Left 2 weeks ago and flew Jetstar via Darwin to Bali. I was fortunate to have a younger male (no.2 travel buddy) on his first trip to bali.
Arrived Denpasar and out in 20 mins. Stayed at various places and for the first 8 days felt like the energizer bunny on steroids, cramming every bit of living we could from early morning to late pm.
Night 1 - arrived late, dropped bags off at Tune Kuta, taxi to Sadium to watch the footy and quench our thirst.
Shopping, eating, massages, manicures, sightseeing and drinking way too many beers.
Day nine moved digs to my very beloved Sanur for some much needed R&R and a change of the hectic pace of Kuta.
Stayed 2 marvellous nights at Mara River. Room good, views fantastic, excellent meals and plenty to see and do. Bought 2 x cases of Bintang with us so we had plenty to drink.
Back to Kuta for 3 nights before flying home on a brand new A330. Nice flight.
My high/low lights in no particular order:
Iciest coldest beer found in Sanur - Barbs Sports Bar.
Best satays in Sanur - Aladdins.
Meeting heaps of interesting people.
Best pizza Kuta - Warung 96.
Best night club Kuta - Sky Garden.
Best breakfast in Ubud - not far from Monkey Forest.
Drinking many cold beers on the beach.
Worst accommo Kuta - Tungjung Inn and Tune.
New and different - bicycle ride through Bali country side.
My travel buddy loved Bali, said it was awesome and cant wait to return.
What I would do different - book more accommo before departure. We found it difficult to match internet prices at hotels.
Pleasant Surprise - Great place for a few beers, a laugh and excellent relaxation in Kuta - Daddy Day Care Centre by a long shot. A great relaxing happy place - with great music, made a change from the dreaded "doof" "doof" music we had been exposed to in other bars.
Surprising Surprise - was offered Viagra, didnt know women take it :(
Unpleasant Surprise - after being told Lawar coffee was ok to take back home by 3 people in the shop, not so - Quarantine took it off us upon return :(
Scariest rides in order of fear of dying:
1. Slash Down
2. Bike taxi to Bintang Supermarket
3. Boomerang
4. Climax.
Exchange rate 9100 - 8950.
Purchases:
watch - 35k
singlets - 20k
glass tiled bowl - 25k
bintang bottle opener and lighter 40k
beach ladies selling necklaces (paid way too much) two for 100k and string bone carved necklaces five for 100k.
bone carving - 55k
Overall a fun, happy, everything went well FABULOUS holiday.