Thur 5/6 - Driver was there to collect us at 10am. On the way to Nusa Dua we dropped off our laundry down the road.
Took ~20mins to get to Nusa Dua sports beach. Don't know if there is more than one area but he went down a lane and parked and we came out on the beach near a ?resaurant and some tables, chairs, cabana on the beach. We were shown a 'menu' of what we could do. We were not going to bother with any boat rides or Turtle Island or anything. Just couldn't face it with the little ones. There were certainly options for these things but I really didn't take notice of prices as I wasn't interested. The boys decided they wanted to Para sail, Jetski and Flyfish (my husband was dying to do this as we took a drive out here last year - only took 14mth old with us last trip and saw it then). 'Menu' said Para sail $25US ea, Jetski $30US - 15mins, Flyfish $30US ea. They gave it to us for: $12US ea to para sail, $20US for jetski and fly fish. Don't know if it could have been bargained down more but we were happy.
By 10.30am it was already really busy out here. Next time I would definitely be getting there alot earlier. It was pretty disorganised and there didn't seem to be any order to anything. They were told to line up for para sail first. Now many probably won't agree with us but we let the 4yr old go up para sailing. He was desperate to do it and I asked the man and they said he would go up with one of the instructors - I figured he was as safe with one of them than the others going by themselves. He had an absolute blast!! I was of course much happier when he was back on the ground. You should have seen the joy on his face though. Braver than me - no way was I going up there.
They went to do the jetski and flyfish from there (not the 4yr old). This is when the disorganisation started. They probably waited over an hour being told it wouldn't be long. Finally they got on the jetski. After that we were waiting for the fly fish ride. First they were told only 4 in front next thing it turned into 14, a tour group was going first. We'd bought the tickets over 2 hours ago same as another couple of guys and we're now being told it would be at least another 2 hours. Everyone had had enough at this point so went back and the guys all got a refund for the fly fish. Hubby was disappointed as this was the one thing he'd wanted to do. Next time I would get there earlier and do it first. Oh well! We headed back to the hotel at ~ 1.30pm.
Walked down to Matahari this afternoon. There is a Gloria Jeans just opened down there on the corner near the supermarket entrance which is great for those who love their coffee. 24k + tax and they do free baby cinos like they do here in Aus.
Organised driver out front of BGH to take us to safari park tomorrow. Had found a few options to get there. One guy at a tourist booth had free transport, you caught it across the road from BGH behind the slingshot. Another guy down the way was going to organise it for 175k rtn but as I didn't know whether it had seatbelts I wasn't going to commit to that. In the end we organised our own as I wanted the freedom with the kids to do what I needed to and leave when we were ready. Checked out the cars and got one with seatbelts in the back and he agreed to 200K rtn. We organised pick up for 8.30am.
Dinner tonight was at the Japanese restaurant at the hotel, Ryoshi. We don't normally eat Japanese but it was very nice for a change and the food was really good. They had crispy chicken on the menu which was like KFC so the littlies had that with rice. Very nice food and good service. 270k so it was pretty cheap I thought.
Fri 6/6 - SAFARI PARK - Picked up at 8.30am as organised. Turned out it was this guys first day driving which I could tell. Perhaps a little too safe as there was nearly a couple of accidents from driving a little slow and cautious.
Drive out to park takes about 50mins - 1hr, if you don't get lost! He didn't know exactly where it was and I saw the sign as we passed but he didn't believe me? Finally MADE my husband turn him around and sure enough there it was back 10kms or so. It is very well sign-posted. Hard to miss. We finally arrived ~ 9.45pm.
$25US/235K rp ea and they don't charge under 3's. This included admission, safari tram tour x 2, waterpark and funzone entry and 1 photo voucher with an animal. You can then buy additional tickets in the park. Pony/camel rides 20k ea, Elephant trek 100k ea, additional photo vouchers for animals (and you will need them!) 20k per pose.
