Left Sydney Monday April 30th on the cheap Garuda Fares, this was a trip we had not been planning but when Garuda offered $580 pp return from Sydney we couldnt say no to the Isle of Smiles. Just my Husband & I this trip much to the disgust of the 14 & 17 year olds we left at home. Garuda are now doing the Visa on Plane, what a great idea, you pay your $25 at the counter in Sydney then after your meal the Immigration guys come around and stamp your passport, you cannot purchase the visa on the plane it must be done in Sydney. Good flight straight through we had to wait for our bags then off to Niksoma in Legian we were in our room within 1 hour of landing..!
Upon arrival at Niksoma we were invited to the Cocktail party so we quickly put our bags in our room and head down poolside for what we thought would be 1 cocktail each and see you later, how wrong we were, unlimited cocktails 3 different to choose from, Beer, satay sticks, mini pizzas, spring rolls, the list goes on. We left around 7pm but would have been welcome to stay.
1st night dinner Queens Tandoor in Seminyak, the food here is the best Indian food we have tasted and cant help but return.
Day 2 - Went to Leon Tailor in Garlic Lane, we have used them before and always happy with the end product, to organise a copy Alex Perry dress from a photo, a suit jacket, a mens long sleeved shirt, have a dress they made 2 years ago taken in and made from long to short and a bow tie - total cost $127,all items turned out exactly as we wanted, went to Dolphin Leather in Garlic lane to order 2 leather bags to be made $60 each both just perfect then off to buy some clothes for the next few days and visit long time Balinese friends on the beach. Nasi Goreng at Posers for lunch, then off to Seaside for dinner, neither place ever disappoints us.
Day 3 - Walked to Kuta along the beach, started on the shopping list 14 & 17 yr olds have given us, Kuta Markets and Poppies 1 satisfied a bit of the list. Went to Doggie Paws in Poppies to get the dog his winter "Security" guard PJs, too cute. Taxi back swim in the pool and dinner at Mozzarells by the Sea, the food here was great, I think I would have to say better than Mozzarellas on Padma.
Day 4 - Early start so Niksoma pack us a breakfast box which consisted of 3 pastries, an apple, banana and a juice each as we were being picked up by Blue water xpress between 6-30 - 7am for our boat trip to the Gillis. We loved the Niksoma I thought the hotel was much bigger but there are only 57 rooms, the rooms are spacious, the staff friendly, amenities all good a place we would definately return to. We arrive on Gilli T around 10-30am and are taken to Martas Villas. What a sensational little place, only 9 villas in total, up a little lane way so away from the nightlife. The villa we had was a bathroom downstairs upstairs was a king size bed a single bed and a fridge, downstairs there is an outdoor area with a great day bed and fan, after talking to Joanna (the owner) she said all the villas are a little different in design, ours was No. 7 and just perfect. Lunch we went to Fortuna along the beach and were pretty happy with this choice. Around 3pm we hired 2 bikes (70,000rp for 24 hours) and rode around the island, a trip that takes approx 1 hour and you need to push your bike probably 20% of the time as it is too sandy in some spots to ride. Dinner at The Irish Pub, good meal here too.
Day 5 - On the bikes again we decided to ride probably 20 mins to a lovely little beach where we sat in raised Balinese Huts on the beach, spent the day here reading, swimming, eating, before heading off around 2pm to ride the rest of the way around the island before returning the bikes. Walked down to Sunset Point for a few Bintangs to watch the sunset.
Day 6 - Off snorkelling, what a great day this was, the boat leaves at 10-30am 100,000rp each, we stopped at 2 snorkelling spots, we saw a turtle swim by, had lunch on Gilli Meno, then another snorkelling stop before heading back at 3pm, we had a fantastic day the water is so clear.We had been told to walk to the top of the hill for the view, it was a bit of a hike up alot of stairs but well worth it for the breathtaking view, down to Sunset Beach Bar again and dinner at Fortuna,at night they set the tables on the beach so a nice spot great atmosphere for a romantic dinner.
Day 7 - time for a walk around before leaving on the 11am boat back to Bali, we thoroughly enjoyed our time on Gill T, we arrived around 1-30pm, stop off at Care Four for some supplies before going to our Villa accommodation off Garlic Lane in Legian. well what can we say about this place except they have thought of everything, even a cocktail guide so you can make your own. The villa consists of a private pool, kitchen, lounge, dining room downstairs and upstairs 2 bedrooms and bathroom. This place is amazing, well appointed, very private villa in a great location. Dinner tonight was at Zanzibar good food good atmosphere.
Day 8 - Fitting at the Tailors, shopping, shopping, shopping for the kids, we bought an array of Vans 100,000rp, Nixon Watches 40,000rp, snapback hats 30,000rp, Billabong Shorts, Shirts, Bonds & Calvin Klein undies, Dr Dr Beats 100,000rp for smaller ones, 180,000rp for chunky big ones, phew then time to relax with a few bintangs at Billys bar on the beach. A Balinese friend of ours took us to Jimbaran Bay seafood market (what an experience) where he picked out the seafood had it grilled there then took it back to his place to watch the sunset.
Day 9 - Just a bit of last minute shopping then relaxing on the beach then Indo National for lunch then back at the pool before going to Seaside for dinner.
Day 10 - Last day in Paradise, pick up Laundry, DVDs, Clothes from Tailor (after a couple of fittings they turned out PERFECT), back down the beach to relax on the sunbeds watch the sunset, back to Queens Tandoor for final dinner, showers then to Ledgends Bar for happy hour as we were being picked up at 11pm for the 2am flight home.
A few nights we went to Ledgends Bar, yellow band are great for a laugh and a dance, Billy Bar is good too. All in all a great holiday althought I must say that 2am flight is a killer.
Hope this has not been too boring I have left the email address open,
Cheers, Alan & Kylie