We travelled to Bali on Pacific Blue on 21st August.
We consisted of Myself, Husband, couple, who are friends, single friend and sister and brother in law. (All in our 40s)
Flight was ok, although the seats are a little uncomfortable - but as it was from Perth, can't really complain. Arrived in Bali about 11.15pm and was met by Murtis assistants using VIPVoa.
Was really really glad of this service as there were a lot of planes in at the same time and queues were horrific. Got picked up by our friend and Driver Nyoman , who is part of the Puri Raja Hotel. As there were 7 of us, he had brought a friend with another van to take us.
Arrived at our Hotel the Adi Dharma after going down all the winding gangs to get there, was a little worried as it seemed to be in the middle of no-where! Proved to be a really great location, central to all that we wanted. We could walk easily to the beach, Melasti street and Kuta square.
Started the check-in, only to be told that our rooms were not ready and we would have to start off in a different room then move the next day, and then again the one after that. Was not very happy, but agreed to stay one night in the different room, but refused to move again after that as we really like to un-pack and settle ourselves. The rooms we were given first were ironically deluxe rooms, so they were a lot larger than the rooms we had booked. All in all though we preferred the superior rooms the next day as they were a lot cleaner, and location wise we looked over the pool. (328, 326)
Hotel was great, only thing we would have to say is that there are very few pool lounges around the pool, so very difficult to lie around the pool. (as there was 7 of us, did not want to take over nearly all of them, did not seem right!) So did not come back as tanned as usual (Probably a good thing, save the skin) and did not really relax as much as we normally do. Spent a few times down the beach though, just hired a few lounges and an umbrella. That was great fun, especially when I turned onto my front and was accosted by the Beach sellers! I had 3 women in front of me trying to sell their wares. Husband thought it very funn y though, and videoed the whole thing! I did not hold out very well though as I wanted loads of the stuff they had, so a few deals were made!(I think they came out of it quite well)
At the bottom of the small gang leading to Hotel there is a circle k, a great money changer with wifi, and a spa we used a lot called Emma Spa. Really clean, cheap and good.
Did lots of the usual shopping. Sunglasses, Watches (My husbands entire summer wardrobe) lots of Biokos, which we bought at Carrefour. Bought a lot of stuff from Ketuts as usual. She really is a lovely woman and remembers us every year. She seems to stock more and more, which is great. Bought the obligatory Pandora Bracelet, which took ages of time to decide on the charms! Dvds offcourse. Though not as many as usual. We just don't watch a lot, so thought we would cut back a bit. Lots of weight for other things then.
My husband, my sister, single friend and one of the couple did the Annika cooking school, and absolutely loved it. Husband even went to the markets and purchased the mortar and pestle that they used in the class, (Weighed about 5 kilos, but as most of the other shopping is mine, can't really complain, anyway he had to carry it in his backpack). The other three of us (Me and the Boys) went shopping. Can't be too bad can it?
We did the Baik Bike ride again this year, but we took bags of lollies that we made up at home. We stopped and gave them to the children that came out of their houses to wave. It was really fun, and they loved them. Lunch was perfect as usual. As a vegetarian and a fussy one at that, it is the only Balinese food that I eat. It was wonderful. Wayan has finished the other part of his compound now, so there is a larger place to eat. (and he sells nice cold Bintang now!)
Unfortunately it rained a lot on the last 3 days. Really unseasonal for August. We usually go this time of year and have never had more than a night shower. On the Thursday it rained pretty much all day. We spent the afternoon in the tattoo place. (Ibud Tattoo) Really pleased with the job that they did and the price was amazing too. Between 5 of us we had 7 tattoos done.
We ate at lots of places our favs were Drops. Seaside, Neros and stadium Café is always good. Ate lunch at Hard Rock, for their fabulous Vegi Burger. Had a great night at Bali Rock. The band were fabulous. Shame they were mainly just playing for us. Still lots of cocktails drunk and had lots of fun.
It was one of our friends birthdays while we were there. At breakfast the staff made a great fuss of her, singing happy birthday and presented her with a crown and a beautiful little birthday cake (Chocolate) that was lovely for breakfast. We went to Macaronis that night and was a little dissaponted with it. Last year we went and the menu and cocktails were better . We went to the The bounty after that (Karoake bar, not one upstairs - too bloody old for that one) They again sang Happy Birthday and presented her with a cocktail. (Lethal offcourse) Had a rather drunken night there, those big frozen cocktail are really easy to drink.
What I love about Bali is that I never seem to get much of a hangover, which is great.
Anyway all good things have to end and we checked out of Hotel 12 oclock on the 4th. Again by our friend Nyoman. Got to the airport, sister and Brother in law were about 3 ½ kilos over, so had to place in hand luggage, which was quite empty. Headed off to the Dewa lounge as we have the last few times. Even more variety of food and drinks were good too.
All in all a wonderful trip to our favourite place in the world. We actually got the highest amount for the dollar that we have ever had. It was around the 8300 and even went up to 8450. The first time we went to Bali in 2001, it was 4550. Our friends who had not been for 10 years loved everything in Bali. They shopped and shopped, and loved the Dewa lounge at the airport too.
Feel free to ask any questions
Beth