Ok here goes, we flew out of Sydney on Garuda on 4th November at 12.35 for our 2nd trip to Bali. Last year we went at the end of April and stayed at the Jayakarta for 8 days. We were happy with the Garuda flight and really enjoyed the Magnum mini's yummo. By we I mean myself, hubby Peter and 2 teenagers Aaron 17 and Ellie 15. Arrived to the the wonderful smells and heat of Bali, just love it. Our driver Rocky, collected us and then drove us approx. 1 hour to the Le Meridian at Tanah Lot. We booked this through Bartercard which we are members of and someone in Bartercard owns a 2 Bedroom resort house there so decided to give it a try. We arrived about 5 ish and could not believe ours eyes, this place is huge. We settled into our apartment overlooking the 12th fairway and ocean and decided to go for a walk and explore the place a bit. Gorgeous gardens and the most spectacular pools, 4 all together in tiers with 2 waterslides, waterfalls and a basketball hoop which proved to be great with the teenagers. Stunning sunsets over Tanah Lot Temple. We ate at the resort that night, way too expensive, but very nice and then walked back to our room and were greeted by a largish gecko on the bedroom wall which sent 15 year old girl into near hysterics. Locked Peter and Aaron in there and said not to come out until they got it outside ha ha it only took them about 10 minutes!!Then us girls were able to sleep peacefully. The apartment has a very nice balcony which we can sit on every morning and have our breakfast while watching the golfers. It is a 10 minute walk to the pools but we were here for 2 days before we realised we could get a car to come and get us if we wanted to. Each day we walked over to Tanah Lot to have lunch, the markets there are quite good. And at night we went over there as well for dinner which was also very good and crowded with everyone coming to dine with the sunset over the Temple. beautiful.. The surrounding area is very lush with lots of rice fields and mountains. On Monday we walked to the reception area to catch the shuttle into Kuta. As we left the room it was starting to rain a little bit but we thought we would be ok, its only a 10 minute walk (ha ha) but down the rain came, absolutely torrential so by the time we got to reception we were soaked so had to get a lift back and get changed and then go on the bus. That was some rain, never seen anything quite like it, but as it was hot, it was quite refreshing and we had a good giggle. Went into Kuta and did some shopping and had lunch. Bought a few Bintang singlets and Tshirts and stuff like that. There were a few tourists there but not many and business is very slow for them. Some of them were a bit not into it really and didn't even have the heart to chase us down the street while others did. Went back to resort, swimming and sunset dinner at Tanah Lot. Wednesday Rocky picked us up ant took us to Elephant place. It was great fun, we all loved it. Never been that close to an elephant before. We had a very good lunch there as well. Would definatley do that again. Back to resort, swimming and sunset dinner at Tanah Lot. Thursday myself and 2 kids went horse riding at Ganga Beach. We tried to go to Umalas but they wouldn't accept anyone over 80 kilos and hubby is 100 kilos. So we went to Ganga and he didn't end up coming anyway. This was definatley a high light of the trip. The horses were in fantatistic condition, they use them to play polo with on the beach at the weekends. They were very well behaved (as were the guides) and easy to ride. We rode along the beach and stopped at a bat cave and walked up a hill to look at a temple, then rode some more along the beach and then through some very deep water, up to the saddles, then through rice fields and villages and back along the beach and then to a restaurant for lunch. It was awesome, we got to see village life and they were all so friendly. This is a must do if you enjoy horse riding. Friday we moved to the Jayakart at Legian. The Le Meridian is very beautiful but we did not enjoy it completely, way too expensive as far as meals there and the fact that it is so isolated. There were no families there, mainly golfers. It just wasn't us!!!!!!!!!! We were much happier at the Jayakarta where we can just walk out of the resort and be in the middle of everything re shops and eats. We love the vibe of Legian and enjoy the beach hawkers, Wendy is always good to us and we always get our watches from Bob, and sunglasses from Robert. So Friday arrived and got 2 fantastic rooms in the 300 block, definately no more 10 minute walks to the pools. Went straight out into Legian and had lunch at Cafe Niluh, had yummy pizza. Did some shopping and swimming, went to Blue Ocean for dinner. Saturday we went and did some more shopping and had lunch at Joni's. Wow that was great, has anyone eaten there, it was sooooooo good. Sunday went to the Waterbom. We had not been there before. Although hubby had a case of Bali Belly we still had a great day. Loved the Boomerang ride and Ellie did the Euro bungy and rock climbing as well. Most nights we ate out along the beach at Zanzibar or Blue Ocean. Tried the new one there called the Seaside, it was very nice. Overall we had a fantastic holiday and were very happy with the activities we chose to do. As I said we all were much happier at the Jayakart and will stay there again next year, and we intend to take our older kids, 27 and 24 and 7 year old grand daughter with us. Pete did not enjoy Bali Belly and Ellie vomitted twice but recovered quickly, thanks to Imodium. Aaron had a temporary tattoo done that he had an allergic reaction to and so it got infected. OUCH, it is clearing up a bit now. Ellie had her braids done as well, they looked great. Oh I almost forgot, on Tuesday we took a trip to Dreamland Beach. Thought it was beautiful, but not really suitable for swimming, just for surfing, or maybe it was just us. But we still enjoyed the day. Left Bali on Wednesday night at 11.55pm and had to fly home via Melbourne to get to Sydney. That was a bit of a drag. Also was not impressed with Garuda on flight home. Arrived in Sydney to the coldest November day ever recorded and we are still in shock at the cool temps. Feels like we have gone from the tropics to the antartic bbrr!!!! I am sure my Bali tan will fade very quickly. Good thing we live near beaches and if the weather warms up soon may be able to top it up. Well I think that's it if I remember stuff I will add it in. Now just have to recover from Bali blues and start planning next trip......