JBR
Left fri 15th Aug flying Garuda with my friend Corina, first time for her so she was definitely excited. Good flight over no dramas, always think that Bali airport runway is never long enough, taking off and landing. Got VOA no worries in and out in 30 mins. Cause we were 2nd in line for check-in in Melbourne, of course our bags were one of the last ones of the plane, so about a hour wait.
Walked out of airport to see a sea of Balinese, thinking how am I going to pick our driver and dear friend out of all the dark faces, then from afar a hand raises above the crowd and I new.
Off to Bali Garden, letting Corina sit in the front of the car and experience the driving for the very first time. No worries about her, I had already put my foot brake through the car before we even left the airport.
Check in was quick and easy, got a room facing Jalan Kartika, even though it was a bit noisy it was good just to sit on the balcony with bintang in hand and watch the world go by.
Throw bags on bed, get changed and we're off onto the streets.
Stayed BGH 8 days. Especially liked the grounds and the pool areas here.The beds were big and comfy also.Then we were off down to Royal Bali Beach Club at Jimbaran Bay. This place is just lovely, the villa, well what can one say, everything there that you needed on a holiday,yep we're in heaven. Only down fall I guess if you could call it that was not enough sun lounges around the pool. Every one knows how it is, get up early and put that towel in place otherwise your loungeless for the rest of the day. Actually got a bit sick of the lounge hogs so one morning bright and early even before the roosters were crowing off sets Corina and GOTCHA we have lounges for the day. Ok so some of the regulars aren't impressed. Tuff.
7 days RBBC and off again to Garden View. Havn't stayed there for 3 years, must say did get a bit of a shock seeing a lot is so different there now. Now got to be honest and probably will never stay there again. The room was really run down, yes I no that they're in the middle of renovations. I was told that all the apartments that are being built will be privately owned, sort of like a time share thingy. While we were there we saw 2 elderly people fall down the steps of the pool and hit their head and back. No rail for them to hold onto. The water was really warm and not quite as refreshing as one would expect after a hard day shopping. Gotta say though with what I thought were downfalls, the staff there are just as great as they ever were. Always smiling, friendly and willing to help. Not one bad or average meal in the restaurant, just really yummy tucker. The bar of course had the most refreshing cold bintangs.
Of course being with a first timer there was heaps of things to do. Which isn't a bad thing, it was good going back and seeing the sights etc again.
We did the Safari Park and we both got to hold the baby orangtang, god how CUTE are they! The lion and tiger cubs were both zonked out of their brains, I had to look twice to make sure that they weren‘t stuffed ones. The Safari bus that takes you around the park was also good. All in all thoroughly enjoyed it
We went up to my drivers village at Singaraja, what a great experience although we did become vegetarians for 2 days. Visited the Water Palce up there also, this place is amazing. Stayed at the villas there called Tirta Ayu very nice.
Did Tanah Lot, Git Git, Denpasar Market, The Bat Cave, Monkey Forest(and yes Corina the monkeys do jump on you if you have fruit in you back pack) Talk about up close and personal with Made after only knowing him for 2 days.
Went to Turtle Island, this was a great experience, to learn about the turtle program and get to hold these wonderful creatures. Not to sure about the python there though, for some strange reason I thought it would be a good idea to have it hung around my neck, while Corina is screaming and running in the other direction.
Did heaps of shopping of course and ended up buying another bag each. Just had the slightest feeling that Garuda would like some more money off us at check in, yep that feeling in my bones was right, 20kgs excess, but lovely lady only charged us for 10kg. Good quick flight to Melbourne. Netherless had to catch domestic flight to home and gees you wouldn't believe it excess luggage again, this time 16kgs. Reminder to self stop shopping when bags are splitting at there seams.
All in all another great and memorable trip to bali, Can not wait till the next one.
To all you forumites thanks for all the information and great JBR's.