We recently returned to perth after a 2 week holiday to Bali. Flew Strategic Airlines and I must say was really impressed. The tickets were $400 return each, however this is a full service airline - the only exclusion I could see was that for a glass of spirits it was $6 a time...everything else was included - the meal, which was brekkie, was either an omelette or mixed grill- which is what I opted for...very nice... The cabin crew were excellent...very happy, professional,and would attend buzzers immediately. Left Perth at 8.50am and arrived in Bali at approximately 12.30pm.....we would have been straight through in about 10 minutes if I hadn't completed the immigration forms in red pen...I didn't realise that the forms couldn't be completed in red pen - has to be blue or black(have since been told because they are legal documents).....so wasted a fair bit of time filling out 3 new sets of forms. Driver from Kusnadi hotel waiting for us so off we go....arrive at the hotel just in time for checkin.
This is our second time at the Kusnadi and we love the hotel. Our room was 115, a triple share superior, and it was more like a stand alone bungalow - no noise from adjoining rooms - however, there was substantial noise from the bunch of about 10 schoolies who had invaded the hotel the night before - don't know why they checked into this hotel, considering it's location and guests...I was told that some guests actually checked out because of the noise, and I was talking to others who were ready to pack up and leave as well - however second couple got to speak to the owner of the hotel who took it in hand and there was no problems for the rest of our 11 days there.
SHOPPING
Had all intention of shopping big, however, preferred to chill out instead around and in pool -chatting with other guests - mainly from around Australia, however there were a couple of woman from America there.
My 16yr old daughter decided to have her hair chemically straightened again(last time was September 2009) so as soon as we arrived went to organize that...you need to keep hair dry for 3- 4 days afterwards...went back to Yopi Salon in the Bintang Supermarket group of shops in Seminyak.....the cost for a hair cut,straightening,and blowdry etc was Rp430,000....just over A$50...this was for long hair....
While my daughter was having hair done(it takes 4 hours) I went for a walk down Jl Seminyak(if that's what the continuation of JL Legian is called). This trip was also to purchase a ballgown for her - and I saw quite a few shops with gorgeous dresses reasonably priced.......also saw Dinda rella's which is same street but across the road from Bintang supermarket...the prices in the shop were pretty pricey for Bali(rp4,000,000) although they were very nice dresses,all handmade silk (from the tag)....just a bit further along but on the same side as bintang, there was a gang which had a sign for 'hot shop' or similar, and I decided to have a look...its approximately 50 metres from the road, however, it had Dinda rella dresses at a substantially lower price - almost like the factory oulet shops we have here...not a big shop,not a big range, but worth a look if you are in the area.
Went shopping down jl Double 66 and bought a couple of bag charms for rp10,000 each, my daughter was looking for a copy Italian soccer shirt for granddad, however the shops were asking rp400,000 which was just crazy...and they just wouldn't budge......I found this quite a fair bit....for Bali quality clothing that will probably fall apart in a short while, they were asking outrageous prices and didn't even try to bargain. - I ‘m not unreasonable, but I'm not a fool either.
Also this trip I was on a mission to visit Tegallalang...I had heard about the long road with homewares....we hired a driver for the day through one of the kiosks and off we went....lovely scenery, and it took just over an hour to arrive there...we got him to drop us off at the top of the hill and periodically drive down to meet us and pick up our purchases.....for people that are interested, I found mainly wooden items, the mosaic shops, lighting shops, mirrors and frames, Moroccan lamps and a few other bits and pieces....I bought a set of 3 round,wooden,sugar bowl looking,painted bowls for rp40,000, my 13yr old son had to buy a 1m wooden camel rp50,000, daughter bought a 45cm wooden horse standing on its hind legs for rp70,000.....wooden,slim,male and female Balinese, wall decorations - approx. 1metre tall, in gold or silver, rp80,000. I also bought 3 morrocan lamps - approx 40cms with decorated glass for rp125000each, and a set of 3 moziac platters for rp40,000.......these were the prices offered and there was no bargaining.....the people were really laid back, often there was no one in the store, so you would have to call out....we also went to Kampung café...wow, what a view... and the deafening silence was fab....It wasn't what I had expected - thanks to everyone who suggested it...had a nice lunch then came back to Legian.........on the way back we stopped roadside and bought dragon fruit - rp20000 a kilo(about $2.50) compared to $25kg back home.
Had some vinyl banners made for a market stall that I have...3m x 1m (3pieces) 3m x half metre (1piece) rp800,000 = approx $90.....if you are interested I will provide location etc.
Went to Ketut's and purchased a few items - not busy at all....but a funny thing happened when I was paying...I knew what the total was approx(did it in my head), then Ketut added it on her calculator and it came to same price, then she redid on calculator and it came to 30,000 more(which is not much really), and I questioned how much one of the items were - thinking I had made a mistake, but then she added again, on the calculator and it came out the same as first time...
Went to Ms Pak for jewellery repairs, mum had 2 bracelets which needed a clasp, and I had a necklace that needed a good clasp. Mum had been quoted $80 back home to have done....when I took the items I got a quote from her for A$50 for the lot, and about 3 times I told her I wanted 18ct gold clasps for all 3 as they are 18 ct items...job was done in 1 day and all done and dusted....have returned home and checked the clasps and they are 9ct instead...so the moral of the story is check everything while you are there.
THINGS WE DID
Went to the Bali Zoo,glad I went, but it still really needs a lot of work done on the animal enclosures....I was told that new people have bought it and working hard to improve the conditions for the animals...lunch was great(we had it included)...In my opinion, the Safari park is a much better 'show' as such.
My kids really love the Amazone arcades - every time we went to discovery etc I would give them rp50000 to share....this kept the 2 of them occupied for at least 30 - 45 mins and then they would choose their prizes at the end...usually a pencil or toy....
Did all the major shopping centres...bought J Co doughnuts at the Galleria...24 doughnuts for 93000rp....yum...went to Ramayana in Denpasar, ate in the food hall - really cheap....Best thing we did in Denpasar was cross the road all by ourselves....it was Jl Dipororo(sorry spelling)...and over the years have never been able to cross...this time I held my kid's hands(mind you I'm 48, and they are 16 & 13) and stepped onto the road - in front of the traffic and we made it- I did a small victory dance at the other side.
Our last 3 days we moved to the Masa Inn in Poppies 1, I had read all the good reviews on here and decided to give it a go....I was pleasantly surprised...we had ground floor triple room 139....with the front pool right outside the door....normal brekkie was great - they have recently changed the breakfasts - you get a choice of 1 cereal,plus main (I had bacon & veges - yum) choice of fresh fruit juice, plus tea,coffee, and 1 slice of bread and a croissant.....on Wed & Sat they now have a buffet which consists of eggs -either scrambled or fried,toast , red rice(sorry can't remember name),mie goreng, and cap cay...
Hope this hasn't been too boring...thanks Antonietta