Have just retured from yet another magical trip to Bali, our 9th trip so far!!!. After leaving the cold wet pouring city of Perth early on Friday morning we arrived in Bali around 11.30 to a beautiful sunny 32 degree day. Going through customs is so quick and easy even though we are a family of 5 although we did get stopped and questioned about how much grog we had, which was within the limits. the customs guy then picked out one of our suitcases (third one deep) and asked me to open it. We has a bottle of the raspberry syrup in it which had obviously been xrayed and they thought it was another bottle !!!!, was quickly sent on our way although I think he thought he was in for a cashie!!!!(lol) Arrived at our hotel being the Novotel Nusa Dua. Now let me tell you we only changed hotels two weeks before we left as I was very unsure about going so thought that being away from the busy parts of Bali ie Kuta would be safer for my children, I will never stay in the Kuta area again. Nusa Dua is so much cleaner, cooler, no hawkers nagging you while you eat and just so much more pleasant. the only draw back is the travel if you want to do shopping but the Nusa markets arent so bad, and the trip is only 20 mins or so. We found the resturants to be really yummy tasted the best curry at the Tropical and the staff were amazing. We have two boys and a 9 month old daughter who the balinese just fell in love with so they just kept coming and taking her away from us for lots of cuddles.
I mainly shopped at the surf shops and since last time we were there a new Billabong 50% off shop has opened which I purchased many things from, although nothing for the baby or my 4 year old. I also shopped at Geneva for all your homewares which I also find is a fantastic place to go, for example beautiful chocolate coloured cushion covers for Rup 17,000 and I had got some from the markets and spent all that time haggling and paid Rup 25,000. table placemats Rup6,000each etc etc etc fixed price and a good place to go.
We enjoyed being a family by the pool or just walking along the beach, sitting back with a beer or ten and connecting in peace and quiet away from our very busy lives here at home.
The only time I felt uneasy about being in Bali was when our PM old Jonny arrived and he was staying at the hotel over the road from us, and there were many MP policeman arround, with guns and all so I did feel a bit nervous especially since he was the one telling us not to go to Bali.......Go figure and one money exchange guy at the Nusa markets who tried to rip us off rup200,000, I yelled at him that he was a very bad man, he p me off immensley.
All in all a great trip one that wasnt quite long enough but will be remenber for many years to come. I hope all of you who are just about to go will have as good a time as we did. Cheers