Wasn't planning on writing a JBR but this forum has been useful to me in the planning of our trip so hopefully i might be able to help someone also.
I (32) have been to Bali 7 times, my partner (39) 5 times. We have travelled with our toddler son the last 2 times which hasn't been easy or enjoyable so this time it was just us and very relaxing. No prams, did enjoy watching others struggle!! One mum walked past us and said she was never doing this again. The plan was to enjoy 4 days relaxing followed by 10 days in Kuta shopping, eating, watching dvds, generally keeping busy.
Left Brisbane with Pacific Blue, uneventful, on time. We usually fly out of Sydney, noticed Brisbane was much quicker checking in and going through immigration. Will definitely continue flying out of Brisbane even though we live a bit closer to Sydney.
As i mentioned we arrived on time, just prior to a flight from Taiwan or Korea i think. Immigration took well over an hour. Longest ever, last 2 times we have been ushered through as we had our son who was running around silly. Due to the swine flu we had to hand over health forms and also be sprayed, these things added to the time. Baggage was already off the carousel by the time we arrived there. Changed a small amount of money at airport, rate was 7500. On our last day i got 8175.
As we were planning to spend 3 days in Lovina i wanted to stay a night closer to airport as i knew a 3 hour drive after arriving landing wouldn't be pleasurable. I chose Bali Tropical Hotel on the outskirts of Sanur. I had only read positive comments on this hotel and was excited to stay there, even if only one night. Mikael met me as i got out of car and welcomed us by our names. Thought that was a nice touch. The room was clean, large, no tv which was expected. All rooms are situated around a pool which was nice and cool. Breakfast is either toast or nasi goreng, along with juice and fruit salad. This is served to you on your balcony when you are awake. Absolutely beautiful nasi goreng. Hotel would be a nice break if you wanted total relaxation. Very quiet, except for the chickens. But close enough by taxi to Sanur for restaurants or shopping.
Our 3 nights in Lovina was at the Rambutan Hotel. Once again had only read positive things about this hotel. Stayed in a superior room which overlooked the most beautiful gardens and smaller pool. The room was nice, clean, unusual bathroom made out of small pebbles and stones. The toilet was unusually high where i couldn't touch the ground, and i am not short. Air con wasn't great but better then nothing, unfortunately the staff turn it off after they clean the room so we always came back to a hot room. When we arrived the tv was not working (partner is an avid tv watcher), they changed it straight away. The replacement was no better, the aerial plug had broken and it was fuzzy, after several visits to reception to have it fixed it wasn't. Bit annoying as we didn't have anything planned for Lovina, just wanted to chill out. Another gripe was the lady on reception when we arrived was not welcoming, also on check out did not even say good bye. Wouldn't let me use my VISA card which i wanted to use to avoid fees. Just generally not a friendly person. All other staff were wonderful. Breakfast was great, you can choose from 5 items off the menu. I liked this as opposed to a buffet where i tend to eat too much. Also strange we thought was that there is a room service menu in room but no telephone to order it, you have to walk to the restaurant to place an order. I also thought it was odd that only one pool offered pool towels, so to use the pool nearer to our room we had to go to the other pool to grab towels. On the subject of linen, our queen size bed was always made with double sheets, every morning we were all tangled and sleeping on a bare mattress. Not good. However, we enjoyed our stay in Lovina, enjoyed the quiet relaxed feel. Did a cooking school through a local man and also went on a snorkelling trip.
Ok.......next instalment will be Kuta.............thanks for reading.......