My trip on Jet* started with a very late leaving as we had two very very inconsiderate passengers who held our departure up by nearly one hour. It went like this we were due to leave at 12.15 am hence most passengers were aboard by about 12.05. At about 12.15 when we were due to leave a ground crew came on board with her clipboard and conflabbed with the hosties and crew. Then another ground crew came on board this was followed by more nervous conflabing.
Finally the captain came on air and said that we were waiting for two passengers who had checked in but they could not locate. After about another 10 minutes he came back on again and said as they had still not found the passengers for security reasons they had to get these imbeciles (my words not his) package off before we could depart. This was followed by about 10 minutes of shifting and bumping in the luggage hold. By this time it was about 12.50 pm. Then it looked like we were about to leave and then the captain came on again and said the passengers had finally been located having drinks in the Qantas lounge. Soon after they arrived and sat in the first row and settled down without a care for the delay. I and the rest of the passengers could not believe our flight had been delayed so long by these completely rude and uncaring jerks.
Ok so now I have had my whinge onto the rest of my great Bali holiday. Of course we picked by time and only arrived in Darwin about half an hour late and this did reduce the time we had to sit at Darwin airport before our Bali flight which landed on time. As I was in isle six I was out through VOA and out of the airport in about 15 - 20 minutes. I was picked up and taken to Kusnadi Hotel in Legian and settled into room 201 very happily within 45 minutes. Loved Kusnadi and have written a review for those interested. Dewi on the desk and Putu Mimi in the restaurant are beautiful little gems who make your stay wonderful nothing is a bother and they look after you with grace and charm.
Girls at the Mila Laundry just outside Kusnadi are excellent and looked after all my washing respecting all items that could not go into the drier and sorted colours so everything came back perfect - cost me about 10,000 rp per day.
Stocked up on drinks and nibbles at Bintang as usual and got my SIM card at the booth just outside - can't remember how much it cost but the guys there are great and set everything up.
This trip was all about having time out after a very busy few months in my business and also to check out Kusnadi for the family holiday next May. We have booked 209 & 210 in the new block and very pleased with how they look - 470,000 rp per night each. It was also a chance to pick up a few more Christmas gifts so I will list some of my purchases. By the way the exchange rate at Kodak was around 8880 most days.
Best buys were at Bagus Watches Kuta - went to both the one in Kuta Square just down from KFC and the one in Jl Pantai Kuta. Got silver Tiffany bracelets 65,000 rp; earrings 100,000 rp; fake Rolex's 75,000 rp; silk scarves 90,000 rp and sun glasses 95,000 but this included the hard glass cases. I did get my usual street sunglasses for 30,000.
Also went to Unagi Handcraft & Painting Jl. Teuku Umar Barat / Marlboro No. 383 Denpasar again. Love this place last year I bought a beautiful painting which I got them to take off the frame I think it cost about 150,000 rp and then about $50 to have put on a frame back home. Didn't buy anymore painting however I will on the May trip. Instead this time I just got a few wooden statues about 70,000 rp each and some smaller items for Xmas gifts. As they were all wrapped in cellophane it was too easy to attach gift cards.
I did call into Geneva again but there's just no comparison to Unagi which has aircon and is also fixed price - far better quality too.
Went for a short trip up to Ubud mainly to call into the Bali Dogs Adoption Rehab centre to give a donation from my family. Jo at the centre is doing a marvellous job but she needs heaps more support in the way of cash donations and things for the dogs. Get behind this worthwhile cause its located at Br. Abiansemal Lodtunduh Ubud. While there I called into the Ubud market hoping to find a few things previously mentioned on the forum but couldn't find what I was after at a reasonable price. I'm afraid after years of bargaining I am over it when they start off at 5 times the price you can get things at Unagi or Golden Buffalo. I know you can go through the process to get them down but I have decide in future I will save my time and just go straight to fixed price places.
Called into Ketut's in Garlic Lane for my son and grandson's shorts I stock up on. As usual Ketut was her lovely self and the free bottle of aqua always goes down well.
Had a bag made at Tommys this time which was a surprise because last time I tried there was a 10 day wait this time only 5 days. The bag cost 800,000 rp. I normally go to 123 Leather in Garlic Lane but she couldn't do the style I wanted. Very happy with the Tommys bag. Also eat at Tommys café and takeaway a few doors from Kusnadi great food for those not wanting to eat Indo all the time - only open for breakfast and lunch kitchen closes at 4.30 pm and they don't open Sunday's.
