Just back from my third trip to Bali, my husbands fourth and our 3 month old daughters very first! A wonderful time was had by all.
We flew out of Melbourne on a very windy grey day, excited to be escaping the cold for almost two weeks, but apprehensive to be travelling with the baby and wondering how she would cope with it all. Garuda turned out to be ok, I don't think I would choose to fly with them again, but I don't think we had the option as really wanted to go direct, not sure if Qantas offer this service? Couple of disappointing things about Garuda, the headrests didn't have those side things that support your head whilst sleeping and no individual tv screens.
We did look into the VIP VOA but was advised by a frequent Bali traveler that it really wasn't worth it, so didn't do it, and queued for about 30 minutes to get the visa. There were a couple of flights landing at the same time but it wasn't as bad as we have heard that it can get. I must say though that even having a tired, hot baby strapped to me didn't stop people trying to push in front of me in the queue...
We didn't have a driver booked, we just got a Blue taxi from airport to the hotel. We had booked 12 nights at the Santika Premier from Asia rooms. It was either here or the Paradiso. We saved about $1500 on what travel agent had quoted by going through Asia Rooms.
Once we were checked in, room 176, we took ourselves off to the Sunset Restaurant for lunch of much craved for Nasi Goreng.
Santika was OK. We had stayed at Discovery a few years ago and loved it. The main reason being its location right on the beach. We have also stayed at Intercontinental Jimbaren and Le Meridien Tanah Lot and although those hotels are stunning, they are not located in ideal places for us, particularly this time with our baby and not wanting the cab it around too much. The Santika has three pools, the older pool must have been the original pool and when they added the rest of the hotel in, added the bigger pool in. the third pool belongs to the beach front villas and I don't think that you can use this pool if you are not staying in one of the villas. We spent most time around the older pool as this offered the most shade. The newer pool has hardly any shade, umbrellas yes, but just seemed to get more direct sun. The flooring also is VERY slippery and they really ought to do something about this before someone breaks their neck.
There is a smallish market in between the Santika and the Dynasty on the beach, selling all the usual stuff, we bought a couple of belts from Adam and some sunglasses here. The ladies doing the massages and nails seemed to start late in the day and finish early too.
We discovered a great shop for homewares on Samudra lane whilst checking out Ma Joly. Cant remember what it is called but has the most divine things and a couple of shops up they have a silver shop as well. Check it out, if you want some original pieces. Or in other words, some mass produced things that aren't in every other homewares shop in Kuta/Tuban area.
Didn't end up going to Ma Joly. Headed down there to have a look due to all the comments from the forum but didn't appeal to us at the time. We did have some good meals though and a couple of shockers.
The best would have to be in no particular order
Queens of India - outside Dynasty on Kartika Plaza. This was a fabulous place which we walked past a dozen times before getting the hint that maybe the reason why it was packed every night was because it was good! Great food and we recommend it to everyone.
Bubba Gumps - outside Waterbom park. Had to do it. We had a good meal there and the service was great. It is as it is.
Havana Club. Poppies 1. The best ribs ever. Better than Barbarinos back in the day and great atmosphere as well.
Blossom at Sentosa Villas in Seminyak. We had the degustation menu here. Was a very quiet night so lacked a bit of atmosphere but the service was very good and the food although on the small side was delicious.
Vino Rosso - opposite Kuta Beach. Really really good pasta and drinks here.
The shockers in no particular order
Il Cielo - Kartika Plaza. Not sure why it is recommended here so much. It was truly awful and basic basic food.
Boardwalk at the Bali Garden. Great views and for people watching pretty good but the food was below average here. Good location though.
Café Bali Seminyak - Looks very pretty but the food and the service left a lot to be desired.
Oceans 27. The worst of the lot. The worst service and I ordered the lobster which was at about $35 the most outrageous rip off of the holiday. It was little more than a King prawn. If you do go, great views, don't order the lobster!
Shopped at lot. Walked through Centro a couple of times but didn't like the feel of it, much prefer to get out in the lanes and little shops than an airconditioned shopping centre. Bought Chanel sunglasses and Gucci cufflinks at Bagus Watch, pretty good copies here. Would have bought a watch but they are not water resistant at all so I am told so didn't do it as never take my watch off.
My husband got two suits made at Emperor Tailor. If you need a tailor and are staying near the Centro, Emperor are right opposite and were fabulous. Hero and Ricky were so helpful and very kind and friendly to us. Ricky drove my husband to Alta Moda to buy fabric for his shirts. Really lovely guys.
Bought heaps of DVD's this time, usually we don't. Just got a couple each night, so far so good.
Travelling with the baby was good as well, we made sure she was covered up with a shade during the day if we were out and about and at night we covered the stroller with a mozzie net. No bites at all. The Balinese are beautiful people, I cant imagine any where else in the world where everyone, including young men would go gaga over a baby, but guaranteed everywhere we went they did. So much so that we had to put the shade over all the time to stop them touching her.
We were almost 20 kilos over and were dreading how much excess we would be charged but got away with it!
Did Prada Lounge at the airport, wasn't great but better than sitting at the gate for 2 hours.
Back to windy old Melbourne now, good to be home but am kind of wishing I was back strolling down the street in Bali getting offered ‘Billabong, Roxy, Pandora. Watches, Watches'
xxx