No hangover from last night and glad my first JBR read ok (was a bit worried...) well my lovely 5 yr old and I (this trip was to celebrate my 40th - many people wondered why would I celebrate it over in Bali without friends and family - I couldn't see a better place to celebrate it..)
Spent the first 3 nights at the Ida Hotel. A bit run down and it wasn't a 'party zone' which was good, nice and central and staff are very friendly. Food okay. Probably would not stay again but I always like to try different places. Had a deluxe room with the outdoor bathroom...that was nice. Stayed here because I wanted to shop heaps at Matahari's - I adore their children's clothes and kids shoes..my daughter got some great stuff including little bright high heeled type shoes (plastic) for about 10 $. Shopped also at Diannes fixed price shop in Tuban as I'm not one for all that haggling over prices.
Next 4 nights we spent at Sanur Beach Villas - never stayed in Sanur and found it an absolutely lovely - will definitely stay there again. (Thank you Ron)Enjoyed the restaurants on the beach and the lovely footpath that goes for (and trust me as we walked it..) 6 or 7 kilometers' approx. Bloodyron is an wonderful delight who would do anything for you. Always checking with us if things where okay and always had a smile on his face. A very well grounded gentleman - a lot younger than I expected (as someone said comes across very wise on the forum so I expected him to be a lot older..) Breakfast at his place were wonderful and his staff and especially his wife Irma are lovely. While there, we at up at the restaurants on the beach about a 5 min walk from his place. Kesuma's was wonderful. Go to the left from his place and walk past the Mecure's entrance you have a spa which has internet access and a restaurant in front called Mama Putu - had a lovely chicken curry there. So even though his place is in the south there are places walking distance and it cost 25,000RP to get to town (with tip). Would never bother going to Hardy's again, they had market clothing at about 4 times the price. Just bought the only Martha Tiller cream they had.
Next was off the Lokha in Legian for the last few nights and really happy about this place. SOOO central - would stay here again. Just a walk to the beach and that's where we had our birthday beer (daughter had lemonade) on the beach -(thank you Suzie and Sammy for your hospitality) Now what more would you want on your birthday?? Looking out onto Kuta beach watching the sunset. Loved the Lokha, their food was lovely ( best Bakmi goreng I had all trip) pool great, staff great - very lovely rooms for what we paid ($80 per night). Wonderful. Shopped at Miss Debbies fixed shop for a load of gear for hubby, son and of course ourselves.
My daughter was amazed at how many people wanted to know her name? her age? Wanted to take photo's of her...miss popular..after about 5 mins she felt right at home...that was always my worry - I didn't want her feeling scared in a different land but everyone made her feel so welcome, it was great.
We got to meet dennisc and Nikki (nicno) at s&s the first night - good to meet you dennis! Lovely man, great to put a face to your name and cyber personality. I live about 15mins from Nikki and only ever seem to run into her over in Bali so that was a lovely surprise. Bought heaps of dresses and tops and sunglasses...kicked myself last trip to Thailand for not doing so - so made up for it this time. Some great fashions out there.
Every meal was from okay to down right lovely - not a bad meal had. No Bali belly, red eye or anything like that. Bali was awesome...
Had a day at the Safari which was good - Rhiannah really enjoyed it and it was a great change from just shopping and relaxing. Everyone was wonderful...I felt extremely safe everywhere wewent and it was wonderful to watch my daughter's reaction to everything from the traffic to the lovely 'offerings' ceremony each morning. It was a real sit back and watch the Balinese world got by holiday. Note : would never leave home without the DVD Player...as we used it heaps.
As always thanks to the BTF for all the tips etc - couldn't work out how to ring from mobile when I got there (had forgotten) just went to a net café and used the search engine on here and wammo!! All the info I needed was here and worked it out.
Looking forward to my next trip, again with daughter in tow, every trip gets better and better....thanks for reading and take care, Dayle