ACCOMMODATION:
Jayakarta, Legian.
I found this to be good value for money for a beach front resort. Our room in the 200s and in the group closest to the beach. Some nights quite noisy when the beach bar was busy and we could always hear the surf crashing on the beach. Breakfasts were typical buffet style and became boring after several days. Staff and service very good and quite helpful.
FLIGHT:
Flew Garuda and mostly typical flights, VOA took an entire hour waiting in line to clear customs, quite frustrating. A group in our queue bribed an attendant (50,000) while in the VOA queue and saved themselves the one hour wait. On leaving we checked in 14kg overweight and weren't charged excess.
RESTAURANTS:
Lanai - food and service very good and being beachfront, a lovely setting at sunset.
Waroeng Tropical - Manager Yogi Bear, a real character. Food and prices reasonable.
La Lucchiola - food and service excellent, a delightful location on the beach. Overpriced, especially for Bali, too formal for my liking.
Khaima - excellent.
Flying Piano - thoroughly enjoyed this place, had excellent steaks and loved the Sumatran trio playing.
GILI TRAWANGAN:
Transfer by Bluewater Safaris - a smooth two and a half hour ride from Benoa Harbour. I wouldn't like to do this if the waters were rough. Others who had flown over and returned on the boat preferred flying.
Accommodation at Manta Dive Bungalows, Gili Trawangan.