Flew Garuda from Perth with the family and family friends arriving in Denpasar just before lunchtime. Dede from Creative Holidays was waiting outside the airport with an airconditioned mini bus that took us through to our hotel, The White Rose. On the drive you are instantly immersed into life on the island, sights, smells and culture.
Arrived at the hotel and greeted by friendly staff, and a refreshing drink and fresh cold towel. White Rose was a great set up for our group and service was good. Not spending alot of time, if any, in our rooms, they were sufficient, no real problems with getting a comfortable nights sleep whatsoever.
Once we got out of the little alley way we were onto Legian Street for our first walk around, what an experience! It took some getting used to, the way of life on these streets, walking past the many stalls with many locals coming up and following you around but it became a fun experience with many laughs had.
No problems with money changers. Ensure cash is counted to you into your hand and no probs.
Our holiday was a mixture of exploring the Kuta/Legian area shopping and relaxing on the beach or by the pool and bar and also exploring other parts of the island and embarking on several fun activities and tours.
Kuta Beach was close to us and overall a safe place for the family to swim or surf. Looking for surf, we found that and the Rip Curl Cup at Padang Padang. Surf was also great at Dream Land Beach, that was a great location.
We enjoyed a day to remember at Waterbomb Park from the unforgettable thrills of the Smashdown and the Boomerang, among others to the fantastic food, tropical surroundings and relaxation around the pool bar area.
We boarded the Fun Boat and were taken to the shallows surrounding beautiful Lembongan Island where we snorkelled, were towed on the banana boat and went on a little tour on the island itself. It was very hot on the island which gets little rain we were told. Went through a seaweed village and ended up in the pool looking over the bay at the Coconuts. Back on the boat for a great feast and back to Bali.
One huge highlight was White Water Rafting on the Telaga Waja. About 14 kilometers in all, 2 hours of some of the best fun I have had on water, highly recommended for the adventurous. It truly was also the most scenic experience on the island well worth the drive from Legian of over 1 hour.
We tried an array of restaurants in and around Poppies Lanes and went out to Jimbaran Bay for a seafood dinner. A group of musicians serended us as the sun went down on another magical day.
I recommend a trip to the large shopping complex, in particular the Carrefour store if you want an alternative to the markets on the streets. Matahari's are also good.
We found a tailor in Rochmans and had a few suits made to order which turned out to be one of the many fantastic bargains we encountered.
We had an absolute ball on our first holiday in Bali and have no hesistations in returing many times.
As it turned out, on the Garuda flight home only 5 of us out of the group of 9 could board the plane, a mix up which up to 40 people had no choice but to stay another day in Bali courtesy of the airline.
We did not arrive home together, but despite several minutes of turbulance over the Gascoyne/Mid West region, we were home safely.