Courtneys (Age 9) Bali Holiday Journal 2004 (With a little help from Dad)
Day 1, Tuesday 26th October, 2004. Weather: Sunny
To get to the Airport, we had to wake up at 4.51am . After we got dressed. Matt & I jumped into Matt's bed to keep warm. Dibby (Gramps) drove us to the Airport and the drive took half an hour. We saw three planes take off as we drove up the road to the Airport. One of the planes was rainbowed coloured (Dad said it was a Qantas Plane). When we went inside the Airport, we had to give the workers our bags so that they could put them on the plane. Mum & Dad joked around with some of the workers as they did not have any other passengers to serve at that time. Then we went up the escalators to the next floor. Mum & Dad bought some alcohol to take to Bali. We then had breakfast. I had toast with Vegemite and a Choc Milk.
After breakfast we went through Immigration and had our Passports checked. I am on my second Passport, so it is good to see it filling up with stamps from around the world. We went up to the next floor and had to go through Customs. Customs is where workers check your bags and you to see if you are carrying any dangerous objects. All of our bags went through fine and Dad, Matt & me went through the screen OK as well. But when Mum went through, the beeper went off. She had to take her shoes and jewellery off and put them through the X-Ray Machine. A lady then called us all over and wanted to search through our hand luggage. She was very interested with Dad's Insulin Pen and asked for some papers from the Doctor regarding it. After all this excitement, we were allowed to leave.
We then waited in the Departure Lounge for our flight to be called. We saw four planes outside including our plane. Dad & Matt took some photos of the Qantas Planes. They were both Boeing 767's. Dad & Mum had a big discussion because Dad wanted to buy more Alcohol and sneak it into Bali. Mum said NO because she didn't want to cause any trouble.... As usual Mum won and Dad went away sulking. Finally our flight was called and we walked down some stairs and a long hallway, which was attached to the plane. We were all shown a Safety Course in case the plane had an emergency. The flight took three hours and thirty four minutes (To be Exact – Dads comment) and I was a little bored after a while because the in flight movie did not work. To break my boredom, I went to the toilet four times which made Dad get a little angry... I don't know WHY!!!.
Once we had landed it took a small amount of time to get through VOA, Immigration & Customs because we were the only plane and there was only 82 passengers and 20 of them went into Transit. Mum had this 'I told you so look on her face' when Dad got searched by Customs for additional alcohol. He still reckoned that he would have got away with it.
After just 30 minutes from landing we were in the foyer of the Bali Dynasty and getting shown to our room. Mum & Dad thought the room was too far from the pool and asked whether we could upgrade to a Kid's Suite, which was done with no problems at all. It had a separate room for Matt & I and it also had a Play Station & TV in our room..... FANTASTIC. We unpacked and went for a walk around the Hotel to get our bearings and then we went onto the street to get supplies as Dad called it.
As a tradition for Mum & Dad, they always have their first meal in Bali at Goshas in Legian. They were a little sad as they only knew one of the original Staff that still worked there from their first trip in 1988. Still the food was great and the juices even better. After dinner we went walking up Jalan Melasti and Matt & I practiced our little Balinese that we know with some of the people on the street. They played games with us and we laughed a lot. My foot got a cut on it, so we went into Mum & Dad's Friend's Shop 'Jocelynes' and said hello to her. She hugged all of us and got me a Bandaid. Matt saw a pair of runners, which doubled as roller skates and got Dad to buy them for him. He had all the Girl Workers pushing him around the Shoe Shop and they were telling him he was handsome and strong.....Yeah Sure....He's only 6.....
We then caught a Taxi back to the Dynasty and went to bed and fell fast asleep very quickly. It was great to be back in BALI......Selamat Datang
Day 2: Wednesday, 27 October 2004 Weather: Sunny but a bit cloudy
Today Matt & I went to the Kupu Kupu Kids Club whilst Mum & Dad went to get some clothes made. They said the name of the Tailor was LIZA'S in Poppies Lane 2 about 100 metres down from Legian Street towards the Bounty Hotel. Mum had got a great Long Wool Jacket made there last year for a good price. So this time she had five pairs of pants made and Dad had 5 Work & Golf Pants made.
