Well our time had finally come and we were off!!!! I had said I would pack all our stuff (Me hubby and two kids) in one case so we could bring back an extra three, and my god I did it. Anyone that knows me knows how amazing this is because I am the queen of overpacking, but I had good motivation this time. The less I took the more I could buy and bring home.
We had a non eventful flight with AA over there, we arrived in beautiful Bali on time, picked up bags, said no to the very pesistant porters, probably about 1/4 of bags were shrink wrapped, paid VOA in US dollars, thru customs no hassels, out to the warmth of Bali again. I hadn't been to Bali for about 15 years and boy has there been some changes. Last time I arrived at the airport you got off on the tarmac and walked to the airport where you were greated with men with guns, was pleasently surprised by the change. I had also warned the kids about the smell, but it didn't smell much at all just that tropical spicey kind of smell. God I've missed this place and I am so happy to be back and sharing Bali with my kids.
Loved watching the kids faces as we drove to our motel, the Jayakarta, they were amazed by the motorbikes going all over the place, cars looking like they were going to crash into us, horns going, pushbikes darting in and out of the traffic, people walking in amoungst the caos, but no one stressing or worried, just busy going to wherever. We are in Bali after all.
Checked into our one bedroom apartment, locked cash and passports in safety deposit box as there are no room safe, no hassel they keep one key and you keep the other and it needs both keys to be opened. Rooms nice and clean, 2 tv's, white sheets, plumbling works, airconditioning works, and fridge works awesome!!!! also had Australian power adaptor supplied in the room. Had plenty of space too. Had no hassels with anything at the Jayakarta the whole time we were there. The pool is further from the apartments than the rooms but no big deal, still only two minute walk. Has a giant chess set at one of the pools, kids thought it was great as they both like to play, also has a tennis court costs 100000 to hire 4 rackets for an hour, which is so long enough to play, too bloody hot. Apartment had plenty of room, kids slept on fold out sofa which we folded up each morning and had to remake each night, but again no great drama. Pools were always nice and clear had no hassels with sore ears, another bonus. Also has free shuttle bus every two hours to Kuta Square runs 9:30 11:30, 1:30,3:30 and 5:30 always right on time too. They also have a buffet dinner with traditional Balinese dances Wednesday and Sunday night for 90000adults and 45000kids. We did this and it was great, the food was delicious and the dance was great, the kkids loved it.
Checked out the pools, then it was time to start SHOPPING. It's been a while since we did the bargaining thing and was a bit hesitant with the whole thing at first, but lets give it a go, we pick out what we want and ask the price, WOW such big numbers, anyway I bargain a bit, get ripped off by seasoned barginers standards, but who cares it's still damm cheap and I'll get better with practice, and boy do I get some practice!!!!!!!!!!! Next buy some DVD's (they are everywhere and most places have the same deal.)easy no bargaining kids start to pick some movies, their grins get bigger and bigger as everyone they ask for they are allowed to get. Getting tired so go back to motel for tea and back to our room to watch a movie(had taken portable dvd with us, so lugged it into tv. Can also hire them from reception for about 50000r per night)fell asleep before movie finishes.
We didn't do the inner health or the raspberry puree, just used wetones for a quick hand wipe before eating for the first few days, then got slack and forgot them, just made sure alwas used bottled water to drink, wash teeth, and rinse glasses in the room after rooms had been cleaned, and none of us got sick at all. I love fruit and salads so that's what I ate most of. (Best Chicken Salad at Topi Kopi outside Jayakarta, had ice in all out drinks, kids used straws in lots of places. We didn't eat any seafood as we are not normally big seafood eaters anyway. So no Bali Belly!!!!!WOOHOOO
Thanks for reading, hope it's not boring will post more later