My first JBR and I wasn't going to do one but I have enjoyed reading everyone elses so much over the last 6 mths I felt I should return the favour. Perhaps not with the humour I have found in a lot though! Thanks to all the regulars for your tips and advice, I printed off soooo many pages from BTF and took them with me it was ridiculous but even my husband ended up saying ‘what does your Bali folder say?'
My 2nd trip to Bali (last time in 1984!!) and everyone elses first time.
We (myself, husband, daughter 15 and Son 11)actually left Melb first and had 4 days in Perth to see my brother and family and attend the WAFL Grand Final, which was surely the coldest day in Perth for years!
Flew out of Perth at crack of dawn,but very quick thru VOA as only flight and as per BTF tip I had rang a week early and requested front seating and got Row 8 so out first too. Had driver waiting so was all very hassle free, can't complain about flight or Bali airport.
First 5 nights were at Hard Rock Hotel Kuta, 2 king sized beds in a hotel room basically. It did the job, we were hardly in there but any longer might have pushed boundaries, sister wouldn't sleep with brother so it was girls in one bed and boys in the other, with Dad snoring and kids yelling at him every night LOL. This is surely the best pool I have ever seen and kids loved it. We had friends join us (another family of 4) after 1st night. Last day we booked 2 cabanas fro $14 each for the day (discount for hotel guests), it was great, drinks bit pricey compared with outside hotel but very nice all the same.
I won't give anyone a blow by blow description of our every movement, I will dot point tips we found useful and honestly not sure how we would have got by without the knowledge I had picked up off this forum.
WATERBOM - great day out, we walked from Hard Rock and got there 9am as advised to secure our Family Gazebo, great day, kids loved it, old enough to let go loose so parents could relax/read/sleep whatever in gazebo if wanted. Nice lunch brought to gazebo, highly recommend renting one of these as a base, it was very hot this day and watching others trying to find shade on banana lounges wasn't doing it for me. Didn't leave until 4.30pm that day, I left a couple of times to go organise leather jacket and try to find jeweller at Bali Rani (another story) & had quick look around Discovery Mall.
BALI BAIK RIDE - well our best day out. 8 of us picked up from Hard Rock at 7am, long trek to Sanur though to get a lovely Canadian couple, it seemed like hours (well it was) until breakie overlooking volcano, breakie ordinary but views superb. Coffee Plantation visit that kids could have done without but was interesting before our 25km bike ride, mainly downhill, of course all the hills were at the end when sun was at its fiercest and we were exhausted LOL. Stops along the way to learn about rice growing/harvesting etc, all very interesting and educational for kids. Lunch at Wayan's house was the best meal we had the entire time in Bali, absolutely magnificent, I even took a photo of the spread before anyone touched it! Our guide Nyoman was just lovely so gave him a big tip. Lots of potholes in roads and rough bitumen so I wouldn't want little kids doing it, my daughter had a big fall coming down a hill but guides were fabulous with her and she was very brave and kept going despite lots of grazing. Didn't get back to hotel until 5pm, long day but worth every minute.
HARD ROCK - couldn't fault the staff, especially ‘George' on reception so helpful, gave us a late checkout 2pm & then held our bags so we could watch AFL Grand Final on big screen...Well Dads and kids watched 1st half whilst Mum's went for facial and manicure, $12 for both, can't beat that! George organised a big van for 8 of us and luggage as well.
Left Hard Rock for 5 nights in a massive 4 bed villa in Seminyak at Villa 8. Just bliss. SO much room, big grass area as well as our own pool, 3 bathrooms, tv room, all open air living/kitchen etc. Staff were great, pool was cleaned twice a day, 2 ladies came in and prepared breakfast/set table at a pre-arranged time, just lovely. They came back later in morning and cleaned up and then serviced rooms usually after lunch. Not near beach but short walk to shops and restaurants. Would definitely recommend for large group. Bought kids a cheap soccer ball to play with and on leaving we gave it to pool guy who had a kick with them each day, he couldn't speak English but the priceless look on this face when boys shook his hand and gave it to him brought a tear to my eye!
Gee so much for not getting carried away....
Well due to Ramadan so many recommended tailors etc were CLOSED. After 1hr of looking for Janoko in Poppies Lane to be told no orders taken for 2 weeks...not happy Jan. Ended up going to a tailor down the road that was young guy hassling us, he ended up being really great, hubby got 2 woollen suits made for $130 but when we came back to get an extra pair of pants it was $40 for one pair as they were so busy now. Also went looking for Bali Brumby - same deal, no boots but he did get me a leather jacket made, really pleased with it in lovely soft leather... Thought I would wait until Seminyak to look for boot maker only to find same deal, lots closed or unable to help out, one guy quoted me $140 for boots I wanted made & wouldn't budge, as I haave girlfriend with shoe shop and get good discount this wasn't such a great deal. When it is hot and you are sweating and sick of walking you eventually give up, Or I did - next time!
More to come - WWR etc.....