Hi all & thanks to everyone for all the tips & help prior to our first visit to Bali 4/1 to 14/1 - it was everything everybody said it would be & more!
Firstly a bit late with jbr as i've been laid low with a case of salmonella poisoning - picked it up in Bali got sick 2nd last day and only just now after 4 lots of antibiotics getting over it - just the luck of the draw, rest of the family where great no problems. We did the raspberry juice, hand gel & travelan but...
ACCOMMODATION - Kumala Pantai - one word FANTASTIC, great value for money, stayed in H Block (new wing) - it was quiet rooms where spacious interconnecting, great bathrooms good brekky & good restaurant.
SIGHTSEEING - We did Waterbom (kids had a ball) paid in Aussie dollars and loaded up on the arm band got change back in R similar xchange rate to the street.
Day trip to Barong Dancers/Celuk/Ubud & Tanah Lot (Driver No Sweat - Nyoman cost 350k for the day, Nyoman was great and he drove us everywhere at a reasonable price, friendly and safe driver no hesitation in recommending him to anyone - can be found outside KP). Girls bought a couple of rings at Celuk - can't remember exact price but around 20-25% of starting price, great lunch at Indus, fantastic time at Monkey Forest very friendly monkeys especially liked our 20 year old boy sat on his shoulder picking through his hair - no idea what they found in there! Tanah Lot was good to see but very busy.
Bintang cycling tour - great ride approx 40k downhill with only a couple of short steep downhill/uphill sections which you can skip if you wish. Stop at plantation on the way up tea/coffee etc. start at Kintamani fantastic crater/lake views from the edge. Bikes good mountain bikes - Our 10 year old did the whole trip with the exception of the steep bits - and loved it, great views all along passing through villages/fields - stopped in a village and had a look through a family compound great view of local life - followed by lunch & return to KP.
Safari Park - another hit with the kids spent about 5 hours there, patted lion/tiger (my guess is they are sedated as I can't imagine a lion or tiger this size calmly sitting there while hundreds of people walk up and pat it - also lion took off at one stage & handler chased it then picked it up in his arms and carried it back!!) I held the orang utan, good trip round on the safari bus, good to see the elephants. We where a little dissapointed with rides as all but one of those included in the admission price where not operating and other rides where a bit exy also a bit dissapointed with food but otherwise a great day out.
Telaga Waja Rafting - according to my wife the highlight of the trip - walk down through rice fields very nice - rafting great good flow of water not to low so the raft moved nicely down the rapids - stop halfway at a waterfall where you can buy drinks (Bintang etc.) at slightly inflated prices - then over the weir wall at the finish (4m drop) followed by lunch (which was average but ok to fill the hungry hordes) - sad part was the number of steps on the walk out - just take your time.
SHOPPING - street side bought everything from boardies to dresses to bangles to hair ties. Tons of DVD's all good (only 1 bad one that we know of out of more than 200) all much the same price around 10,000 each buy 10 get 4 free. Our 20 year old had 2 suits tailor made - after shopping around decided on AVI Tailor near KP as seemed to have better finish and quality than others we had looked at with full lining and body 2 jackets, 2 trousers, 2 vests & 2 shirts fitted perfecyly first fitting - cost a little under AD$500 - not the cheapest we know but he is very happy with the quality & workmanship. We went to Matahari, Discovery & Carrefour but really did most of our shopping on the streets.
EATS - Ate at KP - good, Zanzibar - pricey & only ok, Tekor - reasonable price for seafront good food, Warung Murah on Double Six by far the cheapest meal we had & ok for the price, Flying Piano (twice) - we had a good time here and food was fine try the ice cream dessert served in a frozen coconut shell, Legends - food was ok atmosphere was great, Warung Tropical (lots) - good food & great staff for the price the best place we ate, Kopi Pot - very average I couldn't eat the satay it was too tough!
Think that's all for now - hope I haven't bored you - we loved our trip & planning next one already - my wife really keen!!