Hi all, I was hoping to do a HNR daily but time just got away so I managed to keep a daily log to add for my very first JBR.
Firstly I'd like to thank everyone for contributing to this forum and anwsering my questions in the months leading up to our departure, It gave me the opportunity to look forward to our holiday and gain more valuable info and tips that I found very useful.
I have been to Bali many times over the last 30 years and have visited many of the beautiful and interesting places, everytime I go there are so many changes, this time is no different. This holiday was mainly to relax and recharge the batteries. I always come home sad yet have a new found appreciation for all that I have here and how truely lucky we are to be able to visit Bali.
So here goes hopefully some newbies might be able to use some of the information, for all the oldies I hope I dont bore you too much.
We went with my family and my sister, her husband and their teenage son, all up 4 adults 2 teens and 1 11 yr old.
Left Sydney on Garuda on a freezing cold morning, check-in went smoothly I was impressed by the new VOA service $26 AUD and the time it saved at the other end with our passports being stamped on the plane. All we had to do was wait for our luggage and find our trusty driver Putu. Food was good on the plane gave us a menu to choose from.
Traffic at the airport was kaos everywhere with the new airport and hotel being built exiting the airport was a nightmare.
We checked into the Melasti Beach Hotel in Legian - I had previously read a lot of negative reports both on this forum and on trip advisor and although it is older than most hotels and in need of a reno it had all that we needed.
We stayed in a Cottage Suite towards the end of the beach still close enough to the pool, rooms are huge, clean and fantastic for families. Only downside was that they were renovating the beachfront restaurant so breakfast was served in the ballroom. It had cereal, toast, ham, bacon, vegies, rice eggs anyway you liked them, pastries, tea/coffee and juice. We managed to get there early whilst it was still hot. Staff at the Melasti were some of the friendliest and genuine that we have encountered in Bali. They couldnt do enough for us and nothing was too much trouble.
The 3 pool were well maintained and clean although they were deep, 2 had swim up bars, and the main pool had a kids pool connected. The free Wi-Fi was a bonus with the teens.
We spent most afternoons down at the beach bar Nyomans directly outside the Melasti on the beach. Really friendly people to chat with made for a great atmosphere with cold bintangs and watching the kids and locals all join in for beach soccer whilst seeing the awesome sunsets. You can hire sunlounges and unbrellas here for the day really good rates.
Not one of us got Bali Belly as we took advice (found on this forum) to drink yulcult daily. It worked well.
Over the two weeks we seen the rate continue to slide starting at 9400 on arrival to see the last day at 8900. We used P.T Padma Valas Indo money changers in Jl Padma Utara, just before spiders bar opposite the Melasti and round the bend a little. They were opened to late and always gave the correct money. Just a tip, dont take travellers cheques if you can help it, we got stuck as no-one cashed them not even the hotels, ended going up to the BMC bank its the only one in the Kuta-Legian area that would cash them, they were even somewhat reluctant. They are next to Grandmas hotel near the corner of Jl Melasti and Jl Legian intersection.
We only used Bluebird taxis normal flagfall rate is 5,000rp we only used these to get up to Martahari's and back cost to Martahari's was around 20-25,000 depending on the traffic. Trip back we normally got out at Legian Beach Hotel on Jl Melasti and did more shopping down Garlic Lane or walked along beach to our hotel, cost around 15-18,000.
Overall traffic everywhere was really busy. Second week of trip they had a lot of domestic tourists from Java so the beaches and roads were struggling.
We were lucky enough to have watersports included in our package booked through travelonline it included 2 adults for jetski, parasailing and banana boat, transfers included. We got Putu to come along with us so we could visit other areas when we had finished. The kids took full advantage and had an awesome time, my 11 yr old had an instructor with him for the jetski and parasailing. They were great with him. Probably not a good idea to swim in this water as some of the Japanese tourist were doing, it was really dirty. When we had finished Putu took us to Gedger Beach at Nusa Dua, wow this place was really lovely white sand and crystal blue water perfect to take a blow up bed and float the afternoon away. It would be ideal for families with small children as there is no crashing waves. It also has a restaurant there to buy drinks and meals at reasonable prices, also able to hire beach lounges and umberellas for 40,000rp. Along side the beach is the newly opened Mulia resort, this place is stunning, the security allowed us to have a look at the 5 pools and the cabana areas what luxury. This beach is a great alternative to the hustle and bustle of the Kuta/Legian beach strip even though it took us a while to get there because of the traffic.
