Flew out of Melbourne on the 21st with Jetstar. Myself and 9 year old daughter 'L'. Flight delay of an hour and a half. Was surprised to see a male arguing with the counter staff about the flight delay as if they either caused it or could do something about it. This was the start of a long day as being a bit anal about international flights we were there at around 2.30 for a 6.45 departure so by the time the flight left around 8.30 we had been there for 6 hours. I had planned to get something to eat at the airport and was really surprised to see there was really only one option once you went through customs and the food was pretty bad.
Arrived in Bali and was met by one of Hadi's assistants for VIP VOA and considering we arrived so late it probably wasn't worth it as there were not many for immigration but it was nice to walk straight through. His assistant told me his job was airport police and obviously this was his part timer. He collected our bags and walked us straight through customs... didn't even look at the customs officer. Out and he organised a taxi to Discovery Kartika for us(45,000rp).May have got slightly better price because he organised it. Checked in very quickly and up to our room. Not sure about this hotel. Very big and we were on the 4th floor which is exactly were I had asked not to be placed with TA. The room was okay but not worth the price. Hotel was good. Staff were very friendly but I don't think generally it was worth what they charged. Would have got same facilities with a cheaper hotel. TA recommended this as we couldn't get into Dynasty and I wanted to be near Discovery Plaza and Waterbom for the first couple of days to do these with 9 year old daughter.
So first day Discovery and game centre on top floor. Bread talk...yum, yum yum.
Second day Waterbom which is always a hit with L. Great day had by all but I am definitely getting to old to traipse up and down the stairs for the slides with my gammy knee. Hired a bale which is well worth it as we use it as a meeting point. Best bbq corn ever had. After repeated pleas from the daughter we did the boomerang and the new slide next to it that is like a drain hole. Loved both.
L Had her hair plaited on the beach out front of Discovery by Sandy and we bought a few small things from the sellers. Paid a bit too much for sunglasses beads etc but a couple of dollars extra means more to them than to me. I am not a good haggler as I always thing 'oh it is only a dollar or 2'
Usually try to get to Dianne's or Jenny's to get a few fixed price things.
Must say we must have chosen badly for restaurants while in Tuban. First night at a restaurant (can't remember the name) that we had eaten at on our last night in Bali last trip. I remembered it as being a really nice meal so we headed back there again. Was very disappointed and surprised at the price. On the second night we ate at a Chinese type restaurant opposite the Teppinyaki place in Jl Kartika. It was a fair meal and very expensive at around 280,000rp for fried rice, fried calamari and a salad with 2 Bintang and a coke. Staff were really friendly though.
From Discovery we moved to Legian to a private villa Surati 1. This place was sensational. Very reasonably priced, private pool, open air Bali design villa with cable tv, and a housemaid who can cook you breakfast and does your washing and ironing. Seach on web they have a few villas, Surati and Andari. Andari and Suarti 11 are modern but Suarit 1 is traditional style. See website, very accurate photos. Planned to be here for Nyepi so we could do our own thing and it was wonderful. Loved coming home from shopping and being able to jump straight in the pool and then laze around without worrying about anyone else. Went to both Bintang supermarket and Bali Deli to stock up on food for Nyepi.
Nyepi eve -We were so pleased to see that the oogha oogha were still to be part of Nyepi in Kuta. Saw a few in and around the streets on the lead up to the festival. So with much excitement we headed into Kuta from Legian to watch the parade. Very conflicting info on what time it would start. Some said 5pm, some said 6p.m and others said between 7 and 11pm. So at around 4.30 we ( myself and 9 year old daughter) ventured out to catch a cab from Jl 66 to Kuta. At the intersection with Jl Legian the road was blocked to vehicles but we were lucky to find a taxi to take us around the back way. Motor bikes and scooters were obviously the preferred form or transport as so many of the roads were blocked to cars. We were deposited a short walk from the main area where they had a covered seating area set up for the VIPs. ( we were not one of them so we were lucky to find a table and chair at a small warung on the corner.) We ordered out drink and waited impatiently for the festival to begin. We struck up a conversation with a young English tourist who like us was looking for a prime position to watch. Being in place by 5.30 we thought we had scored a sensational spot. Slowly more and more people arrived and there was a spectacular show featuring a dragon and an acrobatic troupe. Two males one young and one older dressed in a costume that resembled a dog preformed amazing acrobatic feats on poles. What a great lead up. As it grew darker it became obvious that the crowd was growing at an amazing rate. More and more people squashed in trying to get a vantage point close to the action. People standing on chairs, and anything they could find. The speeches started and some applauded enthusiastically. I was sorry that we could not understand them. After what seemed like ages the parade began. It appeared from an uneducated Aussie that the Oogha oogha were met with a force who battled against their entry. This all done in a colourful and energetic dance. Finally the oogha oogha appeared to be defeated and they parade began. This unfortunately was when my daughter started to become a bit distressed with the crushing crowd and heat so it was decided it was time to leave. Off we went desperately trying to manoeuvre between the crowd. I thought mistakenly if we walked to bemo corner then to the beach we may be able to get a taxi back. I was amazed to see all the shops shut and the lighting turned off. The streets were closed to traffic and only motor bikes had access to some. How very eerie in bali. No one offering transport. No beeping taxis, just lots of westerners walking past the occasional cart cooking corn. After walking for ages we ended up doing a circle along poppies 2 to Jl Legian and there were more Oogha Oogha lined along the street. In the hustle and bustle and dragging a distressed child who thought we would be stuck in Kuta all night and have to sleep on the beach, I was finally able to see some of the magnificent oogha oogha and their accompanying assistants waiting patiently to commence their walk. It wasn't exactly how I had hoped to view the occasion but as I said to my daughter it is all a great adventure even when it doesn't turn out exactly as you planned.