The first thing we did when we got to the Kid's Club was to go down the Water Slide. I went down on my stomach first, in a diving position and I made a big slash!!!! Matt went down on his knees and also made a big slash. After a while we had to get out of the pool along with all the other kids who were in the Kid's Club to do other activities.
When Mum & Dad came back and picked us up, there was going to be a Pillow Fight. Matt was knocked out in the first round and I got to the Semi-Finals, but then a boy about my age beat me.
For dinner we went to TJ's in Poppies Lane 1 and had Mexican...It was great. There was a big pond there full of Goldfish. Matt & I fed them bread after we had dinner. Then we walked up Poppies Lane 1 and Dad showed us where the Web Cam Camera was at Poppies Restaurant, which we see through on the Internet. After walking to Legian Street, we caught a Taxi back to the Hotel and went to bed.
Day 3: Thursday, 28 October 2004 Weather: Sunny but a bit humid
Today we went shopping again after Breakfast. We went to a Shoe Store opposite the Indo-National Restaurant to have 11 pairs of shoes made. Then we went south down Garlic Lane and turned into an alley way and found Ketut's Shop. Mum likes this shop because she doesn't have to barter and the prices she gets from Ketut are the same as from other shops you have to barter at. While we were sitting on the step having a drink of water, a new family came into the shop and Dad jumped up and hugged the Dad. Dad apparently was good friends with him at High School. They sat and talked for a while and they organized to have a Twilight Drink at our Hotel and then we were going to the 'Bubba Gump Shrimp Co' for Tea.
After having the drinks we went and had a ride on the Go-Karts and it was great. They had tandem karts so Dad & Matt went together and Mum & I went together. Dibby (Gramps) used to own his own Go-Cart Shop in Perth and traveled the world racing carts. Mum said he won a lot of National Titles in his younger days. Mum also said that she owned a Go-cart when she was young. I don't think she could drive it well because we had two big prangs at this track. She blamed me for steering.... Dad just laughed at her and said typical. We finally made it to Bubba Gumps and had a good dinner. Dad said it was very American, but he enjoyed looking at all the items from the film Forest Gump which are shown in the Restaurant. The staff were a lot of fun and did this dance every time someone ordered a certain drink. Out the front was a man who blew up all these bubbles. Matt, Jarrad. Tegan & I all got to have a turn. We then went looking for a certain DVD with Dad's friends but couldn't find it. They decided to keep looking and we went back to the hotel and went to sleep. I was on the top bunk again.
Day 4: Friday, 29 October 2004 Weather: Sunny
Today we went to WATERBOM PARK and boy were Matt & I hanging out for this. We firstly went around the Lazy River twice and then we all grabbed a round tube and went down the Macaroni Tube. Then we tried the Raft River and then Mum & Dad said we were big and old enough to go down the rides by ourselves. So we grabbed a Double Tube and went down both the rides again swapping places. Mum & Dad stayed at the bottom and made sure we got down safely. We then tried Race Track where you had to lie on your back and cross your arms over chest and then cross your ankles. Mum & Dad were waiting for us at the bottom again and Dad said he remembers going down the ride three years ago and crushing one of his *#*#'s on the way down and he couldn't move when he got to the bottom. Some of the attendants had to help him out. He weighs over 100kg's so it would have been an effort for them. We then tried the Boogie Ride and finally Smash Down which is over seven storeys tall and nearly a 70 degree drop to the bottom. Matt went first and he loved it, then I went down and I was frightened. We didn't go down that again. We then had a go on the Euro-Bungee which was fantastic and we had a really long go on it. Finally it was time to go back to the Hotel for a rest before we had Dinner at the Restaurant across the road from the Dynasty. It's called Daddy's Café and Mum & Dad said their meal was fantastic. They had fish in a white wine sauce for about $4.50. They still say it was their best meal on the holiday. After dinner we went DVD shopping again would you believe. How many DVD's can you buy I told Mum & Dad..... They just laughed. Then it was back to the hotel and to bed.
