Partly because we left our booking a little late this year and were restricted by flight availability and partly because we wanted to have a look at somewhere different...we chose to fly Brunei Air and have a 20 hour stopover in Brunei...never again.
We did a tour of the city which wasn't that bad but a little boring...had lunch that cost about the same as it would back here and then spent a lot of time trying to find out what else there is to do in Brunei. Talked to a taxi druver who said he would take us to Jeradong Park but we could nopt book a taxi to pick us up so with buses finished for the day we waited and waited at the airport...all over Brunei and wanting more than ever to get to Bali.
Arrived at 2am and it was off to Bali Garden Hotel. Have never stayed at this hotel or in this area but was more than happy and have booked to return in May 08.
Grounds are clean and very nice. Breakfast was great, staff were friendly, spa was beautiful (cheap too compared to other hotel spas), main pool closed for reno's but two new pools have been built - a horizon pool almost on the sand of Kuta Beach and another between the old main pool and the hotel. Both pools are lovely. Nice views from beach pool but some hawkers were quite rude and at times a little annoying. Other pool has two little alcove areas where you can lay down/recline in the water, two built in spas, a water fountain/feature area and has two bales right next to the pool and two a little further away at the horizon end.
Rooms were clean, quite roomy and the in room safe was great.
Money changer and tour guide on the premises which was terrific. Had all our money changed there and he had the same rates that everyone else was advertising. Tour guide was very friendly and helpful...took us on our last tour and we really enjoyed his company.
Location was great - right across from Waterbom and Bubba Gumps, right next door to Centro and close to a lot of good restaurants and easy access to cabs. Shopping wasn't that great - asking a lot more than in the lanes off Melasti St...but further down from the Kartika prices got better.
First tour was a Bounty cruise - have been to Lembongan a number of times before but only ever with smaller groups and smaller boats, wasn't sure what to expect but loved it. Snorkeling was lovely as usual. Was so busy looking down at these big blue fish that I hadn't realised I'd swum into thousands of zebra fish...they were everywhere and it was just amazing. Little gold coloured fish too - would swim right into your hand, flick their tail and swim off. Heaps of fish, lots of colour!
Banana boat started out tame but when it was just my daughter and I on there the driver was going flat out and it didn't take long before we stacked it. Took so long to get back on the banana boat because we were laughing so much - then when I was finally on there I scared the driver who thought I was holding my stomach because I was hurt - was actually really sorer from laughing so much.
Tube ride was good so I'm told - sent husband and daughter off to do this while I worked on my tan.
Waterslide was fun - guys working were happy to break the rules with us and were encouraging us to go down the slide face first etc...until the grumpy by the book lifegaurd came back anyway lol
Lunch was nice...buffet with salads, satays, curries and lots of fresh fruit.
All too soon it was time to head off...afternoon tea was sweet sayo type biscuits and corn on the cob - strange combination!
Husband and daughter went to treetops and thoroughly enjoyed themselves swinging through the trees and climbing rope ladders for hours. Well worth it they said.
Waterbom was as usual a great day out. Have now been on all but the Smashdown - atomic wedgies on the Boomerang are enough for me so my daughter telling me it's worse on the Smashdown was hardly as elling point!
Went to the Safari and Marine Park and LOVED it. We're all looking forward to returning there next year and can't wait to see the marine side of it finished.
Water park was fun - even for us big kids, although the slides aren't exactly gushing and sometimes you have to crawl to the bottom...that's half the fun of it though.
Orangutan and chimp were amazing! Had a million photos taken with Tsunami the chimp and even more with the Orangutan (forgot name...help please!). Had pics with white tiger...beautiful. Had read reports that the tiger looked or seemed drugged...didn't seem like that when I was there but I do admit that sitting there with him I was kind of hoping he was...especially when he stood up to turn around!
Spent half a day there but could easily have spent longer and think that when the marine side opens it might even be a two day trip! Loved it.
Went to Seminyak looking for fire dance - locals told us Sunday nights but it's not regular yet - so we sat on the beach and chatted to an artist from Ubud - lovely guy and very entertaining.
Went silver shopping - bought some earrings, chains - xmas present stuff - very cheap.
Ate at our usual places - TJ'S, Kori, Papas, Poppies - as well as a few new ones...stand outs were Pandan acorss from Centro, Kafe Batan Waru (next to BGH) and even Bubba Gumps. Hadn't even thought of going there before but we did one night after a tour when tired and hungry we wanted somewhere close...so glad we did...fantastic!
Food was delicious and I thought reasonably priced for what you get (especially the cookie dessert...YUM). Drinks were nice (bought the glass) and the staff were so much fun with their STOP FORREST STOP and the cards tricks. Loved this place so much we went back two days later for lunch!
Shopped all over the place. Still get great bargains in the lanes off and around Melasti St...they remember you there and are keen to offer good prices. Did a little bit of shopping at Centro, and the rest just here, there and wherever. Paid 170000 for Gucci, Chanel and Prada bags. 25000 for Dior sunnies or poor knock off quality and 40000 for Oakleys of what appear to be pretty good fake quality.
60000 for fake perfume...some of it doesn't smell too bad either!
The rest of the time we sat on the beach, swam in the pool, chatted to the locals, watched the soccer games on Kuta Beach, ate, drank, sunbaked, swam, slept or just walked around enjoying our time in Bali.
Nine days went really quick and before we knew it - was time to head back to Brunei - something we were all dreading! Lucky for us was only a two hour stopover and before we knew it we were on our way home. Flighjt home was on a newer plane in much better condition that the others we had flown on to Brunei, to Bali and back to Brunei. This one was actually clean and had personal tvs with a choice of games. movies and tv shows. (My control didn't work for games though - but I di get three movies in).
Pics are currently only on Facebook...will get around to putting them on Webshots in the next couple of days.
For now though - here's the public links....
Brunei:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10106&l=902f6&id=521454329
Waterbom/Seminyak/Treetops:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10102&l=e29f2&id=521454329
Bounty/BGH
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10101&l=b116e&id=521454329
Bali Garden Hotel:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10085&l=a1d37&id=521454329
Bubba Gump/Snow Show/ Bali Garden:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10058&l=f8e8c&id=521454329
Bali Safari & Marine Park:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10055&l=9e7c1&id=521454329
My Bali site:
www.indahbali.co.nr
:o)