to watch the footy (AFL) one night, we were with one of our loser mates, a Collingwood fan (ha, sorry to you maggie lovers) and had a good night there too.
Ladies on the beach at Kuta, hilarious. We sat at the bar (at that hotel on the beach, Inna Kuta???) and the ladies came along, did our toenails, fingernails, massage, etc etc, tried to sell us a load of crap and some good stuff but we had a good time. They know and understand more than we expected, ha ha, sly little devils. Anyhow, we bought stuff off them. Some of them will act hurt if you dont buy from them specifically, regardless if you have just spent a heap with the others, ignore it! They'll get over it. One of them tried the old "you are a very nasty lady, I no like you" routine on me, "whatever" I said. I'd just spent a heap with the others who got there first, get over it!
Ummm, thats about all I can think of for now. Had a great time, 8 days there, weather was FABULOUS in July, best ever.