Hi all. After getting hours of pleasure reading JBR's over the last few years, have decided to finally put pen to paper. My partner (Krystal.....Hi, I'm Matt) and I have been to bali 6 times, the first for both of us being just 4 years ago. Obviously we have fallen in love with the place !
We returned recently and this trip surpassed all others (as it seems to do each time as we get to know the place more and more)
We have previously stayed in villa accommodation in Seminyak (first two trips), hotel in Legian for trip 3/4 (Kumala Pantai - enough has been raved about this hotel already, great spot !) number five was spent at Bali Garden (the less said about this one the better....we convinced two friends to come with us after our constant ravings about Bali.....they both couldn't come to grips with the heat, the street hawkers and the overall dirtiness and made the trip painful with their constant whinging..Give me a break !!)
So onto the trip we have just returned from. Our plan was to spend the first week in hotel accommodation this time (we had 14 glorious days). We are shopping gurus, so the first week is spent organising jackets, shirts, handbags, shoes (Kyrstal ordered 6 pairs this time and of course had to order a matching "clutch" for each colour !)three nights over at Lembongan Island followed by four nights in a nice villa back in Seminyak (gives Krystal a further excuse to shop in the boutiques to spend any money we might have left !)to totally wind down. With the cost of villa accommodation going through the roof, staying there the whole time seems such a waste especially for the first week when we are out and about most of the time. Our first trip we stayed at "the Villas" on JL Kunti 4 yrs ago - cost was about $185 a night....now around $350
We arrived at 9 am (from Perth.....well isn't everyone these days)and after a painless short wait through customs and the obligitory changing of $50 at airport foreign exchange, we walked out to a familiar and welcoming "smell" that is Bali. We looked at each other and instantly realise "ahhhh, we are home!" An uneventful taxi ride later - of course the driver asks us the usual "how many times have we been here ?" question, which I am convinced is designed to ascertain how easy a 'mark' we might be. Taxi window at airport seems to be charging an extra 10 - 15 K these days to what is listed on their board)- which of course we don't mind.
Our hotel for the first seven days this time is the Kumala Pantai in Legian, again. The value for money is outstanding (around $70 a night), location fantastic and the food from the beach end restaurant wonderful. The main pool is massive for such a budget priced hotel. We had a room on the second floor in "s" block, which overlooks the second pool.
Although we were unable to check-in at 10 am, we dumped our bags with them and headed off for a 2 hour spa session at "Chill" - This little gem was found on our first trip. It is on JL Kunti (off JL Seminyak)- It is the perfect way to unwind when first arriving, with the pricing pretty good considering the venue. I fell asleep during my massage (quite a common theme) but left feeling refreshed and ready to take on the shops !
On the way back to the hotel for check-in we stopped for some lunch at our favourite little Italian place. Sad to say I do not know the name but it is on JL Double Six where you turn left to go to KP. It is a white rendered building. The food is very simple but truly Italian, with freshly made gnocci, pizzas that are NOT overloaded with ingredients. All is made fresh on the premises and is a nice place to sit and watch the traffic go by.
Checking in was as usual at KP straight forward without complications. We quickly got into our room, got settled, headed straight for the pool. We spent the whole afternoon lazing by the pool, met a couple that were flying back the next day (Suckers !!) and started to remember the great things about Bali hotels - THE IMPECIBLE SERVICE ! - trying to get hospitality staff in an Australian hotel to treat guests the same way is a pipe dream ! Drinks (mainly fresh juice...watermelon is awesome!)were constantly brought to us as required and the attentive staff were funny, entertaining and respectful. 14 more days of this......we can't wait !
First night was a relatively early one. We headed up to Seminyak to eat at one of our favourite spots "made's warung" on JL Seminyak. There is also a "Made's" in Kuta, but the location and ambience of this one is much nicer. The garden setting is really nice, with subtle lighting, the service is spot on and the menu extensive. I counldn't resist the coconut juice. Yum !! - Strolled along Jl Seminyak checking out the shops on our way down to Bintang Supermarket for supplies to take back to hotel.
As it has taken quite a while to get to the end of day one, will condense things from here on for fear of losing you as a reader !
First week was spent shopping, massages, white water rafting, trip up to Tanah Lot and a few other bits and pieces. I generally get massages at Febri'spa down in Sth Kuta - I came across the place a few years ago and enjoy getting my back cracked by Wayan, who walks on my back and relieves the muscular pain I get from time to time courtesy of an old rugby injury. His work is awesome ! - Love getting reflexology too after every shopping stint, generally where ever we are will do !
Kyrstal and I went white water rafting for the first time this trip (actually went twice as the first time was such a blast). You can go on lots of different rivers and after a bit of reasearch settled on Tallaja Waja river which is rated as a fun ride with awesome scenery. (booked through street booth located on the same side of street as KFC in Kuta, heading away from beach - cost 300,000 each) Trip included hotel pick up and lunch . Either take 'runners' to wear or you can buy reef sandals at location for about 50,000 - they do the job and keep you cooler than runners anyway. We were joined in our 4 person raft, plus awesome guide, by another couple also on their first trip. I can't speak highly enough of the whole experience- the scenery amazing and peaceful, the ride was well balanced with thrills and spills and enough cruising speed to take in the sights. They stop half way down for a drinks break and a good photo opp under a waterfall. They provide a waterproof bag for your belongings, so take ya camera. At the end of the journey, it is just a short climb up about fifty odd steps (from what I have heard, other spots can have you climbing for 20 minutes at the end....no thanks !) to a well prepared, fresh lunch that had a good combo of indo and semi western food - with plenty of refreshingly cold drinks to wash it all down. The 90 min drive back was the lowlight.
After a pretty frantic first week it was time to slow things down with a trip over to Lembongan island. We had heard how beautiful it was from friends who had gone on a day trip with Bali Hai cruises, so decided to take the plunge and spend a few nights there to really unwind and spend some quality time together. We booked a villa called "villa shambala" , perched on a cliff with 220 degree ocean views and own plunge pool. Will continue with JBR shortly........we had an amazing time in Lembongan,. including and inspiring story of humanity. Hope you have enjoyed so far, will finish soon.