Back to Bali for my 7th time and to celebrate my 40th birthday. On the trip were my hubby and two kids M 13 and J 12. Our flight with Garuda left at 7.15 on time and without incident. When we arrived we were quickly through immigration and collected our cases. For the first time in years we weren't searched and we arrived outside to meet our driver for the private car transfer to our hotel. He wasn't there. He didn't arrive. Another ground operator put us in 2 cabs and we eventually got to the Bali Mandira.
We had booked deluxe rooms with private club benefits. The rooms were nice, not huge. There is a window above the closet as mentioned on the forum, so we took several meters of black plastic and some tape and taped them up. We hope that gives them a hint about putting blinds on the windows. The outdoor bathroom is unusual but nice as it has a huge shower head and with two kids it meant two showers as there is also one in the bath with a curtain so that was good. The hotel is in a good location but next time with the girls for a shopping holiday we will stay further down in Kuta. Its just b bit annoying with all the one way streets and the cheating taxi drivers who try to take you the long way unless you tell them.
We ate at the Niksoma, Gabba, Rosa del sol, Bubba gumps, Bali Colada, Celcius cafe,Kori's and all three restaurants at the hotel and room service.
Every meal was spectacular except Kori's where we spent my 40th birthday. The food was terrible and both my hubby and I got sick. Very disappointing as it was my favorite restaurant in Bali and i have eaten there several times each trip in 7 trips.
We had a portrait sitting before going over and took the shots on a disk to Shoot in Jl Legian. They turned these into a lovely collage on canvas for just over 100 bucks and we had it framed at home.
I had a bangle made with my own gold at MIss Pak at Krisha Jewellery at the Bali Rani and cannot speak highly enough of her. We decided on a design for 500,000 rp and when it came back it looked terrible. She agreed and had it remade in a different design for no more money.
I had a bag made at Tommys, just beautiful leather.
We bought lots of things at mataharis and centro. We are now fully stocked for winter. We visited Miss Debby, Yanthi and Ketuts in Garlic lane for all the other clothing.
Silver instinct and indocoral in garlic lane for pandora. Visited Perlu great for glass beads. Someone mentioned Silver Berry on Jl Legian when we were there but I didn't get a chance to go.
We did the Kintamani Bike ride. 25 KMs all downhill. It was great. I am not very fit and was worried about the hills but there just aren't any. Lunch was lovely too, but breakfast was terrible!!! we went with A true Balinese Adventure company. Cost $160 us.
Thats about it. Left at 2.30 flight in arvo. All went again without incident. We arrived home early and got through customs quickly even though we had some things to declare.
Booked again for October. Bring it on!!!!
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