Just back from two wonderful weeks in the Isle of Smiles. Flew AA from Perth - no drama. There were 5 of us which allowed for 100kg of luggage. We checked in with 99.7 kilo of donations! Customs in Denpasar no issue we were out of the airport in under half an hour. Opened one bag to check and waved us through.
Stayed at Kusnadi - once again staff were awesome. Sadly, with their price rise it is unlikely we will return to this hotel.
The weather was awesome. Kids spent a lot of time in the pool.
We visited Kuta Green Park which was really good. Catered really well for the younger kids.
Shopped at Ketuts - tried to barter a few times in the surrounding markets but most were not prepared to come close to her prices.
Krishna - good value for souveniers for the kids school mates
Carefour as always was handy and I think my mum is addicted to Bintang Supermarket although she claims it's because of the grandies who of course requied crayons, nail polish, soft bread rolls among other things on a regular basis.
Ate a lot of local fare - Warung Bamboo as always was great value.
Hubby had Bubi Guling delivered by the staff as they came to work a mere 10,000rp per serve.
Monsoon on Rum Jungle Rd was a great find. Chicken satay pies unreal. Sausage rolls a hit also. They are happy to accommodate your desires and change the menu to suit. Kids loved the chicken schnitzel. Surf n Turf was really good by all accounts.
Visited Biku for High Tea - awesome.
Nirvana on Jalan Oberoi was excellent. They had Balinese dancers which the kids loved.
Our local family took the kids off and bought them back all dressed in full Balinese dance regalia including hair and full make up. It was a beautiful experience the girls thoroughly enjoyed.
My brother and his family flew in for our second week which was great as they live in Townsville and we are in Victoria so kids hadn't seen each other for 18 months or so. They had a great time together.
Spent some time in the late afternoon on the beach so kids could jump the waves as they rolled in. Nice pancakes and jaffles from the warung opposite Kamula Pantai.
The only drug I was offered was Viagra. When I laughed the young bloke selling said this one good one mum just give you big banana! Thanks but no thanks I said.
We hired a local lass (relative of our Balinese family) to come in each day to be on stand by with her motorbike for our running around. She spent heaps of time with the kids drawing awesome pictures and coloring in. She also taught the kids Indonesian words and numbers which they looked forward to (as they learn Indonesian at school) so it was great value for money for our family.
Hubby had suits made by Sonny at Edelweiss tailor on Rum Jungle Rd - very happy with them.
In all was a very relaxing time.
Flew home on Virgin via Brisbane to Melbourne.
Customs in Brisbane were great - marked our re entry cards as in transit so we were quickly through and able to drop our bags to the transfer counter for connecting flight. We were told that the next air rail to the domestic terminal was due to leave in four minutes. Hubby and I thought two young kids in tow not a chance. But with their newly purchased YSL 'trolley bags' (you know the real ones you buy along the street) they were off and racing. Made the air shuttle no worries!
Boarded our next flight with plenty of time and our luggage joined us in Melbourne without a hiccup.
Home to six chooks, two cats and the dog and absolutely freezing weather!!
Thank god for ugg boots!