Just returned to Jakarta after a 1 week stay in Bali. My Husband and I have been to Bali many times and read the forum alot and have contributed a little so far but feel we should give some information about our trip. We are a mixed couple (Australian/Indonesian) in our 30s/40s. These are our own opinions based on our stay. This JBR is rather long so be prepared or dont.
We consider ourselves careful with our money so we look for bargains and dont stay in the most expensive places.
On this trip we stayed at The Wida Hotel(Legian on Jalan Melasti) for 2 night. We found the hotel room comfortable with many english tv channels...However the bathroom needs refurbishing. Staff were pleasant but not overly helpful which contributed to us moving hotels after 2 nights. Pool area is not that private.
The second hotel we stayed at was the Matahari Bali (Legian off Jalan Melasti). We stayed in this hotel for 5 nights. Much like The Wida the Bathroom could do with refurbishing however the room was much nicer. Pool area we found ok. Location great. Breakfast was fairly limited. Staff were extremely helpful however. Both hotels cost between $40-$50 a night.
Our trip was a relaxing one.
We hired a Motorbike which was delivered to and picked up from the hotel...negotiated via email...very friendly and reasonably priced.
We spent a day with Bali Bike Baik... Was very impressed with the tour, pick up from the hotel at about 7am returned about 4.30pm. Tour involved visiting coffee plantation and sampling coffee, tea and cocoa. Then breakfast at Kintamarni - breakfast was selection of indonesian food and fine and you could go back for more, included fruit coffee or tea. We then drove to our cycling start point and cycled for about 24kms. We had a great tour guide (Wayan) for our little group of 8 people. He was very knowledgeable, we stopped at a rice field, at a temple and cycled through a village getting explanations on the way. Bananas and water provided during the ride. On completion of the ride we had lunch at the owners place (Wayan- different one), again indonesian food and encouraged to go back for more. The ride was not too difficult but we felt if it started earlier the heat of the day wouldnt have been as much. Very professionally run.
We visited sami and susi's bar and enjoyed a few drinks, sami as usual the most friendliest of hosts.
We met with a freelance photographer to take some professional shots for us, his english excellent, knowledge of photography excellent and the resulting photos first class.
We were happy to see so many restaurants with tourists and generally the place a lot busier than last time we were there.
We ate at Kuta Square, Cafe Sendok, Bali Deli, Zanzibar, Kuta Night Market, Taman Sari ???? in poppies 2, Gong Corner, Beach Cafe (Sanur).....We found the food, drinks and service excellent at all venues.....
We ate at TJs Mexican in Poppies 1 but preferred Poco Loco.
Shopping was done at Ketuts Fixed price shop and dvds bought randomly for 10,000IDR each.
Looking forward to our next trip.