Tantrums, Trials and Tribulations
I know this is late but up until now I didn't have the energy to write this all down and you will see why as you read on.
We were a family group of 6 people from Perth (my dad, myself and hubby,and his 3 kids g17,b14,and b12) and 2 family members from Sydney (my daughter 22 and my younger brother 27) Now we haven't all travelled together before and this was my step kids first time overseas. Hubby and I had our honeymoon in Bali 6 years ago and have been back alone and this time it was the JOB LOT!!!!
Maxi Taxi was ordered the night before for a 6am pick up, I rang 10 min before they were due to come and was told that it was on its way .Cost was $67.50 and we arrived at airport at 6.30am. We were the 2nd group to check in and seats were organised so we all sat together, we did carry on luggage only as I didn't want to wait for luggage at Denpassar airport with so many of us. All our luggage was way under 10kg, the boys only packed a 1 tshirt 1pair of boardies and underwear, that was it! Customs forms were on the counter so we took one each . We arrived early for the Jetstar 9.30am with lots of time to spare to browse duty free and have brekkie and went through immigration very quickly and smoothly. There was a bit of confusion whether we take our liquids out of our bags or leave them in for the xray , we took them out but dad said he had shampoo and walked straight through ...huh?
Flight was great, we did customs forms on the way, arrived in Bali went through customs quickly and found our driver. We were staying at the Kuta Royal Complex in a 4 Bed Villa so the drive was like 5 min to get there. We already worked out where everyone was going to sleep so everyone went to their room. We were shown around the villa by Spike our villa manager, we were very happy with this accommodation, settled in for half an hour and then went out to dinner. The 2 from Sydney came the next evening and that's where our bali experience changed. We posted this in the forum when it happened and like everyone that reads this you will think 'this will never happen to me' ect ect and that's what we thought. The 2 arrived from a long Jetstar flight from Syd to Darwin to Denpassar and they were hungry so we dumped their bags at the villa and they didn't have any money so hubby went and got extra cash and off we went to Kuta. Now hubby and I usually go to Legian, we like the quieter side , but the daughter and kids all wanted to go to Kuta and we relented. We were dropped off outside Sky Garden and it was noisy and crowded and we decided to walk away from this and didn't realise till after that we were herded single file down the path by the locals. I was in the front leading and hubby was at the back and that's where 5 guys surrounded him one went to act like he was going to punch him, hubby put up his arms, one went for the wallet and in a split second wallet was gone. The one that got the wallet was pinned up against a wall but the others all disappeared hubby frisked him but it was gone and he had to let him go. But as my step son said ' He looked really scared'. Long story short - went to tourist police, then we were taken to main police station (yes all 8 of us) gave a report and went back to villa- no dinner! Thank god for Circle K - kids got noodles and we went home to have a stiff drink. This was on our 2nd day and we had 10 more to go so we decided to just get on with our holiday, BUT- we carried our money differently after this, we didn't walk on any paths where there were too many locals and we kept away (as a group) from the heart of Kuta. Just be wary especially when your in such a large group. From now on ill go in point form where we went and what we did in no particular order..
FOOD:
We went to others but these places stood out!
Kopi Pot - we went here on our first night and the food was great, best nasi goreng I had this trip. Cocktails were nice and strong and service was excellent!
Uncle Norms - went back here for lunch and dinner many times as the kids loved it and the staff kept them amused with tricks and gadgets and jokes. Food was good for everyone and great music every night which made this somewhere everyone could go.
Green Garden Restaurant - The kids loved the burgers here, as well as adults had their taste satisfied with snitzels, pasta, seafood. We went here for drinks and lunch.
Pantai in Tuban - this place was as always lovely, right on the beach the fairy lights were an added touch since last time. Was more pricey this time but seafood was yummo.
Queens of India in Tuban (next to Dynasty Hotel) - in One word Delicious! Everyone was happy here !
Zanzibar- cold beers and afternoon snacks were nice as always
Sheppys- as above, great iced coffee here
W Sports Bar- had a nice light dinner here was great!
Legian Snacks- a bit disappointed this time was ok but not the same quality, we think they went to another restaurant to get the food as it took ages. The spring rolls were good though!
Echo beach- we went to try this out and we had a great night after over a week of eating out I really craved a BBQ and I wasn't disappointed, the salad bar was awesome and everyone was happy here from chicken , steak to seafood we were all happy. The music was good too! Umm we got a taxi there and it was 110,000 rp for 2 taxis( I didn't think it was that far lol) we hired a driver on the way home and it came to 150000 rp
SHOPPING-
Ketuts won again for us, yes she looks a bit tired, but the minute I said helloo and had a chat with her, she was all smiles. Did about 70% of my shopping here, was not impressed with the shops before hers though they were very rude and swore at us when we didn't want to buy anything- real charmers they were.
Markets opposite Uncle Norms- These ladies as usual gave me the big laugh I needed, in true Balinese style and we bargained away and all came home happy with lots of clothing especially singlet tops , shorts and tshirts and dresses.
Geneva - I got a few things but not as much as before - don't know if I will bother again personally.
BALI By QUAD-
Well we decided to go here on the last day and just as well we did! It cost us about $56 US each. On the pictures there are people on rice paddys (flat) in real life there are steep hills and curves which for a first timer was scary. So picture this Hubby and his kids (avid dirt bike riders) were happy, my 68 almost 69 year old Dad, daughter and brother and I (we don't ride bikes ever!) were not happy Jan. It wasn't what we thought it was going to be. After a few stops and starts we were on our way and drove along in single file ok a few of us were slow and my step daughter being ever so careing was keeping an eye on the ones behind and didn't see a mound on the road and OMG swerved off the road and down a steep embankment! I started screaming for my husband and my daughter who is a nurse and watched Wez leap in the air and jump into the bamboo and he got his daughter out - with a few scratches and bruises. She was mainly itchy from the leaves and dad and hubby helped the guys get the quad bike out of the bush. If it was another 100 meters she would have had nothing to stop her going down an embankment to rice paddys below. So she got back on (not the first time she has stacked it) and this is where the fun began cause there were steep hills that we had to go down on and corners we had to turn and I held on for dear life wishing it was all over, the looks on my daughters, brothers and Dads faces were the same. Anyway when it was over we we all went and had lunch and watched the dvd of the trek, my dad said he had fun, as did the rest of MY family and my hubby and his kids . I was still glad it was over hehe
WATERBOM PARK- hubby and kids got the 2 day pass and they had lots of fun! I had a massage with my daughter instead lol
Did I say MASSAGE? Well I have found a new fave place and its called KUMARA SPA - around the corner from where we stayed and these girls were the best massagers- Jl Kubu Anyar Kuta- the added touch was the cinnamon tea they give you after the massage . We had been to 3 other places and we were very disappointed as the girls just weren't interested. At one place in Legian my hubby told her to stop as she was just rubbing his skin and not doing anything more. I haven't written about the other Family squabbles which at times were funny, now as you can read this holiday was eventful , my dad had moments with my brother, my brother had moments with my daughter, my hubby had many moments with his kids and I got asked many times by hubby 'Who decided to go to Bali for 12 days with Family?' And I quietly said 'me' lol
In 10 days im going back with hubby to have the usual relaxing bali holiday I am used to and hes actually looking forward to it! Thanks for reading ;-)