We recently had reason to be in Bali.

Not my first choice of a holiday destination for a long time.

Cashed Up Bogans (better known as CUBs in Indonesia) have, to me, affected the natural biodiversity of the island.  An invasive class of badly dressed tourist who trampled her shores, have paid in beads for her land and who now arrogantly take her hospitality for granted.

Rick had a conference to attend and I needed to step away from the vortex of sub-celebrity fruitless follies consuming my psyche.  We traveled with a group of friends who had all independently booked their flights.

There are plenty of ways not to do or get to Bali!

At the risk of insulting your intelligence, go online and find a “direct” flight to Denpasar Bali.

This can be challenging! Do not shop around for your fare if you are not completely lucid. You could end up on a 14 hour trip to a destination that is only 6 hours away.  If you’re travelling from Australia, go to www.jetstar.com and pop in your desired dates.  Buyer beware!  Don’t shop by price, shop for a direct flight. Don’t be put off having to fly Jetstar my fellow city hopping airline snobs. Jetstar International is Qantas in cheap clothing. Jetstar has a fleet of sound planes with deliberately ordinary service.  Brilliantly marketed as a discount airline, you may be treated like a sheep, but you are relatively safe on their sleek new aircraft… Not that you will feel it when you’re part of a mile high seat sandwich.

If you are lucky enough to find a direct flight in business class, click on it and praise the lord.  That goes for you too atheists! 

Rick booked the Sofitel Nusa Dua.

Sofitel’s concierge met us at the airport and drove us to the hotel. The airport transfer will make all the difference if you are on the red eye. Dazed and confused after a long fight will leave you open to hustlers on arrival. Denpasar airport is full on! The CUBs who have tread this path before you have not left the locals with a whole lot of loving.

Be safe, book the hotel transfer!

Sofitel Nusa Dua is sublime!  We relaxed immediately. Rick swung in a chair suspended from the ceiling and we both quietly surrendered to the snail pace of our good willed Balinese hosts.

Rick booked a luxury room with plunge pool.  The room was smaller than we anticipated.  We shrugged it off because it was beautifully decorated and I could swim to the pool bar.

Sofitel has a reputation for pricing the bogans out by setting their room rates just a little higher than the competition.  I’m not sure if this is true, but we found the pool and restaurants tranquil.

Book a car for the evening, it’s like $25 per hour, penny pinchers. Have your driver take the Bali Mandara Toll Road to shop and to dine.

A ‘must do’ restaurant is Sarong.

I am back in love with Bali!

http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-9078-sofitel-bali-nusa-dua-beach-resort-/index.shtml