Well we have been back 2 weeks now and looking forward to getting back there again next year. Myself, husband, 8y/o daughter and 8m/o son. This was our first ever overseas journey and what an eye opener. Just the trip from the airport to the hotel was amazing. Our daughter was just shocked that you can fit a whole family on a scooter and no one fell off!! Did take a bit to get her to understand that the hundreds of dogs roaming the streets are not friendly and will eat you for breakfast if you let them!
We were warned prior to this trip that we will either love it or hate it the minute we get off the plane due to the smell and the humidity. We waited and waited and there was no sewer smell and it was no more humid than Mackay QLD is (our last holiday). So we loved it straight away.
AIRLINE - Flew Garuda both there and back. We requested the basinete seat and were lucky enough to check in before others as there was 6 other babies on the flight over and 4 very annoyed sets of parents who didnt get the seats. Flight back was great as we scored the seats again. Our travel agent had actually rung Garuda and got a confirmation of seating for us.
HOTEL - we stayed the whole time at the Bali Hai Resort in a Kidsuite. The room was quite small comapred to what we are used to. We like to spread out and not feel confined. The kids section of the room is themed, has a bunk bed, dvd, tv and playstation in it. Was great for daughter to watch movies and disney channel when relaxing. Was a bit squishy with the 4 of us in the bunks to watch a movie together!! The pool was great but it was green when we got there (we swam in it) and then 2 days later and for the rest of the trip it was a beautiful blue. one can only imagine what we were swimming in to start with! O'Briens' bar & Grill located on the ground floor is very expensive for Bali eating and drinking. For those who know the prices - they were charging 35,000rp for a large Bintang When across the road they sold them for 18,000rp. Pool bar was great and frequented every day. The main pool was very deep and husband of 6'2" had his head under water when standing. The last 3 days of our holiday we transferred to a Family suite - oh boy we should have booked this room from the beginning. The ensuite & robe section of this room was the same size as the whole Kidsuite. The bedroom section was three times bigger!!
MEALS - Ate dinner out all but last night of holiday. Went to Green Garden across from Bali Hai a couple of times. Atmosphere was great and food just as good. Yamin is one top waiter and full of spirit. 3 Mains, 3 large bintang and 3 cokes = 166,100rp ($23.50).
Pantai - walking distance around corner from Bali Hai - situated right on beach and lovely feed. Very large animal in ceiling of toilets. Only problem was you got harrassed quite regularly by hawkers walking on the beach. mostly just selling dvd's.
O'Briens Bar & Grill in the hotel is very expensive. Food was ok but wouldnt recommend it.
Poco Loco's - really great if you LOVE mexican food and are very hungry. The servings were huge and totally tasty. 3 mains, 1 entree and a few drinks 274,575rp ($38.65).
Legends - Located down Melasti Lane. Good feed again. Live band played - they were great once they got the lyrics out of their bag and read them!!!
IndoNational - Located a few doors down from Legend's. Probably the best feed we had whilst there. run by two expats. Kerry was a fantastic hostess. Husband & I both ordered the sizzling steak and it was phenomenal. Came out of savagely hot cast iron cow plates. Struggled to eat with baby on lap so Kerry came over and took him for a meet and greet session with all the other patrons whilst we ate our dinner. She also bandaged my foot up for me (more info on next JBR).
Bubba Gumps - Located Jl. Kartika Plaza. another good feed and the staff could hardly leave baby alone.
Bamboo Corner - Located down Poppies 1. hard to find when you head in from the wrong end!! Not the fanciest of places and certainly not very good when Hubby is on the verge of being sick (bali belly). I ordered the garlic fried crab and ended with crispy fried shell. I dont think there was any meat in it all. Daughter had 2 baked bean jaffles and was very happy with it. all up 3 mains, 4 dirnks and a salad = 45,000rp ($6.35).
TAXI RIDES - Please make sure you get into a Blue Taxi and ask for the meter to go on. It always seems to work out cheaper. To get from Bali Hai to Discovery Mall should not cost anymore than 5,000rp. If it does - the meter is dodgy. Bali hai to Poco Loco's cost us 20,000 and was an agreed amount. the cab driver was annoyed at this price and didnt even get out of the cab at the end to help get our stuff out. If we had the meter on it would have only cost 14,000rp. We certainly learnt our lesson. the driver we got on the way back was senstaional. New there was heaps of traffic so he took us through carparks and back streets and it cost 18,200rp - keep in mind the round about way that needs to be taken due to the one way streets. Bali Hai to Melasti St I think we always handed over around 10,000 - 15,000 depending on the driver and how nice he was.
So much more to type but need to gather thoughts again. Will put JBR 2 together very shortly.
Hope you all enjoy reading it.
Cheers
Marissa