Left Brisbane 22nd August directly from Brisbane with Pacific Blue. Flight left on time and arrived on time which was great. First time in years that we have been able to fly directly to Bali so Pacific Blue is a big plus for us.
We've been going to Bali annually for 12 years now but always like to divide our time between a couple of different places or hotels, but always ending up in Legian. Our first stint was staying at Sari Sanur Resort in Sanur. This is a lovely little hotel, friendly staff - room was spacious. Brekky was served to our bungalow outside on the terrace. Ample food consisting of fruit platter, toast, eggs any style and coffee or tea.
Our bodies seemed to seize up as soon as we got to Sanur and found that we spent alot of time sleeping, catching up on all the stress of work that we had left behind. The second day we were there, we went for an afternoon nap and woke up at 6-30pm that evening!
Got right into the relaxation mode by having a few massages also - paid about 70000 rp in the street behind Sari Sanur. We mainly ate along the beachfront. The night before we left Sanur, went to Aladdin Warung and it was absolutely terrible. But that was the only bad place we ate at in 3 weeks. Best place to sit and have a few binnies was at the bar at Bonsai! Always managed to chat to someone.
>From Sanur, we spent 2 nights in Lembongan Island staying at Coconuts Beach Resort. Went over on the Fun Ship and took about 45 mins. Coconuts is built on a hill and our villa was almost right up the top so needless to say, there were many steps to climb to get there. We both consider ourselves quite fit people, but did end up putting a strain on the back of our legs. Was good exercise needless to say. It was amazing to see the bellboy who took our baggage up to our villa when we arrived. He had both our big suitcases as well as 2 aircraft bags pinned to his body somehow, and managed to take everything up himself. I don't know how they do it!
We really loved the peacefulness and beauty of Lembongan - its a great place to go to relax. We hired a scooter and went zipping around the island - not alot of traffic over there so was really fun. I'm ashamed to say that I had never truly snorkelled in my whole 51 years of life, so decided it was a 'must do' on Lembongan. Found Wayan, who had a 'snorkelling booth' in front of Coconuts. We paid him 300000 rp for the 2 of us to take us out. Don't know if this was expensive or not, but as everything you do in Bali 'Good for you, good for me' - we were happy paying that price anyway. We were the only 2 on his boat (SeaStar). Wayan was very trusting and before long I had learnt to snorkel and loved it!! Was amazing!
Would certainly go back to Lembongan - but next time would try a different place to stay. Coconuts is OK - we are quite easy people to please but I like to be able to have 'hot water' to have a shower in. It wasn't worth complaining about for only 2 nights. Our villa was really large - the front of it was completely glass so the view was spectacular! Next time also would take the Scoot Boat over.
After Lembongan came the last and longest part of our trip and we ventured on to Puri Raja. This was the 4th year we had stayed there and last! I know that I will probably get flamed, but thats OK. Its only my opinion anyway. The rooms, location and hotel itself is great. Most staff very friendly. The manager (or whoever he is) walks around breakfast every morning, and I think depending on how he feels will talk to you (or not). We would always try to say 'Pagi' to him, sometimes he would smile, twice he actually said 'good morning' but most times we got nothing! Maybe he didn't like the look of us but it was quite bazaar! We thought it may have been because we didn't go to any of the buffets/meals etc Puri Raja had going on certain nights - we will never know!
Why else has put us off, you ask? Those people who think it is their god given right to put their towels on the sunlounges first up in the morning to bar them, then only use them for part of the day. If those people would only consider that if they didn't do this, then everyone would get a fair go of being able to lie around the pools when they wanted to. We would only want to lie around for a couple of hours each day, and weren't impressed when we would go to the pool and couldn't get any sunlounges because they were all barred - towels thrown over them with nobody on them!!! One day we had to lie on the grass! Very frustrating when there would be only a handful of people lying on the chairs, the rest - just empty!!! I spoke to one lady there who tried to blame 'the younger ones' for leaving their towels there all day and not using them, when in fact she appeared to be the ring leader of barring her 'very own' chair every day! How does that happen?? I tried to diagn!
ose this situation - now the demographics of this hotel would be that on an average mostly Aussies over 40's stay there. Its not the younger people that are so 'inconsiderate' of other aussies staying at this hotel, but the older people.
During the last week we were there, we got up at 6-00am in the morning to go for a run along the beach, and guess what we would see??? Women going down to the pool with their towels to bar their 'very own' chair.. Give it a break you guys, and consider other people - its a great value to have.
The beach was the place to be, we figured!
Whilst I'm on the bandwagon - the next thing is Aussies lighting up at the breakfast table. Now I know its allowed in Bali, but once again, its not considering other people around who have to eat brekky with the smoke drifting into their faces!! Surely these people can refrain from smoking until they finish their breakfast - everyone else is on holidays too!
