Bali 2014
Day 1. 4.50am AA flight to Bali from Perth, with my wife Cazza and her Mum and Dad (both had not been to Bali for 40 years, so quite a few changes). Perth airport is lacking in the seating department and I look forward to the completion of the new terminal. Bali Airport arrivals were easy with only our flight in the hall at the time. AA could lift its rating with more immigration cards on board, as scrambling around in the arrivals terminal in Bali was a drama, especially for the elderly. I question the number one rating AA boast about. Our driver was ready to pick us up, Ketut is the wife of Nyoman Adanyana and it was great to see her again. The Mercure in Sanur staff were nice and we felt very welcome (our second time at the hotel). The Deluxe room needed a replacement fridge which was replaced the following day. The rooms have been renovated and are ok. The in room amenities were good and the bed comfortable. Lunch at the hotels lounge was nice and it was great to have some Indonesian food and beer again. Went to Retro Beach Restaurant for dinner and enjoyed the meal and happy hour (5 till 8).
Day 2. Cazza was off for her morning walk as soon as we heard the garden staff broom swishes, swishing away the fallen leaf debris (they do a great job with the Mercure Gardens). Breakfast at the hotel was pricey but good quality. Off to Hardy's for supplies. Cazza and myself went for a walk up to Komilfos on the beach path for a quiet drink and snack and noticed a lot of activity further up the beach, it was then we heard about the missing Japanese divers and how it was unfolding. We wished good luck for the divers. It was a very subdued Sanur beach strip for a few days. I ate my first Nasi campur of the trip at Retros on the beach for dinner, which was very good. Drizzle that evening.
Day 3. The Birds were singing in the morning. Nyoman booked for our day trip, Cazza off walking. My Logitec mini boombox rocks. Breakfast at Retros on the Beach. For our Day trip, we went to see silver, paintings, wood, then have lunch at Dirty Duck in Ubud, see rice paddies, Banjar in Petulu Gunung village to see the Heron colony. We took the slow roads back to Sanur which made for a very scenic drive. Dinner at Retro on the beach was spot on (Ribs, nice). Nyoman has us booked for Bali Safari Park on Thursday.
Day 4. Retro breakfast. Weather looking dodgy. Good game of golf at Bali Beach despite solid rain on 3 holes. Cazza spent the day shopping with her folks. We went to Rib Warung for dinner which was great.
Day 5. Flame Cafe, over the road from the Mercure for breakfast, it was going nice until I spotted a maggot crawling out of a tomato core on my wife's plate, end of meal! Nyoman was ready at 9am to take us to the Bali Safari Park. We all felt that the park is a good day out. Elephant ride at 3pm gave us time to enjoy the park and a lunch the Restaurant, with the Lions just outside the window, it made for interesting viewing. The Park concept is good, the staff were very helpful and most importantly the animals are cared for with kindness.
Day 6. Breakfast at Retros was good. Golf at Bali beach. Cazza had a facial at Aroma which she said was good, very peaceful and with attentive staff. We all went for beers at Barbs Sports late afternoon and as always it was great to catch up with Barb and Ian. Dinner was at the Irish bar Wicked Parrot. We thought it was pricey and the food was bland for my tastes, the rest of the table enjoyed theirs. The food quality was good and my fellow diners said, homely, which is good if this is what you are after. Irish coffee was very good.
Day 7. Retros for breakfast. Today is a day trip to Amed for lunch, at the Life in Amed. Nyoman took us the scenic route in after Candidasa. Breathtaking views from up in the hills, driving through villages seeing people go about their daily lives. Back down the hills with some streams crossing the road had the brakes working overtime. Lunch at Life in Amed was of the usual high standard. The dining area is being renovated, so the villa next door is utilized as a dining area, it's nice, with a colonial type feel.
Leaving during a break in the rain was halted by a huge volume of water crossing the road in the middle of Lean village (3 car lengths long and quite deep in the middle). Traffic stopped for about an hour until the water dropped below knee level. We powered through and it was worrying when the wheels spun briefly, as a total loss of traction would see us heading out to sea. Scooters and small vehicles would be in strife as the flow was very strong. Dinner at Salt n Pepe was nice.