Had a great time at Golden Buffalo Jl. Teuku Umar Barat 9F, Denpasar and will go back again in May as by the time I went there I was getting a bit low on luggage space and weight but still bought 2 Sumo ladies for 95,000 rp each a real bargain from the prices I saw in the shops -also bought a beautiful silver horse for 150,000 rp.
Went to the Jenggla Pottery Factory Outlet on Sunset Road and got a few small pieces but will go back to the showroom at Jimbaran in future because the selection is much better.
Bought several beautiful silver pendents & earrings at Anova Sliver on Jl. Melasti ranging in price from 100 - 150,000 rp. Also got the usual 100 odd DVD's but this time mostly TV series and so far all seem to be working well and have come in handy as the weather in QLD is so bad at present. Talking of weather while I was in Bali it rained several times in the late afternoon evening and a couple of big storms but being from QLD I'm use to them so no big deal. And on the second last day it rained heavy and lightly on my last day the rest of the time was fine.
Unfortunately third time lucky didn't work for my dressmaking / tailoring efforts. I have always tried recommended tailors but have come to the conclusion that Bali tailors are great to copy basic items but not up to high quality clothes - at least not up to what I have experienced from Hong Kong tailors. They certainly try but the end result has not cut the mustard at least not for me. I won't mention the tailors name as I don't want to damage anyone's business but have finally learnt my lesson - and never again will I waste my time or money. Enough said.
Spas
As always spa visits are my favourite thing to do especially as I am a business coach in the industry. To start I went to Santai Spa on Padma Utara beachside up the Tommy's Handbag end. I had visited this spa in June and was very impressed so impressed in fact that in an article I wrote for Spa Australasia I mentioned this spa and its manager Made. So I called in and gave Made and his team a copy and had another incredible reflexology treatment & massage.
I also enjoyed my PIPS Spa massage and manicure they are located on Jl. Melasti just opposite to where the street joins Garlic Lane. They have beautiful clean loo's and while I was having my manicure a tourist came in and asked to use their loo and they graciously said you are welcome.
At Melasti Spa on Padma Utara I had the Chocolate Dreams Package which included massage scrub chocolate body mask and bath. It was on special with 50% discount off making this 2 and half hour treatment 423,000 rp (inc 21% tax). Very much enjoyed the facility but on a professional level felt the therapist needed a bit more training to perfect this package.
The stand out for this trip for value, professionalism, skill and service goes to Inner Glow Spa & Wellness Jl Pantai Kuta. I went several times to this spa because I enjoyed every treatment so much. While I had numerous therapists I have to comment on Santi who is a very intuitive therapist just knowing the correct pressure, when to talk and when not too. And was a great salesperson to up sell services something I appreciate being in the industry. Her Lomi-Lomi massage 75,000 rp and Ayurweda Shiro-Abhynga 200,000 rp were as good as I've had at the best spas both in Aust and USA. On the one wet day I had I spent 5 hours with Santi who up sold me from 2 hours of service - what a gem employee she is.
Also went to Eden Green as I love their foot massage (not reflexology) just a beautiful smooth gentle massage for tied shopping weary feet. And also had my regular fish spa outside Matahari which was great as usual. I did go to a few other small spas but they were not note worthy so I won't mention them.
Food
Eat several times at the Kusnadi and good for the price. Also at Tommys Café close by. At Aromas on Jl, Legian - love this place. And of course at Warung YOGYA on Padma Utara Warung. And a couple of times at Zanzibar where I picked up several cards made by the Bali street kids - by the way these are also available at Tommys café too 15,000 rp. Eat at many other places but can't remember names but enjoyed every meal.
Had the best coffees and baguettes in Bali I have ever had at Mugshot - its on Padma Utara just on the bend in the road after the Bali Niksoma hotel and opposite Merry Leather. This fab little café was recommended from the forum and I can second the recommendation. Kelvin and Donna the owners are Aussies and one or both are always there. Had a good talk to Kelvin about his ideals on quality and cleanliness and can say Mugshots lives up to all the hype - girls check out the lovely clean loo.
Flight home was the normal slow boat to China - Jet* via Darwin but as I always get the cheap fares when they come out I can't complain. All in all I had a lovely holiday as usual and now looking forward to taking my family including my grandkids in May. It will be in way of their birthday gift as they will be 21, 18 and 16 years old in 2011 and what better way to celebrate then in Bali.
Hope you enjoyed my ramble and the above info is helpful.
Cheers