Hi all, we made it to Bali. Our Singapore Air flights were great. We got row 61 on the side and I didn't even have to give my story about getting sick on planes. The flights weren't full and I was able to get a complete middle row from NY to Singapore all to myself so I was able to stretch out and sleep.

The Sofitel Seminyak is very nice, good location. So far, haven't done too much, just relaxing and taking a few walks into town. Went to a village yesterday and got a cooking lesson and lunch. this was part of an included half day tour. We'll hire a driver for tomorrow to take us around. The weather has been perfect and so far, no earthquakes or volcanos. Keep your fingers crossed!

Went to a great restaurant for dinner the other night, Gado Gado--highly recommended. Last night went to Veranda, also very good.

Will try and check in again but at least I've avoided any penalty.

Penalty avoided. Glad to hear things are going well. Perhaps your penchant for natural disaters is on the decline. Looking forward to seeing you and Eric next month.

Glad you made it safely. I just flew to Singapore, this morning, from Bangkok and am sitting in an internet cafe right now. I fly home in the morning. Got to go. It's after 9PM and I'm really tired. Have a great trip. Happy Travels!

Laurie
Have a great time. Hope to see you in BOS next month.
Carol

What about the champagne??? Laurie, I'm waiting to hear about the champagne!

Glad you are settled in and enjoying your stay.

Earthquake - Volcano??? Bali?? Say what? Earth to Laurie - attention - no volcanic activity in Bali in recent 60,000 years. Be sure to stay only in 5 star hotels so you are not attacked by killer bees from Mexico or drunken bats from Madagascar vacationing in Bali or maybe you will be abducted by space aliens - oh, but you would have to book a tour for that one - and what if they didn't have champers????? O NO.

merck, you obviously don't hang around on the board enough to understand the humorous references in the post. Laurie's last trip WAS interrupted by the big quake on Java - during the time they had warnings about Merpati's activity and had evacuated villagers. I kow humor doesn't always translate well online.

Actually, Bali has plenty of volcanic activity. The last BIG eruption of Mt Agung in 1963 killed 1000 people. The lava flow auspiciously stopped just short of the Mother Temple in Bekasih. It's still belching and smoking.

Laurie, I'm glad that you're finding the Sofitel to your liking. We like Gado-Gado (the kids frequent it in the late, late hours) but I don't know Veranda.

My favorite resortwear store is Biasa which is on the border of Seminyak and Kuta.

Looking forward to hearing more about it.

sounds great....keep it coming

Glad to hear its going well so far. Post more when you get a chance.

Hey everyobne (except that jerk merk),

Having a great time. In ubud now, staying at the Royal Pita Maha, which is FANTASTIC! Puts the Amanjiwo to shame and it's half the price (even less if you have a good travel agent ;-) )

Kathie, we were able to buy champagne at both JFK and Changi so we brought in our two bottles. Prices not as good as what I can pay at my l9ocal liquor store but at least we could get it! We're going to have a bottle tonight out at our private pool at our villa!

Merk, do your homework. Bali has volcanos and where there are volcanos, there can be earthquakes (how do you think they're formed?) And yes, Bali has had major and deadly volcanic activity in the recent past. But, as Kathie pointed out, the reference was a joke. Go crawl back under your rock.

Laurie, glad you are having a great time and that you got your champagne!

Salamat Pagi Laurie! Glad to hear your trip is going well; the Bali gods are looking out for you this time!

Can't wait to hear your feedback about the Royal Pita Maha. It is on my wish/maybe list for next May. Did you get a package on luxurylink.com or did you book with a TA?

Hi all, having a great time. Haven't done all that much but really relaxing and living it up.

Cruise, the Royal Pita Maha is wonderful. I'll give you a full report when I get home. We booked through an agent. Are you going to the Boston GTG in Oct? If not, let's meet up in NYC and talk.

Dear Laurie !!
Could you do me a favor if you have time ?
Could you ask in KUDETA restaurant about the New Years Eve party if you pass trough it ?
Its because I´ll be in Bali with my wife and we intend to spent the party in this restaurant in Kuta, but they dindn´t say anything about rates or reservation yet.
Thanks,
Fernando
Brasil

Laurie had been back since September 13. Why don't you e-mail them with your question at: [email protected]

I'm going to be in Bali early November and based on your post searched reviews on Royal Pita Maha. Looked at Luxury Link too.

Comments (some months old) said staff inexperienced and disorganised and no spa onsite.

So...question is, do you agree? Worth the price? And, what IS the price? There's an auction going for it on Luxury Link. Never used the site before. Would this be a good auction to do?

Thanks in advance for any insights on this or any other info re Ubud.

laurieco, Welcome home. Would love a trip report with all those wonderful details you usually include.

CFW, I'll get around to a trip report sometime soon, promise!

susncrg, the RPM is a lovely hotel and I would not hesitate to recommend it. There is a spa right on the grounds but the hotel doesn't advertise it. Maybe because it's 3 times more money than the spa in their sister property. I had a one hour massage, in a lovely outdoor setting, for $25. It's a 15 minute drive to this spa but the hotel provides transportation to and from the spa. The spa next door charges $70 for a one hour massage. I didn't have a massage there so I can't comment on it.

laurico, How was the Pita Maha -- I am assuming that is the sister property where you went for the spa?