So this is the first time I have ever written a report. I guess I will start at the very beginning. This trip was girls only and there was 3 of us. Flight with garuda from Melb non eventful. Had great service and flight was on time. No probs at all with arrivals at bali. VOA paid in aussie dollars at $75.00 for 3 people. They asked me for correct money this time and lucky I had it. So take some change if paying in aussie dollars. It was much quicker than others who didnt have the change. The queue was a little longer at immigration this time and took about 30 min to get through but nothing major. Bags were ready for us and off we went through quarentine and out to our waiting driver Nyoman.
RP = 9500 - 9680
We stayed at the Kumala Pantai this time. I have never stayed here before but it had been reccommened by some other aussie we were taliking to last trip so i thought we would give it a go. We were not dissapointed. The staff here were fantastic. Very attentive and helpful. Room was big enough with a big bathroom. Full bath and seperate shower. The 2 big pools were lovely and it was quiet most of the time. Although I have to say that we didnt get as much time around the pool as we would have liked. There was way to much to do in a week.
I travelled with a newbie this time and it was great to be seeing bali through her eyes again. So we did alot of stuff that I wouldnt have done again. Took a trip to Ubud and spent way too much money in one day but came home with a few painting from the galleries and lots of wood masks and carvings. Also took her to the silver factory and shop and stopped a couple of times along the way. Ate at CoCos in ubud. Always a good meal there and close to the market so a win win as far as we were concerned.
Spent a bit of time in Brielle spa opposite jayakarta hotel and there service was always great. Had a massage a couple of times and mani/pedi and another friend had a body scrub and she thought that was great. Prices here are really good. 65000 for a one hour massage. Great value. and very relaxing atmosphere.
Ate at Wali warung ( always a favorite) a few times and also had one of there seafood platters which now seems to be becoming tradition. You need to order this one day ahead but worth it. 400000 rp and it gets you a full snapper ( YUM) prawns and squid. Always eat way too much. Picked up our leather boots made by Mira leather on Padma Utara and not dissapointed agin. Have had jackets and boots made before.
Changed hotels half way throught the holiday this time to break things up a bit. Transferred to Bali garden Beach resot in Tuban.
We were really dissapointed in this hotel. It is supposed to be better rated than the Kumal aPantai but we couldnt see it. The room was a fraction bigger but the bathroom was half the size. The staff were courtious but not overly friendly and helpful. There are 3 pools here. One adults only pool , a bigger pool for everyone which also has a swim up bar and a lap pool withing the restrauant area. God only knows if it is ever used. I did not see one person in this the whole time or I have to say ever when I have been walking by on other trips. The adults pool is far from relaxing. It is right behing the bigger pool so you can still hear all the noise fromt his including the people at the swim up bar and the music coming from the bar also. So dont expect an area where you can get away from everything. Food here at this hotel was a little dissapoing too. I have eaten here many times before at the boardwalk restraunt. I have never been dissapointed with any meal here but I have to say this visit left alot to be desired. Meals were very small and bland. Breakfast was enough but eneded up with pancakes. Normally I would have a full indionesian bfast but it was so salty here that I couldnt eat it. Bfast at the Kumala panati was great.
Also did the Safari park and was great to see the Lion cubs this time instead of the tigers. Did some shopping at Geneva and heaps at the markets. We found it a bit quiet around so as always tried to share the love between stores.
So all in all a great trip again. Will not be visiting the Bali garden again but would reccomend Kumala pantai to anyone. Familes and couples. Back again in november with the husband and kids this time so looking forward to that all over agin.