JBR - Xmas/New Year
Headed off for our second christmas in Bali for a 3 week trip - and had a wonderful time!
Treated ourselves to Business Class with Garuda for the family - myself, hubby and 16yr old daughter - as our christmas pressie. It was the best way to begin and finish our holiday. We had one of the new planes to and from Perth and the service was faultless. Arrived on 23rd December and ours was the only plane at that time (had tossed up about VIP VOA but decided against it) and was glad as we were through customs and in a taxi within 15mins. It did help being first off the plane - and we were the first through customs - but everyone was moving smoothly through behind us.
We stayed for the first 2 weeks at the Bali Garden Hotel. We had stayed here 3 years ago and we hated it - wanted to change hotels within 10 mins of arriving but stuck it out and swore never to stay there again. But, after going to Bali in November and checking out the accommodation we had booked at Breezes in Seminyak and knowing that wasnt for us - I convinced my family to come look at the renovations at BGH (which I had checked out on a previous trip) and that with the fabulous new pool areas we could get by with the rooms. They were very accommodating and we had no problems with the interconnecting rooms arranged as our daughter had her own room and there was concern that they may not be able to be interconnecting rooms. We were on the 3rd floor and our two rooms were the only two in our section so very private and looked out over the gardens. Loved the SPA pool area - we were often the only ones there and we appreciated that the staff enforced the "no kids"policy which made it very relaxing. Ate many times at the Boardwalk Cafe within BGH and meals were great. Staff were all lovely and we will happily stay there again. Location is fantastic - New Years Eve we spent out the front on the beach with the thousands of others and watched endless fireworks - was a wonderful experience. We had received many messages from friends in Australia about the travel warnings in Bali - but as usual we just relaxed and enjoyed and at no time did we feel worried or threatened at all.
The last week we moved over to Novotel Nusa Dua and stayed in a two bedroom apartment through our Accor Premier Vacation Club (timeshare). We absolutely loved the apartment and the hotel and will be going back many times. Could not fault the apartment - it was huge with two bedrooms and two bathrooms a living area with a sofa bed - full dining area and a kitchen that had a full sized fridge and stove. There were two large flat screen TV's and DVD player and every mod con we needed. The quality was excellent and we were lucky enough to have one with our own plunge pool and it was heaven. Pool area was fabulous and no problems getting a pool lounge. All meals we had at hotel were good. It was our first time out of 15 odd trips to Bali that we have been to Nusa Dua and we really enjoyed it. But, quite a few evenings we did taxi back over to Kuta to catch up with friends and it was no real hassle. Took between 20 - 30 mins depending on traffic and was usually around 80,000rp for the trip one way. I found the return trip back a good tip to get a sleep after a big night out!
My hubby finally got to play golf for the first time in Bali - and had a fabulous day at the Kuta Golf Course - and he and his friend came home as member of the Raffles Golf Club. We are going back in March so he is looking forward to playing again then - and am sure he will use it as an excuse to go a few more times now!!
Wont go into detail about the eating and shopping - all very good as usual. People ask why we keep going back to Bali - and it is simply because we always have a fabulous holiday and it is so easy to travel there from Perth.
Any questions - please ask.
Cheers