Just got back after 10 days in beautiful Bali and wanted to say thanks to all previous and current Forumites. I found some wonderful tips and hints and just wanted to add my two thousand rupiah worth...
Went to Tommy's Leather in Jl Padma. Beautiful quality leather goods. I was specifically wanting a tan coloured bag and found the perfect one in the softest leather for approx 500,000. I also wanted to have a satchel (AKA manbag or murse) made for my hubby. It was made to order and I am jealous when I say, it is better than my handbag! Plenty of books and pictures to look through and we eventually settled on a combination of a few. It took a few days to be made, and was ready on the date they promised. The Manbag is fantastic and the hubby is very pleased. Cost approx $100 AUD. I had been pricing similar in Aus for approx $500!
I had also been looking to get some prescription glasses made whilst in Bali and had found Mr Honeyboy mentioned in previous posts. Knowing that my prescription is pretty full on, I was sure to contact Honeyboy the day after we arrived to allow plenty of time. As it turns out, he needed 5 days for my prescription to come from Jakarta and only a day for my hubby's (done in Denpasar). Perfect service. He came to our hotel with his bag of goodies. My hubby and I picked a pair of frames each and I also picked a pair of sunglasses. I also had the scratched lenses in my existing glasses replaced. Normally in Aust for my prescription I would pay close to $500. We negotiated with Honeyboy and got the lot for about $400. This was - a set of new lenses, 1 set of prescription and polarised sunglasses, 1 set of progressive (like bifocal) lenses and new frame and 1 new frame and lenses for hubby. We took our current prescription from home and Honeyboy was very particular to make sure he matched the prescription with a mock up frame. Having a set of progressive lenses made, I was a bit wary at first but thought I could definitely take the risk with the low cost. The progressive lenses (and all others) are perfect. Honeyboy took all the required measurements for the progressive lenses. He can be found in Poppies I (Honeyboy Staf Optic), but it is easier for him and you to have him come to your hotel. His mobile number is 6281 999 681 866.
Another thing I had done based on previous posts, was book an appointment for Ionic Hair Straightening at Bali Secret Garden Spa in Jl Legian. As per a previous post by Jules_2, I too can vouch for Ayu and the Ionic hair straightening. Both Ayu and Yuni did mine and did a fantastic job. They were both very particular about what they were doing. Ayu explained the process and was sure to ask questions about how my hair is normally styled to determine where the part should be. I had a foot massage and pedi whilst I was having my hair done and becuase I booked multiple treatments online, I received a 15% discount. With hair not quite to my shoulders, I paid a total of 65,000 rupiah....couldn't be happier. My hair is very dark brown and is normally coloured with reddish tones. I made sure I hadn't had a colour for some time as I expected the straightening to strip the colour. It has lightened it a little, but nothing too noticable.
If anyone is going to book an appt, I would suggest one the day you leave (or day before) as I did, as you should not get it wet or wash it for at least 3 days. This way you don't miss out on any quality pool time :)
Flicking through a brochure in the hotel I stumbled across a sandwich shop called Swich. I thought it would be worth the trip from our hotel in Tuban to the shop in Legian, as my young boys were going to turn into chips if they had another bowl! As much as I love to eat the local foods, I too was craving a fresh sanga. It turns out that Swich is run by a lovely Aussie girl by the name of Lauren and her Balinese boyfriend. Lauren's sister Amy is also there and all staff were lovely to have a chat to. There slogan is "the way you like it". I was pleased to find everything from Nutella and Vegemite (of course) to Fairy bread and peanut butter. Got the boys a kids meal deal - sanga and a juice each for 22000 each. My hubby had a vegetarian wrap and I had an awesome baguette stuffed with chicken amongst other yummy ingredients. We also had a milkshake - just the way we like them! Be sure to try their Bagus Banana smoothie which was to die for or a Swich Sway berry smoothie. They are closed on a Monday and on the other days are only open 8am to 4pm. A nice touch was the wearing of gloves as your food was prepared and how could I not mention the constant smile on the faces of the staff. Lauren and Amy are part Indonesian and are both truely lovely girls who have found a niche in the market that was much needed. I only wish that I had found Swich at the start of our holiday rather than the end. Find them at JL Werkudara #538, Legian, just off Double Six.
Well, I just wanted to let future forumites know about some good experiences in Bali.....so that will do for now. Of course I could write about heaps of other good experiences, but this is based on what I was researching before I went :)
So, we flew home to Melbourne to the coldest May day since 1970.....tell me I wasn't feeling it today. Oh, I miss you already Bali :)