Hubby (KutaKen) and I returned last week from 3 glorious weeks in Bali. I have greatly appreciated all the helpful information posted here over the last few months, helped make our holiday so enjoyable.
Please remember these are my experiences and perceptions in this JBR, I look forward to reading yours in your JBR.
HOW WAS BALI - Wonderful as always and obviously enjoying the benefits from the high numbers of both domestic and international tourists. New temples have been built and existing ones are better maintained than on previous trips. There is building/development everywhere. The street dogs and cats not quite as heartbreaking as in the past and toilet paper and liquid hand wash plentiful at all pit stops.
Bali is busy; our Kuta hotel was overbooked by 60 rooms and was farming guests off to other hotels.
The areas around Kuta and Ubud have been built up considerably and the traffic - wow, has that increased since our last trip 3 years ago!!! But Bali is still the only place in the world where I don't have my heart in my mouth when I see an oncoming truck heading straight for us, the level of anticipated driver behaviour and tolerance is something Sydney's drivers could benefit from.
Didn't find VOA a problem considering that it took us longer to get through customs when we returned to Sydney - partially due to the appalling queue management here - or I should say lack there of. Nothing like having to deal with queue jumpers when you've been awake for over 24 hours and your still aching from being cramped!
CANDI DASA
We headed straight up to the Rama Resort and Spa after landing in Denpasar, a one and a half hour drive. We had an Ocean View cottage and were more than impressed with the Rama. The food was great, breakfast didn't have that many choices but we couldn't fault the hotel, service or staff and would happily return here. The pillows were the best I've found anywhere in the world so between the heavenly nights sleep and the cooler weather in this area we soon unwound and got into Bali mode. We have been to Bali many times so do did not do any touring from here other than a walk into ‘town' and lunch at the Lotus Seaview Restaurant (just average food). We did the return trip to the Rama in a genuine old style bemo - great fun!
KUTA
After Candi Dasa we transferred down to the Ramayana in Kuta. Walked straight into a problem at check in, I had major surgery earlier this year and cannot manage steps and I had been very clear in insisting that we had ground level accommodation both here and at Candi Dasa when booking through our travel agent. We had confirmation that a pool side cottage had been reserved for us - but we found out when we hit reception that it was on the first floor.
Ughhhh ... we inspected the room accessed by a very steep, narrow staircase with only a partial banister - no way could I have stayed here. We called our travel agent who assured us that instructions had been given to the wholesaler who seemingly did not pass these on to the hotel. As the hotel was overbooked by 60 rooms we were lucky (I guess) that we were placed into an Executive Deluxe room serviced by an elevator. This situation could have been disastrous had another room not been available. We were happy to wait a few hours until our new room became vacant and cleaned.
In the end we were very happy with our new room and would return to the Ramayana. We had a complimentary afternoon tea available everyday with a mix of savoury and sweet treats, the crème brulee a firm fav of mine! Breakfast was exceptionally good, heaps of choices and plenty of bacon if that's your thing. We found the staff here just wonderful, very friendly and helpful. Loved the location and the international mix of guests this hotel attracts. We didn't eat at the restaurant here though, menu didn't appeal to us and a couple of guests told us they weren't impressed with the food. The pool bar (not swim-up) is finished and we were asked to take part in a photo shoot to promote the opening (officially some time in Oct). We were treated to delicious cocktails and a meal for the shoot and all was great until we were asked to trial two Jakarta Soups they are introducing. Staff at the Ramayana told us that Kuta is attracting increasing numbers of domestic tourists so they were developing their menu to suit their taste. Not for us I'm afraid, not to our liking at all.
SEMINYAK
After 11 nights at the Ramayana we moved into a 1 bedroom villa at the Heliconia Villas. Again we hit a hiccup at reception. I had booked through an agency and had a copy of the accommodation confirmation in my hot little hand when the villa staff said they had not received our booking ... (here we go again) ... but they had a 1 bedroom villa ready to go so no problem. Phew.
Loved our villa, everything worked, staff were great and it was lovely and quiet. Pool nice and clean and a phone call each morning heralded the arrival of breakfast. Lunch was only a phone call away with 2 delicious meals costing us on average rph110,000 - that included delivery fee from Café Moka, tax and a tip. Cheapest meals we had the whole trip and they were great.
Heliconia Villas are well located, situated down a long drive on Laksama (eat street) with Rumours and Ultimo just across the road. Ahhhh bliss.
