22 yo son & I bought the taxes-only Air Asia flights that were available earlier in the year. Son hadn't been to Bali since he was 10ish when he hated the place (toilets & food were issues). Since then toilets have improved and he has become quite the foodie. (Husband had spent 2 months in Indonesia recently & besides someone had to stay home for our Burmese cat to supervise).
We left on 28 Oct from Perth at 5am - those AA seats ARE tiny, but as the flight was only 2/3 full we got to stretch out & sleep. Pre-ordered Nasi Lemak which was OK but I wouldn't bother again. Quickly through the formalities, met our hotel driver with a sign "Mr Heater" then to Suji Bungalows in Gang Sorga, which runs between Poppies 1 & 2. We had a cute little 2 level family bungalow for Rp350K/night. Son is an impoverished student & I had been in Bali in June with Whoopee so we didn't want to spend much on accommodation.
Wouldn't stay there again - only one small aircon unit upstairs which was woefully inadequate (the rooms might have great aircon). Suji is at least a 10 min plus walk from both Poppies & the gang is dark & quiet at night - hotel told us bag snatching is common after dark. Taxis would not go there. But it was only for 2 nights. The staff were very helpful when son became ill on our 2nd day. Apart from the aircon, everything worked very well & there was a lot of attention to detail. With a motorcycle this would be a great place.
We had organised by email to do the Bike-Baik Tour. Collected at Suji promptly at 7am (son dosed up on Immodium & antibiotics). Lovely scenic trip to Ubud (there is another route going through ugly, dusty towns on which Whoppee & I were taken in June - if you are going to Ubud ask your driver to take the scenic route) where we collected a French couple (he was such fun - the most interested & interesting guy - absolutely everything fascinated him & his enthusiasm was contagious) and a couple from Slovenia - took them over 48 hours of travelling to get to Bali - they seemed to think it was worth the effort.
Much has been written about the several bike tours available. The coffee & spice plantation was delightful - loved it. The brekky at the volcano was not yer 4* or 5* buffet but certainly adequate & the view is utterly superb. How often do you get to dine on the rim of an active volcano?
There were 2 groups - we had Nyoman as leader. He went to great lengths to ensure that everyone understood him, for which the French & Slovenians were grateful. I stayed in the support vehicle (never ever ridden a bike & no desire to learn). Son does cross country biking here with his dad & was pleased with the standard of the bikes. Helmets were a MUST. Great trip. Lots of water. Fruit at the plantation. I didn't miss out on a thing apart from sunburn & sweat. Lunch at Wayan's family home was extremely good, the duck especially. Son told me to leave some for the others but there was heaps.
BTW, someone complained recently that the food was not hot - it was explained during the course of the ride (& as I knew from having lived in a village Bali decades ago) Balinese don't eat hot food. The food is cooked in the morning & the family members just help themselves during the day. The food we were served was freshly prepared. Next time I'll do a cooking class with Ibu Wayan while son & husband do the bike ride. Highly recommend the Bike-Baik Tour (Rp350K from Ubud, Rp400K from Kuta & environs).
Son said the ride wasn't at all taxing, apart from 2 hills & a detour that had to be made because of a huge ceremony on the route (a very special experience, especially for the Europeans).
We were delivered back to Adi Cottages in Monkey Forest Rd (an Aussie mother & daughter from the NSW far north coast in the other bike group were also staying there - lovely ladies). Legong/Barong dance at Ubud Palace that night (Rp80K each) - wonderful. Highly recommended.
Son hated Kuta but loved Ubud. Lunch at Tropical Bale. Yummo but next time I'll go for the main & desert option (Rp95K) - entrees again disappointing. For the standard of food, this is a bargain, especially as they do free hotel transfers.
Tracked down the driver Whoopee & I had used in June - highly recommend him. Quick arvo trip to Masa Inn in Poppies 1.
Son had dropped off a pair of Dickies work pants (he has a Saturday job at a computer shop) to be copied at House of Komang in Jl Padma - got 2 pairs, one in light fabric, another in heavier material, for AUD$29 each - excellent fit & quality. Recommended. He bought 2 pairs of jeans (Rusty & Quicksilver) one at each of the adjoining factory outlets in Kuta for about $40 each - pleased. A pair of leather slip on shoes from Animale near Bintang Supermarket. Four funky t-shirts in Ubud (2 of them Bintang t-shirts with a difference). He also went to Dr Rudy for a scale & polish & was most impressed with his new rooms upstairs - huge & state-of-the-art. Also impressed with J Co Donuts, but who wouldn't be?
For years I have recommended Tommy Leather in Jl Padma here - no more!!! They could not make a bag I wanted in 5 days. Just too busy. Time to find somewhere new.
We ate at Un's - the snapper with crispy potato scales, the carousel of ravioli and creme catalan as always were excellent. Had a frozen margarita or several in remembrance of the many Whoopee & I shared there in June.
Breakfast at Ku De Ta was another highlight - the set brekky is RP110K and great value - 2 muffin halves both topped with ham, a poached egg & hollandaise sauce with 2 bacon rashers, 4 grilled mushies, 2 grilled tomatoes, a pile of baked beans, coffee, juice & a huge fruit salad.
Son's fave restaurant was Ultimo (BTW it was open at 5.30pm). He also loved the club sandwiches at Agungs in Poppies 1. Best in Bali, I think.
Son had his long curly locks shorn at Johnny A at Kartika Plaza for Rp42K & was very pleased. I had a foot massage & bought 14 s'poos & conds for a total of Rp300K. Had a cut & colour there later for Rp250K & very pleased - spent a lot of time deciding on colour this time.
S'all.