Been back a couple of weeks now so thought I had better post this before I forget everything....Had a wonderful 8 nights in Bali and can't wait to go back!
Husband, 5yr old daughter and I flew out of Perth 26th October on Jetstar. Flight left on time. Seats were comfy enough, but there were alot of them! Jetstar have managed to fit as many as they possibley can on the plane to maximise their profit. We are not very big people though, so we were happy enough and just pleased to be flying to Bali. Did not purchase the video on demand screen, and only purchased a couple of snadwhiches on board which were nothing to get excited about, but filled a hole. Daughter had snacks, colouring in and travel guess who which kept her happy all the way there.
Landed in Bali 15minutes early. Mad dash for VOA, no body there. Got ripped off with our change, but not enough to cry about and did not realise until later. Straight through immigration, grabbed bags, paid for taxi and were at the hotel within 30minutes of arriving. We wrere very pleased with this as we were expecting a long wait. Did see one couple using VIPVOA. We sore them again at the baggage carousel, so it would really have been a waste for us to have paid for it on this particular trip. Was glad we decided to keep that money in the kitty for spending.
Stayed at Bali Rani Hotel, upstairs deluxe room. Had one king bed and one single. The deluxe room had loads of space. It was very clean and comfortable. New aircon, clean sheets daily and a nice balcony looking out at the pool. Bathroom was fine, a few tell tail signs of mould on a few tiles which was not enough to worry about and from my experience fairly common in hotels over there. The only thing was the the towels were a bit thread bare and well used at times but again this was nothing of great concern. Pool was great. A few lounge hogs around so decided to play them at their own game a couple of times. But usually it was no problem getting a lounge as there were plenty around. Daughter spent at least 3hrs a day in the pool and thought it was the best part of her holiday.
Ate a few different places on ur trip....
KAFE BATAN WARU: We ate at Kafe Batan Waru once. Were not overly fussed with their food, they had plenty to choose from,and it was nice, but found better food at better prices elsewhere.
BOARDWALK CAFE: Ate at the Boardwalk quite a few times and were very impressed with their food, the price and location. Would really recommend tis place to people.
OURS: caught the taxi to Ours Restuarant in Garlic Lane a few times to catch up with our old mate Henry. Was great to catch up with him. They still have a very well priced menu and are always so welcoming!Food was simple but, always nice and filling. Great place for relaxing with a few drinks and having a laugh with the staff!
Had a nice pizza at a Warung across from Centro. I can't remember the name but it is ajoined to a small hotel there. Was probably the best pizza we had on this trip. Ate at a few other little cafes dotted around. Was a bit worried at Mades Warugn when a local man parked his bike out front, walked in, sat at a table then left his bulging backpack behind on the floor as he went out back to the toilet. Even the staff were looking a little worried and talking to eachother in whispers, so we finished up quick and asked for the bill. I don't want to sterotype, but you could not help but wonder. Nothing happened of course. Other than that one time, we felt pretty safe. Security was good at hotles and shopping malls. Bags were checked each time we went in to Mataharis and Discovery Mall.
Visited Starbucks many times for nice cold coffee frappucino. Lucky we don't have them in Perth or I'd be broke! Ittle one had Mcdonalds a couple of times as she did not each much on the Menus at the restutants. She loved the kids hotdog at Boardwalk though!
Visited the Safari Park. Little one had a great time. Touched all the animals we could, and really enjoyed the actual safari ride on the bus. The little water park they have there was a very welcomed relief at the end and a nice way to finish off our visit. Used the free shuttle service from Kuta Centre (outside bowling paradiso). Was not sure where the pick up point was so had to ask and found the bus down the end of the ally leading to the bowling place. Was a great day out and would recommend it. We ate at the Tsavo Lion Restuarant which was expensive by Bali prices, but worth it for watching the lions through the giant windows. Will probably eat at the smaller resturant near the water playground if we go again.
As for shopping, we don't really bother with the markets much these days. I don't like to barter very much and prefer to visit the fixed priced shops. I found a lovely small fixed priced shop in Legian street just down from Surfer Girl towards Kuta Square. Got some nice metal geckos for my wall at home and some good gifts. She was happy to give me 25% off when I asked so I was happy with that. Thats my kind of batering!
I got a lot of shoes from Mataharis! Great value. Loads of western woman in there buying up big on the shoes.Quite an amusing site actually and all us girls saying to eahother how wonderful it is to have all these shoes to choose from! There wre not many husbands about! lol.
Bought loads of clothes for my 5yr old daughter at Mataharis for summer. All very good quality. There is always a sale on at Mataharis, so there is always a bargain to grab. Hubby got himself some t'shirts from Matahais also. The last lot he got there were over three years ago and are still in good nick! He paid about 20,000rp a shirt, I paid around 79-100,000 per shoes and daughters clothes were between 20,000-89,000rp (all at Mataharis.
Went to Surfer Girl in Legian St, straight to the upstairs discount room. There are loads of bargains for females up stairs there. Did visit the Billabong factory outlet but was not impressed with the place. Another tourist there told me they increased their prices before discounting them, so you were probably better off buying the stuff in Kuta anyway. Also visited Bali Galleria and had a yummy doughnut or two at JCs! Will go there again that is for sure. Very nice doughnuts!
We got a few DVDs of course. Most of which have been good. I tested most of the movies before purchasing. Husband got himself season 1 of a series he likes only to find back home in Perth that two of the discs were blank! He was not happy and will not return to the shop he got them from and will now check all the discs for tv series from now on. I took a Taxi to Geneva. Was my first time and taxi driver had no idea where it was (bluebird taxi) so had to ring his mate. I told him Kerobokan and that seemed enough for him to get me there. Was a bit worried at first. Managed to get some cushion covers and table runners whilst at Geneva and a few gifts also. Will go back and get more next trip.
Changed our money at the little money chager outside Mataharis mostly. They are very good and give you a computer print out of your transaction. A couple of people tried to rip me off when changing money. Once they started counting out loads of 20,000 notes and kept touching the money as I was counting it, alarm bells rang so took my Aussie dollars back and walked out.One place I counted it and it was all present so gave him my aussie dollars, then soemting told me to count it again before leaving the shop and this time there was 200,000rp missing! So I counted it again and it was still missing. The fella realised I was on to him and my aussie dollars were back on the counter in no time so I told him what I though of him and his nasty acts, took my aussie dollars back, gave him his rp back and left. I was fuming. I have no idea when he managed to get that 200,000 back in his draw because the first time I counted it was all there and I can't remember him touching it! You have to be so careful. This guy was not far from Genevas. Don't be lured by the highest exchange rate and if you do, be extra careful especially if they are giving you smaller notes.!
We were sad to be going home, but were runing out of money so had no choice! Flight home was fine. Had McDonalds at the airport so we wouldn't have to buy food on the plane. Thought it was hilarious you placed your order then waited whilst it was delivered on the motorbike. It was very fast though and nice and hot when we got it. Would probably do it again. Flight left on time and arrived on time in Perth. Customs in Perth was quicker than in the past and we were through and out of the airport in about 15 minutes. We had nothing to declare. Husband has banned me from buying wood when he is with me because it takes so long to show it all to customs when we get home.
Hope to return in June next year and maybe a little mini trip before them (on my own to buy wood lol). Can't wait to go back. Hope this has not bored you all and thanks for reading.