Hello everyone, this is my first jbr so here goes! Myself, husband and three kids 10, 7 & 7 left Melb on June 15th flying Aust Airlines for 2 beautiful weeks in Bali. We didn't get off to a good start when Qantas rang the night before we left asking us to fly via Perth with a 4 hour stopover. I said no way (I mean that would waste almost a whole day in paradise). So we stayed on our proper flight, arrived, and straight through voa etc, it only took about 20 minutes fron the time we got off the plane until we had our bags and were out the door. Our driver was waiting for us, Ketut a lovely man, speaks good English and he actually lent us two really good surfboards for our two week stay.
We arrived at Mandira and were lying by the pool by about 1.30pm. Spent a few hours there, then off to change some money and it was upstairs to La Monde for our first beautiful meal.
We ate at different places nearly every night and couldn't fault the food at any restaurant at all. This was our third trip and kids first so the first few days were just an eye opener for them. We did the usual things, shopping, eating, drinking, swimming in the pool and sea, waterbom park (new slide boomerang was fantastic). I bought return tickets while we were there and we went back a second time, the kids had a ball (so did the big kids)!!!
Managed to find bread talk (after reading about it on this forum) and it was good as I'd read. Eyes were certainly too big for the belly but it was just hard to stop adding something else to the tray!
Our driver took us to Dreamland Beach for the day which was fantastic. We hadn't been there before and when we arrived on the cliffs where we parked the van, we were thinking where the hell are we? Anyway all our gear and boards were carried down all these steps and we were deposited on some lounge chairs on a really lovely beach. It was quiet when we arrived but by about lunchtime the beach was packed. The surf was huge the day we were there but the waves were dumping so we had heaps of fun there and the kids really enjoyed playing with the local children.
Another day trip was the elephant park which was expensive but worth every cent. The kids got to feed the elephants as soon as we arrived, then it was over to watch them perform. We then had about a 40minute ride through the jungle, coconut and banana trees. It was just beautiful. My husband and oldest son saw an extremely deadly snake (thats what they told us anyway) I just got to see enourmous spiders so that was enough for me.
We didn't do anymore day trips as this holiday was mainly about relaxation!! Did plenty of shopping. Had leather jacket and matching boots made and husband had motorbike pants and jacket made at French Leather in Garlic Lane. Quality is excellent and I certainly recommend Matt there. This was my fourh jacket and husbands second which we have had made there.
Kids had heaps of motorbike rides with friends we have gotten to know over the last few vists. I think that was the highlight of their holiday!!
This was our first stay at the Mandira and I would certainly stay there again. Great place for families and plenty of room for kids. Food and drinks around the pool was very reasonable and Billys Bar is straight out the front of the resort on the beach which we managed to frequent every day to watch the beautiful sunsets. The only downside to the Mandira was the family rooms don't have a balcony. But having said that I could easily put up with it if it means more spending money in my pocket. Mandira also has a resident photographer who took some beautiful family photos of us at 1/3 of the cost it would be at home.
We had a wonderful two weeks and could have stayed much longer, we had really settled in!! My husband filled in one of those dreaded surveys while there and as it turns out we have a weeks accommodation free down near Nusa Dua. This gives me reason to dream about next year, you've always got to have hope!!!
Hope I haven't rambled on too much and thanks for reading!!
Catherine