SHOPPING
TAILOR / SUIT - Hubby had a suit made with 2 prs of pants along with a sportsjacket. We found the quality of fabric had improved in Bali which meant we paid more but the result was great and well worth it! Only one fitting was required and it took under a week for the 3 pieces to be made.
GLASSES - We took over scripts from Sydney but KutaKen's prescription was out when it was checked in Bali. He had his glasses made by an optician in the Ramayana Mall in Denpasar. We found the language barrier a little bit of a problem but all worked out well in the end and now KK has a new pr of up to date progressive lens glasses for the tidy sum of AUD$120 (the optik had a big sale on frames). I had my reading glasses made at Optik Melawai in Kuta Square (not progressive) for AUD$130.
TEETH - Hubby had a new Valplast (no wires, flexible) denture made at Dr Rudy's Bali Mall Clinic. Very quick and very slick, soooooo much cheaper than having it made in Aust. He's very happy with his new smile and bite.
JEWELLERY - REMODEL - Now this was nerve racking! Had read about stones being swapped for inferior ones on here and had a list of jewellers to choose from sourced from the forum. Really didn't feel like having to do more trips into Denpasar so headed down to Kreshna Jewellers at the Bali Rani Hotel. I had 4 x 18kt white gold rings melted down and combined most of the stones from these rings into one new design along with 5 more smallish diamonds purchased through the jeweller. As these rings had previously sat in a drawer unworn for 20 years I wasn't too stressed (MUCH) over the outcome, or that's what I tried to convince myself. Needn't have worried - the result was wonderful, my design was perfectly interpreted, and most importantly the stones were NOT swapped. I was given back stones that I didn't want included so I was one very happy Barbie. I have valuation papers for insurance but will have it revalued here - and I'm tipping that there won't be much difference, I think Ms Pak will have been spot on. My ring took under a week to make and was ready 4 days ahead of the promised day. I had gone to Mayang first but the goldsmith pulled out of the deal when we went through the design details, think it was too much for him as he was keen to do it at first.
SHOES - LEATHER - CUSTOM-MADE
Dolphin Leather made 2 prs of leather business shoes for hubby, the first pr they made were not wearable but the next pr were so good KK had a second pr made. Very happy with the price and each pr only took 3 days. (approx AUD$110 for 2 prs)
GENERAL SHOPPING
Bought the usual sarongs, sunglasses, belts you know the rest of the list, still many good deals to be had. We don't barter hard with the Balinese and always settle on a fair price, it erks me when I see people pushing to save just a dollar or part thereof.
Mr H was as reliable as always in delivering our entertainment for the non-rating TV period in Sydney.
We took one large expanding suitcase over and those large plastic stripy bags (one inside the other) to bring everything home.
I am still mortified about being a kilo underweight at check in on the way home. Still lamenting all the things I could have and should have bought. Next time.
EATING
Around Kuta : Asian Spice (good), Stadium Bar (good), Ifiori (not impressed), Sendok (fantastic and really good value, best schnitzel in the world), Ketupat (don't miss this one - wonderful authentic food and really good value), Chi Chi's (Mexican, just OK), Mades (good), Poppies (good)
Around Legian : Ours (good), Bali Aussie (OK), Legends (food OK but the band Hotline was fantastic), Lokha (OK)
Sanur: Bonsai (worst meal whole trip, food poor and service really bad)
Seminyak : Mades (good) Rumours (good food, good value, Wagu steak rph125,000) and last but by no means least - Ultimo. Great food, great value, loved this place.
GENERAL
This is the first trip that we blew the budget. I used the last trip's spending budget as a guide and was way out as a result. The cost of taxis and food has gone up but still cheap compared to here, so I'm not complaining. Legian seems to be sliding down market compared to Kuta and Seminyak.
NEXT TIME:
I will buy that extra kilo of Bali goods.
I will book direct to hotel/villa myself. We had hiccups with 2 of our 3 accommodations. Considering the level of over booking in Bali I think it's best to have copies of written confirmation in your hand and if you personally handle all the reservations you know what has transpired. We couldn't argue our case at the Ramayana as we didn't know if the fault lied with the agent, wholesaler or hotel.
REALLY MISSING :
The many 'Selamat pagis' it took to get from our room to breakfast, really missing the smiles, no one smiles here like they do in Bali - everyone sits sour faced on public transport with either a mobile or I-pod glued to their ear.
Yep - Post-Bali-Depression has set in!
Till next time .....