Back three days ago from another great holiday in Bali.
We flew Garuda departing Perth on 06/09, departed on time, arrived in Bali and through VOA and customs and out the front of the airport within approx 20 mins. I
We had booked a poolside room at Alam Kulkul, arrived at the hotel around 10.30ish, checked in and were shown to our room - guess what, not a poolside room and the room looked like nothing the pictures on the hotel website! Not a happy camper - called reception and were told no poolside room available but one available the next morning. The room we were in was okay, if I was paying $50 or $60 a night it would have been what I expected (we were paying $100 per night). Very tired by this time, so had a bath and off to bed - the bathroom by the way was lovely, must have just been refurbished. In the morning we had a look at the poolside rooms, once again not like the pictures on the website and a very dark, damp not so nice bathroom - I said to my husband "We're out of here" and so started the trek to other hotels in the area - Padma, Mandira, Lokha and a couple others I can't remember the names of only to be told they were all booked. A couple could fit us in for 3 or 4 nights but that was it. I was very down in the dumps by this time, husband tried to cheer me up and said "Lets look at a Villa at AKK??", they had one available, we packed up and moved in! I instantly cheered up and got into holiday mode!! Cost us an extra $50 per night but the villa room was beautiful. Thatched ceiling, semi outdoor bathroom, well and truly worth the money to upgrade. AKK was a very nice hotel but I would not stay there again unless in was in a villa. Everything else about the hotel is great, staff, pools, gardens etc. Did'nt hear too much noise from the construction next door, great having Pappas right out the front.
My sister and her family were also in Bali at the same time (staying in the private apartments at the Jayakarta). She was very happy with her accommodation - she had 2 x 1 bedroom apartments with an adjoining door. This suited her as she has a 5 year old, also an 18 month old.
Did the usual shopping - bags, dvds, table runners, custion covers, clothes for boys at home. I also bought myself quite a bit of silver jewellery, mostly pendants to wear on black neoprene, a couple of silver chains. Prices were very good on everything.
Had some fantastic meals at Lanai - we went there 5 times, it was so good! Also went to Yutz (had read of this restaurant on the forum for best steak and I must say it did'nt disappoint), had a very nice meal at Green Gardens, also ate at Il Cielo, Ours, Blue Ocean, Bali Aussie (would give this one a miss next time), Gosha and Uncle Norms, can't remember the others.
Husband and brother-in-law went rafting, enjoyed their day. Us girls and kids went shopping of course! Had 3 manicures and pedicures, creambath for the first time (good!) - had manicures etc done at Carla Spa, would definitely go back again.
I found Bali quite busy, bumped into quite a few people we knew from home! Next time I would like to try Niksoma, I liked the look of it and the location was great. The paved walkway in front of Jayakarta, Kumala Pantai, Padma etc is great and I quite fancy staying up there somewhere. The strip of restaurants (Blue Ocean, Lanai, Zanzibar etc) have a very nice outlook onto the beach. The one disappointing thing with AKK was the fact that once you walked out of the hotel you had the construction at Legian Nirwana on one side and a no-mans land of vacant blocks and a couple of empty hotels on the other.
Had a look around Nusa Dua as we had'nt been there before, afraid it did'nt do much for me. We also went to my dads friends house (Gusti) he picks us up from the airport etc. We met his two children and he showed us through his house (he is in the process of completing it, they are living in it, just need the finishing touches.) We then had a quick drive around Denpassar then went back to the hotel.
We really enjoyed our holiday, I have the opportunity of going back in November with a friend (she has'nt been to Bali before so that will be fun), have to wait until I get back to work on Wednesday to see if I can get holidays!!
My sister has already booked to go back in February, got her, husband and two kids there return for $1100 - bargain!
Hope this has'nt been to dull to read, I did'nt want to put in every single detail, just a general overview of our fantastic holiday!!
Cacko......