Day 5: Saturday, 30 October 2004 Weather: Sunny
This was the day that Dad had been waiting for. We were going upto the schools where Dad's Rotary Club and other Rotarians sponsor some School Children. So it was out of bed at 6.00am and we had room service for breakfast. We waited for our driver Hasan to pick us up at 8.00am. Agung from the Rotary Club of Denpassar had organized it for us, so it was into Husan's car we went and we drove upto Sobangan. It took about 1 ¼ hours and we passed a truck that had driven off the road and into a ditch and it had broken its back axle. It caused a huge traffic jam, but we got through it fairly quickly.
When we got to the first school, all the kids were at the gate waiting and gathered around us when we got out of the car. Dad went with Husan and met with the Principal who introduced us to Jinggo & Muari and we gave them the gifts from Australia. We then gave the Principal all the School Items that we had brought as well. It certainly affected me seeing how poor these children were and how different the standard of school was compared to mine. But the biggest thing that struck was the smiles of all the children and the sharing of the gifts that our two new friends did. The children then did a concert for us and whilst it was in Indonesian, they did a fantastic job. All the children were surprised how tall I was compared to the children of my age. They thought I was a lot older.
Whilst we were there, members from the Denpassar Rotary Club arrived and spoke to my Dad and they compared the various projects that their Rotary Clubs are involved in. They also spoke about the next project at the school being a Library. They want to obtain Indonesian Books at first and then some English Books & Encyclopedias for the older students. I am going to start this as a Project at my school and my Dad's Rotary Club to get both money and books for the Library. Dad said he was going to contact Noel Allen and discuss with him any avenues available to get the books to Bali.
As we were about to leave another Australia Group arrived and gave the kids Sports Items, Balls, Biscuits, Fruit & Lollypops. You should have seen the smiles of their faces........
I left with a tear in my eye and I said to Dad, I am going to do a presentation at school & Rotary about this so that we can get other people to sponsor the children. Dad said it was going to affect me and it was true.
We then went to the second school which was a lot poorer than the first one and gave our gift to the Interact Club's Sponsored child and said hello and hugged a lot of the other students. It was certainly a day to remember and a part of Bali which a lot of people do not see. If you have the chance, go and have a look, it will change your life.
That afternoon we swam in the pool and played with other kids. We went to Glory's Restaurant for dinner. Mum & Dad said it was just OK and probably would not eat there again. Mum reckons it's had its time. After dinner they drove us back to our friend Jocelynes Shoe Shop in a funny little car.
Day 6: Sunday, 31 October 2004 Weather: Very Hot
Today our driver Husan picked us up at 10.00am for a morning of shopping again (Something different for a change). He drove us to Matahari Galleria where Mum & Dad bought us Toys, Tennis Rackets and clothes. Dad bought a Briefcase for work and a Badminton Racket. Mum bought Bra's for herself and Towels for home. My toy was a BRATZ doll named Zada and Matt got two Dragonball Z Toys.
We then went to MAKRO Warehouse, where Matt & I stayed in the car with Hasan and Mum & dad went looking for Printer Ink Cartridges for our printer at home
They didn't find any so we went to another store and still couldn't find any. Dad will probably go to Denpassar in the next few days to try and find some. When we went back to the hotel we ordered Pizza Hut Home Delivery for lunch and then Matt & I went to the Kids Club while Mum & Dad went to pick up some clothes they had had made. We were going to go to the Indo-National restaurant for dinner but when we arrived there it was closed ad Milton & Kerry had gone to Sydney for a holiday. I missed eating there as we enjoyed it last year. Not to worry, we went back to Goshas and had a good tea before going back to the Hotel & watched DVD's. Dad had hired a DVD Player for 25,000 Rupiah a day from the DVD Store across the road from the Dynasty. Mum & Dad then sat outside with our neighbours and drank. It sounded like they were having a great time from all the noise that everyone was making.
Day 7: Monday, 1 November 2004 Weather: Very Hot
Today Dad went shopping on his own, Matt, Mum & I went to the pool. Another 4 of my plaits fell out and Mum was a bit disappointed with the standard of the Plaits. Dad said that she was cheap with the price she paid for them and you get what you pay for.
