A bit of history - hubby and I own a garden shop on the Sunshine Coast so we import from Bali for green stone, wind chimes, metal art etc. This means we travel over to Bali twice a year to buy. Like other Queenslanders (and South Australians) we find the 'via' Sydney or Melbourne a drag.
SINGAPORE
This trip we had to go via Singapore as my husband had a conference there for his business - we normally don't go in August but since we were so close - thought we would. Normally we go February (our quiet time) and September for the lead up to Christmas stock.
We also had another couple from New Zealand join us on the Bali leg and they were first timers.
We flew from Brisbane to Singapore with Singapore Airlines. Great flight - lovely food - comfortable plane - and Singapore Airport is just so fabulous. Our bags were waiting for us when we got off the plane and we breezed through customs - they didn't even give us a second look.
We were staying at the York Hotel and of course - arrived with a booking for a double room - non smoking and got a twin smoking room........ Booked this via a travel agent so again, very annoyed. I had to JUMP up and down to get the room I wanted the next day.
I won't go on about Singapore as this is the 'Bali' forum but the food was all fantastic and we enjoyed our three day stay.
We then flew via Jakarta to Bali with Garuda. We thought we would have to clear customs in Jakarta (which would have suited us as we had a three hour wait) but no, we were put into transit and had to clear in Denpasar.
LEGIAN
Finally arrived in Denpasar with about 6 other planes all in at the same time. They were from mostly Asian countries as we were the only 'white' people. We paid our USD visa and stood in line. The lines were massive - longest I've ever seen and I've waited 1.5 hours before - these lines were even longer. Anyway, this airport man came up and basically said 'if you give me some extra cash - I will walk you through in minutes.' I negotiated AUD$25 for the two of us and he took our passports and we walked around everyone else - via the air crew immigration - and he asked us to wait - then got all our documents stamped - came back to us and we walked to pick up our baggage and away we went. This whole process took about 5 minutes.
We were lucky I think because we were the only 'white' people in line. Not sure if this would have happened otherwise but next time I would pay for the VIP VOA as this is basically what we had.............
We had booked into the Legian Paradiso Hotel for four nights. Again we arrived and were given the wrong rooms with twin beds. We had upgraded to a Poolside Deluxe and were told a king size bed - again we got a standard room with twin beds. Very annoying because we unpack a certain amount of stuff, toiletries etc and then have to repack and move again when the room is ready. So a time waster and it seems to be very common practice.
I have very mixed feelings about the Legian Paradiso - our room (5210) was a disgrace - the bathroom had a terrible odour for the whole time we were there. The shower curtain only went half way down so the bathroom flooded everytime we had a shower. On the plus side - it was well located, breakfast was good and the pool area was fine. Would I stay here again - yes, but I would have to make sure the room was on the ground floor and wasn't smelly. Our friends stayed in room 5208 and there room was fine - I think we just got a dodgy room but we couldn't move as they were fully booked so I didn't see the point in whinging about it - we didn't spend that much time in our rooms and if I kept the bathroom door shut - it was bearable. The staff was a bit complacent about everything and I think that let the hotel down in a lot of ways.
LOMBOK
We flew to Lombok for two nights and four days leaving Denpasar early in the morning and flying back in the early evening. I loved Lombok - it was the first time I'd been and I imagine it was like Bali was 25 years ago.
We stayed at the Sentosa (used to be called The Intan) they were doing a lot of renovation work here and I thought it was good value. We paid under $70 a night (used Agoda on the web) and breakfast was included. The room was good but our friends didn't get a fridge until the last day. It said 'tea/coffee facilities' but none in the room - I asked for it and got a kettle. Lucky enough I had tea and coffee and cups with us but no teaspoons. I guess if it was a big problem we could have kept ringing and I'm sure they would have brought it all to us but we were all on 'bali time.'
We did a day tour with Dien (mobile 08175742571 - email : cllasmara@yahoo.co.id) and he spoke great English and was really informative. Told us about many of their traditions and had us in laughter a lot of the time. We did a fantastic tour to Gilli Nanggu for a day of snorkeling and feeding the fish. Dien put bread inside a plastic water bottle and you fill it with water and it has a small hole in the lid - when you squeeze it - tiny bits of bread come out. You should have seen the fish - amazing. They are obviously used to be fed as they came from everywhere and weren't timid with us at all. We were snorkeling only a couple of meters off the beach - very safe for smaller kids and what a way to introduce them to snorkeling. I loved it.
They also have accommodation on this island - only Rp 250,000 for a standard cottage on the beach or Rp 350,000 for one with air-conditioning. I will book in here next time - I have all the contacts if anyone wants them.
They also buy turtle eggs and hatch them on the island. They are trying to get the numbers back up and they have them in ponds until they get big enough to release. It was great to see some turtle conservation going on in Indonesia.
The air tickets cost us approx $120 return from Denpasar - only a 25 minute flight with Merpati Airlines. You can go much cheaper by boat but our kiwi friend gets very seasick so we didn't want to take the risk. If you haven't been to Lombok - seriously think about it. I know that we will go back next trip and have another few days there.
SEMINYAK
On our return to Bali, we had booked into the La Bella Casa villa for the remainder of our trip. We were met at the airport and taken to the villa as airport transfers are included in the price. If you're in need of a beautiful two bedroom /two bathrooms (with outdoor showers) then this is the villa for you. Very well set up with kitchen, dining and lounge area, swimming pool and sun lounges as well. Have a look on their website www.labellacasabali.com all prices are on the website.
From our villa it was only a short walk to all the shops and restaurants. I loved the villa - the layout was excellent for two couples. The pool has no fencing which mightn't make it as safe if you have small children but for us - it was a lovely bit of luxury at the end of our holiday. If your interested in a villa - then check this one out - you won't be disappointed.
FOOD
We ate at some fantastic places, Drops was great and also Mannekepis which serves Belgian food and plays jazz. We had a huge feed there and it was all beautiful. We also took one of our suppliers to Queens Tandori and that was also great. I don't think we had a bad meal the whole time. Took our Kiwi friends to Bubba Gump's and ordered the Margaritas which you have to do. They loved that.
Sorry it's such a big JBR - I will be happy to answer any questions you might have. We flew home with Garuda to Singapore and they delayed the flight by two hours so we missed our connecting flight. Took us about 20 hours from when we left the villa to home on the Sunshine Coast - why can't someone fly direct from Brisbane??? Next time we will go via Darwin.
Sad to be home - I do love Bali and now Lombok - but will hopefully be back in the land of the gods early next year.
Cheers to you all
Lyn