Returned from Bali on the 26th March had 15 wonderful days in Bali - myself Scott wife Pixie and children Myles (4) and Keeley (8).
Spent 12 nights at the Bali Hai in Tuban in a kids suite which is a room with a divided off area for the children so they have their own room with a T.V and DVD player and also a play station however my children do not know about PS.The room was not huge however it did give the kids their own space and the same with the adults.
This was our second time staying at the Bali Hai and once again we thouroughly enjoyed it the pool area and pool bar is a great area to relax and the staff there are all very friendly and can not do enough to help.Our holiday was one of rest and relaxation so I do not have a lot of tours-places to visit etc we mainly swam,strolled,slept ate and shopped.Did however have some clothes made at Janokos Tailor in poppies one.I had a suit made(old one seems to have shrunk)fantastic quality for $52 aus and some casual pants(golf)for $20 each.Wife had a jacket made(horse riding)$25 and shirts for $15 the quality of all items was very high.
Restaraunts that we ate in Tuban/Kuta were Green Garden Tuban(cheap food and the quality although not fantastic is good for the price).S.A Cafe (even cheaper than the G.G almost felt like a thief when paying bill and once again nothing wrong with quality.)Pantai on the beach in Tuban one of the kids favourites fantastic location which allows the kids to play on the beach until dinner is ready(once again food is reasonable quality given the prices you pay).Kafe Batan Waru is opposite waterbom park the food was delicious and the prices not outrageous.Kunyit is part of the Santika Beach but is located on JL Kartika Plaza the food there was fantastic ate there twice and cannot say enough about the quality and quantity of our meals.T.Js for lunch staff there are great always take the kids feeding the fish and is an old favourite of ours.Poppies still a great place for a relaxing meal hard to believe that poppies lane is right out the front.Un's another favourite fantastic food and drinks and the prices are very cheap for the quality.The Pub - beef sate and a plate of chips is an absoloute must one of our favourite haunts for lunch also the coldest Bintang in Bali call in and say hello to Big Made he will keep you enthralled with his take on the world outside of Bali.Koris Restaraunt we ate here three time for lunch partly because we were having fitting at Janokos Tailor but mainly because the food was fantastic and the setting with the day beds (which the kids loved to sit on)while mum and dad sat a table and had a nice quiet meal was a bonus.
Also spent two nights in Ubud staying at the Samhita Garden(is right next door to the Cafe de Artiste)once again I cannot say enough about this place the rooms were fantastic the ground beautifully kept and the pool was so refreshing and quiet.Whilst in Ubud we visited the Monkey Forrest where the kids were gobsmacked being able to feed the monkeys,one of the guides showed them how to do it properly and we certainly had no problems even with some of the bigger males.Generally relaxed whilst in Ubud visiting art galleries the main markets and once again eating.Cafe de Artiste what an absoloute dining experiance - food/drinks service it really has the whole package I can highly recommend if you are visiting Ubud.Ary' Warung was also a place that we enjoyed so many places that look great in Ubud that next trip we are going there for four days.
Shopping - I once again did my best to help the Bali economy my bargaining skills have not got any better after seven trips and I do seem to provide a enormous amount a GOOD LUCK to everybody I purchase off - more than once the ladies would walk around their shop smacking all the clothes with the money I had just paid them.I will therfore not reveal what I paid for singlets/shorts/shirts etc as even though this time I had all the guides on pricing my skills simply do not allow me to get anywhere near the prices you all seem to get.I do really enjoy bringing smiles to the people I shop with and they never miss saying hello when I walk past it is a pleasure to bring some happiness into their lives.
Appear to be dribbling on a bit now so will try to finish - thankyou to Balimagic for the organizing of St Pats day at the Dynasty even though we arrived late (took the kids to Waterbom)had a fantastic time and was great to meet some of the regular BTF posters.Didaust,LynneeD,Sharon27,Smudge etc we really enjoyed the night.
Bali is still our home and we will return for 21 days next trip the people really do need us all to return - not once in our trip did we feel unsafe(maybe the ne slide at Waterbom called the Boomerang came close)Australians are slowly returning but as everyone has noted the Balinese want to know when are we coming back if you are considering a holiday and Bali is it then do it,take no notice of the media hype here in Oz the Island is not like that at all.
Thankyou for reading and I am more than happy to answer any questions.
Cheers Scott