Quick trip to bali for long weekend for my birthday. Flew out of Darwin with Jetstar. Both flights left and arrived early, very efficient service. Long queue on arrival at new airport with 6 planes landing within 1/2 hour. Lots of airport staff offering VIP service with prices ranging from $20 - $50 person. Saw one group of 25 take up the $20 person offer. Where does this money go???
Took an hour to get through on arrival but fairly effective and departure was very easy. Lots of places to sit and there were several places to buy food and drinks. Some small stalls open for shopping and I imagine that the shops will open eventually. I think the new airport is much more efficient than the old one and should be great once it is finished. Very quick trip to Sanur now with the new motorway (?) towards Benoa. Cut the travel time in half.
Took my partner on his first visit to bali staying in Sanur for three nights, a great place to start for a virgin. Stayed at Paneeda View Hotel which was centrally located and very comfortable. Got a good price online. Would happily stay there again. There are 3 small pools and I like that you can swim in the sea outside the Paneeda at high tide, this was the first time I have ever swum off the beach in Sanur in 14 visits.
Ate at several good restaurants including Massimo's, Mona Lisa and had two great breakfasts at Coco Bistro along the bike path and Café Smorgas on Jl Tamblingan. In fact all our meals were good/great. Quick trip to show M Ubud, our driver Made went the back way so we wandered through lots of little villages so lots of interesting sights. Not sure about the new Ubud market. All my old favourite stalls had moved and I found the inside area rather stifling but managed to buy what I was looking for.
Love the idea that it is only a 2.5 hour flight from Darwin, now that we are living here we can take advantage of the sales and pop over to Bali for a weekend.