Bali holidays with Mecky

It can be argued that Bali is not the destination it once used to be. Bali is no longer the cheap holiday location it once was - true. In so many ways, Bali has improved, it is now turning into a more upmarket destination in many instances from restaurants, shopping and activities.

As Bali holidays become more expensive, what are our choices? As I spend  my time with Mecky in the Philippines, I need to show her somewhere different that still has a resort type holiday feel. Do I start taking Mecky somewhere else or is a Bali holiday fine for relaxing and hanging out? Head to another Indonesian location maybe? East Malaysia, Peninsula Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia or the Philippines? What about Brunei or Myanmar?

I guessing East Malaysia probably as my next resort style break. We have been to Penang and Langkawi before, I would be happy back in Penang. I can't say I much enjoyed Langkawi. We travelled in KL and then onto Penang, the short hop from KL to Penang isn't too bad. But on the downside, it is so easy to get to Bali from both Perth and Manila - I think we will just hang in Bali.

Hanging at Greenbelt

When I first started travelling to Manila, I used to stay in the business district of Makati. I would then hang out at Greenbelt shopping complex during both the day and evenings when I'm wasn't doing all that much. 

This is the high end entertainment precinct catering to high earning locals, expats and international tourists. There is plenty of money kicking around in the Philippines, the cashed up locals like to enjoy life and they do.

I had seen the shopping centre grow over the years; Greenbelt 1, 2 and 3 had already been constructed when I started vising the Philippines after a long absence of more than a decade. They were in the process of constructing Greenbelt 4 when I started staying at a hotel over the road and Greenbelt 5 completed the project.

I have been told the restaurants are world class, they are certainly popular with well heeled locals, a Friday night sees plenty of suits heading out straight from the office. For me, the restaurants are the reason to be there, the bars are good too, Friday nights are my favorite, the atmosphere is vibrant, there are no issues regarding safety - I'm looking forward to the weekend.