Details: Flew Jetstar Bris via Darwin for a very quick 3 night/3 day birthday treat for myself, travelling solo. It was a quick trip so I didn't do much really but here is a quick overview.
FLIGHTS OVER
We were delaying in leaving Brisbane to Darwin due to a passenger checking their luggage in and then not actually turning up for the flight. This meant that we were delayed by about 45 minutes as they had to find his luggage before we could take off. The flight Darwin to Bali left on time.
I preordered my meals on Jetstar and I would most definitely do it again as you get your meal, cold drink plus coffee/tea before anyone else and generally I found the meals quite tasty.
I also paid extra to be in the front section of the plane.
VOA/IMMIGRATION/CUSTOMS
I got to an empty counter at VOA, paid $50 and got my change in rupiah. The line through immigration was about 10 deep but I of course chanced upon picking the slowest queue! Whinging aside, I was probably only in line for 15 minutes at the most and my luggage was going around the carousel when I got out. I declared some lollies that I brought with me but customs were not interested in looking and waved me straight through.
AIRPORT TAXI
Exited and turn to the right and there was the taxi booth. They charged the guys in front of me more than the quoted price to Legian. I was only going to Kuta, the board stated 50 000 rupes and he asked for 60 000, I personally was not going to quibble over 10 000 so it was fine with me.
ACCOMMODATION
I stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel in Kuta. I have stayed here numerous times before and will again next time. It is not for those who want a small Balinese type hotel I should warn you, but for those who love lounging by the pool you quite simply cannot go wrong here. I also like that they have lots of dining options on site including the Deli which does great sandwiches/wraps/cakes/coffee etc and also has computers available for internet access.
I had booked a Deluxe room and for some reason was upgraded to a newly built deluxe premium room which was fantastic. Two huge beds, toiletries from the rock spa, big flat screen TV, IPod docking station etc. It is far enough from Centrestage that you do not hear any noise from the band at all.
SHOPPING
GENEVA
Headed to Geneva on my first day, and stocked up on homewares and the like. They actually had ‘designer' bags this time such as Chloe etc so I got a couple of handbags as well as other stuff such as serving platters, bowls, dinner sets etc. Painted wooden bowls to put lollies and stuff in for Secret Santa presents and stuff like that.
SHINE ACCESSORIES
I love this shop! When I went into it I realised that I was wearing earrings that I had bought their last year! I visited the store near JL Pantai Kuta, though there are a few of them around now including at Discovery Mall. I bought a ton of earrings, a few necklaces, as well as ‘designer purses', hair accessories, toiletry bags and the like. Because I spent over 800 000 rupiah I also got a prepacked hamper of goodies thrown in which was a nice touch!
MATAHARI
Stocked up on baby clothes for my pregnant sister here. Got myself a couple of items of clothing as well. Stopped in at the supermarket section before I left and got lots of toiletry type stuff such as razors, body wash and scrubs, band aids, betadine and headache/cold flu tablets.
DVD's
I visited Get More Discs on JL Pantai Kuta, I have used them before and had no issue last time. I also visited a DVD store at the Discovery Centre, it was not Softcomp it was the store that is right near Shine Accessories on the far left of the complex.
OTHER CLOTHES SHOPPING
I bought a few surf shirts from Surfer Girl on Jl Legian as well as some of the surf shops near Matahari. Also bought some Juicy Couture t-shirts from a boutique in that location as well. I actually really didn't find that much that interested me which is always the way when you have $$$ to spend! I stopped in a shop called ‘Religion' I think, or at least that was the clothing brand within the store, also in Kuta Square. While no adult clothes took my fancy, they had a range of baby romper suits with rock slogans and pictures on them which were so cute, I got my sister one with the famous Rolling Stone lips on it!
EATS
I didn't do any restaurants, I got room service at the Hard Rock once, used the Deli numerous times or just got something simple from the supermarket section at Matahari. I of course visited Breadtalk for the obligatory bread and butter puddings plus some other eats.
Breakfast was included at the Hard Rock Hotel, it is a massive buffet and I always laze over breakfast having a couple of coffees and a couple of goes at the buffet. Usually a savoury plate first, which includes whatever Asian dishes are on the menu for the day, eggs, bacon etc. On two of the mornings there they had corn fritters with a tomatoey sauce to accompany them which, they were very nice. My second plate is sweets, I grab some fresh fruit and then either waffles or pancakes with bananas in syrup. They also have bread & butter pudding/red rice pudding alternatively, of which I usually have a little bit.
RELAXING/ENTERTAINMENT ETC
I spent mega time around the pool this holiday. I found the weather to be perfect, hot but not humid. A bit cloudy sometimes early morning but this lifted within a few hours. The pool at the Hardrock has to be seen to be believed and I certainly gave it the time it deserved! They played poolside bingo one afternoon and the Balinese caller was extremely funny! For those with kids there are heaps of activities poolside, including group dancing every afternoon which I absolutely loved to watch as the kids got right into it.
I also used the Hard Rock Spa and had a 3hr pamper package. It was $140US so not cheap but perfectly divine. The first hour was a full body massage completed by two therapists. In the second hour, one therapist completed the facial whilst the other gave you a foot massage for the full hour. The last hour was a deluxe manicure and pedicure. I absolutely floated out of there, worth every penny in my opinion!
I also went to Centrestage one night. Being there alone I was a bit daunted about going, but thought why not??! I ended up sitting at a table with an Indian guy and his Chinese girlfriend who were very nice. The band playing was Devotion and they were excellent! Had a massive repertoire of songs and played all requests. The band came over to chat during their break and the gorgeous female lead singer asked our names. When playing later on they gave us a shout out by name which was awesome. I ended up staying for a good few hours and would have stayed longer but I was continually being hassled by a drunk guy so called it a night.
FLIGHTS BACK
I had a late check out of 6.00pm from the Hard Rock and I left for the airport after that even though my flight did not leave until 10.50pm. I grabbed a coffee at Starbucks at the airport and headed through to await my flight opening, which did so at about 7.30 I suppose. No problem paying departure tax etc Got given a 15% discount card for the Prada Lounge so headed there to use the internet, have a feed and a drink and relax prior to the flight. Cost to get in was 135 000 rupiah.
I took advantage of the massage station situated within and got a 10 minute foot massage and 15 minute head, neck and shoulder massage which cost 100 000 rupiah all up.
Our flight departed on time and arrive ½ hour early into Darwin. Again I had preordered a meal and also a comfort pack for this leg. Had to kill a few hours at the airport before doing the second leg to Brisbane. I had prepurchased 10 kilos extra luggage allowance which was worth it as I did have 6 kilos over the original allowance.
That's about it I think, any q's let me know