My JBR part 1
Many thanks to the Forumites for contributions of information. Our holiday would not have been the same without it.
We left Adelaide airport at 0830 on the 5th June for our first trip to Bali and our first trip overseas with the children. We were traveling with a great group of friends, 3 families of four, with 6 children ranging from 5 to 10 years old. The flight (Air Paradise) took around 5 hours. The kids were great, when bored they swapped seats with each other to play. Airline staff brought around food and drinks constantly. My husband loved the Balinese hostesses, as he has a fetish for the exotic female.
Caught a fixed cab to the Bali Dynasty Resort. Tried to charge us 30,000 each to Tuban when stated on their charge list 20,000. Needed three cabs for all of us. My first bartering attempt successful.
HOTEL
Could not find a better hotel for families! Fantastic staff, fabulous food, great facilities. Only problem was a room stuff up with one of our families. Would suggest confirming accommodation with hotel a week before. Apologies made, free dinners etc in compensation. We eventually all have ground floor rooms with views of the pool. If you don't mind sharing a room with the children, it's great. Very clean tidy, close to the pool.
The new slide was up and running, kids loved it! Had trouble getting them off it for dinner! Lucky it closes at 6pm. The kids club was being renovated in the first week of us being there, it is now finished and looks great. Only used it twice, but the kids had a ball, even the 10 year olds who thought that they were too big for all that stuff. They enjoyed the biggest bombing competitions, frog catching and my son who won the frog races came back with 80,000 rp. For more PS2 games!
Figured out by the second day (I'm a bit slow) that drinks are half price when the bell rings (which is every hour), so guess where us mums were when the bell tolled? Pool bar! Love those love buckets! A love bucket (1 litre of any cocktail) at half price is about 50,000, about six drinks for $6! Jugs of Bintang for the blokes about 50,000 also. I've never drank beer before Bali, but on a hot day, an icy cold Bintang by the pool is superb!
SHOPPING
Exchange rate was 7200-7375. Changed only at Kodak shops. No problems at all!
We spent the first two days in the resort relaxing and exploring the local area. Went to the little markets between the Dynasty and the Santika Beach. First bartering experience ok. Found that bartering in a group was much easier, had more confidence and support when needed and it we all were wanting the same item, we bartered for multiple items for the best price.
Kuta art market was much more fun, more stalls, easier to barter there. Lots more variety. Bought Paul Frank bags, t shirts, shorts, hats, sunnies, watches, DVDs
.
Went to Matahai's. Loved it. Bought lots of bras (5 for $18.00). Although as one mum in our group stated 'you have to have Asian sized boobs'. Finally I rejoiced in having small boobs! Although some would say 12B/C is ok. Plenty of bras in that size range. Also got a lovely evening dress (black sparkly) for 242,000 ($33). Fantastic!
Found Diannne's shop across the road from the Dynasty. Mentioned the Forum recommendation and she could not have been more helpful. Her son is now six months and has had his ceremony. Of course Dianne had the day off! Think those are few and far between as she appeared to be there everyday. Most of her items were 20,000-30,000. Got lots of good -tshirts. Boardies, hats etc.
FOOD
We ate at the Dynasty for the first few nights until we had found our feet. Buffet dinners were 85,000 to 100,000 per adult, kids free, every fourth dinner was free. Kids loved the buffet, they never ate so much! Got our moneys worth!
Also ate at Pantai on the beach (great food, cheap, seafood), Daddy's café (great food again, huge seafood platter for 85,000 $11.60, would easily feed 2), Bubba Gumps(great for the kids, bit greasy but nice though), Fibreeze (fabulous food, across the road from the Dynasty), Aussie Bar (great, cold beer).
Overall found the quality of food at restaurants better than at home service was generally good. Although did have some problems with service (probably because our was a large group of 12-14) getting meals mixed up with other tables, forgetting kids meals etc. No one really got Bali belly. Two people in our group got mild diarrhoea after going to Mc Donalds. Gave up on the Acidophilus and raspberry jam halfway through the trip as I kept forgetting.
More later as I get time.
Frizzy mum (even more frizzier in Bali) and friends.