Departed early Christmas morning on Air Asia. Slept most of the way. Flight arrived early - Visa Counter open, no sign of immigration staff. Took about an hour to go through although 1st international arrival for some hours.
Stayed at Secret Garden Inn - clean, comfortable and cheap, not many kids around - my sort of place.
The Secret Garden bar and cafe had been sold and the new owner has been there for a couple of months. The garden area is much improved and was the busiest we had seen it over 4 trips. They have bands two nights a week - love to hear a Balinese band sing I've Been to Bali Too!
Weather was very hot even the locals commented on it. There was rain most nights and a bit on our last two days.
Did early morning walks to various destinations north and south of Poppies 1. Discovered the paved path along the beach to the bottom of Tuban.
Total gridlock around Kuta from Christmas to new year with lots of families from other islands bringing their cars.
Did the cooking class with Taste of Bali $52 US for half a day. Really good - now to try it at home. Also visited the zoo with a reluctant hubby who ended up enjoying his day and had his photo taken with everything. Word of warning if you get your photos put into a decorative photo frame made of plant matter there - AQUIS won't let them into Australia - just ask if they can give you a cardboard frame.
That's it for now - going back in 10 weeks (thanks Air Asia).