We are a family of 2 adults and 3 sons 11, 8 and 6. This was my 6th trip, husbands 2nd and first time for the kids, so I was expecting a different experience to my usual trips with the girls. My last trip to Bali had been 2 weeks before the bombing staying at Dewi Sri down the lane from Paddy's. We left Brisbane on June 14th after a 12 hour flight delay with Garuda and finally arrived in Bali. I had called Garuda prior to request seats close to the front, so on arrival as we were off the plane quickly VOA was a breeze. I would definitely recommend not booking transfers with your travel agent as you are paying for them anyway and usually you have to wait for any other people staying at your hotel which can sometimes take ages. We had organised Wayan Merta to pick us up and we were on our way very quickly.
We chose the Melasti for its location, price and family friendliness. We were not disappointed. As we had 3 children we chose to take 2 Superior Rooms as opposed to a Suite on the recommendation of forum members and it was certainly the right choice for our family. We had new interconnecting superior rooms on the ground floor and it was great because the kids had their own bathroom, television and privacy. The rooms were huge and the boys had plenty of space for 3 x king single beds. We had heard mixed reports about this resort, but to be honest I really couldn't find too many faults. The staff (including reception) were friendly and helpful. The pools were good. The guy who cleaned our room Suparta was charming. My only complaint would be the quality of food. Breakfast as previously reported was okay, nothing to rave about but sufficient and a great setting on the beach watching the surfers every morning. Had a few problems with ordering food at the pool - overpriced and cold most of the time, but that wasn't a big deal, we just popped down the road to Bamboo Corner or Legian Snacks for a snack if we were hungry. The kids made heaps of friends at this resort and we will definitely stay there again on our next trip.
I won't go into a day by day breakdown (except I will do a report on the school visits and Amed separately). I know this sounds like Bali Travel Forum 101 but here we go.
My overall impression with Bali is that there is a very positive vibe around. Most restaurants were full at mealtimes and there seems to be a lot of people about. One thing that really struck me this time was that in previous trips, market stall owners would be saying how bad things are and that they hadn't had a sale that day etc. But not once this trip was that said to me. I have a feeling that since things were obviously so hard in the last 21 months, what they are experiencing now is very positive and the future is looking pretty bright for Bali. I will also say that at no time did we not feel safe. In fact my kids probably had a lot more freedom in Bali than I give them at home.
Waterbom Park
This is a must if you have kids (or are just kids at heart). We had a ball here for the 2 days we spent there. Tip - get there at opening time 9.00am and find yourself a cabana. This is a very pleasant way to spend the day as you have shade and cushions to relax on. Surprisingly the best Cafe Latte I had in Bali was from Waterbom Park. Lunch was also very good. We live near WetnWild on the Gold Coast so Waterbom is quite similar - less rides but best of all no queues. Also my 6 year old was able to go on all the rides - even the fast ones which he wouldn't be allowed to go on at Seaworld and Wetnwild due to his size.
Timezone
Kids had a ball here for a couple of hours. Very cheap compared to OZ.
Makro
I went to Makro to purchase school supplies. This place is huge but for me not really much point going here unless you want to buy things in bulk.
Favourite Restaurants
Indo National - fanastic food, great service, very busy. Lobster Thermidor to die for. Best to book or may have to wait for a table. We came in with 4 adults and 5 kids and straight away were offered cool towels to wash our hands and boxes of leggo for the kids to play with. Kerry even brought out a little foldout bed for one of the kids who was very tired after a long day of travelling.
Legian Snacks and Bamboo Corner - Good cheap food, good service. Great for a quick, cheap lunch.
Poco Loco - Had a couple of meals here. Great service and very good meals.
Cafe Tanayas - Tempinyaki - This was the only restaurant we went to that was actually quiet - but I don't know why because the food and service were outstanding. We all sat at the Tempinyaki grill and it was good because the kids could still sit with us and have their meals and watch the tempinyaki chef working his magic.
Warung Brith - Amed - Had heard a lot about this little warung in Amed. Brith is a delightful man. Barracuda steaks were fantastic. Far too cheap.
Shopping
Went to Geneva and bought quite a few bits and pieces. I'm not one for bargaining for clothes etc these days so went to my usual shop at the Melasti St Markets - Wayan/William Kety - she is fixed price and very reasonable. If they don't have a style you want they will get it for you the next day.
Tailor
I had a nice camel suede jacket made at French leather. This shop very busy and jacket is good quality. Husband went to a tailor close to Melasti and had a black leather jacket made - he is very impressed with the quality and only took 2 days to make.
Drivers
Wayan Merta was just fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble for him and his knowledge of Bali and English is great. He was very good with the kids asking questions. Had to literally drag him to have lunch with us at Casa Luna on the way to Amed. Also used Wayan from Melasti quite a bit for short trips. Lovely man and very organised. Other than that, used taxis.
Highlights
No cooking, cleaning, soccer training, homework, making lunches, kids amazingly didn't fight with each other for 2 whole weeks - bliss.
Memorial - a must for everyone to spend at least some time to visit - very moving experience.
Amed and Bayu Cottages - absolutely fantastic - more about this in my next report.
School Visits to SD3 Sembung and Lean Beach School - definitely worthwhile to visit and help in any small way that you can.
Expression on Wayan's face (manicure lady on the beach - no 222) when my friend and I gave her a big bag of baby clothes and childrens clothes. Her 2nd baby is due today so hope everything went well. If anyone is going soon, please tell her Anne said hello and I'm dying to know if she had a boy or girl.
Catching up with our friends from Sydney we hadn't seen for 3 years. The kids had a blast seeing each other again.
Sunset on the beach at Legian, chatting to beach sellers, buying stuff we didn't need, husband having a beer and the kids playing soccer and footy with the locals and tourists while the sun was setting - magic.
One of the guards at the Melasti - I didn't get his name, but I have never seen anyone so polite, friendly and with a huge smile on his face every time I walked out of the resort.
Sons being allowed to watch the State of Origin in a bar - Bali Aussie - a first for them. And then me realising that my 3 sons and husband are all sitting there in blue tshirts, so of course I raced down to see Ketty at Melasti Markets where she quickly organised 4 maroon tshirts which my family changed into.
No so highlights
Son bitten by a monkey - actually quite funny and didn't break skin - he thought it was hilarious
Me bitten by a dog while sitting at a restaurant - totally unprovoked, but again didn't break skin so no worries.
Stupid me putting my expensive prescription sunglasses back on at Uluwatu and of course a monkey stole them, pulled a face at me and threw them off the cliff.
Husband and I trying to relive our youth by hiring a motorbike in Amed and of course crashing it and husband not able to swim for the last week - but more of that in my Amed report.
All in all, this would have to have been one of the best holidays I've ever had with my family and we can't wait until we go again next year.
Still to come - Amed and School Visits. I'm posting photos at the moment onto webshots and will give links when I've done them.