JBR Bali Trip 8th June - 16th June
Bit long, I know but I really tried to cut it down but just couldn't!!! Here goes....
First time trip for everyone. Group of 12 let me introduce you to: me (22), BF, Mum, Dad, Little Bro (18), Uncle, Aunty, Cousins - Miss 14, Miss 11, Miss 10 and Master 5 and Grandpa!
Flying Air Paradise our flight was scheduled to leave Perth at 10am on the Wednesday 8th June however we got a phone call from the travel agent two weeks before we left informing us that the plane we were supposed to catch was going to be in maintenance and hence our flight will be leaving at 6pm. We were all a bit bummed because we were looking forward to the half a day to settle in and get our bearings but then Air Paradise offered to reimburse us the cost of the first night accommodation - every one is happy!
So having been lurking in the depths of the BTF since booking (February) we arrived at the airport armed with a wealth of information and ready to take on anything. BF and I (against the advice on the BTF I know!!!) changed some AU$ at the Perth Airport and got a mere 6385 RP to the AU$. Upon arriving in Denpasar realized that changing money at the airport there is unbelievably easy so
TIP#1: seriously do not bother changing $ in Australia before you go as you go through customs in Bali you come out straight in front of two or three money changers - the rate was 7100 there - Oh well not too much in the big scheme of things!
After searching almost every supermarket in Perth for Raspberry cordial or juice and finally finding some we realized as we took off in the plane that we had in fact left it at home. Oh well at least it wasn't the passports and no body got the dreaded BB although there were a few scares!
Air Paradise Review: the staff are lovely, the toilets didn't flush on the way over but the staff were onto it very quickly. Both trips saw the plane half empty (or half full for us because we could spread out). Saw Spanglish on the way over and Ocean's 12 on the way back. Meal on the way there was average - they ran out of hot meals and so I got cold chicken and salad rolls which I think were a bit old - a couple of us had luke warm meat pies. However they made up for it with the free alcohol, ice-cream, chips and tim tams that followed! On the way back we got a choice of grilled chicken or cannelloni - hot and very yummy again followed with ice-cream, chips and tim tams and free alcohol!
After spending the last three months every morning waking up saying to each other 'how many sleeps till Bali?' and the last 24 hours singing 'Who likes Pina-colada's?' the excitement levels were sky high as we landed in Denpasar. Customs went through without a hitch except for a very tired Miss 10 falling asleep leaning on a door and falling through and onto a very startled customs officer's lap and then the power going out and plunging us into complete darkness as we just got into the airport and were heading to immigration!
We were ready for the porters except for Little Bro who just thought a nice man was offering to carry his bag for him. Our agent had organized airport transfers with our package however the travel wholesaler hadn't let them know of the change in flight times so when we arrived at 10pm there was no transport waiting for us. After a quick phone call - they were on their way and as we were walking into the car park the lights went out again but of course this time there was no emergency lights and it was pitch black and a wee bit scary - but we made it!
Bali Hai Review: The staff were lovely at the Bali Hai, the hotel grounds, restaurant and rooms were always clean. Our breakfasts were included and you never went away hungry. The waffles and pancakes were the best (I think) and the kids seemed to be quite taken by the 'black froot loops' but I was never brave enough to try them myself!
So after unpacking our bags and seeing everybody else's rooms I went to sleep still singing 'Who likes Pina Colada's?'
Thursday (Day 1)
Awoke bright and early for an 8am start still singing 'Who likes Pina Colada's'. We were booked to go on the Kintamani Lake and Volcano Tour. There were only fourteen people on the tour - twelve being us. I felt sorry for the two that weren't no doubt they were a bit overwhelmed. The bus was very comfortable and air conditioned - thank goodness and the guide excellent! Kintamani is beautiful but the hawkers were a bit too much for us virgins!
First stop was a Barong dance - lovely to watch but be warned it does go for at least one hour and some bits take a veeeeerrrrrryyyyy long time. So after the dance we slowly walked our numb bums back to the bus where the next stop was a jewellery shop/factory for a demonstration and opportunity to shop. This was our first experience of the Balinese customer service - being followed around by two or three sales assistants and being offered to try on anything that we remotely looked at. Given this however thy ladies were lovely and were happy just to chat and ask us where we were from and how we were enjoying our holiday. Nobody bought anything and we moved on to a wood shop with another demonstration and shopping trip much the same as the jewellery.
Eager to buy something by this time - anything in fact - the guide stopped us at a fabric shop where we ran inside delighted to see Bintang singlets, and shirts and too many sarongs to think about. We pulled up our sleeves and thought right lets get into it and tested or bartering skills - BF and I ended up paying 220 000RP for two shirts and a sarong - we got ripped (by Bali standards of course) we knew but hey it was our first go!
We then finally got to Kintamani which was absolutely beautiful after fighting our way through the mass of hawkers we go into the restaurant. It was a buffet meal - very nice and 85 000RP each.
TOILET REPORT: toilet paper and paper towels, running water, soap, didn't flush too well but were clean.
