Hi Guys Here It Is Finally As Promised.
Day 1 - Tuesday
Had managed to keep the trip a secret from the kids up until we arrived at the Departure Lounge. Customs lady had a bit of a problem with us keeping it a surprise from the kids. But understandable. Shoved the kids passports in their faces and asked if it was them and if we were their mummy and daddy. Well we had to tell them now. They were over the moon. The expressions on their faces. I cried being the big sook as I am. Air Paradise was ok. I am 5'10" and hubby is 6'2" so the comfort side of things was a bit squeezy. But being only a 3.5hr flight and so excited we managed. Food was nice and an endless supply of it as well as drinks. Kids loved the movie The Incredibles. WOW the heat and the smell of Bali as soon as you walk off the plane. Got through VOA and Customs no problems. Took $US25 each for VOA just to make it easier. Porters werent a problem just say NO THANKYOU. They understand. Changed $A20 and got a cab for 25,000 to the Bounty Hotel. Thats when the fun began. Hubby and I had booked a standard room with our travel agent and later on after deciding to take the kids upgraded to a Superior Duplex on the internet direct with the hotel. On arrival was told that our duplex was not available until Friday. But we could have another room until ours was ready. One double bed and one single bed. No Thankyou. Go and get the Manager please. Lucky for me I had printed out and taken the confirmation letter with me. Sorry no more rooms, but you can have the owners room tonight and then be moved to another room tomorrow and then to your room on Friday. I dont think so. Anyway we ended up with the owners Superior Family Suite with two bedroom, two bathrooms and lounge room at no extra cost from the duplex for the entire week. BONUS. Excellent room. They even sent us a complimentary fruit platter and red rose boquet with apologies. Our verandah was within five metres to the pool so we could watch the kids swimming. We didnt know what to expect of the hotel with the kids but the staff were fantastic with them and even some of the other guests would play game with them in the pool. Very nice hotel for those on a bit of a budget. Two swimming pools to choose from. Rooms clean and adequate and the hotel grounds were lovely. Wouldnt hesitate in recommending this hotel to any other families. Hey you basically only use it to sleep in and go swimming. Changed some money across the road at the Kodak shop 7,350 to $1. (This was the average for our week there with the highest at 7,400.) We went straight up Poppies 2 to the memorial site, very emotional. Stood and paid our respects. Then off for a walk with the kids. Plait your daughter hair, Sunglasses, T-Shirt, Watches. Just as I remembered it from five years ago. Off to Mataharis to get some supplies. Bingtangs, nibblies and mixer for the duty free Vodka. Bought some watches for 25,000 each out front. Oh the joy of bargaining. Went to the Seaview Restaurant just across the road from the beach for dinner and watched the sunset. BEAUTIFUL. Dinner for 4 with drinks 90,000. Very nice.
Day 2 - Wednesday
Breakfast was lovely. Bacon, eggs anyway you like them, toast pastries, fresh fruit, juice, tea and coffee. We found the breakfast would change everyday. Filled up as much as possible. Most days lasted till dinner with only a snack in between. Went and introduced ourselves to some friends of Bob's who own a little shop just out the front of the Bounty called ANITAS. Their names are Jenny and Made. They were the most lovely people. We had taken some presents over for their children and they were so appreciative. Many days were spent here buying lots of stuff and getting our hair done but more of that later. Off to Denpasar for the day. Spent most of the day shopping at Ramayanas and Robinsons down the road. Lots and lots of "DISKON" (discounts). Bought heaps of nice clothes for the kids very good quality and cheap. Bought heaps of DVDs at Sakura on the top floor of Ramayanas buy 10 get 3 free 10,000 each and you could buy the DVD folders for 50,000. And they put them all in plastic sleeves and in the folders for you. Back to hotel to drop off Taksi load of bags and out to do some more shopping on the streets. Shell necklaces were about 5,000 each. Mens surf T-shirts 25,000, mens tanks 15,000 mens boardies 20-25,000. There was heaps of Paul Frank stuff and the girls filled there bags with plenty of stuff. Went to Tanayas for dinner, a Japanese restaurant on Legian Street about 100m up the road from the memorial towards Legian. Very nice and clean. Food was lovely. The chef cooked the food in front of you on the open grill in true Japanese style. Very entertaining for the kids and us. 250,000 for the four of us including Binnies, Cocktails and drinks for the kids. Stopped at the ice cream shop on the way back. Yummo.
Day 3 - Thursday
This morning we met some friends of Bobs at the Bounty who are also from Perth. Very lovely people they have a little girl the same age as ours so as you can imagine they spent most of the holiday swimming and playing together. Off to Waterbom Park today. Got 20% discount off entrance price from a little stall across the road and down a little from the entrance. What a day. Excellent for the young and the young at heart. Had an absolute ball. You can hire towels and lockers and we also hired a family cabana right next to the kids area. The kids loved the enormous tipping water bucket and the mini waterslides. I loved the lazy river and hubby loved all the fast slides. A little man pops out of the gardens and takes photos of you as you are coming down the slides and on the lazy river. They are then displayed on a big notice board as you exit and you can purchase them. Got an excellent photo of hubby and eldest daughter coming down jungle slide. The sheer terror on her face. Hee Hee. Spent the whole day there. What a buzz. After that we went and had a quick look at the Kuta Art Markets and bought a lovely painting 50,000 and had it wrapped for the journey home. More DVDs. Have to come back here later on in the trip so much shopping to be had at this place. Decided to have a look at the new Discovery Mall on the way home. Beautiful. Shoppers heaven. Had to check out the Bintang shop where hubby got the best Binnie T-Shirt. Went to Rajas near Mataharis for dinner. Had the best satay sticks here which were served in one of those little dishes where they put hot hickory chips under a wire rack. Brilliant. 200,000 for the usual dinner and drinks. Got a pendant done with both of my girls faces on it at Face-To-Face outside of Mataharis 195,000. Gorgeous. Aftershave as well 20,000 each, dont smell too bad.
Day 4 - Friday
Our 15th wedding anniversary. Hotel sent us another boquet of red roses and a fresh fruit platter with a lovely card. MMMMM. Went to Genevas and I can tell you that you must go here to purchase any of your wood and pottery items. SOOO CHEEAAPP. Excellent for all your gift buying. We bought 50 surf board key rings for the kids class mates for less than 1,000 each. A 1m high cat and a 50cm high one for just over 30,000 for both. Carved placemats 9,000 each, coasters set of 6 5,000, wood sandals with leather straps, bowls, statues, everything for the home decorator. I was in heaven and all four stories of it. Needless to say hubby wanted me out of there pretty quick but I just couldnt help myself. After such a heavy day of shopping we decided to have the buffet dinner at the hotel. The food was great. They had the traditional roast pork and all the trimmings. Three courses in all. The entertainment was great and the girls got their first taste of the Barong Dancers and were invited to go up on stage and join in with them. A lovely Kodak moment.
Day 5 - 8 To Follow