we arrived home last night after a horrible garunda flight. after 14 days it was good to be home but we were very sad to leave our balinese friends. I won't bore you with very day of our holiday just the good and some bad.
day1 (13th Oct)- our flight was cancelled so we left in the morning which was great. met a few forumites on the plane and it was full, lots of families which was great to see we weren't the only ones! we stayed at the dynasty, security was excellent. we were happy to be home. the kids could wait to get back to the kids club and see Amy and aria(Harry). they were so happy to see the kids again and we met the new members of kids club, Linda and NG.
***hotel was quiet, there were more kids than adults but we met a few people off our plane and had a few bintangs and buckets!!!
***did my shopping at jenny's shop opposite kodak shop, fixed price and she hadn't forgotten us from May 05 and looked after us.
***met our driver again-raceng from the dynasty, excellent service and good price. most kids clothes 15-20,000,sets 25,000,tshirts,shorts 30,000,singlets 20,000 and gypsy skirts 30-40,000,fairy dresses&tutus 25,000and dressups 25,000 plus heaps more
***felt safe walking the streets and entering the departments stores
especially when we had our bags checked everytime. we felt uneasy visting rajas but that soon wore off.
*** Best night of our holiday was the 17th at Gracie Kelly's for the first forum get together. We met so many people from all over the country and had a ball!!(and too many drinks!!) Thanks to stitch (Steve) for all his help. bali magic, bali babe, ms maggie, cinamonbell&friend, balibobmarley&friend and chezza. you made our night special. Took heaps of good photos, hope balibobmarleys bum is ok (after his stool broke)
*** went to tanah lot, which is just so spiritual and beautiful they had the ceremony on, so it was great to experience that, we took heaps of photos and raceng explained all about tanah lot to the kids and even they enjoyed it. then raceng took us to the monkey forest. we were abit worried about the monkeys but we had a guide. the monkeys were quite tame and only one monkey held on my skirt until I gave him peanuts. then we went to the sari club memorial and told the kids all about what happened.(transport cost 200,000 )
***Raceng took us to Geneva and we brought a few items, were abit worried about bringing some wood back so we brought other stuff like necklaces-10,000 etc then he took us to denpasar markets to look for the bali flags which he got for us for 60,000 each, bargain, then he took us back pass the jail (shappelle) to take photos. transport cost 150,000
***went to bali zoo which was fun, the monkey went mad when you talked to them and the kids thought that was great. The orangutan was funny he threw a banana at me while taking photos and then waited for me to walk passed again and got me a beauty with a another banana, it was quite a good laugh, think he was bored. then we went to the waterfall and took heaps of photos and gave heaps of lollies to the kids (great tip balibabe they loved them). then off to Ubud markets and got two harmony balls for 150,000 which is a great price. Had a nice lunch over looking the rice fields. found some ceremonial umbrellas we wanted and brought them for 150,000 each.(but check them for bora bora we had ours take off us in customs they were the only things we forgot to check) transport 250,000 but we gave him 300,000 he helped us so much.
***we had breakfast at the black canyon coffee cafe in discovery over looking the beach. about 100,000 for 2x American club sandwich with fries and 2x strawberry smoothies(yum)
*** Kids loved the balloon frenzy on beach behind discovery. it is a big bouncy castle park with about 6 different castles and climbing wall plus bikes etc. cost 35,000 per child for as long as you want and they entertain the kids while you relax. kids also enjoyed amazone(like timezone) top floor discovery plaza. cost 1,000 per token and they kids got heaps of tickets and got wicked prizes that were worth more than the money I spent.
*** My husband got a wicked tattoo from Mr Dolphin in kuta (as recommended off this forum). the guy (forgot his name)hand drew with biro a dragon with his star sign on his arm, we couldn't believe the detail. it took 4hrs and only cost $330 (coloured).
***spent the rest of the holiday relaxing by the pool while the kids were in kids club and playing volleyball with the boys.
***we got sick 3 times off seafood, third time my hubby was so bad we nearly had to call a doctor. so don't eat it at the moment, its not fresh enough because there's no tourists so they don't get it in fresh everyday.
Day13- had hair extension done on the beach behind dynasty 200,000 and nails/toes done for 50,000 and they did a good job. was talking to a lady and she told me her flight had been cancelled for tomorrow morning and that happened to be my flight. we had not been contacted and I left my mobile no with them Wednesday when I confirm our seats. rang garunda and had heaps of problems with them. Finally they told us we were on the 6.30pm flight. If it was for the other lady I would have turned up to the airport at 7.00am.
day14-last day, kids spent their last day in kids club with their friends and we finished packing. The kids had their last bomby competition and then we said goodbye to all the staff and took heaps of photos, we said goodbye to the Linda & NG (plus agus) in the kidsclub, we all started crying because we had became good friends and they were going to miss the kids. We checked out and raceng took our bags and went to say goodbye to jenny (from jennys shop) she was sad to see us go but we promised to write. Amy from the kids club came to the front of the hotel (she had a few days off) to say goodbye and she started crying and gave us all kisses and hugs but we promised to keep in touch till next time. we were also sad to say goodbye to raceng as he dropped us off at the airport. I had tears in my eyes as we took off, missing the balinese people. I'm glad we didn't cancel our holiday, we had a ball and I know we helped bali out, they live on so little and I wish I could have done more. can't wait to visit in 1-2yrs after we have our baby. AND THANKS TO EVERYONE ON BALI TRAVEL FORUM FOR GIVING ME GREAT TIPS AND INFORMATION AND INTERESTING READING.