This was an extra special Bali holiday, it was to celebrate my 50th birthday. We had 40 family and friends joining us for a birthday dinner at the new Ossotel Hotel which has a fantastic restaurant called Romeos Bar & Grillery on Padma Utara St, Legian.
We flew Virgin from Perth......Hubby, myself and Son 15yrs. Check in went smoothly so proceeded upstairs and had the wake up coffee in take-away cups at Dome. Then through to customs, then a spot of duty free shopping before we hear an announcement calling hubby to Gate 3. Wow I thought, maybe he's lucky enough to get an upgrade......how wrong could I have been. He had less than 6 months left on his passport (he travels a lot for work so should have known better) so they wouldn't let him on the flight, so his suitcase had to be removed from the plane. Bummer, oh well, just son and myself departing. Being a Saturday, there was nothing he could do until Mon (as soon as he left the airport he had fresh photos taken and filled out his passport application, then promptly Monday 9am he was at the passport office in the city). He eventually arrived in Bali Tuesday 9.30pm. There was a lot of explaining over the next few days as family and friends arrived and promptly wanted to know where hubby was.
Our accommodation was Beach Melati Apartments, next door to the Ossotel. We had hired a 3 bedroom apartment and could not have been happier, it was absolutely amazing, check it out, room # 301. It was a bit lonely for the first 2 nights until daughter and son in law arrived, then hubby on the 3rd night.
Highlights of the trip:
HAVING all of my family together on holiday which hasn't happened for many years.
INTRODUCING Bali to my parents and several other family members. I was worried they may not like it however I was so wrong. They loved it and are already planning their next holiday.
DAY TRIP to Ubud. I have been in contact with Made (I have his email address if anybody is interested) who was recommended to me through another forumite. He booked a 20 seater bus for me which came with a driver plus Made himself who gave a running commentary along the way. Stops included UC Silver where you can see how they make the jewellery, wood carving showroom, monkey forest, lunch overlooking the rice fields, and lastly the elephant cave.
HIGH TEA at Biku for all the ladies in my family, plus female friends. These totalled 17. It was amazing as my Mum had never experienced anything like it before. We sat outside and the restaurant had paper lanterns and a happy birthday banner hanging from overhead vines.
DAILY SUNSET watching (and Bintang drinking) at Tigers beach bar,(out the front of the Niksoma) with all the family and friends sitting around.
BIRTHDAY PARTY/DINNER at Romeos Bar & Grillery with eveybody. I can not speak highly enough of this establishment. I even had a sample tasting of every dish on the 3 course (with 3 choices each) menu. My hat goes off to Chef Banjar for creating a one off menu , Hendra and Ayu for all the planning that had gone on over the last few months.
TABLE ARRANGEMENTS I had ordered on-line from a florist for my party/dinner. These were delivered on time and more beautiful than I could have imagined. They were pink and yellow frangipannis arranged around a glass lantern with a tea light in the centre.
Restaurants we ate at:
Lanai - we had 2 breakfasts here, food was fantastic.
Blue Ocean
La Monde
Mozzarellas By The Sea, and also on Padma Street
Billys Garlic Lane
Seaside
Sangria
Teppenyaki at The Padma - another new experience for my parents
Mexicola - I thought this was a bit overrated however hubby enjoyed it
I didn't have time to do much shopping this holiday, apart from several cushion covers and a Bali umbrella. I managed half a dozen foot massages at the Luna Spa (I also had my hair styled for my party here) opposite the apartments, and also Carla Spa opp Mugshots. Sadly, all good things have to come to an end, and of course the time flew by too soon.
Hope you enjoyed reading, I'm happy to answer you may have.