Been back in town just over a week now and already planning the next trip.
I started my journey started alone, and then met with the other 6 of my group on Saturday evening.
I flew Virgin direct from Brisbane, fairly full plane, got lucky with a seat up the front next to some friendly kiwi surfers. This flight was one of the smoothest and quickest in my twelve or so trips.
Was met at the airport by transport provided by Poppies Cottages where I spent my first night alone. I highly recommend Poppies Cottages, so private and relaxing. The room was immaculate and had everything you needed, tv, dvd, fridge, in room safe, open air bathroom. Wish I had spent longer there. So central too.
Next day (Saturday) headed to one of my fav hotels - Green Garden at Kuta. They all remembered me.
We had four rooms all together on the ground floor as requested. Everything about this hotel appeals to me, check in went smoothly and was so easy, big bfasts, huge rooms which are spotless, excellent staff all round, great food at the hotel too. The spa was perfect, you must try the hot stone treatments, the best in Bali.
Picked my friends up from the airport Sat night, they had the long journey from Brisbane via Darwin with Jetstar.
Two of us ventured out the Saturday night to Legian to The Engine Room, gosh it was so busy, great table service, music and atmosphere.
We became regulars here with staff coming and greeting us with open arms each time. This was certainly our fav nite time hang out spot.
We did venture to a few of the others too, however kept returning to The Engine Room. The guy in the white dancing out the front is so hot and full of energy, great to sit and watch.
For one night during our stay to have some alone time I ventured to Ubud with two others from our group, we then went our seperate ways when landing in Ubud.
My honeymooner friends stayed at Lilly Villas and I stayed at Alam Jiwa.
My friends said their villa was great, however no pool for them but they loved their stay and the manager was great.
My room Ganesa was perfect. Close to the pool, huge four poster bed, massive open air bathroom, supurb breakfast delivered at the time of my choice in the morning and it was upstairs so a lovely day bed was on my balcony for me to sit and think whilst overlooking the paddy fields. Would definately recommend this for a romantic stay.
I would probably stay in Monkey Forest Road next time as I do prefer to be central.
Restaurants and Bars we tried were:
Mozeralla by The Sea at Legian - had dinner here one evening with a male friend and of course they thought we were partners and had jokes with us, especially after my friend ordered Sex on the Beach, great nite, great staff, delightful food and reasonably priced too. We both had ribs with veges and cocktails were two for one, so I think we had about 6 all up.
Treehouse in Poppies Lane 1 - this is one of my all time favourites. Went here on my first day, took friends here a few times too, such great cheap food, big menu and cheap drinks too.
Breadtalk Bakery Discovery Mall - always a fav of mine, so cheap and fresh.
Bagus Bar - Poppies Lane 1 - had a few drinks here one evening, again reasonably priced and a great place to meet new people.
KAFE at Ubud - I always return here each trip, this is a place I really wind down at. Great food and atmosphere, sometimes hard to get a table, others normally dont mind if you join them though.
Dounut Shop - sorry cant remember the name of this one, it is along the beach just before Poppies Lane 1, downstairs. They have the best and freshest dounuts, great coffee too and soo cheap.
Gloria Jeans - I am a regular here too. They always remember you by name, always greeted with a cold towel, given a sweet biscuit with your coffee and the second level with ac and free internet is a bonus. Great spot to cool off before doing more shopping. And Shine downstairs for cheap bling is a great stop too.
Shops
Body and Soul - picked up a few pieces here off the shelf at cheap prices.
Shine - cheap bling at the Matahari near Gloria Jeans.
Ketuts fixed price shop at Legian
Rika's fixed price shop at Kuta - across from the Green Garden Hotel. Rika is such a lovely lady, cant do enough for you. The other stall holders around her are great too.
Well my JBR was going to be short, however didn't finish that way.
Hope some of this information is helpful to others.
If you have any questions please ask away.
Flight home again direct to Brisbane with Virgin was just over half full, so had a spare seat beside me and a lovely lady on the aisle seat. Slept most of the way home so was back in Brissy before I knew it, again a great quick flight.
Also if anyone knows of a rental property in Ubud for a period of 3 months for early next year I would be interested in hearing from you.
Miss Bali sooo much!!!