just a short one :O)
Bali ex Auckland arrived 10th August for 2 weeks to that gorgeous Bali heat and smell... mmmm- felt like I was home again :O)
Stayed at the Melasti Beach Bungalows in Tuban- wasn't expecting much due to comments on this forum (and the price we paid anyway). The rooms were clean and pleasant and had all the basics so I was happy. Staff are all wonderful and I would stay there again but I definitely recommend a ground floor room- especially if you have kids. We took our 3 yr old and our 6 month old so the stairs were a killer and a little dangerous for the 3 year old but they moved us downstairs as soon as we asked. The hotel was lovely and quiet and there was no fighting for space around the 2 pools- in fact we had them to ourselves most of the time we were there.
Dined at only a few restaurants as we couldn't go too far with the kids and the standard was good at all of them. A highlight was Papa's Cafe... pricey and not strictly Indonesian but great for a lovely evening out.
Thanks to Monty's recommendation (from this forum) I got in contact with the lovilest driver Putu. Such a sweetheart :O)
He took a load of us to the Bali Zoo with I was pleasantly surprised with and to feed the monkeys at the monkey forest (had to do it for the kids). We also took a big bag of clothes and medicine to the birth clinic in Ubud. Lovely people there and had a chat with some of the volnteers that had just gotten back from Aceh.
I little hint- I rang the drug companies in NZ asking for donations, even out of date stuff but they couldn't help out due to laws but then one lady rang back and said they could give me damaged stock and she sent me a huge bow of Vermox and Immodium. So kind. Anyway- it was no problem getting it through customs- I just explained what it was for.
Got Putu to take the Girls out to the Ubud markets another day and he took us sight seeing around Bali afterwards to kill time :O) We all had a good laugh- he is a great guy. I also gave him our infant carseat so if anyone needs a driver with an infant carseat- he is your man! If anyone would like his email, just ask.
The last night there we went down to Kuta beach and took part in the release of baby green turtles which was so cool.
The footpaths have been improved loads as well as the sewerage since we were last so that is also a bonus. The Balinese are all as lovely as ever and love to chat about the kids. I shouldn't have worried about taking the kids as they were great and enjoyed themselves.
Did all the complusory shopping and had fun especially since the exchange rate was good and dare I say it, I even bought some money home!
Love Bali and will be back again... our 3 year old keeps asking when we are going back and if we can go next week- I wish! :O)