We played with Trent & Kyle who were from Perth and their parents were friends of Matt & My Godparents. That night we went Bat Hunting with Jack, Harry, Josh & Ella who live next door to our room. We went back to Daddy's Café for Dinner and then caught a Taxi to Galaxy Shoe Shop to try on some of our new shoes. On the way there was a power failure, so everyone was lighting candles to see. When we arrived at the shoe store it was dark as well so we had to try the shoes on in candlelight. It was very hard to see and the lady had forgotten the style of Matt & My School Sandals, so mum had to tell her again. We then got a Taxi back to the Hotel and watched George of the Jungle II on DVD while Dad & Mum sat outside again and drank.
Day 8: Tuesday, 2 November 2004 Weather: Sunny
After breakfast at Daddy's Café. Mum took us to the Kupu Kupu Kids Club so that they could go to the Melbourne Cup Lunch at Gracie Kelly's Irish Bar. Mum also organized for some laundry to be done. They also had to organise Dad a new pair of reading glasses, because he lost them in a Taxi (He thinks!!!!). After ringing the Taxi Company and all the places he had gone to, they still couldn't find them. So he went to the Optik Store in Kuta Square and had his eyes checked and selected frames and lenses for 300, 000 Rupiah (AUS$45.00) and they would be ready the next morning. Dad said that wouldn't happen in Australia.
While we were in the Kid's Club we went down the Water Slide, played a Balinese Marble Game and had lunch. After lunch we went in a Bombie Competition in the big pool. Mum was back by then, so she signed us out so that we could play in the big pool with Trent, Kyle & Jack. Dad was in our room waiting for the hotel doctor to visit him as he had a Prickly Heat Rash and he also wanted a rest after the Melbourne Cup Session, whatever that means. Trent and Kyle's Dad, Brad took us to the beach and we caught crabs in a container. Mum wasn't too impressed when we brought them back. All my plaits came out today but I will have them redone on the Friday we leave.
At 5.30pm our friend Jocelyne picked us up in her car and took us to Jimbaran Bay for dinner as it was Mum & Dads 19th Wedding Anniversary. It was a lovely seafood dinner on the beach and the sunset was also great. We also watched planes land and takeoff. After we got back to the Hotel, we bought an Ice-Cream for Dessert and then went to bed.
Day 9: Wednesday, 3 November 2004 Weather: Sunny
Today we did something different for a change..... We went shopping. After we had breakfast at Daddy's Café we walked down to the Internet Café so we could see who got out on Australian Idol. We were sad to find out it was Hayley. Mum had to change some more money and was happy when she got her best rate of 6845 at the Kodak Shop outside the entrance to the Dynasty. We then walked to the Kuta Paradiso Hotel and confirmed our flights and also got our Seat Allocation for the flight home. We then went to Jocelyne's shop to thank her again for the lovely dinner the previous night and Dad went and picked up his new glasses. We then went and picked up our 11 pairs of shoes that were made at Galaxy Shoe Shop in Garlic Lane and Mum & Dad were very happy with the standard of workmanship. Our shopping was starting to pile up. We then went to Ketut's Shop again to get more clothes. This meant that Mum had now finished her Xmas Shopping and she was pleased. Then it was off to the Playstation Shop in Melasti Street where we bought about 50 games at 5000 Rupiah each (about 80 cents). Some was for our Landladies grandkids. She is a nice lady and is happy that Dad's Bank whom he works for is renting her house. Finally we went back to the Hotel and played in the pool with some other friends that we had met.
That night we went back to Gracie Kelly's for dinner and Dad was very happy that he had the Shepherds Pie for dinner. Dad & Matt then played Pool. Our neighbours from the Hotel Tim, Kelly, Harry & Jack went to the same Restaurant for dinner and after they had finished Harry, Jack, Matt & I went bat hunting while the adults talked and had a few drinks on the verandah. We walked around the big pool once and then we walked around the Kid's Pool and we saw a lot of bats. Then it was bedtime again and it was the last night for our neighbours.
