Well once again a fine holiday was had by us all. Just 10 days this time and all at Villa Kaja in Seminyak, down the gang next to Bintang Supermarket....and a lovely place it was.
The Villa itself, was just gorgeous, 3 bedrooms, all well appointed, a large pool and the most lush and well kept garden. The Villa itself has a very traditional Bali feel instead of the modern/minimalist look so many villa's have nowadays.
Having been to Bali many times in the past few years, this time was just spent swimming, shopping, eating out etc. No adventures to far flung places on the island, in fact the most we travelled was to Waterbom park for the kids.
I was given a Simpati Sim Card from a mate at work who was over there just 3 months ago and in my 10 days there, probably went through about 55000rp in calls and sms, including a 20min talk to mum back in Perth on her birthday. So no problems with Simpati regarding call costs etc that I have noticed being told by forum members of late.
I hired a Scooter for the 10 days we were there for 400,000rp, carrying the 50,000 ‘hand tickler' in the back pocket at all times for the polisi, but not once was I pulled over. My main trips were up and around, legian, Seminyak, Kerobokan and Pettinget, so maybe the cops stick more down around Kuta etc....
My wife wanted to have a bag made at Tommy's, but as it was Ramadan, nothing was being made as the 'workers' were all on holidays back at their villages in Java etc. She did manage to find a beautiful leather bag up on the top end on Rum jungle road, just near Lisa Tailors, but for the life of me, I cam=not remember it's name, but remember the price....$118aud !...she assures me it would be at least double that in Oz....
My wife did use a tailor to have about half a dozen items made and the cost ( using her own material brought from home was about $17aud per item. She was relatively happy with them, but was more impressed with the tailoring done for my brother in law and uncle...including having shoes made and I think she will go with them next time...I don't have the details with me at the mo, but can get them if anyone wants them.
For me, I found some really nice Shirts and Shorts in and around the boutiques in Seminyak, that cost between $30-$45, but can assure you I would be paying at least 2-2 1/2 times that for the same/similar items back home.
We did the obligatory DVD 'top up' plus I had music downloaded to a DVD at about 4000rp per Album, many, if not all the DVD shops do this now. You can get it put directly to IPOD, USB thumb drive, memory card etc.
We were going to have some photo's put on canvas at Shoot in Seminyak, but all the photo's we took on the thumb drive were in a compressed format and they said that we Need to have them in 'full size' if you know what I mean.....oh well, next time.
We visited the new(ish) beach bars between double 6 and Jl Dyana Pura on a couple of occasions, the first, crystal palace had a live band, which, for me were awful and the music didn't suit sunset time....I mean, Barnsey and Nirvana screeching out over the
Beach just didn't cut it. We also visited La Planca a couple of bars up from CP on another night, the vibe was better, but with 2 other bars close by, the music was just competing with one another and made for a very annoying mix at times....
Restaurants we visited..(well, some of them)
Tekor Bali, lovely Indo dishes one evening, but the breakfast was very poor. We also Had Breaky at Lanai and Zanzibar on the same strip and Zanzibar won hands down.
Pearl, once again and we weren't disappointed.
Sarong, also once again, after visiting a couple of years ago, the most gorgeous of settings and quality of food and cocktails.
Café Jemme, once again a most gorgeous setting and good, if not 'safe' renditions Of dishes, with the staff being exemplary
Biku for high tea, just as nice as last time, although with the lack of air con, I wonder how it feels in there during the wet season as it was a tad warm during the 'cool' season we were holidaying in.
Cosa Nostra, fantastic Pizza's and a real hit with the kids.
Ku de Ta for Sunday breaky ( kids day)...the best breaky and coffee we had whilst here on holiday. Plenty for the kids to do as well.
Scooby's, burgers and hot dogs for the kids and Wok In, for good fried rice and Pad Thai for about 25000-35000rp...both of these are in the car park of Bintang supermarket.
Beer of choice for me this time ( and from now on) was Storm Pale Ale and Bronze Ale about 22000rp from Bintang and available in many resto's now. Yes it's tad more expensive than Bintang, but if your like me and can't handle the 'fizz factor' in mass produced lagers, this maybe the go for you.
We also popped our heads in to The Potato Head Club...wow, what a massive set up!
Dean Martin wouldn't have looked out of place sipping on a Martini at the pool bar in this place!
All in all, a great holiday had by all, no Bali Belly or Dengue (as my wife had last time), all too short, but planning the next already. Hopefully including either the Gili's or lembongan Island.
Cheers S