The smok'n trip to Bali

[Austman]

Many of the business class snacks are actually Y-class purchase options. They often have to fetch them from the Y galley.

So, now-and-again, they can be sold out.

IME they will also do hot Y-class toasties if they are still unsold.

 

[Austman]

It's had a complete Reno it seems.

Back to how it looked in January, 2015? I think it had only been open for some weeks when I took that photo.

Apart from the furniture reupholstering or replacements, it looks pretty much to same to me.

Even the carpet is the same.

I'd agree that the furniture got shabbier over the years from 2015!

 

[Pushka]

Back to how it looked in January, 2015? I think it had only been open for some weeks when I took that photo.

Apart from the furniture reupholstering or replacements, it looks pretty much to same to me.

Even the carpet is the same.

I'd agree that the furniture got shabbier over the years from 2015!

Yes, was thinking the chairs looked nicer or different. It was busy when we visited and let's just say the buffet looked like a footy scrum had attacked it.

 

[Aeolus]

Jetstar business Max customers can use the Premier lounge at Denpasar airport.

Lounge attendants had to call the Jetstar check-in desk to check my eligibility, even though I could show them my boarding pass with business Max in the details. Apparently the usual thing is to get a lounge pass from the check-in desk, but I checked in online and skipped that line.

It’s quite a nice lounge with plenty of seating, some quiet zones and a pretty good selection of hot and cold food and there is a bar which I suspect is paid.

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WiFi pretty ordinary, sparsely occupied I lunge ATM, 0.5 Mbps down, 4 up.

Power points around those groovy orange lounges

Been through this lounge a lot of times and I’ve never seen it this empty before

 

[RooFlyer]

TKWIA, obviously

 

[Pushka]

TKWIA, obviously

Clearly. And stayed away, preferring the masses in the general departure hall.

Next trip - Antarctica?

 

[craven morehead]

I've never had an urge to visit Bali, although reports of holidays there have become nicer and nicer since I've followed AFFers TRs to there. I don't like beach or 'do nothing but laze about' holidays, reckoning that I can do that at home. However some friends said they were going to do a Luxury Escape trip there, up in the mountains and would I like to come along? They are rusted on Qantas flyers rolleyes, so I started looking at options, and quickly found that QF run B737s to Bali, and the returns are all overnight.# That's a hard no. Virgin has some day returns. Garuda? Would like to try them, but friends say no.

# Since announced some A330s later this year.

It is at this point of planning that, looking back, I must ask myself, what was I smoking at the time?

We agreed to fly Qantas to DPS from Melbourne and timed it so I could attend our annual AFF Rockford lunch in the Barossa (already booked). I thought I could visit my sister in Brisbane on the way back. Hmmm... options ..... keep looking ..... Ummmm - JetStar?!!?

A month ago, what I had found I had booked was:

HBA-SYD-ADL on VA, economy, revenue. I'm not really a believer in the AFF maxim "why fly direct when you can connect", so I don't know why I booked this routing. I've already requalified for VA Plat. I must have been smoking something at the time.

Then ADL-MEL-DPS on QF in J, revenue. When checking a month ago, I found that not only was ADL-MEL a Dash-8 (hand luggage restrictions - I was going HLO) but I was in economy!! I must have been toking on something very strong to accept that at the time. I think there was a very cheap fare and I thought it was a good idea at the time. I later changed my flight, getting J in a B737 and paying $200 change fee - which I duly declared in the travel mistakes thread.

DPS-BNE in JQ, business Max fare. Jetstar from Bali. What could possibly go wrong? Flighty app tells me it arrives in BNE late nearly 70% of the time, and more than 45 mins late 26% of the time.

BNE-SYD-HBA on VA rewards, economy max.

So this is what it looks like

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In Bali, its a 3 night LE package at Nandini Jungle by Hanging Gardens - north of Ubud, hopefully away from the madding crowds.

Nandini Jungle by Hanging Gardens

A dramatic hideaway nestled in the heart of the Payangan rainforest - Ubud, Nandini Jungle Resort and Spa is a captivating destination that blends smoothly with its natural surroundings.

www.nandinibali.com

Looks nice enough. I'm taking a book and my swimming togs.

Boogie board packed and tuning into this TR

 

[RooFlyer]

Next trip - Antarctica?

Yes

 

[maia200]

Loved your first trip to Bali report. It is good seeing it through 'new' eyes. The lounge has a bad reputation however it has always been fine for my needs. A chair, some crisps, glass of Vodka and Soda (not the wine though which is my usual at other lounges) and people watching on the front verandah.

 

[Daver6]

It's certainly better than the PP lounge which is the Concordia Lounge. Concordia Lounge DPS Airport Lounges International Terminal Bali Ngurah Rai Intl | Priority Pass

 

[Major]

That Concordia Lounge is pretty coughpy

 

[MARTINE]

Breakfast this morning, and then a thankyou plate of canapés arrived as an apology from the hotel manager for the initial room issue.
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I checked out and am currently in the departure lounge

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I had a look at the more modern ‘hotel’ rooms, built during Covid

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I just had the hotel manager visit me again to apologise for the room issue, and I told him apology not necessary. It was all fixed and the staff all wonderful.

The hotel type rooms are in their current lower-priced category, but next year they are going to swap the categories around.
These will be the higher-priced ones and the original villas the lower price category. He says the view is not good ( not so much jungle immersion) but I think it’s quite okay and it will be cooler with the breezes. All the fittings are modern and generally the room is better insulated for the aircon. Solid walls . Further from the pool but about the same to the restaurant from my present room.

The original villas, built 2005, will be refurbished ( they need it).

Photo 2 - are they serving rocks? Or did they know your career?!

 

[Katie]

Looks nice enough. I'm taking a book and my swimming togs.

Hang on, you're packing togs?

Are you a Queenslander, @RooFlyer ?

 

[RooFlyer]

Photo 2 - are they serving rocks? Or did they know your career?!

At first, I thought they were nicely crafted little choccies. But no, they were real rocks .

Hang on, you're packing togs?

Are you a Queenslander, @RooFlyer ?

I’m Tasmanian - anywhere warm calls for a swim . Togs = swimming gear, right? I’d hate to get into a ‘thong’ type misunderstanding

 

[Daver6]

That Concordia Lounge is pretty coughpy

You're being generous there.

 

[Fifa]

Thanks for the TR @RooFlyer.
The second time I went to Bali after an evening arrival I stayed at the HGI at DPS. Next morning it was simple to get an Uber from there to the Conrad.

 

[maia200]

There is also the Novotel right in the airport (off the plane - into bed after immigration, customs etc!) or the HI Resort 10min away with a free shuttle.

 

[Daver6]

Thanks for the TR @RooFlyer.
The second time I went to Bali after an evening arrival I stayed at the HGI at DPS. Next morning it was simple to get an Uber from there to the Conrad.

Not sure how long ago that was, but now with the new(ish) bridge it's only 20 minutes to the Conrad from the airport.

 

[Aeolus]

There is also the Novotel right in the airport (off the plane - into bed after immigration, customs etc!) or the HI Resort 10min away with a free shuttle.

Have they finally brought the free shuttle back post Covid?

 

[maia200]

Have they finally brought the free shuttle back post Covid?

Yes we used it in August. The Holiday Inn resort offers it as part of the package.