JBR not in day order: Left 23rd May AA late arvo flight from Perth . Group of 12 all up , Myself , the cook and our 3 kids . A couple we know and their son. My mother and her partner , 2 of their friends . I had arranged the flights and accom . I was a little stressed leaving , trying to get us all through . We were at airport 3 hrs before dept . Ready to board , having a couple beverages , chatting to a bloke who tells me plenty of time to go . Then realize he's flying Garuda , my son comes running down and informs me to hurry up . We arrive in Bali on time , drank small bottle bourbon on way over , ready for the long wait as I had checked flight stats and there were a few international flights arriving around the same time . We were through with extra grog (no questions asked) in under 45 mins . Honestly , trying to organize the kids , oldies and others the time seemed like 5 mins. 3 cars from Matahari Bungalows waiting , off we go . Checked in , Bintang at Heaven bar then off to Nasi Bali for dinner . We ate here quite a bit (we always do ) until one night it was like we were eating at a different restaurant , service bad , paid bill told them that the imported steak was unedible . They then told me they had charged me for local steak and I owed them another 50,000 . I paid and we never returned . Back to Heaven bar until 2am (too late, was woken middle of the night while I thought I was in the dunny , bloody wardrobe) .
Day 2 spent mostly apologizing .
Booked star cycling through Jimmy from Jimmy DVD , only 230,000idr each . Not quite as good as Bali Baik , but not far off . Longer ride and not 1 hill . I thought the ride was better , but the breakkie was not buffet . Visited a school , had 10 mins inside a classroom where the teacher was not present . All the girls were doing their work while the boys were getting rowdy , how some things are very similar to home. While the boys were jumping around posing for pics , one of them had his coloring in ripped . Jeez did this cause a commotion . Another boy who everyone pointed the finger at as the culprit handed over 1000 idr to the victim , who refused the offer . Words were exchanged , asking our guide what was said he replied 'they may have trouble at lunch time , I try and make them calm ' . My sons tell me to give him some money . All this time the girls continue to work , still no teacher in sight . Our guide in the meantime lights his second cigarette since our entry into the classroom . I shake my head , my kids are in disbelief , I don't even try to explain to either parties . Only in Bali.
We all spent a day doing the Tellangang rd shopping followed by Sukawatti market . Very cheap shopping . If you do any orders allow extra days for pickup . we had to go back twice . (then bloody nightmare at Perth customs , more later). Had Bubi Gulang at IBU OKA the same day , plus the days we returned to pick up orders.
Took the kids for water sports , you can really bargain these days . There was a Balinese guying stay with his wife at our hotel , he organized for us . 50,000 for parasailing , 110,000 for fling fish and jetski . Cant believe how busy it is there now.
Waterbom was a great day . The Mrs , myself , our 3 kids , friends son and staff member from Matahari Bungalows , his wife and 3 yr old son. Felt great taking them out for the day . He was very scared going on the slides , told him it was his Aussie initiation . We all had KFC afterwards . A great day had by all . His son was quite shy at first , by the end of the day he was sitting on my knee eating KFC .
Went to all the set price shops on Sunset rd Biaritz etc . Also did Unagi , what a waste of time , no prices when we asked for prices they were extremely high . Also did Geneva and loaded up .
Food : Nasi Bali jl Legian . Front of Adhi Dharma cottages . We had some great food here . Kids ate at the day bed every time . Then we must of got the worst staff they had all in the one shift . Friends ordered Mie Goreng and received Nasi Goreng . Waitress brings it out , then returns it . Then another waitress returns with the Nasi and says 'this what you order ' . Every other time we were there they read our order back to us except for this time . Kids usually love the pizza , this time they said it was different . Mrs had the imported steak , was definitely not imported , She always has it when we eat there . She didn't even eat ¼ of it . After paying bill , I told them that the meal was well below their normal standard . The imported steak was very poor quality and nothing like the 3 previous nights. They then request another 50,000 as they only charged for local steak . I paid , we never returned . Will go back next trip as we have had many good feeds there. It's also very cheap.
Sheppys : friends Dad and brother told us a must to try . Also read great reviews on here . Took 18 people there . Sorry guys ,but not sure what all the fuss is about . Just average .
Chasers :Benasari lane: would definitely return . Great food had all round.
Secret garden : tried to get into Bamboo corner , they couldn't fit in the 8 of us . Anyway just average .
KFC : great for a change !!
Sunday night I booked for all of us at Bali Aussie , roast dinner night . There was a quite a few people there , its buffet style . When they started serving people rushed up . The Mrs and myself ended up at the end of the queue. People were walking past with huge plate loads of food . By the time it was our turn there was no meat left . Panic stations. They ended up cooking me a couple steaks . Was very disappointing as quite a few at our table received very little meat. We have been to these nights before and there is usually plenty of food.
Ibu Oka : absolutely great . Went back a couple times . Must be good to make 3 trips from Kuta .
Matahari Bungalows : friends love the pizzas . Kids love the spagh and club sandwiches . I love the Bintang.
Heaven Bar : front of Matahari Bungalows : Kids rate the pizza here as best ever . Pricey though at about 70,000idr each .
Four of us had tattoos . They are a little pricey now . I had four letters inside upper arm (most painful I ever had) , Mrs had two small footprints and name just above her wrist . 1.2 mil idr . We used Genesh tattoo in jl Legian . Friend had a gecko and rose with name . The detail of the gecko is amazing , they used Legian 61 . (might be Legian 64)
Driver ; we used our regular Jimmy and his brother Jack . Both speak very good English. You can book them at Jimmy DVD jl Padma . They charge set price 450,000 idr day ... For our shorter trips we use taxis . When we did Geneva , Unagi and Sunset rd I grabbed a driver off the street . Was prepared to pay 50,000 to geneva , asked how much , the driver goes 40,000 . Off we go . He waited at Geneva and Unagi then took us to Sunset rd then back to matahari bungalows .We were out for about 3hrs, As we had agreed on just getting dropped off at Geneva I asked him how much we owe him . He shrugs his sholders and goes 100,000 , I give him 150,000 he's happy and I'm happy .
There is a lane way out the back of Matahari Bungalows where you find many local shops . Very cheap , set prices . Plenty of great warungs . Reminds me of Bali 20yrs ago . It runs from Benesari lane right down to Bemo corner , although most of the shops are at the Benesari end .
Last night in Bali an hr before leaving hotel we were walking back to hotel after last minute shopping , we were at the intersection of jl Legian and Benesari lane , right in front of us one bike t-bones another at about 40kmh . One passenger doesn't look good , locals quickly carry her into tattoo shop . We leave the scene shaken . Not a good finish to a great holiday.
Leaving Bali : checkin AA , we were concerned about our weight . 5 in our group with 150kg allowance . 40kg under ... upto immigration , holy crudd . Lines huge , people pushing past jumping queues everywhere... took us about 1hr .. only 5 booths open at 10pm ..Left DPS ½ hr late , arrived into Perth 10mins late .
Customs hassle .. did the righty and declared all wood .. no problems . we had 4 boxes containing metal wall art .. boxes scanned , we are the only ones left at customs . Customs 'girl' comes over and questions me about multiple items in boxes . Then comes over her supervisor . I tell em they are gift , for us and friends .. We buy up when we go to Bali .Paid taxs , which I will claim back through my business that has nothing to do with the items in question. Anyway posted the rest on previous post .
Great trip overall , prices generally higher than last year , had to bargain hard to get low prices. Rp around 7600 .
Now roll on October , no kids next trip !!!