Day 8. Check out at the Mercure was easy and I have no complaints about our stay here. The rooms were kept clean and all staff were helpful and friendly. Transfer to Novotel Tanjung Benoa. The check in staff were fantastic and had us into our rooms by 11.00am. Tropical Terrace rooms located in the Beach Wing are superb. Lunch at Cocos on the beach was good quality. A bit of sun lounge action in the afternoon was relaxing. The beach area is tidy. Dinner over the road at Balboni was good and well priced.
Day 9. Breakfast at Novotel included in booking price and we were impressed by the quality and variety available. Cazza was happy, nice Yogurt again. Jumped in the bus to Bali Collection, shops and cafes, most probably fun at night. Back to the Novotel and we went for a walk up the beach path which is pretty crappy compared to the one in Sanur, with broken footpaths and jungle encroachment. We had dinner at Cocos on the Beach which was a very nice meal. They have a good menu of quality food at good prices for a hotel eatery. 10.00pm two friends arrived from Perth to share a week with us. While sitting on the beach sipping a cocktail and killing time I noted just how many planes arrive at the airport. It gets very busy, one plane every 8 - 10 minutes over the hour and a half I was watching.
Day 10. The girls did the water aerobics and gym while the boys played golf at Bali Beach. Our dinner was at Atlichnaya Bar, just down from the Novotel. They have a simple menu of good well priced food, cold beer and nice people. Laundry service next door is good and the ladies also do a great massage (Made and Putu)
Day 11. Following breakfast, the girls did the water aerobics. We all went on a bus trip with Nyoman and headed for lunch at Singlefin in Ulawatu, overlooking Padang Padang, outstanding view, atmosphere, food ok, beer not cold enough. Dinner at Glaze in Benoa that night was perfection, pricy but quality food and attentive staff.
Day 12. The girls went shopping while the boys went to play golf at New Kuta which was very good. Pro shop staff were disinterested, shirts overpriced, so no sale. Sun loungers were utilised again, very relaxing. Our dinner was at La Scala, a nice two story restaurant, food was good and prices also.
Day 13. Golf at Bali National was fantastic with a 7.45am tee off, such a beautiful course, with masses of charm. Pro shop staff helpful, shirts purchased. Lunch with the girls at New Moon Jimberan was nice quality seafood but stupid prices. Lazing on the beach was nice at the Novotel. Dinner at Nyomans Beer Garden Nusa Dua was good, priced well, good quality food, service and atmosphere. Very good Nasi campur and the Kebabs presentation were terrific. Pick up and deliver to hotel is a nice touch.
Day 14. After a relaxing morning a Birthday lunch for Cazza at Cocos on the Beach was great, staff sang happy birthday and the pre arraigned cake was beautiful. Dinner at Cocos completed a nice day.
Day 15. Goodbye to our friends as they headed off to Legion. After breakfast, 18 holes at Bali Beach Golf. Family want shopping at Hardys. Dinner at Balboni was nice.
Day 16. Nyoman took us for a day trip out to Tanah Lot, splendid, we like this place a lot, great views and the markets are nice to pick up well priced last minute gifts at good prices. A light lunch at the Bali Cafe in Seminyak was good. We love the decor, a colonial, retro recycled look. We went to Glaze again for dinner, same good quality as the first visit but the Baby Lobsters are smaller than Prawns!
Day 17. Game of golf at Nirwana, a beautiful course with awesome views. I got back in time for a massage at Atlichnaya Spa. Last dinner for the trip at Nyomans Beer Garden, great meal and Cazzas Dad raved about his Schnitzel.
Day 18. After breakfast, a steady packing process and ready for pick up at noon. Our stay at the Novotel Tanjung Benoa was a perfect experience, the hotel is well appointed and the staff were great, especially looking out for our elderly travelling partners. The food and beverage manageress was outstanding and runs a tight operation. The departure experience at the airport was different to the old one, but not unpleasant. Tip, keep your eye out for the departure tax booth, it's a bit inconspicuous. Also, don't get hung up with the queue at the ladies toilets as you get through the shopping mall into departure lounge, just walk further up the hall as there are heaps of toilets at each departure gate that don't get utilized. Duty free booze was a lot cheaper than Perth for basic spirits, (J&B Scotch 1lt $16.50 US). As many of said on the forum the dining options are not as good as the old airport, but I expect that they will improve with time (Bali Time). AA flight was on time and the Arrivals at Perth were a breeze. We declared some minor wood items with no drama.
A thoroughly enjoyable holiday for all of us.