Hi all,
My family of 6, 2 adults & 4 kids left Perth on our first trip to Bali. We where meeting friends over there, so all up there was 22 of us. Our plane left on time with no problems. The kids where buzzing with excitement ....OK so where the parents. On the plane you just cant descried the atmosphere. People where all on a high. Talking, laughing, Cheering singing etc. As the plane left Perth everyone clapped and cheered. When we where coming in to land we where all clapping and cheering and the plane's back end swang to the right. I fell right into my daughters lap. One way it was funny as it went from ya to whoa. A lot of the young ones on the plane where yelling out things, you could imagine what was being said .
When getting of the plane in a different country for the first time, it was a little daunting. Sometimes I think I read to much. I told Cr... and the kids to get our luggage before the guys in the blue shirts. They where everywhere waiting to grad luggage. We had Transfers with our package which made it a lot easier being our first time. Diwi was the name of our guide . He was the most awesome person we had met the whole time in Bali. He had the kids in a fit of laughter the whole time. He had so much knowledge and personality it was unreal. I wish I could of brought him home.
We stayed at the Dynasty Hotel. The staff where nothing but friendly, helpful and so genuine. Some off our friends where waiting for us at the hotel, so we put our bags away and hit Gracie's Bar. Before we left we had made converters up and laminated them. The best thing I did for our holiday.
Day 1: The first day we got up had our cordal and went to change our money at the Kodak shop. Cr... and I where a little worried but no problems. It was so easy and they didn't rip us off at all over our whole Trip. They where excellent. Our group hired a couple of Drivers and all 22 of us went down to Sanur. This is where we done our first bartering. I couldn't do it. I felt sorry for them. My friend has been plenty of times, so I stuck with her to get an idea. We had so much fun. Massages, Pedicures, the kids had Tattoos etc. Worth the trip down there.
Day 2 : We had made arrangements with Diwi for a tour. Headed over to Turtle Island. We then went to a restaurant up in Ubud. What can I say. The place was just breath taking. We where looking out over all these rice fields. The kids went for a swim in the middle of the fields while we waited for our meal. The meal was 5 star. We then headed of to see the monkeys up at Ubud. The kids loved this part. They where cheeky little buggers (the Monkeys). The kids got bananas and feed the monkeys. We moved on to some Wood craving shops and silver markets. A big day out but was worth the whole $80. That was it for all 6 of us. Got back had dinner at Tropical Café at the Dynasty. Another 5 star meal.
Day 3: Had our cordal once again and headed down for breakfast. Today we where heading to water bomb park. It is a must if you are going to Bali. We hired a couple of little bungalows and put our towels etc in there. We looked our Valuables away in the safe. The kids just went all day. Later around 5pm we got Diwi to meet us and he took us to a restaurant down at Jimbaran. Another great place. The meal was so yummy and the atmosphere is great. The kids played on the beach and talked to the Corn sellers. Im not really big on sea food but the Fish was so yum. You have to take a look at Jimbaran yourself. Words just cant descried it.
Day 4: Poppy's 2.... Here I go my first time in the street to Barter. We all met at the big M at the start of Poppy's 2. Unreal so much to look at. The best thing that helped us was on Bali Forum I printed out what people had paid for things. That helped so much. I would of not known where to start. Shirts $35,000 Shorts $30,000 to $35,000 etc. Lucky Diwi told us also what to pay. Cr.. went hard I tried but was to scared still. By half way I was fine. I was still very polite but stuck firm to my price. We got 80 DVD's and they are all excellent copies. Hand Bags, Sunnies, Necklaces etc. The best day out. We then ended up at the Bombing site at the end of Poppy's. Wow that takes your breath away. The kids where so quit the whole time. A lot of our drivers that where Balinese spoke of the bombings and told us there story. They where saying how not many Aussies come no more and its quite. Its really sad. The Balinese people are the most beautiful people god put on this earth. It sad to see them suffer.
Day 5: Today we hanged around the pool. The boys done Volleyball the kids did frog racing. Us girls had cocktails and feet massages. What can I say. Where on holidays. Later my girlfriend and I thought we might hit Geneva's why they where all happy doing there thing. Unreal I got so much home ware. Table runners, Cushion covers, place mats, etc. Things I had seen there where so much cheaper then on the streets. Later we went to Uncle Norm's for dinner. Our friends have been to Norms so many times I couldn't wait to see this Norm. It was unreal. Norm was just a top guy. His staff Robbie etc where great also. There meals where excellent price and very good. I thought I would be worried about the food over Bali but the food is better then Perth. We stayed very late and partied on. Had a great night.
I will have to do a part two. I am just to excited still. There will be part ..........