We left for Bali on 23rd March for only 10 days and on return got right into the stresses of work that the JBR was all forgotten..well you know those little bits things that everyone wants to know the insides and outsides of anyway.
This will only be short but sweet but promise I will write a longer one for our next Bali trip in Sept!
We stayed at Villa Mimpi - beautiful villa with 4 large bedrooms all with own ensuites and balconies - large living area upstairs with 2 bedrooms and the downstairs area has 2 bedrooms, 2 living areas , study nook, and large kitchen and dining room. This time we had our 3 adults kids with us so the villa was perfect for us - oh, forgot to mention the pool also and bali hut to snooze during the day!
Great location in Jln Werkudara opposite Kamala Pantai so all the taxi driver at least knew the KP. We mainly used to have brekky at Su's cottages next door - good clean restaurant and good service.
We've been going to Bali every year for the last 15 years so didn't do any tours but just did the normal rest and relaxation and enjoying lots of cocktails and bintangs. Some of our most fave places to eat were Seaside, Wayan & Friends, Blue Skyz, Warung Wally, Warung Patrick, Bagus, Warung Kartini, Indah Nusa and best places for lunches was our favourite Enhay in Benasari Lane! Went to Sheppy's one night and not overly impressed. Also had a great meal at Jimbaran Bay at a place called Dena's . We were taken there years early by a Balinese friend and luckily enough still had the card for the restaurant. When we initially got a driver (from outside the villa) to take us to Jimbaran obviously he took us to his 'friends' place - we walked in and immediately they wanted to take the photo of us with a traditionally dressed Balinese dancer, we took a look at the menu and were out of there like a shot gun!! Thats when we went back to our driver and pulled out this card for Dena's restaurant.
Oh - we also went to Potato Head Beach Club - what a beautiful and funky place this is! So imaginative and location absolutely stunning! We managed to secure a day bed and luckily enough it wasn't a really hot stinking day to sit out there in full sun overlooking the ocean - would have been perfect for sunset drinks! We ordered cocktails and snacks and just enjoyed the setting and atmosphere. Staff were very tentative and friendly but not pompous or in our faces. Potato Head was described as akin to the likes of Ku Da Ta - whilst we are not into going to these places in Bali and spending alot of unwarranted money, I really liked and enjoyed the ambience of Potato Head Beach Club and will certainly be going back again on our next visit to Bali. Good to do as a 'once off' thing or celebration!
We had many sunset drinks at Sammy & Suzie's - our highlight was taking a heap of clothes over to them. Wow - the response was unbelievable - Made just loved the bras that I gave her , and old winter jumpers! They really just love everything that is given to them! Boy we take things for granted don't we...and so live in a disposable society! Note to myself...will only buy things I really need!
Had many massages and cream baths in the short time we were in Bali this time! Favourite places were Briella Spa, Eden Spa, Tapas Spa and Jena's - all favourites and ones we go to year after year. Best massage of all tho was one I got at Eden Spa just up from our villa. Briella had a great cream bath and hair treatment...
Oh forgot to mention the most important thing of all! I finally got my hair straightened at Secret Garden by Ayu! I cannot explain what a beautiful job that was done and how soft my hair is! I must admit that I was a little concerned because I do get my roots colored every 6 weeks and have highlights put in, and had been advised by my long time hairdresser over here that I should never get my hair straightened because of the continual colour treatments and that it would probably fall out. Honestly what a load of BS - And, if I did get it done here in Brisvegas would cost over $500 anyway for a Japanese Bio-onic straightening treatment.
Well to all my lady forum friends who have also wanted to, but never been game I say just go do it. On our return from Bali, I immediately had to visit my hairdresser to 'show off' my hair. He couldnt' believe it and had to admit that it was just a fantastic job and left my hair feeling so soft! He nearly fell off the chair when I told him how much I paid for it too!! I was quick to ask him if he could please do it for me next time for 'cheap price'!! Secret Garden - I will be back!
I must admit that I had read a few reviews on the forum from women who had the hair straightening and a great tip that I received and made sure that I did was that in the week leading up to getting it done, I had 2 cream baths with intense hair treatments following to prepare my hair. I do have long, thick hair, not really frizzy, but with a tendancy to be quite flighty. Ayu was brilliant! Only took about 3 hours or so to do. I couldn't wash my hair for 3 days, wear it up or kink it behind my ears but so worth it. Now I can actually go to the gym in the morning, come home and wash my hair, put some Morracan oil in it and thats it!!!! So easy to keep, and yes!.....Its still damn straight! Should last 6 months and just in time for our next visit to Bali.
This was supposed to be a summary because I didn't think I could remember much but as I started writing the memories kept flowing back....
Can't wait to get back to Bali in Sept. Hope you've enjoyed reading this!