As I was most fortunate to have a travel companion this trip, it was all about making a happy, fun and enjoyable trip for my firt timer travel buddy.
Our driver is waiting in the car park just outside Monkey Forest and we hop in for the drive to Mara River resort for a 2 night stay.
We arrive and a little desk, (left of the main tourist entrance to the park) welcome us and explain how everything works and what is included in our stay. I thought we were very lucky to book online a Swala room for US$145 per night. Happy with that.
We load our bags into the van and are driven to main reception within the park. Had hoped for twin rooms - they were fully booked and settled for 4 pillows to place down the middle. This worked out well as the bed was huge in width. Very happy with ground floor room (Swala) and the view out of the window was magnificant. Rhinos and zebra grazing close by. We had a bucket of carrots in our room and didnt quite know what to do with them.
Headed out to go on the safari ride and catch the elephant show at 4:30pm. It was really nice to wander around late afternoon, checking out everything without the big crowds during the day. I noticed the animals (lions, tigers) were a lot more active during the mornings and late afternoons, which was great to see.
Second day we thought we wouldnt let the carrots go to waste, so we threw them to the rhinos and zebras from our balcony. They were eaten up very quickly.
Dinner with the lions was magnificant and I felt a little scared when they roared. Feeding of chicken pieces began at 7:30pm and was interesting to watch. We were invited to go to reception to pet and take pictures with the elephant who had come by to say hello. After a wonderful (I could see how this could be a romantic evening) meal, we retired to our room to chat about our day, watch TV and sink a couple of quite ones. Had an early night and a good nights sleep.
Got up early and went to breakfast, which was the best breakfast we had on this trip. Lots to choose from and all good quality. Went for a swim in the pool, with deer to left of us and zebras, rhinos and elephants to the right of us. How marvellous it was to relax and watch the parade of animals.
Checked out the fun park, cost 50,000 to get in. Will give this a miss next time as it was only really for the little ones. Went to the fun zone and rode the jungle boat ride. As we were on this ride, I could help imagine how great this ride could be with a few improvements, like having some kind of animals on displayed as the "African Queen" made her journey around the river. The never ending cycle of "awhimmaway awhimmaway - the lion sleeps tonight" all added to the fun.
Had our photo taken with the baby orang utan, took heaps of photos and loved seeing the white tigers. Had the yummy chicken soup for lunch. Went back to our room for a quick shower, happy hour with cheese and crackers on our balcony watching the passing parade of animals and then off for another marvellous dinner in the restaurant. Had another early night and finished the beers so we didnt have to carry them back with us.
Had a wonderfully relaxing quiet time here. Reluctantly checked out and met our driver for the trip back to Kuta via lunch at Ubud.