hmm where to start!!
i arrived on the 26th of nov and it was smooth sailing through the airport... got outside and had a transfer waiting with a lai greeting.. all part of the hotel accomadation package we had organised. was of to a great start and the weather was HOT!
got to the hotel.. Wina Holiday Villas, Kuta. Looks fantastic.. Photo opp and then to check in.
Staff didnt speak the greatest english, so it took awhile..
had booked for 2x deluxe rooms on the ground floor. Only to be told that they never got any requests from the wholesaler!! thinking it was a bit strange we just went along with what they said..
we were given the keys and a man said to follow him.
This is great we were all thinking (the 4 of us) until he started going up the stairs.. wait a minute we need ground floor rooms!! one of the group has a bad foot due to operation. OK wateva 2nd floor will be okay until they get a bit more organised...
not so happy when we (4 girls) had to lug our suitcases up onto the third floor way in the back to get to our rooms which happend not to be deluxe or twin singles as we had paid for... not happy!!
took the trip back down the stairs and two of us made our way back to reception. the staff were rude and uninterested and their comment was "you come back and ask in morning to see if there maybe is room"
not liking this we got our wallets and went for a walk to 'cool off'
made our way to the fantastic bagus pub for a drink and to say hello.
made a phone call to the travelagent to say what was going on and that we werent happy.
after a long chat with them we we getting a bit hungry and walked down to barong hotel where we usually stay and got ourselves a chicken burger mmmm yum!
after lots of messing around with wholesalers and travelagent and then wina hotel we were able to arange 2 rooms at the barong on the ground floor for a cheaper price than the other hotel..
wholesaler will refund the diference...
all settled in our rooms at the barong and felt right at home...
had a great holiday, except for the bad experience with the wina hoiday villas which i would not recommend to anyone,, its a stay clear hotel !! and the rain hahaha.
Highlights -
Piggys Bar/Resturant - BEST music (thanks to remy) BEST Nasi Goreng!! Friendly staff!! great prices and open 24 hours.If your after a burger mmmm cant beat imported beef from harvey(wa australia).
Kuta Steak House - Best Garlic Steak and best prices!!! 60,000 for a ripper fillet steak.
Safari and Marine Park - Had gorgeous photos with Tsunami the Orangutang, the tiger and the lion. HEARD lots about the tiger and lion being druged up.. soo not true!!!we asked and they showed us just how alert they really are. its just the weather that keeps them so sedate.
the tiger got quite upset with one of the staff whom was trying to cut its claws after playing with a feater duster.
the lion was gorgeous, she had just had her lunch and was happy to sit and relax. got a fantastic photo of my siser kissing it on the nose and one of me kissing its cheek (dont recommend wearing lip balm when doing so hahaha hairy lips)
had the best time !!
the trip home was stressful... got to check in and our bags were overweight as expected!! though myn would be about 5 kg over the 20kg limit.. not soo....it weighed 31 kg and i had a painting as well which weighed 4 kg opps.
in total we had 42kg overweight and once bag we had to remove items as it weighed 36kg and was to heavy for australian regulations.
cost us $330 australian dollars in extra baggage!
handluggage got xrayed as entering the boarding lounge and i forgot i had some nasi goreng paste that i was going to declare (happened t be over liquid limit) had it taken) not a great start hay.
got to quarantine in australia and relized i forgot my painting... had to be escorted back though to get it.
all declarations were good and allowed and after a long trip home we finally made our way home.. back to our own comfy beds