I have not written HNR before, so I hope I don't bore people with too much detail!
Departed Adelaide with Virgin on the 9.45 am flight without incident. Noticed immediately that there were no screens on the headrests! Fortunately I had packed iPads, iPods and enough activities to keep Miss 4 and Master 7 amused for the 5 hour flight. After eating one of the most delicious vegetarian pies I have ever had (even at $10) it seemed time to land already! Herded onto the bus and into the terminal nice and fast. Quick buying VOA and all immigration lines open and moving. Luggage was ready by the time we were through and although the Customs line looked awful, it moved fast enough and soon we were wondering along with our driver to find the car!
In no time we arrived at the very tranquil Sanur Beach Villas to one of the easiest check ins I have ever experienced - straight to the villa to put the bags away and deposit husband + children and then off to the desk to provide the requisite information! Without unpacking the kids and I de-robed chucked on bathers and went straight to the pool (just out front of the villa door) and enjoyed the next few hours swimming in the pool while husband did the unpacking and sorting. A few hours later the hungries kicked in and we decided to get the kids favourite place out the way.
Caught a taxi into Kuta and had dinner at Bubba Gumps (2 kids spaghetti, 1 hamburger, 1 southern fried chilcken, 2 cookie soothies and 2 mango sparklers for Rp550,000). Had a wander down the road and changed some money (9600) before jumping into a taxi to Carrefour.
We love Carrefour, there is just something about it and I love going from fresh fruit to tv's under one roof! After purchasing our toiletries, drinks, snacks and general rubbish (Rp607,340 which felt like a steal) we jumped back into a cab back to Sanur. An early night for us all after getting up at 5am.
Next morning up at 6.30 and waited for breakfast to start at 7.30 - enjoyed the pancakes, fruit plate and mixed juice next to the pool while a light shower rained down around us. After mucking around for a while, caught a cab and asked to be taken to Sindhu beach market. Ended up at Sindhu market and walked the kids through it (quite an experience for them!) and finally weaved our way through the streets towards the beach. Ended up at Tootsies for second breakfast for the kids (just toast) and well needed iced coffees for mum and dad) and then got our first shopping fix at Tootsies fixed price. Changed money (9500). Went back to SBV to enjoy the afternoon hanging around in the pool with the kids and some other residents.
Dinner that night was at the Wicked Parrot in Sanur (kids burger & 2 x kids spaghetti, mie goreng vegetarian and nasi goreng chicken, garlic bread, icecream scoops, chocolate cake, 2 waters, 1 iced coffee, 1 mixed juice and a nescafe Rp380,600). Took a walk along the road and picked up Voltaren or husband who somehow managed to hurt shoulder and Calandula cream for daughter who managed to find an allergy to something and had started to come up in big rash along backs of legs. Caught taxi back to SBV to have daughter crying from pain of rash and demanding to go home! Rash continued to expand without much relief and daughter ended up sobbing herself to sleep in mums bed :(
In morning rash was slightly improved, but still irritating and it was thought that perhaps she was allergic to something local, so we decided to make our move to Legian straight away rather than wait until the end of the week. SBV were fantastic about us leaving early and did not charge for the nights we were no longer staying which was very much appreciated. Food and drinks were very reasonably priced (bintang Rp15,000 on honour system, spring rolls Rp30,000, hot chips Rp30,000, soft drinks Rp10,000, milo cans Rp10,000 and water Rp5,000). We will be returning later in the week to attend Bamboo Shoots Cooking School.
SBV arranged a driver to take us to Legian and we checked into Beach Melati Apartments. Words cannot describe how great this place is! You open the doors to another world. Greeted by the manager Jinae - nothing was difficult! Our apartment is beautifully appointed and the kids were in heaven! I had my best shower yet in Bali using the overhead fixed showerhead with better pressure than my home shower. Sorted ourselves out and headed down to Sammys for lunch (kids chicken drumsticks, small pizza, wedges, greek salad, club sandwich, 2 iced coffees, 2 milkshakes and 1 water Rp320,000). The kids were enchanted with Sammys magic tricks and enjoyed being back in the familiar surroundings of Legian. Changed money (9600).
Back to the apartments for a afternoon spent swimming in the lovely pool (there appears to be only one other guest in the entire complex!). Caught a taxi to take us to dinner - went to Boardwalk at the Bali Garden Hotel, this was fantastic! (1 zero mojito, chocolate milkshake, fruit punch, 2 water, 2 garlic read, ginger beef stir fry, sirloin with pepper sauce, kids burger and steamed rice Rp369,600). By far the best steak I have had in Bali for quite some time and the location is just lovely.
Made the requisite stop at Breadtalk before heading home (chocolate muffin, choco man roll, apple strudel, 2 croissants Rp35,500) headed back to the apartment for everyone to have a semi early night. Contemplating Waterbom tomorrow, but will decide in the morning!