Did the waterbom thing although it was raining the kids were wet anyway it was still humid so it wasnt that bad.
We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to release baby turtles back into their natural habitat, they needed 1,000 people to help release them, it was an awesome experience to be a part of this. The foundation who organises the capture and release of the eggs (turtles) after they are hatched are doing a fantastic job not only for the turtles but to educate the locals etc. We spoke to an expat aussie lady who spends 4 month of the year during turtle season working with them and helping people gain a better understanding of the importance of the conservation of these endangered turtles. The large nesting pits are inside the large turtle dome on Kuta Beach just around from the art market. Worth a visit.
We had massages daily from the girls at Lida spa just around the bend near the spider bar ask for Mini she was excellent. We only paid 50,000 for an hr which was the going rate at these kind of spas. Boutique spas like the Santai spa are much more expensive starting around 120,000 and go for 1 1/2. You need to book here as they are very popular, and have a great reputation.
I was lucky enough to spend my birthday in Bali. My sister suprised me with a 4hr pampering gift pack at the Melasti Spa - wasnt too far to walk back to the resort after being in lala land lol. It was really wonderful.
The Melasti Resort also gave me a lovely arrangement of flowers it was a nice gesture.
We met up with our friend Nikki (everyone knows Nikki) who we have known for year from her days at the Bali Aussie rest. Over the years we have followed her from restaurant to restaurant, different restaurant same old Nikki.
Spent my birthday dinner at her new workplace 'Garlic Lane' only small but the food was great. She even organised a birthday cake for me. I had a great day. Good to see that she is really happy and it was nice catching up with her again.
I went to Ms Pac the jeweler at the Bali Rani hotel who replaced a small stone and fixed the claws of my ring- only small but has sentimental value. She only charged me only 50,000 Rp. I was really happy with the work she did and would recommend her work.
We had my daughters year 12 formal dress made by Wendys Designs, she was awesome came to our hotel 3 times so we could choose materials, styles and to have fittings. We also had a photo of the dress to make it easier for her. She was very professional and did an amazing job. Only cost us $85.00 Aust. My daughter is really happy with it, we only have to add the final bling. Her email is wendy.design@yahoo.com
tell her that Donna recommend you.
We ate at many different restaurants we tried to share the money around.
Legian snacks - first night food ok nice and cheap.
Indo-National in Jl Padma - Australian owner Julie made us all feel welcome, clean, bright friendly atmosphere. Have great singers who go from table to table to do requests. Food was really nice, prices ok.
Billy's - Garlic Lane - biggest asset are their staff, food was ok, live band was good, prices reasonable.
Garlic Lane - obviously in garlic lane only small great staff if Nikki is there you will laugh all night - food was delicious and prices were great value.
Bali Beach Shack - garlic lane, great atmosphere music wise but we found the food ordinary for the price.
My favourite was Mozzerella by the Sea. Read a lot about this one on this forum and it didnt disappoint. We booked early for the Saturday night Beetles show. They were awesome, food was fantastic a little pricy but was well worth it as the atmosphere was really enjoyable.
Sunset Rest - Puri Raja Hotel - nice atmosphere great place to sit and relax and watch the ocean, food and prices ok. Check your bill here as we were overcharged an extra 100,000 Rp not sure if it was an honest mistake but no hesitation in correcting it when I pointed it out.
Watched the state of origin at the restaurant across the road from the Melasti and upstairs as it was close and had lots of tv's. Food and prices were ok.
Felt a little sorry for the smaller restaurants as during the coverage the streets were like ghost towns and if they didnt have coverage they were empty. The larger restaurants were doing a roaring trade across the Kuta Legian area.
We also discovered Sammys Restaurant turn left out of the Melasti and follow it around the bend. The food was great, the staff really friendly and the prices cheap. We ate here 3 times.
Best Coffee without a doubt was Mugshots next to Sammys in Jl Padma Ultara. It opened at 6am. We would go early on sunrise and walk back on the beach. Only 35,000 rp for a large coffee or hot chocolate.
Australian owners who spoke freely about life in Bali for him and his family, discussed Balinese culture and enjoyed the general chit chat. Also part of their profits go to help the orphanages. They are also very compassionate towards their staff paying well above the award wage. This makes for great employees. Well done to the owners.
We visited Breadtalk down at discovery mall, this place is awesome, large range of savouries and cakes. Took it back to the hotel for lunch etc.
