We have back now for about a week and are going through the standard withdrawal symptoms that all bali travellers get. I can no longer bargain for 'that' top I want in the shop. I say 'pagi' to my work colleagues in the morning and they give me blank stares. I no longer have to look where I'm walking along a footpath. I can't have a Bintang with my lunch or order 'Gordon Blue' (Cordon Bleu). But, alas, not to worry, we will be returning in 6 months again.
We flew with Air Asia (was supposed to have been Indojet for which I'm still waiting $3,000 refund) which i have no regrets at all. We left on time, arrived on time, service was friendly and helpful, seats were comfortable but as previously mentioned on this website the seats are close together. We are shortish ppl so it really wasn't a problem for us. The only negative I have to say is that Air Asia offer online check-in which we thought we would do to save some time at Perth Airport but this line took longer than the regular check-in line, so next time I will just have out seats pre-allocated only and check-in when we get to the airport.
We have stayed previously at White Rose, Rama Beach, BGH but as we always stay somewhere different each time, we stayed at Kuta Seaview Resort for half and Legian Beach Hotel for the second half of our holiday. Couldn't fault Kuta Seaview really. Rooms were clean, bathroom was clean and fresh, aircon cold, staff very friendly, breakfast exceptional (yummy pastries). We are a family of 4 (2 adults 2 children) and because our daughter is 13 now we had to take two rooms which were next door to each other as requested. If I was to have a negative it would be that there is only one pool, which isn't that big but now I am being very picky. The second half we stayed at Legian Beach Hotel and have high commendations for. We told a little white lie here and said our daughter was only 12 and booked a family room. As they were fully booked they upgraded us to the deluxe family room opposed to the superior family room. Rooms were fresh, clean, bathroom had been renovated not too long ago. The staff were very helpful and friendly, couldn't have done more for us if they tried. Breakfast was lovely with different foods to offer each day. Even tho the resort was full, you could still get a seat around the pool and on the whole the resort didn't seem overcrowded. Would stay at either of these resorts again.
We arrived the day before the AFL grand final, so we planned to meet up with some friends and watch it at the Stadium but by the time we got there, they were full. So we retreated to the Melasti Restaurant and watch it there. No tables were available but they happily offered to bring in more tables but as we weren't eating we sat up on the stage and got a birds eye view of the match. We felt like VIPS! In retrospect I'm glad we went there as it wasn't too yobboish. The staff handled the extra guests with smiles and plenty of cold bintang. I'm sure they also enjoyed the extra income.
Did the usual Waterbom Park with the kids, shopping at Miss Debbies. Did notice that it was a bit more expensive, harder to bargain this time. Mind you we are only talking $1 here and there, but it does add up when you are buying for a teenager and a 11 year old boy. I bought a 'pandora' bracelet, got caught out with the charms being promised that they are solid silver but unfortunately they were not. Some were, I ended getting glass style charms and bought them from the souvenier section at Centro for 29,900 each instead. We went with our friends (The Bali 10) to the Bali Safari Park which was brilliant, I think $35USD each entrance. The park is very well done, you get heaps of photo opportunities on the safari and able to get close to the animals. I was quite impressed. The elephant show was short but emphasised conservation and working together with the elephants in their natural environment. Again, we had a photo opportunity with the elephants after the show. We all got pics with Effie the baby orangutang and the baby lion cub. The white tigers were very active that day as well. The water park at the end of the day was very welcomed before we returned to Kuta.
Husband and son did the mountain bike ride which they raved about when they returned. The rolled down hill for about 40kms with their hands on the brakes. They had to cycle or walk up a few step hills but enjoyed every minute of it. They were taken through a traditional village house, showing them how Balinese live which was a bit of an eye opener for our son I think. They had the time to take in the beautiful scenery and beautiful people along the way.
We had a few sunsets at Eddy's Bar out front of the Inna as well as Sudra's Bar out front of LBH. It's good to see they now stock Mix Max's at their bars now for when you forget to bring your duty free vodka or need a break from Bintang.
Had meals at Gosha, Poppies, Kori's, Warung 96, Ours, MunchInn, Sheppy's, Uncle Norms, TJ's (twice), Ratu, Minis (twice), can't think of the name but the warung next door to Warung 96, plus a few more but just can't remember the names now. All were good!
They are redoing the footpaths along JL Melasti at the moment so you need to look where you're walking as they haven't covered the drains yet, I'm sure they will get there eventually. The footpath on the beach side of JL Pantai in front of Hard Rock up to Kuta Seaview is also being relayed. It certainly is making the foreshore area neater. Also JL Legian up Melasti and Padma area is being redone on both sides of the road which makes it difficult to walk. But hey, what can you say, except 'it's Bali'.
Checked out the copy Nikes and Addidas but as both of my kids have feet problem and the support is not the same as real ones, we gave them a miss. We went to the warehouse at the top of Discovery centre to look for sports shoes for the the kids but there wasn't much of a range for them. We decided to wait until we got home and go to Jim Kidd's.
While my daughter and I had manicures, pedicures, facials, massages etc, my husband and son went boogy boarding on Kuta Beach. Hubby took his own flippers to make it easier for paddling. It was cheap enough to hire a boogy board, so didn't bother taking his own.
We took advantage of the Prada Lounge at the Airport. 100,000rp each adult and free for the kids. It was comfortable for the hour and a half we had to wait while waiting to board our return flight. This was the first time we have done this and will do it again next time.
Airport security was spot on at Denapasar Airport, Even had our hand luggage scanned and separately searched before going into the waiting lounge. Took a little waiting time while they did this but I don't complain as I know the plane is safe.
As always, enjoyed Bali, loved the Balinese and look forward to returning again in April.
Thanks for reading