We spent Nyepi lounging around the villa.
Next day we hailed a cab and asked if Matahari would be open and the driver said yes. I asked if Geneva would be open and he said yes. So off we got to Matahari and of course all closed. Took L to Maccas for lunch instead as a treat and then walked along the beach were a lot of sellers had set up a market area. Didn't stay long as didn't see anything new. SO back to the villa for another quiet day. Villa perfect for a few days of relaxing before we get back into the planned events.
Went to Geneva for the first time and bought up on cushion covers, pashmina and bits. Sorry I didn't get more but was worried about excess baggage. Will definitely go back there again, Place mats set of 6 around 40,000rp. Pashmina ( which I want to give as gifts and use as table runners) 60,000-90,000rp each. Cushion covers 18,000 rp each.
While at the villa we ate a couple of times at Tekor on the beach front up the bungy end and loved it. My daughter loved their pasta Scilliana and I really enjoyed their grilled tuna with vegetables and side salad. We also ate at Zanzibar but thought it was okay, not great. Had lunch at Pantei and loved it and really wanted to go back again but just didn't get around to it. We tended to only eat out one meal a day as we just didn't have big appetites due to the heat.
L had a surfing lesson at Quicksilver which was great. She even managed to stand.
Also used Scilla spa in Jl 66. First time had foot care massage and L had manicure and nail polish. Second time had mother & daughter massage and not sure about this place. Not very discreet and was not comfortable with being showered and soaped by staff at the end of the massage and prior to the bath.
Moving again to Ubud. -After 6 nights at the villa we headed to Ubud and the Komaneka Monkey forest rd. Loved the hotel. Very different and a touch of luxury. Loved that the hotel very small but probably geared more toward couples. We had a view from our room over a small rice paddy that was behind the main shops on monkey forest rd. It was lovely to watch the locals tending their animals in the field. Cows, ducks chickens and heaps of local wildlife. Only down side , L had a swim in the pool and complained of the taste of the water and after getting out she had a visible rash under both her eyes. I put it down to too much chlorine. One of the highlights of the hotel, each evening they would do turndown and two of the staff would arrive and tidy the bed and turn it down, replace the towels, and provide night shirts to wear in bed. They would leave a leaflet explaining something about Balinese culture and a couple of fresh bottles of water. Staff were fantastic and very friendly. We ate at Cafe Wayan and loved it. The staff were great and L made a new friend with one of the staff so wanted to go back. We ate there twice and really enjoyed the food. Loved the bruchetta.
On our first day in Ubud we did rafting with Bali International at the Telga Waga river. Chosen because of the no steps issue. It was a fantastic day and we were the only ones going with Bali international so had our own raft and 2 guides. They were great. There were a number of other operators with large groups and I assume the small number in ours was because it was more expensive than the others. Booked at operator in Kuta and got 30% off. There were steps about 10 down to the river and about 20 up from the river at the end. But appeared to be much less than the other operators and longer rafting. They took us to a restaurant for lunch which I would have not bothered with as I am not into the buffet style lunch. Lots of tour groups there but had a beautiful views.
Day two in Ubud we went on bike tour with Bali Eco. This is one of the best things we did. I loved cycling (all down hill) through the villages. Just beautiful. After 6 visits to Bali I felt this is the first time I saw the real Bali and the information from our guide was great. I learnt more in that tour about life and religion than in all the previous visits. We visited a family compound We also stopped in a rice field and L got to harvest some rice. We rode through our guides home village and he took us to his home and met his mother and father and grandfather. He also took us to see the village women preparing offerings and provided information on the ceremonies. Just loved it and would do it all again.
