Went for friends 40th and had miss 16 with me. Most of the group chose villa accom in keroborakan but think it was closer to Cangu, we stayed 5 nights with the group for birthday celebrations.
First 2 nights we stayed at Bali mandira, love this street, stayed in a garden villa and whilst grounds and facilities are lovely and the indoor/outdoor bathroom was nice I feel that it is overpriced stayed just down the road at the Lokha last trip at less than half the price and was little difference between them, we had free bar fridge and half the stock disappeared when room cleaned the first morning! Afternoon tea which was very basic and then cocktails with very limited choice and limited service, food was nice. Did enjoy the morning yoga (extra charge) breakfast was good and beach bar and lounges was lovely. Ate dinner at Mozzarella's great food, lovely cocktails and amazing service.
First full day spent at Spa, me massage, body scrub and facial, miss 16 hair extensions, gathering essentials - toiletries, nibblies, holiday clothing, and book tattoo (first one, nervous and exceited) after 7 Bali trips in 3 years we travel very light, Carry on only on the way over. Met up with friends for dinner in Seminyak then hot rock massage before bed, love the luxury of 4 hrs at a Spa in one day
Moved to the villa, I have never desired a villa stay and now I have tried it and have no interest in doing it again, the actual villa and staff were lovely but too isolated I don't need my own pool (and it was cold) had to phone for taxi's and bluebirds had trouble finding it, had to book massages, I like to walk and find massage, and food, this place was so safe (not sure the safe was essential!)
16 people are hard to organize I realized after nothing happening the first day myself and miss 16 were just going to have to state our plans and then others could choose to come or not.
We were right near Umulas stables but they closed in may so we could not do this!
Thursday we went and did canyon tubing and Bali buggies and Quad biking, my 3rd time and first time on a Quad, I love the buggies but the quad is equally good fun, and a really great ride through the country side, take some small notes/coins and give to the kids as you go through their village. Canyon tubing is heaps of fun and as some of our party had bad knees so much easier without the steps that come with rafting! And the flying fox is fun too.
Was also a 17th birthday and as many were on a budget but wanted cocktails back to Mozzarella's for another amazing meal (creme brûlée and panna cotta deserts were beautiful) and a ridiculous amount of cocktails but still only 3 million Rup for 10 people. Many starters, mains, desserts and drinks!
Friday was cream hair bath, high tea at Biku some had indo high tea, we chose traditional and it was lovely from the themed place mats and crockery to the beautiful light fluffy scones and strawberries and cream all for $10 and the tea house is delightful, it is a lot more well known than when I first went in 2009. We raced home to get ready to head off to Taro for elephant night safari, such a long drive (I usually spend a few days in ubud to avoid the excessive time consuming travelling) the park is lovely and at first was noticeable that the elephants were chained up but guide explained whilst eating they can get competitive and aggressive so it is only at feed time. Baby elephants like to be fed but if you have no food don't stand close (which was explained clearly) my 40 friend got a slap when she ran out of food and kept standing too close!
Lots of photo's with the grown ups one took a fancy to miss 16 and kept wrapping his trunk around her but was very gentle. The night ride was lovely on a wooden side by side bench seat (do prefer safari park "saddle" ride). The buffet dinner was amazing, not a fan of buffet food but could not fault the food or the setting, not a cheap outing but felt it was worth every cent we paid for it.
Waterbom on Saturday good fun, do the climax last, makes everything else tame. Followed by massage, facial and cream hair bath, 40 and her kids went to potato head for dinner miss 16 refused was over western rest, she wanted good cheap Indo rest, not sure where we ended up but fab nasi goreng, Mahi Mahi and nasi campur bintangs and fresh juices for 200 000 Rup gotta love having instilled this in her!
Sunday the 40th (we weren't allowed to plan anything as her sister had!) breakfast at Ku De Ta oops no apparently reply to booking request (sent at 10.30pm Sat night) not available due to bikini comp - am assuming a photo had been attached of our party! So quick call to LaLucciola at 9.30 "no booking just come down" redirect Taxi's, oops forgot to mention there are 16 of us, no room, discussion ensues, and off to Potato Head, they don't open till 11 and of course lunch not breakfast, very Western menu and pricey for Bali, Then no plans for Dinner and many were running out of money!
I suggested dinner on the beach in Sanur, we went to Toot Sie, lovely setting, great food and good prices,
Monday packed up and went to Biku for high breakfast, this was also beautiful and they do until 12.30. Went to Ramayana hotel, loved the craziness and everything on our doorstep after the isolation of Cangu! Did our shopping, had a bamboo massage (last full body as tattoo tomorrow!) got hubby "my wife is awesome" singlet which he thinks is too special to wear! Will have to get him a spare in Jan so he doesn't worry! Had dinner at little Italy, miss 16 always ready for a taste of home by now! Never disappoints great pasta and pizza. DVD shopping, home to bed, big day tomorrow.
Breakfast good, bought dark loose clothes and stopped at black canyon for coffee. Then off to Twice Tattoo, Made was amazing, design was better than what I had taken in everything clean, surfaces to be used cling wrapped, needles opened in front of us, ink freshly pored, gloves changed at breaks, very professional, assistant Ketut warmer and friendly, Made focused and attentive. So happy with my Ink and quietly love how surprised everyone is that I did it and how big it is! Cocktails and nibblies at Ramayana nice food just whatever drink they bought out but still nice touch.
Met up with friends for last dinner and introduced them to fixed price shopping at Dianne's. Had an hour leg massage at little spa next to Ramayana, then miss 16 got delivered McD just because she could, friends dropped a bag in as we were under weight and as they were newbies she was over weight and we were leaving at 9am. Finally got to bed at 2 then had to be up and out by 6.30 am, too tired to be sad about leaving! Our driver who has made our trips very special is due for another baby so fond farewells and he had to accept our gifts as they were for wife and kids!
So until next time will continue to live vicariously through forum!