In Reply to: The Patra with twins, last minute advice posted by Mama J on Monday, 28. January 2008 at 07:38 Bali Time:
Hi, I'll offer some advice since no-one else has as yet. Don't know how much use it will be. Taken our kids a few times at different ages. Boy at 21mths, then baby at 4 months and again last May, just took our youngest who was 14mths so not quite the same age as your two.
I don't know that I would bother taking a cot unless you intend to use it maybe as a playpen? All hotels I've been at have had good cots (often better than you get at a hotel in Perth!), never had a problem. I would have thought maybe Carrefour for a playpen/microwave but have not tried to purchase myself.
There's lots of info on taking kids in the archives if you have a look (maybe try 'Kids in Bali' or similar) and there is a website, I think it's 'Filo's BaliKidz' (not sure of exact www.) but could be in archives probably. Has quite a bit of useful info.
Your kids are at a good age where they will prob just sleep when you're out. I'd much rather take 11mth olds, even two of them!, than 2 1/4 and 4 1/2 yr olds which is what ours will be in June.
I took Aquium gel and used it quite a few times during the day. I also often forgot to use it before giving him food but never had a problem so be careful but not worry too much. Always used the tap water in the bath but just a smallish amount to get them wet but not to encourage too much splashing. Some people fill the bath with bottled water but I didn't have any trouble.
The Balinese will love your kids and will try to touch and hold them at any chance. We would get mobbed by all the staff in the dept stores. I had a mosquito net that I put over the pram when I wanted to discourage touching like when he was asleep etc..
He just ate whatever we had at the restaurants, I just ordered something I could cut up for him like I would at a restaurant here. Plenty of snacks available at the supermarkets there but if there's something in particular they like then I would take it.
I usually take my own nappies, leaves you free space for shopping when you come home, but they are available over there as is pretty much everything you might need. I usually take a few medications like pandadol/dimetap etc. and thermometer, but my youngest does have a few health concerns and something always comes up. We have had a Dr out to the hotel a couple of times and they were good. Only heard good things about the Patra. Stayed at Bali Hai in May but the Patra was our next choice. Your kids would be too young for the kids club I think but we hired a baby sitter a few times through Bali Hai and she took him down to the kids club a couple of times for a play. First time I've used a babysitter and was a bit nervous at first but no worries. Used the same woman 3 - 4 times and was very happy with her. Was great to go out to dinner or shopping for a little while knowing he was being looked after at the hotel.
Hope there's something of use here for you. Have a great trip!!