Just got back from our 2nd attempt to get to Bali, 1st one stuffed up due to Volcano. I have been to Bali about 8 over the last 20 years my friends first time o/s.
Did the VIP thing great service for 1 frightened rabbit, but the trolley from the plane that held my bag broke down and my suitcase was one of the last off so defeated the purpose of speed, but reassuring to be walked through the process.
Stayed at Santika deluxe room 150 very clean, very well maintained, tidy but not mind blowing. Resort is beautiful staff are fantastic, never passed by without a beautiful greeting even the gardener stops to say hello. Buffet breakfast would satisfy anyone, heaps to choose from and food is of high quality including the real bacon. Stayed at the Dynasty last time with my family and would bring my children here instead and get an interconnecting room, so much more calmer and relaxed.
Spent most days having a spa treatment across the road at the Febris
only thing I did not like was the french manicure which was not up to aussie standards.
Last day we booked the Chocolate 4 hour package which includes flower bath, body scrub etc. We went down and found we were booked into a shared spa room, now my being a bit of a prude and not having the same firm and toned body as my friend, I declined to share a room with her, this caused great suprise to our massage ladies. They said what's the problem? we all have the same bits! yeah well mine were in a different place 20 years ago and I dont like sharing. They seriously didnt get it. My friend had the treatment and had the lady picking the flowers of "her bits" after the flower bath, she nearly died ..... ha ha I did not warn her.
Did the usual shopping at Matahari, DS Games 102 games for 500k, really nice children shoes and clothes, but nothing for big foot here size 8.5 my friend small and petite went nuts. Bagus watches (outside Matahari's) upstairs I got some very nice Tiffany silver bracelets up stairs for about 70k nice gift box etc. Diane's not a great range not sure of the hype here, she is nice and chatty but most people are.
Hired a driver (Tommy) he is located within the Santika on the main driveway, very informative while he drove us around seminyak, 250k for half day, no bargaining. I needed to see a villa we have rented for August. His timing was spot on and driving was very carefull. My friend still could not sit in the front of any car or taxi saying best she sits in the back with eyes shut.
Ate at Kori's quite nice but pricey though. 600K for 2 entree's 2 mains and 2 drinks. We found this end of the strip very busy and loud and a bit overwhelming for my friend.
Daddy's across the road from Sanitika great mee goreng 45k I asked for an iced coffee and it was so sweet it made my eyes water, asked for a Bintang and they questioned the coffee. I just said to sweet for me, they refused to let me pay for it. I tipped very well here.
Santika Sands restaurant on the beach was very nice, but the smokers... why blow smoke across into the room, cant they just grab a table that is outside and 10 steps away. 3 lots of diners moved because of this.
Final thoughts when we were having our spa treatments every lady had a sad story - two had mothers in hospital, one paying off accident etc. I am not sure about this. We did tip the eqivalant of nearly 75% of their daily wage (based on 1million rp per month) regardless of the story. I know life is very difficult for them in Bali.
Also heard from different people that many of the ladies at different spa's had "relations agreements" where they were allowed to offer extra's with the spa owners consent. Very sad.
We walked along the beach from the Santika both ways and was very sad to see the amount of rubbish along the beach, when it was not maintained by a hotel. This put my friend off a bit she wanted to organise a working party and pay them to clean it up, I had to tell her this was not appropriate for her at this time and needed more thought.
Also heard an interesting story about Shapelle from two different sources, not sure if romours run as rife there as here or if it's true.
I'm back in August and have also won my friend over. I asked her why ? cheap food , cheap flights, shopping etc , No it was the people.... she replied.
Thanks for reading.