Denpasar Dreaming.

[Deleted member]

It's 4.30 am. I don't need to be up for another hour, but as is often the case, I'm awake before needs dictate.
I'm off to Bali today, somewhere I ( and many others) never planned to visit.
Mrs GPH decided that as I need to re qualify WP, a J seat on JQ 47 was an ideal way to get some decent SC bang for my Buck.
It will also be my first opportunity to fly in the new Dreamliner .
I decided to do this TR because Bali right now is an interesting place , we have the polarizing execution of two Australians for drug smuggling, mixed messages from the Governments of both countries and still thousands of Singlet and thong wearing west Sydney citizens descending on Kuta for a fun filled week of beer surf and shopping.
So as I lie here contemplating wether I should wear boots and jeans rather than shorts and slip on scuffs to the BNE FLounge, ( thus potentially adding more fuel to the smart casual in the lounge debate ) I wonder why I even agreed to this trip. It's not even like Mrs GPH is along for the ride. No, She and Miss GPH ver 2.1 are living it large in Vietnam.
So here I am, a pre-retiree male ( married) off to the fleshpots of DPS.
What can I expect?
When the opportunity arose to make this trip Mrs GPH ( in house TA ) booked me on an 8 night stay.
I thought this to be an odd number of nights away and wondered just where I would stay.
Being a subscriber to the "luxury escapes" E-newsletter, it wasn't long before an "exotic luxury" getaway promotion arrived on my desk top. Offering $5600.00 in exclusive luxury at La Meridian Jimbaran beach, South of Kuta.
Once one strips away the multiple massages, free drink and fruit bowl, romantic dinner for two, cultural experience, spa treatments and daily breakfast add on's, the actual room rate isn't that much cheaper than the standard. That being said, unless I find someone to join me ( not Mrs GPH's plan I think) the words "for two" mean that all of the above "extras" if only used by one, mean the voucher has only one life. I'm not sure how the romantic dinner for one will play out! .
So it is with mixed feelings that I consider getting up, maybe re packing my case , double checking the first aid kit with optional open heart surgery DIY module. And making more vital decisions like boots vs Walking shoes, and should I take a hat or buy one there? Do they even sell a decent Panama in Bali ? Decisions decisions.
As I type this in the pre dawn darkness of my bedroom, the cacophony of bird calls coming through my open window, my Tripit app has just flashed an alert that JQ 47 is on schedule.
How comforting the digital world has become, no more drive to the airport to discover the flight has been delayed 4 hours and I could have lazed in bed and risen at a sensible hour.
But as many have attested on this forum, an on time JQ flight is a joy to behold.
So with the expectation that all will go smoothly this morning, I will begin my journey. Time to shower and dress. ( I think the walking shoes have won the day here) pack last minute items and lock the case.
Here endeth chapter one.

 

[Austff]

This has me interested.

 

[PLANT]

JQ then $5600 on accom WTF?????

 

[love_the_life]

Sounds like a roller coaster TR coming up

 

[Deleted member]

JQ then $5600 on accom WTF?????

Oops. I should have mentioned the deal is "worth" $5600.00 but it cost only $1,800.00. !!

Note to self. Don't post at 05.00 without proof reading first !!

 

[Deleted member]

So all of my get away early plans actually worked well. I arrived in plenty of time, was expecting the Jet* crush at checkin. Nope I was alone in the J line to check in. Armed with (Orange) express pass I sallied forth. Downstairs there was a bit of a crush, the lines for security not moving quickly. So for the first time I was happy to be plucked from the queue and taken for a full body scan! Bag through x-ray quickly as well. So home to lounge 1 hour.

I don't care it its 07.00 champagne and Bircher muesli rocks !

 

[Cruiser Elite]

What did flights cost you GPH?

 

[Deleted member]

$1643.00.
I think there were cheaper fares offered a bit later. But given I need to turbo charge my SC's it's not all bad.

 

[Austman]

Ahhh GPH. You never know, you might even like Bali! And Jimbaran Beach is far away from the "fleshpots of DPS". (or even Kuta).

Lunch at the little cafes on the beach there has never been an issue for me when travelling solo. It's pretty empty during the day. Tables right on the beach with the sea coming in close (at high tide). And it's nice for a bit of plane spotting too.

 

[Pushka]

Jimbaran Bay is lovely. Check out the Intercontinental. Gorgeous pools and gardens. And the walk along the beach is hawker free. Good surf sometimes too.

 

[Deleted member]

Stairway to heaven


Stairway to ......orange


Let the fun begin

 

[Deleted member]

Note. DYKWIA bag tags

 

[pagingjoan]

Enjoy Bali.