Day 10: Thursday, 4 November 2004 Weather: Sunny & Hot
We ate breakfast at Daddy's Café as usual. Afterwards Mum went shopping on her own to get some last minute things for our friends in Australia's baby who is named Mikayla and herself. We went back to the Hotel with Dad and watched The Power Puff Girls Movie on DVD while Dad had a sleep. He said he was still suffering from last night whatever that means. When Mum came back we all went to the pool and had some lunch and played in the pool with some other kids.
Dad went out with Jocelyne in the afternoon to go to some Computer Shops on the other side of Denpassar to get some Ink Cartridges for his Computer. He was able to get them for 120,000 Rupiah each (about A$18.00) compared to A$70.00 in Australia so he bought three Colour Cartridges and Three Black ones. He was very happy with this. Late in the afternoon Dad went out and had a massage and Mum had a massage around the pool. We went to Gracie Kelly's for dinner again and then said good bye to Tim, Kelly, Harry & Jack who were flying back to Adelaide that night. We then walked out to the street to buy an ice cream and some watches for Dad & I. I got a purple watch and Dad got two watches and some watch batteries for 100,000 Rupiah. When we got back to our room, Matt & I played on the Playstation while Mum & Dad had a few drinks on the verandah again – this time with new people they had just met.
Day 11: Friday, 5 November 2004 Weather: Cloudy
We woke up late this morning knowing that this was our last day in Bali. We were all very sad. We went to Daddy's Café for breakfast for the last time. After that we caught a Taxi to Jocelynes to say goodbye. We then walked back to our Hotel buying the last of our DVD's of the trip. Dad also bought some Sport Shoes and he also took lots of photos of the street.
Back at the Hotel Mum packed while Dad tested the new DVD's and returned the DVD Player. Matt & I played the Play Station.
We then all went to the pool and had our final swim in Bali. I got my hair plaited again and Mum got 11 plaits put in her hair. Dad sat at the bar and drank Bintang with a man he met whose wife was also getting her hair plaited. Matt & I then watched the frog races around the pool then Mum said it was time to go back to our room to have Pizza Hut as our late lunch. We then had a bath and got ready for the Airport.
We got to the Airport just before 6.00pm and checked in our luggage, then we went through customs and immigration and went upstairs and waited for our flight to get called for boarding. Our plane was called to board at gate 2 and we went through the security checks and waited. Then we were told that the plane was boarding at Gate 5, so we walked to Gate 5 and went through the security checks and waited again. Then it was announced that our plane would be delayed due to a Service Problem. Instead of leaving at 7.55pm it would be leaving at 12.30am – a wait of 4 ½ hours. Garuda then gave us a dinner voucher so we could have dinner. After dinner, Dad & I went for a walk for the whole length of the Airport and saw many planes, then we laid on the seats and tried to go to sleep. Then Garuda announced that the next flight to Perth at 10.00pm was also delayed until 2.00am and a lot of people got angry. Finally at 11.30pm Garuda announced that the part for the plane had arrived from Jakarta and our plane would be ready to leave at 11.55pm so then we could now all board. So we went through the security checks again and then went down some stairs and onto a Bus which took us along the tarmac to a plane at the other end of the airport. Finally at 12.00am we lifted off and we said goodbye to Bali. The film on the plane was Spiderman II but the headphones did not work so we watched it in silence. Dad said that the crew was very under staffed and they did not even hand out drinks unless you walked down the back of the plane. Also the plane was very hot and it seemed that the Air Conditioner was not working properly. These were a couple of things that Dad was not impressed with from Garuda. Compared with the flight up which was fantastic, the flight home was not very good. However we made it home in one piece despite a very bumpy landing with the Pilot deciding to land from the east at Perth with a tail wind..... not usually the way to land. We got through Customs OK although Mum had two handbags taken because they had a Seagrass sown in them. She was disappointed as she liked them. Customs did not pay any attention to the DVD's that we bought back and there were a lot of them for our friends and us.
We finally got through the doors and there was Dibby (Gramps) waiting for us to take us home to bed at his house. When we finally got to bed it was 5.00am on Saturday the morning. When we awoke at midday, Dad had already been to Harvey Norman and bought a Portable DVD Player for the car so that we can now watch DVD's on our way home which is in Country WA.
We finally got home at 5.00pm.
THE END