After reading the forum for a long time now, I've never posted, but after 3 fantastic weeks in paradise thought I'd share my holiday with you!
My hubby, 18 mth old and myself left Adelaide with Qantas via Perth on 25th August. Flights good,but coming home that way a different story- explain later! Touched down in Denpasar and immediately the goosebumps appeared and I was home! (Second home anyway) Been to Bali many many times, but this was our first trip back for 3 yrs. Got VOA with $US, just find it easier to do this way, then the immigration line was huge. Took forever to get through, but knowing what was on the other end made it all worth it! Cleared customs no probs and before we knew it were at our hotel.
Stayed at Grand Istana Rama Kuta this time as hubby wanted a change from Legian. Hotel was lovely, but I still prefer the legian end. Rooms were large and very clean. Gardens were beautiful and nice pool area, but would have preferred the pool closer to rooms as it was hard when bubs had to have afternoon sleep, someone had to leave the pool to be with her. Also found the location was in between everything, so you had to walk a fair way to get to anything. OK when you are by yourself, but a bit harder when got bubs in pusher. Guess I have just been spoilt with previous hotel locations in Legian.
As my hubby is Balinese we had a ceremony for bubs whilst there(similar to a christening). Hubby spent the first few days finalising that with his family, and I was busy organising Kabaya's and sarongs for her and me to wear. it was the first time his family had met her, so it was a lovely experience. Unfortunately, she didn't take to them well as they were like strangers to her! Atleast we have lots of photos for her to remember them. her ceremony went well. She was so good considering it was so hot and a long time for a little one to be fussed over! Once the ceremony was finished we enjoyed a small buffet lunch, farewelled the family for the day and returned to hotel for a much needed swim.
The next day was my Mum's 60th birthday. (my parents, sister a group of friends were also in Bali with us) We moved to Nikko Resort in Nusa Dua for 2 days as a suprise for Mum. What a sensational resort! We were so spoilt we never wanted to leave. The pools were great, the waterslide kept everyone amused for many hrs. The rooms were stunning and a great breakfast each morning. We had Mum's birthday tea in the amphitheatre with a Kecak dance. It was a lovely night and hopefully one she will never forget.
Once we moved back to Kuta, the days just raced past. Did heaps of shopping. Bought a whole new wardrobe for bubs. Shopped in the markets, Matahari and a few things for her from ramayana in Denpasar. Hubby also got a whole new wardrobe! Most of his things came from Matahari, but also got some shorts and singlet tops from market stalls. I had 5 tops made at Victory Tailor(opposite GVC) in Legian. Took up 2 of my own tops and got them to copy. Bought my material in Denpasar, and really happy with finished product. Hubby also had suit made- and also very happy.
Went to Sukawati one day as we wanted some more Umbrellas and flags for our garden at home. Bought 4 umbrellas and 8 flags all for about $50. Couldn't believe how cheap they were.
Next big spend up was at Bali Stone. Always have wanted to ship home some stone carvings, but never been confident enough. Felicia and Leo were fantastic and before we knew it had order 14 pieces! Next day took family and friends back and between us all nearly filled a container! Can't wait for it to arrive!
Places we ate at were Ketumbar in Jln Melasti. First time we have eaten there and have to say it was probably my best meal in Bali. Ma Jolly's- dissapointing. Dolpin - garlic Lane, always good cheap food. Wayan and Friends Jln Padma- still my favourite for a baguette for lunch. Indo National Jln Padma- OK. Poppies- Poppies 1, still nice. Kori's- Poppies 2, love the schnitzel and apple pie, good when you get sick of eating rice and noodles. Ketupat Jln legian, very nice, but bubs was getting sick and we didn't know so tea was eaten quick to get her back to hotel, and we didn't get a chance to appreciate the nice setting.
Bubs had a temperature for 4 days, and after 2 trips to BIMC finally worked out she had a ear infection. What a great medical centre! I've always been a bit worried if I got sick over there, but BIMC really suprised me. It was cleaner than any hospital I've seen here and the staff were excellent. After spending 5 hrs waiting to see a doctor in Women's and Children's hospital in Adelaide before we went it was a pleasant suprise to wait 10 mins and see a doctor immediately. 2 doses of antibiotics and she was well again. Not cheap(thankfully travel insurance will cover it), but you would pay anything to have a well child!
went to Waterbomb park and had a great day. Haven't been for many yrs, so we were really suprised with the new slides and kiddy'part. Fun trying to order lunch there, but just had to patient and remeber i was in Bali!
Bought MT skincare from Super Nova. Really happy with it, just a shame one bottle of eye/neck gel got smashed in beauty case coming home.
went to cultural park one day. Nothing much there, but nice to look at view back over Jimbaran Bay and Benoa on the other side. Onto Nusa Dua from there and had a look at shopping mall. Nice for something different, but I still prefer the market stallsin Kuta and legian. Had a look at the Conrad resort in Benoa and want to stay there next time if I win Lotto! Beautiful resort and thought it was a good location right on beach and also restaurants outside of hotel, so you didn't have to eat all meals in Conrad.
before we knew it our 3 weeks were up. So Sad! Went to say our goodbyes to hubbys family. I get more upset than he does! Not sure when we will be back, so that made it harder as well. Had the 12.55am flight out. What a nightmare. If only we could fly home at a reasonable hour! I'm not a good flier and Denpasar to Perth was very bumpy. Once we arrived in Perth we cleared customs and immigration and then had to wait for transit bus to get us to domestic airport. Bus finally arrived. Had a trailer for luggage, no where near big enough and not enough room on bus for everyone. Just made it domestic with about 5 mins to spare and just made plane as they were closing it. We wouldn't go that way again as it was too rushed and really hard changing airports with bubs, hand luggage and lots of suitcases after lots of shopping! Flight back to adelaide was also relly bumpy, and once we had finally landed told hubby I was not flying again for a long time! That has all changed and I just want to return to paradise.
Well hope I haven't bored anyone, and to all you lucky people that are getting ready to go I'm very jealous!