Hi everyone, just thought i would post my report on my first time experiences in Bali.
Well in a nutshell i loved loved loved it and cant wait to go back.
We arrived at the airport at around 5am for our 7.15am flight with Garuda and had no issues except i was frisked and my hubby scanned. Bear in mind i have never travelled overseas so everything was new to me. Did some shopping in the duty free to help while away the time and then we boarded the plane which was on time.
Flight unevenfull and arrived on time in Bali.Went through VOA without a problem there were around 4 people working on the desks but we got the slow one .
Then it was through customs, one of our bags had the cross on it which i expected but unlike the rest of the group travelling with us we got singled out because we had rice and popcorn in there. We had been told that they dont care what you bring in but in this case they did.After a bit of grovelling and chatting the customs officer told hubby that it would cost $20 Aussie for it to go through which hubby paid but that is the last time i take any food over for anyone!!.
Met our drivers at the enterance and made our way to our first hotel of the trip which was the Melasti in Legain. Everybody had been telling me how scary the first trip would be because of the way they drive/ride but maybe it was the xanax because i was in awe but i certainly wasnt scared lol.
Checked into our rooms with no problem and was very impressed with them, we ordered the deluxe rooms,one for us and one for our two teenage boys. Our room was massive,bigger than the other deluxe rooms for some reason but i wasnt complaining Found the staff very helpful and the food whilst a bit monotenous was good and reasonalby priced.Would i stay there again YES.
During our 10 days at the Melasti we did all the usual shopping around the area and hubby went to Buddy Marleys and got the first of his chest tattoos, he got a massive Koi and it looks fantastic.
We went to Safari Park on day 4 and that was a great experience,wouldent do it again but i reallly enjoyed it and glad i went.
Day 5 hubby,kids and i left our group and went to Waterbom Park which was fun, i thought it was a bit overpriced considering we had to pay as 4 adults but still a good day was had.
Os and rest of the male group went quad bike riding on day 7 and had a great time, hubby was meant to go but pinched a nerve in his back so was laid up for the day.
I spent a lot of time at the Melasti spa and had many various treatments done which i loved.I recommend it to anyone.
We mainly shopped at the local vendors but we did go to Geneva which is massive and full of knick knaks.
We ate at the following restaruants,
The Flying Piano which was quite good and worth the money.
Zanibars which is on the boardwalk which i had heard great reports about but i wasnt too fussed with.It was ok.
Bubba Gumps which i didnt go to the first time but rest of family did. I had a funny tummy that day but i went with our friends on the second half of the holiday.
Bella Rosa in the Padma. We went here twice and though it is expensive by Bali standards it is so worth the money.The food is amazing and so is the service.The second time we went hubbys uncle paid for all of us
The time fly by and before we knew it it was time for the family and our kids to leave.They left on the Monday 14th and we packed up and moved to our next destination the Kartika for 5 nights with our friends 2 couples who had arrived a few days earlier.
Will post more on the second half soon.