What a week!
We had the best time. The first time we went we staying for 14 nights with our kids at the Dynasty and I have never been so stressed in my life.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing and if I had of known I would have gone on my own the first time around to get my bearings.
As any stressed out mother of 2 would first notice all I could think about was the machine gn strapped to a soldier and growling at my husband to stop my 9yo son from scaling the timber walls while we were having our passports stamped....
But this time I didn't even notice. I had learnt some Bahasa Bali so the porters I could deal with. (which the first time around was interesting as they got away with a 100K tip haha)
I wouls strongly suggest going to waterbomb for the young at heart. It was so fun!
YES THE BEST FROZEN MARGARITA IN BALI IS AT UN'S!!!!!! This is just off poppies 1. 5 star service on a Bali budget, need I say anymore?
We also ate at TJ's Mexican VERY GOOD also on Poppies 1.
I ate Mie Goreng every day. MMM MMM
I would highly reccomend the Safari park. Was excellent. There is an elephant ride there so if you are thinking of going to the elephant park up nar Ubud I wouldn't bother. They have an elephant show and stuff. It also has a waterpark for the kids and a pool for a few laps. They have bumper cars and a rollercoaster. The place is massive.
One thing I would ask is to consider is the Orangutans well being. She looked really sad when we were in line to get a photo with her and she was hiding. She was only a baby and didn't want to be there and we had a moral moment and decided not to do it. We wondered around for a while and spotted a cheetah with her trainer. She was gorgeous and the trainer allowed us to have a photo with her. Was such a better experience that with the Orangutan. The hippo's are impressive!
The Apache surfer bar on Jl. Legian has the BEST cover band. They were awesome and the bar has happy hour 2 for 1 from 7pm until 3am! Staff are fabulous.
We stayed at the Matahari Bungalow. Not for kids. It is a quiet hotel. We staed in a standard room. Room was clean and sheets and towels changed daily. Never had a problem with the safety deposit box in reception. Somehoe I think can be much safer than the digi in room safes as all the staff know how to get into those!
NO BEES IN MY DRINKS like at the Dynasty! Pool was great. Yes as I had read beforehand the tiles are a bit sharp in some spots and a couple of kids did cut their feet. But hey this is what a kid will do anywhere right?
We ate by the pool and they had the BEST mie goreng in Bali I think! Breakky was a bit hit and miss but we only ate there twice, first morning and last.
The Green Garden Hotle near the Dynasty I think had the best breakky. 30,000 IDR for all you can eat. Was great!
We had a steamboat at the Kartika Plaza hotel beachfront restaurant. was fab. all up our dinner plus spirit drinks and cocktails and "young coconut" cost about $50 AUD. As for DEDE. He is a lovely boy and was teaching me Balinese. He is a great waitier and is eager to learn about OZ.
to all newcomers.... try avoiding getting taxis everywhere. You miss so much. I know it is easier with the kids as I had found last time but if your are going solo or as a couple you will see so many wonderful things. We walked 5k's a day and many times along the same roads and always saw something new.
We made friends with a lovely soldier who patrolled Jl. Legian and we never felt unsafe. I tell you what... I would much rather see a truck load of soldiers drive past that a truck full o bodies because the soldiers weren't around.
Can't wait for next time and will be stying for more that just the 8 days!
OM SWASTI ASTU
Kath & Glen