Back a couple of weeks after other Asian destinations.
1 Air Asia certainly would have to be one of the best not only in the low cost version but on all airlines. Had about 8 flights with them this time as we went Mel to KL then on to other destinations. For all flights and Bali in particular it is best to pre book seats and get as far forward as possible. WE even on the 8 hour Mel to KL flight paid the extra to get seats with more legroom. It appears that the only AA flight to serve beer or wine and spirits is Mel to KL. All the others we went on were dry. That aside however they were always on time, had great cabin staff and are CHEAP>
2 Stayed at Ramayana Spa. Great location , Club rooms good but more expensive. If in standard room try to get one that dosen't face onto the main road.
3 Money changing. Got Rp8000 or better most days and always used the Kodak shop near Kuta square just over from the hotel. Had no trouble except for one day. Took $A200 to get changed (mistake do two lots of $A100. Staff counted out (as only they can from a large stack of Rp50,000) and gave to me. I chaceked on the counter and seemed to be one short. Asked her to check again and she said it was correct (I watched carefully too).I then checked agian and seemed to be one short. As the shop was full I then left. I went and sat down and counted again and sure enough I was Rp50,000 short. I thought about it for the rest of the day and decided to go in and confront her. What do you know all of a sudden the missing Rp50,000 appeared on the counter. I know it is no money really but the point is I changed about $A1500 with her over the time and used them because I thought I could trust them.
4 Waterbom. Great place, not marked anywhere but seniors can get in for half price. Ask at the counter.
5 No Bali Belly, ask your Doctor about getting DUKORAL treatment before you leave if you are suseptable to it. It is and anti Cholera precription medication, (about $A100 per treatment) which can help agianst Bali belly. Travelan tablets available over the couter also seem to help.
6 Canvas printing magnificent 1st floor Mata Hari Kuta square. About RP30,000 for the smallest (about 300mm x 400mm) and they also edit and combine pictures for you. Be prepared to wait as one woman in front of us had about 30 to get done all of which required editing (no extra charge) and took about 90 minutes.
7 Taxis seem to have been upgraded and the prices (even on the meter) about doubled still cheap though.
8 As mentioned before if a seat in the front of the plane can be got it helps a lot at immigration. We were about 5th in line (we got US$50 before for the VOA) and were through in about 10 mins total (immigration and customs). That even involved waiting for the pusher (babies) to come off the airplane. AA are magnificent with these as they allow you to keep them right untill going through the departure gate and give it back at the airplane immediately you land. This means you can put the baby on immediately after leaving the plane and not having to get the pusher from baggage. Aus airlines could learn from this.
9 Weather good rained one day hot and fine all the others.
10 Were careful about mossie bites but really didn't see many. The room had a plug in killer , and we had allready taken one with us.