After lunch we took a few photos admired the view and jumped back into the bus to go to a coffee plantation. While we didn't see too much of a plantation we had a very long talk from our guide about Bali coffee and how it is made etc etc. We then saw the beans being roasted and got to sample some ourselves - they even had hot chocolate for the kids.
TOILET REPORT: Miss 11 informed me that she needed to go so I asked the guide where the toilets were. He replied with a laugh 'there are only Bali style toilets and they are down there.' Okay I said and luckily being the first day I was over stocked with tissues of varying thickness, dettol wipes, antiseptic cream, baby wipes and anything else that you could possibly need in any situation any place! As were walking down to the toilet I tried to explain to Miss 11 what I meant by a Bali style toilet. I handed her tissues and sent her in. After a bit I heard a little voice say 'ummmm this toilet doesn't flush' Bless her cotton socks! All is good and she wasn't worried.
We decided to skip the painting in Ubud because by this time we were unfortunately all very bored and tired and just wanted to get home. Our last stop was a traditional Balinese house. It was very interesting and good to see how the Balinese live with running commentary from our guide.
We finally arrived back at the hotel at 6pm. All in all the tour was a great way to see some sights but was very tedious at times and I think tested the kids attention spans and the adult's patience at times. I would suggest for any one wanting to see Kintamani (which you should!! It is beautiful) perhaps hire a driver and do it yourself that way you can still have a local to guide you but get to do your own thing and at your own pace.
When we got back we were too tired to figure out what to do for dinner we decided to have it at the hotel. Aunty, Uncle and Cousins went to the main restaurant near the pool and Mum, Dad, BF, Little Bro and I went to O'Brian's Pub and Grill at the Bali Hai just in time for Happy Hour (7 - 8pm) - 'Who Likes Pina Colada's?' - ME!
Dinner cost 620 000RP for five mains, 2 sides, 2 desserts, about 13 cocktails and 3 beers. Listened to the entertainment and they even got a few of the guests up there to sing with a fantastic rendition of Pretty Woman. We then tried to persuade Dad to get up and sing his favourite 'I'm too Sexy' but alas happy hour in fact only goes for one hour and he hadn't had enough Bintang or Pina Colada to stimulate his vocal cords! Still going to sleep singing 'Who Likes Pina Colada's?' Don't think it was the actual Pina Colada's ingested that caused this but still on a high because 'How many sleeps till Bali - NONE!'
Friday (Day 2)
Had a little sleep in and then caught a taxi and asked to be taken to Matahari (us not realizing it wasn't open yet and the driver obviously realizing it wasn't and also realizing we were new to Bali) and instead dropped us off right on a corner with the survey people and people with business cards near the markets in Kuta! We found our way to Matahari's and it opened as we got there. It was relief to get away from the 'you buy you buy'
The air-conditioning wasn't great at Matahari's but it was wonderful to go shopping without hassle and everything was 'bloody cheap' Mum and I found little calculators on key rings 12 100RP each as we'd forgotten to bring ours. I bought a pair of flip flops for 48 930RP (30% off) and two pairs of thongs for around 15 000RP each. I also bought the kids little note books to keep a travel diary in and a pen each total cost 30 500RP. Also went to the supermarket and bought some water and nibblies. After that we braved the streets again and all learnt to avoid eye contact and say 'no thank you' confidently except for Dad who had a little trouble and kept being too nice and talking to them.
Mum and Dad went off to Centro (or Discovery Plaza) and BF, Little Bro and I stayed and wandered through the markets and tested our bartering skills yet again. I was itching to buy stuff and get a bargain (as if you get anything else when in Bali). We ended up with a few shirts and shorts for BF and some shoes and a shirt for me. Don't think we did too badly but at this stage we were happy to pay what we did.
Stopped off at Bubba Gumps for lunch. It wasn't very busy but the staff were very attentive and fun. I can see how the place would have a fantastic vibe when busy.
TOILET REPORT: Toilets were apparently very clean (according to the boys).
Lunch came to 306 000 for 4 soft drinks, 2 trash boat thingies (seafood) and one serve of the All American Fries. Little bro was very impressed and even offered a tip without it first being suggested which is unusual because he doesn't usually part with his money very easily! Our waiter after bringing us the bill did some very magic tricks with a pack of cards and was very entertaining. The staff all spoke very good English and I would definitely go back there. The food was fine nothing fantastic but the staff and the atmosphere made up for the pizzazz that the food lacked.
TIP: Go to Bubba Gumps!
Our bus driver from Thursday offered to organize free transport to Jimbaran Bay for dinner tonight. We were taken to the Sea Star Café. Among the twelve of us there were mixed reviews probably about half liked it and the other didn't at all. I was part of the latter but I guess I was really looking forward to going to Sharkies - unfortunately we didn't make it this time though!
TOILET REPORT: soap and water, working, but quite dirty.
Other than the cold fries (I won't comment on the fish because I am not a seafood fan but again mixed reports amongst the group) Jimbaran Bay itself is beautiful unfortunately though the night we were there the wind was blowing all the smoke from the kitchen towards the beach.
TIP: Go to Jimbaran Bay but perhaps not the Sea Star Café!
To be continued.....