Hi, my first JBR, and feel a bit nervous as there has been some fantastic reading lately, but here goes!
Family of 5, me, papa bear and 3 teenagers, girl 17, boy 15, boy 14 all excitedly flew out from Sydney on Garuda on Easter Sunday morning. Boys loves their toys, so were just underweight with 2 bodyboards, 2 surfboards, cameras, movie camera and tripod! (And about 20 back issues of Tracks magazine I found on our departure that would have jumped the weight up heaps! -
Parked in the pre booked long term parking, which cost I think $138 for 12 days, took ages to find a park as not many spaces are marked for long term parking - when we came home had a bit of a moan to the cashier, she told us the multi storey parking (which was empty when we got there) was intended for long term. Handy hint for next time.
Great flight, Garuda great, just hate the "how long now mum?". Nearly 6 ft 14 boy slept on the floor in the middle row of seats, (under other kids) and stewards turned a blind eye which was good.
Touchdown! 1 hour 45 mins to get through customs, but time went OK just speaking to people around us in the line.
Exchanged small amount of money at airport, a bit less than the street but convenient. Went straight to Taxi line, hoping to get a taxi van with 5 and 4 boards, but none. Had to pay for 2 taxis and pay extra 60,000 for boards!! Didn;t see that coming! Think he had us on toast, but next time will book a driver from this end.
The pricing is on the wall, but no mention of boards, wasn't going to argue.
Straight to BGH. Never been there before though this was trip 11 to Bali, just read so much on the forum. Went with open mind, not expecting anything as some conflicting stories. No deluxe rooms available, were put into 2 superior rooms for the first night out the front, quite comfortable, freshly painted, but ours just stunk of cigars, but not a real problem. Were more than compensated with complimentary meal passes at boardwalk restaurant for us all. Moved next day to great rooms, 2nd floor, adjoining rooms.
This place is great, boys could check out surf each morning from just running up the back, and we loved the boardwalk from airport down the beach. Papa bear woke each morning about 5.30 and did the walk, we all went for breakfast when he got back. All staff make you feel like you are family, amazing how they remember your name. Good breakfast, banana pancakes and syrup too good, omelette with chilli sauce (thanks for the tip Raelene) fresh fruit and who can go past Bali Coffee! Number 2 boy daily had watermelon and Nasi Goreng, still think it strange combination.
Great shopping, but must say did not really like the forums Ketuts fixed price down Garlic Lane. Too expensive!! The other shop keepers can't believe how well she does, especially like Harry Buttler, many knew of the forum and say she very rich! I found there were heaps of shops that gave general pricing now, didn't get ripped off (with shopping anyhow) or I guess if I was happy to pay the price I think I wasn't ripped off. Loved other tips though, Silver instinct had great Pandoras and really cheap, 30.000 generally. Loved Jennys at Tuban opposite Dynasty, also Mades in Garlic Lane. Found some great different shopping in Melasti and Padma also. Was a bit disappointed in shopping in Poppies, but loved the restaurants there, Bali Agung, Tree House all cheapies but goodies. Only one bad meal, at Green Garden Hotel Tuban, previously great, a lot more expensive and maybe just a bad night, but would never take the chance again. Our friends introduced us to the Big Bite (open air food market) at Kuta, plastic tables, great selection, and really fresh. A bit reluctant at first, but once you taste the fresh you know its good. Mains all about 20,000 - 25,000. Had a great night at Legends - show of Elvis Parsley, bartender show, band and great barbeque and salad. Kids had a ball. Found Unagi great, took a driver for the morning and daughter and me shopped our socks off!! Great gifts so cheap.
Best night was Echo Beach Beach Shack at Canngu, as they say hard to find but hard to forget. Left Kuta about 4pm, picked up B and F at Legian, then driver got lost! It was really fun. Really. Eventually found it, and how good was it! Food very cheap and nice. Something reminds me of Jimbaren Bay, but a lot nicer, and I thought better food. the best bruscetta I have tasted. Seafood, barbeque, salads etc. and cocktails cost about 40,000 which was very cheap.
The boys found great waves there, finally!! (Been very small since we arrived). They surfed every day, either breaks airport left, kuta reef, or where they could get to. I am just so comfortable in letting the boys go out all day by themselves. They have been 3 times before, but find some a calm in Bali for some reason more than home.
Checked out Santika Resort for girlfriend, wow this place is also so beautiful, so many of the resorts have been totally re vamped and Bali has become quite upmarket.
Bought all the usual bags, wallets, glasses, dvd's etc. - actually just bought because I could! Far too much.
Boys bought so many stickers (no, not the bad ones) and hats and intend on making money on selling to friends, buy hey, it was my money to start off with!
Had a ball at Waterbom, they have changed to rules that you can't take in food, (or water) have to purchase everything in there with a moneyless system which is OK - they let us leave our pre purchased water at desk and picked up when we left. Went early in the morning(9am) and had a ball, started to get a bit busy about lunch but we were nearly all done by then.
Perfect weather Every day!
Exchange rate dropped daily, from 8100 on day 1 to 7450 on last day, but no big deal I guess. Daughter and papa bear had massages quite a lot, they are not for me, daughter loved the cream bath, just restored her hair so much - it gets quite a work out from straightner, I have not seen it look so good. She loved Melasti spa the best.
All in all had a great time, I really think it was my best holiday, and met some really nice friends - funny thing they are all forumites!
Thanks to the forum for great tips, a strange obsession I think!
Until next year Bali,
Budgiekidz