Hi all. Flew out from Brissie with Virgin. left a bit late but made the time up. No other arrivals so straight thru VOA (had $US ready so didn't have to worry about conversion). In taxi heading to Bali Ayu villas Seminyak within 20 minutes of disembarking. As stated previously in a here now report, went with a Bali virgin and wish I had the camera out to capture the disbelief I think we all show when first presented with the heat, traffic, motorbikes, pedestrian crossings which are meaningless, as another couple found out when they tried to cross in front of our taxi,and what seems like total chaos on the streets but in my meager 3 visits, have never seen an accident.
We were told the standard villas were fully booked and they would upgrade us to a superior. Nice surprise. Room nothing special but spacious and clean with outdoor bathroom, very friendly staff. Good pool which is well maintained, never a problem with chairs. Pool bar a bit dear with the price of spirits now. Cocktails with 4 or 5 spirits all 65000++ ($9). Free wireless internet but you could only access it from the reception/bar area, a sarifice which I gladly made.
Started getting used to prices, after 5 years between visits, at Geneva handicrafts as they stock many items sold on the street. Ended up back there on the final day for last minute gifts. For a non shopper, my partner certainly took to the whole shopping experience and all that was on offer. Was quite offended when her usual size 12 turned out to be an xl in Bali stores. Stocked up on dvds 10,000 each, buy 10 get 4 free.
Found a driver who works at the Taman Ayu cottages and the adjoining restaurant, which we ate at several times and drives on his days off. Speaks reasonable english, 300,000 rp per day but gave him 350,000. Not a flash car but a mitsubishi star wagon, in better condition than some kijangs I have been in. Used him 2 days. One was to see Barong dance, Celuk for some jewellery at Dede's, monkey forest for some well behaved monkeys and great photos of them on our knees and shoulders. Keeper just had to say one word and they got off (even if they did swing from your hair). On to Ubud for lunch and shopping, then on to Kintimani, Batur temple and returned via Gianyar and Sanur. Very careful driver, piched us up at 9am we got back at 6.30 pm and he still wanted us to do more in between to stretch out the day.
Second trip was supposed to be Candi dasa (will have to wait for next time). Went to Krishna's in Denpasar, touristy stuff but excellent prices. Clothes, bedspreads, sandals, wooden goods, food etc. Then to Ramayana for some clothes and phone cases, mainly locals shop there. Badung was next. Everything from spices and fruit and veges to sarongs, bedspreads etc. Walk to next building for the wooden goods, paintings, pottery etc. On to look at Nusa Dua for a while then late lunch at New matahari cafe at Jimbaryn Bay. Was put off a little by reports I had read about the quality and price of food in the area but really pleased we went. The most expensive meal of the trip but soooo worth it. Picked out a 2.1 kg snapper, a kilo of river prawns, 600gr squid cut up and deep fried like calamari. Fish and prawns cooked on coals and coated in garlic sauce. A couple of binnies, basket of rice, sauces,salad, fruit afterwards 545,000 ($75) and fed 3.
Overall, never had a bad meal. Rumours was great but expected more indo food on the menu. Took a shine to arak (32,000rp per bottle in Bintang supermarket $4). Taxis no problem with meters and cheap way of getting around. Even walked from Seminyak into Kuta one day. Did not start out with that aim in mind, but just kept going and wa ssurprised by what you miss out on seeing from a taxi. Had wanted to go elephant riding and a cycling tour but ran out of time. Plane left late and there was a "malfunction" in the free movies but other stations available when you hit the Australian coast. We both developed colds within 24 hours of arriving back and suspect it was within the plane.
Definitely need 2 weeks minimum next time and not in another 5 years time. Sorry about the rambling on.