So...Puri Raja sorry - but I'm not going back! I might add we are not 'prudish' type of people either - very open, sociable, love to have a good time but always, always try to consider other people in public places.
But we had a great time in Legian. Was good to get back and see all our Balinese and Aussie friends again. Great to meet up again with Trev & Tina, Julie, Garry & Jane, Lara & Brian, Rob & Michelle, Smudge and Alan & Marg. Alan & Marg get to live in Bali for 3 months every year and stay at the Mandira. Sammy & Suzie's were always busy. Charlie Tango visits there most nights and tries to entertain the crowd. Most people pay him to go away!
A really exciting thing happened one night at S&S - Heaps of turtles hatched just beside S&S. There were probably about 70 of them hatched and running everywhere. The lifeguards were picking them up and putting them into a bucket. They said they had to take them somewhere for a couple of weeks before expelling them back into the ocean. Hope this was true!
We used to like having Nasi Goreng or Mie Goreng for our lunches each day. The best ever was Enhay Warung in Benesari Lane, off Poppies 2. You also get a nice piece of fried chicken with it. Coco in Benesari was also good. 18000 for each of these. Other great places for lunch were Nusa Indah, Agung, Kubuku & Swell - Poppies 1, Warung Asia is also a top fave of ours. Oh, you have got to try 'Jegeg Bulan' a warung in Poppies 2. Great special fried rice there, comes with 2 satays also for 22000.
Great places that we ate at nights were:- Patrick Warung (just before the entrance to Niksoma) nice snapper with chilli sauce for 55000, Wayan & Friends, Ketumba, La Monde, Bali Bagus, Tekor Bali (the best whole snapper!) Legends Bar and La Casa (Rum Jungle Rd).
At La Casa, we ate calamari rings and mozzarella on Pita bread, grilled tuna and snapper for mains, and a couple of drinks for 184000. Nice atmosphere and comprehensive menu. Oh forgot to mention another great favourite - Seaside Restaurant - you can even get Black Rice Pudding there which is getting harder and harder to get in Bali. You probably have guessed by now that I love to eat snapper in Bali - mainly whole and loved to compare different places.
One night we went to Blue Skyz - this restaurant is in Jalan Legian and is now owned by Alice & George who used to be at 'Ours'. Nikki also works there. They have an Indonesian buffet on Thursday nights for 75000, and have a band, also some fun stuff like Michael Jackson impersonations. In all honesty, its funny, but its the same old thing that comes from Legends. However, a very fun night indeed. Alice encourages her staff to have fun with the people so makes the atmosphere very enjoyable. Nikki and another crew member got up and sung the new 'Bali Holiday' song. Its very, very funny to watch and has everyone singing the tune. We found ourselves singing the tune from that night onwards.
Had a massage almost every 2nd day - mostly at Tapa Spa in Garlic Lane, along with head massages - they are to die for. On our last day, we went to Jena Salon in Padma St to get a head massage and a Perth lady was getting hair extensions. Final outcome was beautiful. She paid about $180 AUD and was really happy with it.
Friends of ours were staying at the Outrigger so went to check it out. What a magnificent place! We had sunset drinks there with them one night which was very enjoyable. Lovely place - bit too pricey for us tho.
Best rate we got was 8500, it only fell to 8400 whilst we were in Bali for 3 weeks. Used Pelangi Laundry in Padma Street for our washing. Can highly recommend them. We have an unusual surname, but each year we go there they always remember how to spell it! Amazing stuff. John got 2 trouser made at Brisbane Tailors. Mr Anson was there when we went so it was good. Measured up one day, back there in 3 days time for a fitting and fit like a glove. This is very stress-LESS for a man who absolutely despises shopping and trying on clothes!
One thing that was really noticeable in Bali this year was the immense amount of construction happening. New hotels being built, new shops going up and not forgetting the footpaths being dug up and redone. There's a new Ramada being built just past the Niksoma, Pullman's is still not complete yet - lots of construction happening on the forefront of Kuta.
Wasn't long before a beautiful relaxing holiday was to come to an end. Its very sad leaving our friends and Bali behind. We have already booked 2 places to stay next year and am now looking for a 1 bedroom villa to stay in for a few days - preferably Sanur or Seminyak - so if any forumites have a recommendation please let me know.
Our flight home with Pacific Blue left 10 mins early and only took 5 ½ hours to Brissie. Only problem was that the DVD's weren't working in our rows so had to read all the way home. Small price to pay though - its great to have the convenience of a direct flight.
Been home for almost a week now and don't stop thinking about our wonderful time and singing the 'Bali Holiday' tune. Hope you have enjoyed reading my JBR.
Until next time,
Regards Julie & John