How sad I am to be writing this - it means that we are back in Melbourne and I so want to be back in Bali!
My husband, myself and the three kids aged 12, 11 and 8 left for Melbourne Airport on Friday the 21st of October. Two of the kids had never flown in a plane before and all 3 had never been overseas. The excitement was palpable and all were a bit nervous.
Left the car in Long Term parking and we got on the big bus. This was truly the beginning of our trip!
Boarded the plane with no problems, a bag each and a surfboard. Got two window seats and Garuda was fantastic. Great meals - we didn't do kids meals for the the kids and they were happy with all of the food, drink and movie.
Arrived in at Denpasar Airport around 4pm Bali time and paid TOO much for the VOA. Paid in Aussie dollars - $180.00 for all of us. I knew I should have taken US Dollars!! Other than that - no problems with customs although the line was big.
Tried to get a taxi to the BGH but everyone wanted to charge us 75,000rp or more citing the surfboard as the extra cost. We walked away from quite a few who didn't chase us down but we did end up getting it for 50,000rp - still too much I think but we were on our way!
My husband and I have been to Bali twice before. Last time was in 1990!! As soon as we were on the road - the smell of Bali hit me and I felt fantastic. I loved the fact that we were there...how different it looked already - much more built up than I remembered.
Kids were wide-eyed already with seeing all the scooters and motorbikes and from the smell and humidity.
Got to BGH no problems - settled into our Family Room that we loved...unpacked and went straight to the pool - bliss. Walked along the beach later and were inundated with sellers. The kids were very shy (for the first few days) with the locals but warmed to them quickly. Went out for dinner up to Kuta Square that night to a fab cheap meal - a small restaurant called Rest (and something else). Large Bintang was around 11,000 from memory.
Next day went down to breakfast and it was sooo yummy. The kids couldn't believe it. Pancakes all around for them with syrup. Lots of fresh fruit and croissants. Spent most of the morning in the pool, walked around the streets in the afternoon - kids saw their first beggar late that night (with a babe in arms and a small child sleeping on the footpath) and they didn't like that one bit.
Most of the days were spent doing much the same - eating, swimming, drinking, walking.
Went on a full day trip one day - up to Ubud and the Monkey Forest which was a highlight for all of us. Those monkeys are so fantastic to watch and the two youngest adored them. Spent a good two hours there. Drove to Mt Batur - husband and I loved the scenery - kids thought a volcano would have been much more fun! Also stopped at some rice terraces which we all loved and went for a walk through them. Went to a temple (can't remember which one now - will have to look it up!) were disappointed that we couldn't swim at the springs as they were 'repairing' them. Saw some fabulous sights and arrived home 10 hours later. Went for dinner and a late swim.
Another day, we went to Water Bom park and it is well worth it. As it is across the road from Bali Gardens Hotel, we came back for lunch and some Air Con and then went back. It was a blast. Happy Hour in there for the trampoline bungy jump thing for kids - normally 45,000rp up the road each - only cost 30,000 each between 12 and 1pm. They loved it.
Went for dinner one night to a little local place all had Nasi Goreng and more - a plate each, a drink and prawn crackers all for the princely sum of 54,000 (for 5 people!!) and we were full!
Another night went to the night market and ate some fabulous bbq fish plus nasi plus Bintang, plus Mee Goreng and were so full up we could barely walk back!
We ate at some flasher restaurants too - enjoyed all the food everywhere!
Kids couldn't believe how cheap ice creams were there - we had two a day...they loved that.
Middle boy and daughter had their hair plaited which they both didn't like much but it looked fantastic - worth the 40,000 each I reckon and I had a pedicure and toenails painted for the very first time in my life and loved it! Hot pink with flowers - sooooo special for me. Did it twice - once on the last day and they still look great now!
Husband went surfing at least 2 times a day - he loved it!
Bought lots of little presents from the beach vendors near our hotel - key rings (for all of the kids friends), necklaces for me and more.
Lucky enough to see a cremation too - the kids didn't like it but found it interesting.
Bought a PS2 console at Electronics City in Centro. Ended up getting it for 1,850,000 - this included the console (with a chip in it so it can play copied games/dvds) 2 controllers - one authentic, 8mb Memory card (authentic), fan and 10 games. Have put it away for Christmas and the kids are thrilled!
Ended up getting lots of DVD's and PS2 games - it was our major expense...
Booked out of our hotel on Saturday the 28th of October...left our bags there and went on a half day tour - took in another monkey forest which they all loved and Tanah Lot and the temple at Mengwi. Fabulous day!
Came back for dinner then went to the Bali Garden Hotel 'Departure Lounge' where you can have a shower and clean up.
Got our ride out to the Airport - in a van for 40,000rp. By this time it was 9.30pm...flight was leaving at 11.40pm. Went through check-in - very crowded and then up to wait. Suffice to say - there was a big delay and we did not start boarding until 12.35am!! Kids were tired as were we.
Once on the plane - husband went to sleep - we got a large meal which not many ate all of it - and then everyone went off to sleep (except me I think!) I just could not! Watched the movie instead...it was a good one...then tried to sleep - no deal...probably got 15 mins all of the trip which was a bummer.
Arrived in Sydney (for transit) but as we were late there was another plane parked in our parking spot so we had to wait around 40mins for that! So even later to get off the plane and waited in transit. Arrived in Melbourne 2 hours late and a bit tired. Went through customs as we had declared wood - all ok EXCEPT for a gorgeous photo album I had bought - made out of banana leaf (not good!) and wood with bark - it looked good but was a no go! Cost me 15,000 in Bali but I could get it treated for $30 AUD - I said no thanks and sorry. Customs guy was great!
Off to our car and home. Freezing here - 14 degrees! We all wanted to be back in Bali and I swear that we ALL thought it was our best family holiday ever!
Thanks for reading - bit boring compared to lots I know!
Kate