Just got back on saturday...Could easily have stayed longer even though had 17 nights in Bali.
Had had the first day all planned before we went ..had planned to have my driver Made Mangku pick us up from the airport with the flight due to arrive in Bali at 14:10; be checked in at the Dynasty and by about 3.30 pm be lounging out near the pool with some big exotic cocktail in my hand soaking up the sun BUT OF COURSE IT DIDNT GO TO PLAN !
On Wednesday 23rd March for once in my life happened to be very organised with the three suitcaes and another bag absolutely full to the max waiting in the hall way already to go the airport. We were actually at the airport earlier than usual at about 6 am and had no problems with the excess luggage as wed managed to get a waiver as majority was for the orphanage.
Felt relieved all checked in sat down to have a coffee with my husband and daughter when the annoncement re flight problems and of course was our flight no. Australian airlines had a problem and there was now no plane available to go to Sydney for the connection to Bali. Knew straight away it would be a hassle as originally only had 1 hr change over time anyway .
Only had 2 options to allow us to get to Bali that day 1. get on the next flight to Darwin in 10 mins or 2. go home and get a later flight to Darwin and get the 23oo flight from Darwin to denpasar.
Decided to take the next flight so found my husband and daughter who had just started the free b/fast compliments of qantas and hopped on the Darwin flight which was great as wed been upgraded to business. Luckily my sister had just moved to Darwin so surprised her with a visit. On arrival in Darwin were given cab charges to go into city or wherever and back to the airport. Too bad we didnt have bathers with us as could have gone for a swim somewhere it was so hot. Picked up by my sister and fiend who luckily happened to be home. So spent from 11am to 11pm in Darwin. Went to the fishfeeding place where you can feed these fish,eeels and rays that come in really close which my daughter thought was great.. Also went to the wharf for tea which is always good.On return to the airport were given drink/snack vouchers to use prior to the Bali flight leaving. So i must say the customer service bit from qantas was handled well but was an extemely long day . The annoying thing was we had originally booked to go via Darwin but had our flights changed a few months prior. I felt for a while there i was going to see the camera crew appear from that show Airport with us starring in it.
finally arrived in Bali around 12.30am with the quickest entry through immigration/customs ever. No bags were searched think just interested as to why we had so much luggage but when i said it was for the orphanage just went staight though. Had some leftover rupiah so had to the porter organise the bags and with Made reorganised to meet us for this later flight i think we were in his car on the way to hotel in less than 10 mins EASY..
As there was only us arriving at Dynasty at this time check in was very quick and we were told sorry that we didnt get the room we had requested but the exec suite one floor rm 273 up which as Mr Rooster had suggested was in a good spot half way between reception and the pool and not as noisy as some of the others .Whilst we were there they were just renovating the 6 execs on the corners near the pool and nearly had them finished when we left.
The exec suite was quite good with big bathroom, bedroom with kingsize bed tv etc and the 2nd room with a single bed plus sofa, dining suite,safe, water cooler and reasonable size balcony.
Due to the late arrival though had to forego the cocktails and hit the bed...
Will do a bit more later