Ok its been 5 weeks since my return and feels like i have never been away... Have just confirmed a booking for 3 weeks in January at the MBR and just cant wait... Just my son and I this time...
Arrived in bali at 10am ... and took about 20 mins thru VOA as the plane was completely full... (boycot Bali... pigs a***)
The tample tell sealed bags rolled off and for a change i let the porters do their thing as I had remembered to stock up on $1 coins... the guys at customs did give us a strange look but I think they were playing a bit of a game with my mother who was clearly terrified...
Then out into the Isle of the Gods... and off to the taxis... 20000 rp and to the green garden hotel, to be greated with the phrase "Mrs Mel youve come home, i could have cried and in fact, well...I did... I introduced my 9 year old son and my mum to the staff and we were taken to our room... room 42 looked great, and mum and my son were impressed as I had made many comments about it being budget accomodation...
I made a quick detour to Diannes shop across the road as my boy had only brought the clothes he stood up in and we would be picked as just off the plane from miles away..
Bought a Bali sim and other essentials coke, pringles and choc breakfast cereal..at the great little supermatket next to the GG and texted everyone that we were safely 'HOME'.
Had a look at centro and was not impressed ... well except for the price of Revlon make up, that is...My son was very impressed with bread talk and wants to know when there will be one opening in darwin??? Then walked back to GG for some lunch. As usual great food and friendly staff...
Booked our gratis 2 hour spa treatment for the next day and then had a swim...
Went to the Pantia for tea. Great location, but unlike all the recommendations I thought the food was poor and the staff fairly surly... maybe I caught it on a bad day???
Went back and was chatting to a waiter who was from singaraja my mum said she had always wanted to see the old dutch capital... Well, as you can imagine, that was it... next morning at breakfast he said he had a car and driver and would we like to see his village... Sounded good so made arrangements for KAMI's next day off...
As usual the spa at the GG resort was wonderful and the 3 hour royal Bali is a dream...
Next day off to Waterbom, which may seem a little pricy,but if you buy the second day pass it works out really very reasonable, and the food, well i had corn on the cob with garlic butter for 5000rp, how could you complain???
The first week passed fairly quietly with lots of shopping, eating and swimming... had visited the bead shops in legian and bought a very heavy few bags of beads...
We had a few NOISE problems in our room and asked to be moved... We were told we couldnt move that they were full, although people were checking in and out all the time... The I was given a choice a 3rd floor room which they knew Id turn down as my mum is 65 and not great at stairs and room 19... Well if you EVR go there and get room 19 CHECK OUT IMMEDIATELY... it is 2 m from the water pump which I was assured you couldnt hear from inside the room... what a JOKE... It was ridiulous we had to have the TV on 24/7 to get any sleep at all.... really sad as I have stayed twice and will never again... Felt like I was being punished for complaining...
Took the gloss off the place, but 99% of staff were great
Next JBR Elephant ride at taro our 13 hour adventure to Alas Ankger
and uluwatu sunset and kecak dance.... all amazing and memorable..
I have ramble here sorry but I type like i talk... in a torrent of words...haha