Moved again from Ubud back to Legian to Legian Beach hotel for our last 2 nights. Garden bungalow which was nice but again pretty standard accommodation. I definitely like being in a bungalow type accommodation. Very private. Grounds were lovely and the Pool areas were nice. Breakfast was standard. On our first day we decided to go to the safari park. We organised a driver quoted 350,000 for 3 hours and 400,000 for anything more. Left the hotel at around 8.20. We were first at the safari park arriving at just after 9 am. I was shocked at the entry price as I had read that it was $26 USD per person but when we arrived it was $36 usd. Prices had risen on the 1st of April. I think it was round 850,000 rp for the 2 of us. Taken by shuttle to the main park area and first job was to cash up at the ATM. We had a quick look around and then on to the safari tour. It was wonderful. To be up so close to tigers, lions zebra, hippos and rhinos as they grazed, bathed and lazed around. Just loved it. We went up to see the elephants and the new baby elephant who was around 2 months old. L fed the elephant carrots, (10,000rp) and we took plenty of photos and the attendants took some of us with my camera. was amazed at how small the baby was. We fed the elephant and then went to the elephant show which I really enjoyed. It ran for about 20 minutes and very informative and entertaining. Had a look at the restaurant and accommodation area and I think next time we will do a night at the lodge. Had the chance for a photo with the lion and tiger but think they may be drugged. Loved the white tigers. Very sleepy in the morning but when we went back later in the afternoon they were very active and playful. Of course L wanted to see the amusement rides and when we walked down there it was deserted. She choose a ride to use her free ride and loved it so asked if she could use my free ride and they were only to happy to oblige. Watched the leopard for ages. He was definitely not doped and was very playful and active. Jumping around and playing with his handler. To the water park and L loved it, played for ages there and we had lunch by the pool. The only thing you need to pay for if you choose but I think you can also take food into the park as I saw a large group of kids there with a few adults who had bought their own food.
After that another ride on her favourite ride for 30,000rp and we headed back to see the orang-utan and a photo. This is the first exhibit were we did photos where they marked your band and took photos with their camera. A large print in a cardboard frame was 80,000 rp and printed on a t-shirt 100,000 rp. Spent ages looking at the orang-utan. Purchased a couple of soft toys one for L and one for her friend. A large white tiger was 170,000rp and a small tiger was 40,000 rp . Both good value. By this time it was 3.30 and our driver had been waiting since 9 am. Onto the shuttle and back to the entry. It was a fantastic day and we both loved it. There was hardly anyone there. No waiting for anything. Would recommend it as a must do for people with kids or anyone who wants to see animals up close. Ended up giving driver 500,000 for the long wait.
Last day- last minute shopping with DVDs and to Ketuts in Legian. I received info from the forum on the location but had a little trouble identifying the lane but just asked one of the traders opposite Legands and he indicated where to go. Very busy there. Only got a couple of things as not into buying t-shirts etc anymore and just stocked up on gifts and a couple of things. Also found that the store next to Ketuts was fixed price for cushion covers, table runners and a couple of other decoration type things.
Arrived at airport 8.30 and was approached as soon as we went through immigration by a person offering Dewa Lounge service. I had already decided to use it and was offered straight off 100,000 rp. When I questioned about children he said 50,000rp. SO off we went. It was great and well worth it. They had really nice snacks, spring roll, mini rolls, Danish, nasi goering and a few other options. Drinks, coke, sprite, water, diet coke, coffee, Bintang on tap and a couple of other options. They have a couple of TVs playing movies and upstairs is an entire floor for smoking. They also have a massage service and we received a voucher for a 5 minute reflexology foot massage. Both L and I had a 10 minute foot massage for 50,000rp each before our flight which was a nice way to end our trip.
Flight home with Jetstar was uneventful. Slight departure delay due to late passenger arrivals. Plane half full. We had 4 seats to ourselves so could stretch out. But who sleeps well on a plane. Arrived home at 7.30 am this morning. Had about 23 minutes sleep total and wanted to get this done before normal life takes over. Sorry if it is long and tedious but hope someone gets some helpful info from it as BTF has been so help to me over the last couple of years.
Just note to follow on. I was speaking with one of the flight attendants... She has flown to Bali 7 times in the last 7 weeks. They fly on the inbound flight from Sydney/Melbourne arriving at sat 9.30 pm. Do a turnaround and fly straight back to Melbourne. Never leaving the airport. She said having flown to Bali all these time and she had never actually been out of the airport or seen Bali.
Again thanks to everyone for their helpful information that made this one of the best holidays we have had in Bali.