For those who don't know I have travelled to Bali twice this year, June with my then 16 yr. old daughter, July with my then 14 yr. old son and I have just returned yet again this time on a working holiday taking the lady I care for. Lisa is 42, in a wheelchair and is profoundly intellectually disabled.
We flew out from Perth (15.11.05) with Air Paradise and I swore I would never fly with anyone else ever again! The service was impeccable, the staff attentive and just all round good times. What a shame it has all come tumbling down. The flight home with Qantas was just as good just a little more hurried with the service. We were due to fly at 6.00pm (25.11.05) but were rescheduled to fly at 1.15am from Denpasar. This as you could imagine was quite a time difference, we organized a late checkout at our cost, I am trying to claim through travel insurance. Along with 110 other Perth passengers we actually took off at 1.30pm. To all you mums and dads with kids on that flight you deserve medals. Your kids were exceptionally well behaved and it could not have been easy with them getting tired. Travel with a wheelchair is not easy but now I don't know if I want to travel without one! We were ushered through visas, customs and departure taxes etc.. Our bags and bodies were checked as per usual but done with dignity for Lisa. We were first on flights and at Denpasar actually first off. Perth we were last off but first through the exit doors...Lisa being wheelchaired all the way to the waiting car. We did not take Lisa's wheelchair, borrowed at the airport as we would have had to once it is taken off you at luggage. We hired one from SmudgeUK (Southern Cross Association) over in Bali (thanks). We will probably take Lisa's next time (if there is a next time) as it really wouldn't have been hassle.
We stayed at the Dynasty for 10 nights in an executive suite, ground floor garden view. This is the suite they call disabled friendly. AND it was. The elevator left much to be desired and we have recommended that changes be made if at all possible. The lift only just fits a wheelchair and person pushing it but it does take some jigging about to get in. The doors opened ever so slowly and then shut very quickly, often catching either Lisa's feet or my arms. This would not have been a problem if on our first day we had been given a tour or told about the other access to our room. We were told on the 2nd last day. We were on the same floor as the pool and breakfast areas but needed to go up a floor for reception and to enter the street from the lobby. Low and behold we could use a ramp area to get to the street which not only saved time but saved the bellboys trying to man handle the wheelchair up and down the very steep ramp at the lobby. The bellboys never once complained about having to assist us and were on the whole very professional once shown how to get the wheelchair in the correct position so that Lisa would not fall out! The security guys at the entry to the hotel, about 80-100 metres from the reception got to know us and I'm sure all other guests very well. Each time we went out with Lisa they would have to lift the barriers which of course meant getting up off their comfortable chairs!
Back to the room, on entry you are in the kitchen/dining area, full fridge, microwave, sink, toaster, kettle and all crockery, cutlery and glasses. In one kitchen cupboard is the water cooler, a 10 litre upside down bottle on a cooling machine which also warmed the water if needed. Once emptied this was replaced. Ice delivered to the room every night when the rooms were made up. Stretching ahead is the lounge room, with Sattelite TV/DVD and 3 piece lounge which if needed converts to 3 single beds, only suitable for kids and a little hard. To the left is the main bedroom with the biggest KING size bed I've ever seen maybe called an Emperor. Also had wardrobes, TV., complimentary slippers, 2 quilted dressing gowns and 2 cotton ones, in room safe, cupboards etc. From here and also from the kitchen is access to the bathroom which comprised of bathtub with shower on a hose, separate shower, toilet and vanity basin. We used a showerchair (thanks again to Smudge) in the bathtub for Lisa. We had complimentary bathfoam, shampoo, conditioner, soap, showercaps, earbuds each day, twice a day if we needed it. Also towels and bathmats as often as needed. Our housekeeping staff were just the best and did things for us above and beyond the call of duty (we did tip well at these times). We had an extra single bed brought into the bedroom and we made it up to suit Lisa's requirements. This made it a little easier for the staff even though the room was now a little squishy.
The buffet breakfast was excellent, 6.30am to 10.30am. The staff here very attentive to one and all and both Asian and Western tastes are catered for. How anyone can get bored with buffet breakfasts is beyond me. The egg chefs were masters of their trade and could whip up scrambled eggs or an omelette in next to no time. No need to eat buffet if that is not your style. A couple of times I did see some children pick up sliced and peeled fruit and replace it. I would always wait for the fresh trays to come on out.
The pool area was another area I gave some advice to the management. The surrounds to the pool gets very hot so people were trying to walk on the edge of the pool which is in fact the filteration system now that got very slippery...no easy win situation. Also the stainless steel grab rails were very very hot and slippery again. The pool itself was so clean and clear and the swim-up pool bar was very popular. The girls who did the massages and nails around the pool were very nice and chatty as were the pool towel guys.
The Bali people's attitude towards Lisa were exemplary if not Australian Politically Correct. They were interested without being nosy but most of all treated her as a person. I think they were in awe that she and we dared to leave our comfort zone. If only they knew what they give back.
We mainly stuck to the Tuban area, we walked pushing the wheelchair on the roads. This was the safest option, the pathways still leave a lot to be desired if you are in a wheelchair. Still heaps better than the 80's. We shopped at Diannes, across from the Dynasty, money changed at the Kodak shop next door, bought and had delivered Dvd's from H..elgi but also purchased from Softcomp. We shopped at Mataharis, Geneva Handicrafts and the Discovery Mall, which has an elevator but it is the cargo lift and is not always operating and sometimes not operating on every floor! We dined at Goshas, C-Line, Daddy's, 2 or 3 restaurants in the Discovery Mall.
We also purchased goods from Geneva Handicrafts and Balistones which will be delivered soon (thanks Trish).
We would definitely like to go again and we would stay at the Dynasty. Any questions please ask