My visits were a lifetime ago, with the most recent of them split between Jimbaran Bay and Ubud, for accommodation, but travelling around the island for sights and meals.

The Four Seasons at Jimbaran Bay was superb, way back then, but would have a bit of age on it now, so may not compare favourably with newer developments. We had brilliant meals at three of the Aman properties: Amandusa in Nusa Dua, Amandara in Ubud, and Amankila in Manggis. Again, that was a long time ago, and the world may well have changed. Aman properties are still Aman properties but it would obviously be worth checking recent reviews, if you were contemplating a visit.

In eight days, you will have plenty of time to explore the island. I can't imagine that you will be content to laze by the pool for that length of time. .... Er, perhaps.

Way back then, the Aman people would send a car for you, if you were staying elsewhere, and the driver would also take you back after dinner. Complimentary service! In fact, they also gave us a complimentary car and driver to go from Ubud for dinner at Amankila, about 40 km away, perhaps - and we were not even staying at an Aman hotel, although we have elsewhere. All of my experiences with the chain have been amazingly good.

When - IF - you tire of lazing at the pool, and checking out the talent for that romantic dinner for two that Mrs GPH organised, you could add an Aman crawl to the day's itinerary. All three of their restaurants were stunningly beautiful at night.
Disclaimer for the umpteenth time: My review is very dated.

 

[Pvcmenace]

I've still never seen the AFF tag at the airport. Only have one left as the other two have broken.

 

[Deleted member]

I have read a few reviews about the Dreamliner. I have to say I like the look of the plane. Not sure I would / could endure 6 hours in whY. The J offering for that time and distance was perfectly fine, service was attentive but not in your face.

I was in 1A. Plenty of leg room





J was less than 50% full.
I neglected to get photos of the meal.
A starter of pulled pork thingy in a pastry case, it was nice. And another thingy with goats cheese.
Piper champagne pre flight.
Main course. 3 choices. Chicken , lamb, mushroom tortolini . I had the lamb. A bit tough, but tasty. Had a nice cab sav with that. Cheese plate to finish.
IFE was simple to operate , a good choice of movies.
So all in all, an uneventful flight that neither failed nor exceeded expectations.

 

[Deleted member]

Arrived into DPS. The new airport was practically deserted ( I never saw the old one) walked from the very far end ( briskly as was advised on another thread) to do my VOA. No waiting, through to bag collection.



Waited 3-4 minutes. Mine was 4th bag off, nothing to declare , green channel, 60 second wait for bag X-ray then out. Eventually found my driver, and another 30 minutes to the resort.
It took longer to check in than the drive from the airport. My CC (28 Deg) which they wanted to put the national debt of a small island nation on as security in case I went mad with the mini bar, took 3 attempts to go through.
As this is s package deal ( and I am clearly old and infirm) a careful read through of the various vouchers was next. (Paid for two of everything, but only get one) I shall look a bit sad at the "Romantic " dinner for two I suspect.
Made it to the room.
Room is nice


Bathroom not very private with lots of glass walls.



Nice view from balcony.

 

[anna2103]

Thanks for the TR on Jetstar J. As per our conversation last week on innovative award bookings, is it worth going QF to Sin with a connection or is Jetstar are ok - it might have been the camera angle but the leg room looked cramped if you were not in row 1

I have read a few reviews about the Dreamliner. I have to say I like the look of the plane. Not sure I would / could endure 6 hours in whY. The J offering for that time and distance was perfectly fine, service was attentive but not in your face. View attachment 43802

I was in 1A. Plenty of leg room

View attachment 43803

View attachment 43804

J was less than 50% full.
I neglected to get photos of the meal.
A starter of pulled pork thingy in a pastry case, it was nice. And another thingy with goats cheese.
Piper champagne pre flight.
Main course. 3 choices. Chicken , lamb, mushroom tortolini . I had the lamb. A bit tough, but tasty. Had a nice cab sav with that. Cheese plate to finish.
IFE was simple to operate , a good choice of movies.
So all in all, an uneventful flight that neither failed nor exceeded expectations.

 

[pagingjoan]

You didn't go with the Jetstar Dress Code, GPH?
No shorts and thongs? I see some of your fellow travellers did.

 

[Deleted member]

The leg room looked fine to me. The middle row pax seemed quite content from where I was sitting.
I think I might actually prefer row 2 in fact.

 

[Major]

It's more than 10 years since I was last in Bali. We enjoyed the seafood places on the water's edge at Jimbaran. Stayed at Legian.

Looking forward to your TR