We used the little supermarket across the road from the Melasti for softdrinks, bintangs and general snacks for the kids they were cheaper than the shop next to the Melasti security checkpoint.
The internet cafe across the road was also good value paid 3,000rp for 12 mins. Not bad.
We did bigger shopping trips to Martahari to top up on goods also went to Carrfours on sunset rd this place is huge and great for picking up supplies for home eg: razors, creams etc.
For normal shopping we tried to shop and share the love from Kuta to Legian to the smaller out of the way laneways.
Checked out the fixed prices of Ketuts in gang off Garlic Lane and Diannes shop in Kartika Plaza just so we knew what the going rate was. In general we found Ketuts to be sightly cheaper with a bigger range of items to choose from.
Basic prices were:
Bintang singlets - 20,000 rp
Mens tee shirts - 30-40,000 rp depending on size
beach shorts - 25,000
dresses - 40,000-60,000 depending on style and length
wallets - 35-60,000 depending on quality and size
sunglasses from 20,000
watches - anywhere from 30-60,000 rp depending on how good you are at bartering they will mostly always throw batteries in for good luck.
If you are unsure Ketut will tell you the prices if you can barter cheaper at the markets good luck. When shopping we mentioned that we already knew the prices from Ketuts and they were happy to match her prices, some asked for any extra 5,000 for for good luck so most of the time we kindly obliged.
Our driver Putu was excellent, he averted a head on collision while driving us up to Ubud, a car driving on the opposite side the road overtook a truck and didnt see us, it was a scary situation but as he pointed out "always eyes on the road Rhonda" made light of the situation. He speaks very good English and is solid built over 6 foot tall so no-one gave us a hard time at all when he was with us. He has a brand new seven seater van, very clean and has great airconditioning. He also knows so many shortcuts. Contact him at
Putu Bali services +6281916622022 or email. He is very reliable. putubalicardriver@yahoo.co.id he is available 24hrs.
For our laundry we used Surya laundry services turn left outside the Melasti and go down the first laneway about 20 metres look for the yellow laundry sign. Only charge 10,000 a kilo they do an excellent job.
Putu took us the the factory outlet shops on Sunset Rd, grabbed some great bargins. Also visited Biarritz and Hawwai Bali Handicraft centres. Very similar to Geneva handicrafts but cleaner.
We had some fantastic family photos taken by a Photographer who works for the Melasti, his name is Gede. He took over 100 shots on the beach during the sunset. They were fantastic and we bought lots. He also would like to do weddings and special occasions. Check him out as his prices would be very reasonable for private functions.
This year we seen many beggers on the street but didnt get too hassled by the kids selling leather bracelets, noticed lots of these kids roaming the streets quite late, sad for us to see.
Had a few incidents where other tourists (sad to say they were Aussies) speaking down to the Balinese people, I felt ashamed I know that sometimes the heat and humidity can get to all of us but all the seller was trying to do was encourage them to "look at my shop and how many you need", in my opinion it would be nice if these sellers are respected and if the buyer is adament they dont want to purchase be firm and learn to say Tidak terima-kasi with a smile, no need to be blatently rude.
Overall the weather was great, very hot and humid, on arrival we had an afternoon downpour, next day started overcast but cleared up. We had a huge storm in the second week and two days of rain off and on. Didnt stop us from doing anything.
Our last day was spent down at the beach. We hired beach lounges and took in all that Legian beach had to offer, the great thing about the beach sellers if they see you often enough and they know that you have already bought from them they wont hassle you for anything else. At least this is what happened with us.
Our final goodbyes with these people were genuinely very sad, we had our final dinner at Sammys before Putu picked us up to take us to the airport. As usual he was early for pickup just as well because we got stuck in a traffic jam, took us just on an hour to go along Jl Padma Ultara back to Legian St.
We finally boarded our flight late, arrived home to miserable weather, now the Bali Blues have set in and I havent even returned to work yet.
I have great memories of Bali my favourite time was when I had the opportunity to talk to the locals. I enjoyed their friendly banter. I really enjoyed talking to Madee, one of the lovely ladies outside the Melasti who doesnt hassle you if you say no, with Madee we spoke freely about our husbands and our children and the Bali way vs the Aussie way, it gave me an insight into the way the Balinese women dont yet have equality, they work very hard, they share the same hopes and dreams for their children and family as we do. You know the saying "same same" but I know it will always be very different.
Salamat Tinggal.. till next time.