Firstly I would like to thank everyone who read my daughters (TylahT) JBR and for their positive comments.
Twelve of us (6 adults and 6 kids) flew Garuda on time and excellent service. I think the cabin crew do a fabulous job dealing with everyone, a plane load of excited Aussies can be a hand ful!!
My hubby and I had explained to our children (8 and 11) that they would need to be very patient at the airport as sometimes there are long queues so we were pleasantly surprised to have cleared immigration very quickly, under 20 mins I reckon, and in fact had to wait for our bags to come of the carousal in customs. No chalk marks so out very quickly, took a deep breath and smelt that Bali smell and felt the stress just leave my body!!! My kids were a bit awestruck as were the virgin family travelling with us.
Quick negotiation with driver and off we head to Bali Garden Beach Resort. Kids had worn there swimmers under tracksuits on the plane so hubby took them off to check out the pool area while I was left to check in. Reception staff fabulous!! I was a bit nervous as I had booked mine and one other families accomodation on line direct with hotel, but no problems except for the shabby room I was givn but more on this later.
Quickly chuck bags in room and go to see how kids are doing...I see this little boy run up to me in flouro DC boardies and white sunnies and a huge smile. Oh...it's my son!! This would be an indication of how much my son (G) would take to Bali and Bali to him...My daughter (T) had the sunnies on and a huge smile as well! One of the best parts of this trip for me was watching my kids fall in love with Bali and embracing it all.
This was my second trip to Bali and had stayed at Bali Garden (BGH) before. I was very impressed with the beach works and how they had raised the level of the sand to the boardwalk - fantastic. Good to see Rick had re aquainted himself with the beach sellers next to the resort. All great people but by the end of 2 weeks I was over being harrassed (maybe too strong a word)by them every time I would walk past or be sitting at the beach bar. Hubby reckons it's because they know I'm a soft touch!! Hubby(R) had massage there nearly everyday. Tommy who sells the hats joined our gang - he even came to my wedding and would take us on quick trips like to Matahari's or our favorite beach bar on his motor bike / scooter. They are lovely people but just get a little tiresome!!
Now back to the rooms- in my haste to get back to my family after checking in I didn't pay much attention to room except to note that it was a little smaller than the other families room. On closer inspection i noticed it didn't have a large fridge and no water cooler as promised in emails. The drawers, if they opened at all, practically fell to bits and there was only one power point for me to use which didn't look so safe. Having previously stayed here I didn't have high expectaions re the rooms but this was not on and as my friends had a great room I knew they could do better!! (They were all family rooms). I explained my dilemma to reception staff. "we fix, we fix". Next day no fix but not stressed about it yet, see them at reception, explain that I'm not happy with room again. Same response "we fix, we fix". Next day stress levels rising as I'm getting married in a few days and definately need somewhere to plug in my hair straightner, not to mention my daughter is being eaten alive by mossies and need a plug for the mossie repellent thingy. I say to hubby "no more Mrs nice guy" and go to reception. Explain that I'm very unhappy and they tell me "no worries - we have new room for you" Go and have a look and it was much better, roomier and had all that was promised and an impressive row of power points (4, I think!!)The original room was 107 so avoid this room at all costs and the new room was 102. It did back out onto the carpark / street but had no problem with noise and I could just stick my head over the fence to tell my preferred driver how long I would be!! So apart from the initial problem with the room, I love BGH, the hotel staff and pool staff are the best and I'm a big wrap for the boardwalk cafe and the location.
Our initial reason for returning to Bali was to get married. Hubby and I have been together for 13 years and have 2 children so we wanted something special for us and Bali was it. I organised all the legalities through Bali weddings International and am so impressed with them. Very professional from first contact through to actual ceremony. I found the whole process relatively stress free. I had seen a few weddings at BGH the previous year so knew exactly what I wanted. Sari who is the PR lady at BGH does an amazing job and also thanks to Nyomen, the boardwalk manager for the sumptious wedding buffet he organised and the fireworks!! My wedding day was perfect - I really wouldn't have changed a thing - my son gave me away and my daughter was my brides 'mate'. (see her JBR for this!!)Some friends had travelled from Australia which meant so much to me. All together about 20 guests. I must say that I had a perfect Bali sunset for the wedding. It poured for about 2 hours two nights before the wedding and overcast a few other evenings but Bali turned on its magic for me!! A day to remember and cherish for ever. Two funny anectodes about the wedding which I think sum up the Bali experience:
As I stated Nyomen had organised fireworks but told us when polisi showed up we would need to make a bribe, perhaps 10 000 - 20 000 each copper. No worries (seng ken ken). Fireworks start and in the blink of an eye 4 polisi appear - I'm oohing and ahhing with guests over fabulous display so hubby dealt with it. As we had a bit off food left over from the sumptious buffet he arranged for the all to have a meal and a bintang each for the bribe!! Ha1 Ha! only in Bali!
I organised a wedding cake through breadtalk. (Love this place) and wrote on a piece of paper what I wanted written on the cake - "Rick and Cathy" and drew 2 love hearts. Hubby's job to pick up cake, being a man doesn't check it...Luckily my bridesmaid went down to see how things were going and checked the cake..."HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICK AND CATHY" How funny - hubby wants me not to worry so runs back to breadtalk and fixes...Only in Bali!!
Well with the wedding out of the way I can really get into my holiday...more soon