This is my First JBR, so here it goes.
Wow what a great week. Flew Skywest Port Hedland to Denparar 2hr flight nice and easy. Purchased Duty free in Perth through JR's Duty Free in Hay Street and packed in suitcase for trip to Bali. You just give the docket to customs in Hedland and all good. Paid Netfare for VIP VOA WELL WORTH IT!!!(Http://www.netfare.com.au/)
Arrived at the same time as three 747 plane loads, we were meet at the VOA entry hall whisked off to a lovely air-conditioned room with a smoking room for the smokers and lovely toilets for the ladies, offered drinks and nibbles and then whisked out to our car with luggage in tow in 10 minutes. Excellent service!!!
First stop was Villa Awang Awang in Ubud for 2 nights. (http://www.awangawang.com/default.htm) well want can I say Ubud is lovely the view from the Villa was fantastic, the bedrooms and bathrooms beautiful. My only criticism is that I felt that I was a visitor in someone's house. There were too many people hoovering around. It is a bit disconcerting to wake up in the morning open your door and find people waiting for you in the sitting area. This is just my opinion, of cause some people like this but it was not my cup of tea. I would also not recommend this Villa for people with children, elderly or with knee or hip issues as the constant climbing steep stairs is a nightmare.
Whilst in Ubud we visited the markets in the town centre and also Sukawati found this to be good just didn't purchase as not a confident shopper (husband happy about lack of purchases). We had dinner at Indus for Valentines Day. What can I say fantastic meal the best Nasi Campur I have every had and the Black rice pudding with coconut ice-cream, Amazing. This restaurant is a must do. We also had lunch at a little café called Lobong Café Monkey Forrest Road, Great Cocktails 45000.00rp.
After Two days we transferred down to our Villa in Seminyak. Villa Kipas
http://www.villakipas.com/home
This is an amazing villa with wonderful staff that are unobtrusive and helpful. We ate at some fantastic restaurants:
Osteria Telese - Seminyak
Ultimo - Seminyak amazing cocktails and fantastic food.
Pantarei - Seminyak great Greek food - good cocktails
TJ'S Mexican - Great Mexican and amazing margaritas
Lanai - Double six Legian - Great casual food and good cocktails
Didn't do too much shopping this trip but did visit
Dianne's Store - (Fixed price)
Ketut's Store - (Fixed Price) much better range and a little bit cheaper
Divine Diva - Laksmana 1A Oberoi, Seminyak great tops
And Discovery Mall - Brought the some WII accessories (Tennis racket, Mario wheel, Baseball, Golf stick) for $15.00 AUS
All in all weather was good during the day, rained at night which was nice. The streets were quiet and the Exchange rate hoovered around 7500rp.
Looking forward to our next trip in September.