Hi folks, I was a 1st timer to Bali and got back on friday 8th August 2008. I flew with Garuda from Perth and found this airline awsome! Garuda flight was the smoothest flight I have ever had and that suits me just fine as I totally HATE flying. Arrived in Bali at approx 10.45am on a Tuesday. Didnt wait long at VOA, was a breeze actually. Went outside to meet my driver Gitto from Creative Holidays, wow what a gentleman! This was my start to a fabulous trip I could just feel it! Arrived at our hotel which was the Adhi Dharma Hotel. Roadworks were going on and there was nothing but black sand, we couldnt even access the street in a car, only by foot. Wheeled our luggage down this dirty black road, this is when I started thinking..Sh-t!...what have I got myself into too? Hahahaha. Stayed in a deluxe room at Adhi Dharma, wasnt the best room I have ever seen, but it was OK. Was clean and everything worked including the toilet, bath and shower. Gardens were very nice, and pool area was good too. After checking in and such getting organized, we went for a walk around Benesari Lane, Poppies etc... then onto JL Legian and this is where I got attacked, OMFG!! All these vultures came from no where, grabbing us, showing us clothes, sunglasses, jewelery , grabbing us by our hands and pulling us into there shops hahaha, I was overwhelmed by this stage, didnt really no what to do except say NO THANK YOU firmly, but that did not stop them from trying to sell us stuff. Went back to hotel for food and drinks and met a really nice english man from Perth who in the end, doesnt live that far from us in Perth and we have made a great new friend to have a few drinks with back home. Luckily we met him cos he showed us around alot everyday as he is a regular to Bali.
On day 3 I woke up really sick. Had the squirts, vomiting, chills and aching bones, only lasted about 20hrs thank god, alot of people had the same symptoms in the hotel, so something was def passing through the hotel. Went to Waterbom bali and did the Boomerang and such, wow what a thrilling ride, sure made me pack my dacks hehehe. Went to Nusa Dua and got a boat to turtle island also, now I really enjoyed interacting with all the animals ( turtles, eagle, bats, lizards etc.. ). One of my favs was visiting Bali Safari, what an awsome day out, and geez that little orang-u-tang is so cute isnt he??
Met up with a girl I went to high school with, funny enough she was booked into the same hotel as me, was great to catch up. Ate most nights at Munching Inn, I couldnt get enough of the Beef Satay, was really tasty. Did lots of shopping, got alot of massages and boyfriend treated himself to 2 new tattoos. Overall Bali was very interesting, would I go there again?? Hell Yeah!! Am saving for my next trip already. Will most prob stay at Adhi Dharma Hotel again as I really liked its location down in a culdesac away from most things. Just one thing before I go..anyone had a massage from the shiatsu place on JL Legian?? Just up near the Cottages? Geez!..nearly broke my back, the girl was actually standing on my back and jumping, cracked every bone in my body, thought i was gonna break LOL!