Off we went. What an amazing place. Took safari bus into park up to main complex. Really friendly guides everywhere offering help where to go. Saw a leopard enclosure first. He was lying up in the tree hanging over a branch. Sure, he doesn't move much but still amazing to see, really pretty. Went on and boys went on a pony ride. Not the most docile pony I've seen but they stayed on. After we finished there the keeper was just bringing through the baby orangutan, georgous! Photos were just over the bridge from the pony. What a lovely thing she was, jumping all around. 14yr old spilt some coke on the step and she was straight over licking it up. Everyone got to hold her. The 2yr old had an animal backpack walking harness on. She was fascinated by it. Was trying to get the dog off his back, was quite determined too. She then took the hand loop strap and had her lips poking through it-hilarious. Course hubby didn't get that on film did he.
There were animal shows on too. Animal show at 11.15 and elephant show at 11.45 I think. We didn't go to either. There's no way my kids would sit still that long and we wanted to get ahead of the crowd. We seemed to time getting here pretty well and stayed ahead of all the crowds. Some of the tours don't leave Kuta till 9.30am I think. We got to spend at least 15mins with each of the animals, there were much bigger crowds when I passed through later.
From here we walked along and came across a lion cub. Doesn't seem to really be sign posted you just come across it. The guides are very helpful though. He was quite a big cub and took a liking to the 2yr old over the rope. When the 4 yr old went round and patted him and sat and had a photo the cub is nicely looking forward and is quite docile but this is because he was licking his lips and staring intently at the 2yr old. When he came round for his photo the cub got quite fiesty (nothing drugged about this guy) and was swinging round trying to ?chew on the 2yr old. The keeper had quite a job trying to keep him under control. He quietened down when I put Lachie on my lap at the keepers suggestion. Must of realised he'd have to get past me to eat Lachie!! Does make you think that this is probably why they do have an age limit of about 8 or 12yrs to go in with the cubs at Dreamworld or Australia zoo though and they charge AU$75-$100 for the privlege. We did the tiger walk at Dreamworld and it cost $600. It's just amazing that you can do it here and get photos for about $2.30!!
From here we went and saw the tiger cubs. There were two and they were beautiful. I don't think they were drugged. They were only 2 months old so just babies and cats sleep most of the time anyway. We had at least 15mins alone with them, maybe more, before anyone came along.
Next hubby and the two littlies went on an elephant ride. I've been on one before and not something I ever need to do again! 100k ea, they didn't charge for the 2yr old which was really good of them, I was quite happy to pay for him. Went for about 10mins or so - they say 10 - 15 mins.
Next we went on the Safari Tour - only 1 other couple on our bus, everyone else was at the elephant show. Went for about 1/2hr and was pretty good. Saw lots of animals. Don't know if I'd bother doing it twice - not with my kids anyway. Passing the other buses at the other end on our way out they were packed to the rafters so glad we went when we did!
We went and had lunch after this at the Uma restaurant near the water playground. Had read on BTF that it was a lot cheaper than the one overlooking the lions. Good selection of food very reasonably priced with something for everyone - 260k. Whilst I was apparently collecting our stuff together they brought the elephants through the park and the guys all got to pat them and have a photo outside.
The kids then played at the water park for an hour or so. There is an adult sized pool there, I'd got the impression it was only a kids water park so didn't take my bathers but could have done with a refreshing swim. We decided to give the rides a miss as it was past the 2yr olds nap time.
On the way out a keeper had a white ?galah and the kids got to hold him and have photos. We left at 3pm and headed back to Kuta arriving at 4pm. It was a really great day and not to be missed. You could definitely spend longer there if you wanted.
After we got back I went across to Waterbom to check if I could book cabana for tomorrow, even though I knew we couldn't. He said no, only Mon - Fri and he explained that it was very busy there on a weekend. Decided to give weekend a miss even though I hadn't really wanted to do it on our last full day on Monday. They let me book the cabana then for Monday though so I reserved #25 again.
Back for a swim then we went down to Mini Seafood for dinner, just past the Dynasty. Lovely meal of lobster, crab and prawns. 850k so again, not cheap but very nice. Kids were even on best behaviour too so that was nice.
Over 1/2 our holiday gone now so that's a bit sad. More later...