We flew out of Melbourne on the 24th August and returned 5th September. Flying with Jetstar both direct flights with no problems getting there or back.
We chose the night flight (6.45pm) as I live in Tassie and Shell now lives in Cairns. The later flight enabled us the day to travel and meet in Melbourne without needing to stay overnight near the airport.
All in all VOA wasnt too bad. The lines of people always look so daunting at first. Took only around 10 mins to pay for VOA then we lined up for immigration. We timed it and we were through in around 30 mins so not too bad. Having said that they did open up another 2 booths whilst we were waiting which made such a big difference. Most of the booths seemed to be manned.
We walked out and got a taxi straight to Sanur which from memory was around 85,000 rp.
We stayed at Puri Kelapa hotel which is situated down JL Segara.
Its not beachfront but only less than a 10 minute walk. Its cheap and cheerful, the gardens are beautifully kept, nice pool and the staff are so friendly. There was a good mix of Aussie and European guests. Mainly older couples however there was the odd family with teenagers and toddlers.
We hired bicycles from the hotel (around 20,000rp per day, but they are available everywhere on the beach. It was great riding the paved pathway along the beachfront and on those hotter days was certainly better than walking.
The holiday was mainly for us two to just catch up and have some time together as now we dont see each other that much, so it was quite an uneventfull holiday and we didnt venture too far.
We did have a day up to Lovina (Sambangan) to visit with sponsor family.
We mainly just shopped and ate and relaxed. We had our phones done at Hardy's. We used Mentari as we used it last year and it was good, however this time i was having a few problems with network coverage but Shells phone was usually quite ok with just the odd problem, so it must of been a case of Mentari not very compatable with my phone?
We only ventured over to Kuta a couple of times, and did have our last night/day at Bakung beach cottages in Gang Samudra in Tuban as it was close to the airport. Its not a flash place but was reasonable and was only for one night. Its well situated, 5 mins to Pantai restaurant and then from there on the beach only another 10 mins to Centro and another 10 mins to Kuta square and so much cooler to walk than on the roadway.
We thought Kuta was very busy and it was good to see how things have picked up on previous years. Most of the sellers and Taxi drivers seemed to have a new confidence its so good to see.
Sanur on the other hand while busier than last year was still much quieter than Kuta and it was so nice to go back after we had been in to the hustle and bustle.
Shell had a gown made for her daughter for her year 12 leavers dinner. She went through Alta Mode. Armed with nothing but a couple of pictures and her measurements we were assisted by wonderful man who knew his fabrics. They contracted a lovely tailor who met us there. After one fitting (girls are similar size) and a couple of adjustments later her husband delivered the dress (beautifully packed in a travel bag) to the hotel. The result is stunning and they are absolutely wrapped with the end result. So very talented to be able to produce a gown from just a photo. It was so special to have it made on Bali.
We had some wonderful meals while there and didnt have one bad feed.
Pantai in Tuban always good, Dulang in Kuta square lovely lunch baguettes from memory and a great place to watch the world go by.
Had really nice Satay at Ramayana restaurant on our last night. Once again a great place to people watch on that busy corner.
In Sanur we usually eat on the beach and while we did we also wanted to try out some newer places that were mentioned on the forum. I must say the food was just fantastic. Rataouille, Mona Lisa, Cinnamon (i think used to be called Kalipatharu sp?) and Casa Luna were all great. We also had lunch at Porch on the main drag and that was nice.The best scrammbled eggs for breakfast went to Wicked parrot.
The beach restaurants were all good as usual, Bonsai, Tootsies, Kammi Samma, beach cafe, and we had nice pizza at Griya at their bachside cafe lovely cool breeze and Bintang it just didnt get any better.
A really nice place just round the corner from Puri Kelap and Jl Segara was Six Point this place was spot on for food and resonabale price.
We shopped at the beach markets in Sanur, went to our usual fixed price places at Sindhu beach market, but also got a bit from the girls at Baruna beach market as well. (its good to share it round a bit we thought). Brought 2 nice silver bracelets at the silver seller on the corner of i think the Baruna beach market. Brought there last year and that jewellery hasnt gone black yet lol.
I brought a watch from Bagus Watches. The store in Kuta Square was packed and you couldnt move for people so i went round the corner to the Bagus Watch on JL Raya Pantai identical shop and no one in there. There was a really nice shop next store called Princess it had really nice unusual things in there silver, homeware etc something for even the fussiest of people to buy for.
We had a trip into Denpasar to get the kids Converse, jeans and t shirts. Matahari didnt have some of the sizes of shoes we wanted so we went across to Robinsons. Got everything we needed hassle free mainly locals shopping there. We also go some very reasonable nightware,undies, skin care etc.
All in all another great holiday, great to see Bali busier and the people with a happier outlook. cheers Shelly and Trish.