Well here goes, my very first JBR after 25+ trips to the Land of Smiles.
My 17yr old Niece (Elly) & I flew J* Melbourne - Denpasar via Darwin which was good as I had my son(Anth), daughter(Tammy) in law, step grandaughter 13yrs(Jess) and grandsons 8yrs(Corey) & 6yrs(Brodie) flying from Cairns - Darwin - Denpasar so we got to sit together once we met up. The kids were very excited about their big holiday. Last time Anth had been to Bali was about 19yrs ago, Big Changes - I had taken Jess and Corey 5 yrs ago when they were 7 & 3yrs old so no real memories.
Flight was good both there & back, no complaints, went through Visa and Customs in about 1 hour then out to look for our transport. Found them immediately then on our way to Kusnadi at about 10.30 on the Saturday night. Had promised the boys they could have a swim as soon as we arrived which they did however one lady came out of her room complaining about the noise which was a bit sad as they really wern't being noisy, but I guess you get that sometimes.
First couple of days we did very little so everyone could get used to changing money, the traffic, a bit of shopping and getting there bearings, although we did go for a look at Carrefor, their Bakery was great, stocked up on supplies for the next week or so.
Tuesday we had organized to do Watersports with Grumpy from Troppo Zone. Grumpy collected us from Kusnadi at 9am and trasported us to watersports, he negotiated our price which was 75,000rp for each of us to parasail, bananna boat or go to turtle island. We all had a go at para sailing and going to trutle island in the glass bottom boat and Tammy, Jess, Corey & Brodie all had a go at Bananna Boating, then we were taken back to our hotel.Gr8 time had by all.
Wednesday Elly, Jess, Corey, Brodie & I were picked up for the Bali Baik ride. Went to Volcano & Lake Batur for breakfast which was nice.Both the boys ride bikes in Australia however they are used to foot brakes and within 10 minutes of us starting I had to stop them from riding as the bikes only had hand breaks and being on the small side neither could manage the brakes properly. Boy were they disappointed but I figured mum & dad would like to get them back unhurt. The country side that we 3 girls rode through was just beautiful and after nearly 2 hrs we were at Wayan's home compound for lunch then back to our hotel. Good day.
Thurs spent swimming, shopping and relaxing. Elly & I finished most days with a 1 hour foot massage (50,000Rp) at the Luna Spa at 9 or 10pm as they are open till 11pm. What a find this place was, fell in love with it and also the girls their were lots of fun.
Friday was Waterbom Park - what can I say the kids had a ball and we spent all day there. From there we went to timezone at Discovery Mall, fun fun fun. Then I found Bread Talk - well between Bread Talk, Luna Spa & Starbucks or the Coffee Shop opposite Luna Spa I was in heaven.
Saturday was Grand Final day and we didn't have to leave our hotel, we watched the game in the restaurant, went in 2 sweeps one for 1st goal kicked 2nd for Norm smith medalist - Lucked out on both but it was a fun day and even better I am from Geelong & they won,(I follow for the Bombers though)but knew it would be good for my home town.
Sunday was relax & take it east again.
Monday was Elly's 18th birthday, Kusnadi organised a Birthday cake for Elly for me. I shouted Elly a Chocolate Scrub & massage that afternoon (heavenly).We planned for dinner at Poppies Restaurant, Elly's parents had dined there about 25 years ago when they were on their Honeymoon so it was a bit special for her then home and into the Birthday Cake which was Yummo!
Tuesday was relax, swim & shop again then,
Wednesday we left at 9am and headed to the safari Park. What an enjoyable day again going on the ride through the wild animals, seeing the lion cub & having pictures taken there and with Effie the Orangatang, feeding the Elephants and watching the shows. Unfortunately their was no Tiger Cub this year to pat. Did the waterpark & rides there also. Big Day but good once again.
Thurs, Frid & Sat spent shopping, having Nails done on the beach by WENDY for 50,000 all up fingers, toes with flowers near Jayakata entry on beach, relaxing & making the most of the last few Sunsets for this year as well as the foot massages. Most of our Shopping was done with Made at the Bali Shop in (Garlic Lane) or Jl. Saha Dewa fixed fair price. All DVD's bought have played perfect so far ;
All in All the 1st timers loved Bali and the rest of us have always loved the place. The friendliness of the staff at Kusnadi is amazing, Corey & Brodie did not want to leave the place.
FOOT NOTE : Warned Anth & Tammy to only catch Bluebird Taxi's & not to talk to the Time Share surveys. Unfortunately the 3 times they didn't catch Bluebird's they were taken the long way and Anth was upset by this. And "yes" you guessed it they talked to the Time Share only to get told in the end they probably weren't suited to time share as it is first oversees holiday they have had, what was 1 or 2 hours out of their day.
Am really excited as have just re booked with daughter, son in law & 2 grandaughters who I went with last year for next September. 46weeks & 3 days to go.
Maxy