Hi All,
Well we are finally settled back home after 6 weeks in Bali. The time seemed to go so fast. When you start it seems like you have forever and then all of a sudden you are trying to work out how to get all that stuff you bought to fit in the bags and still weigh the right amount.
We stayed at Garden View Cottages in Legian. It is in a good location for us and is priced right for us to have a long holiday. For the first two weeks there was my husband and 2 boys (7 and 15) and myself. They did heaps of swimming and touring around on bikes with friends. We went to the zoo and waterbom park, Bali Hai day trip and did heaps of shopping. Had heaps of great meals and can't think of anywhere we would not eat again. The dollar was up and down for the whole 6 weeks.
I had my prescription glasses done again cheap in Denpasar. We also bought I Phones before we left that were supposed to be unlocked but were not. We went to the I Shop in Kuta and they unlocked them and downloaded up to 60 games on each for about $30.00 each phone. They also loaded my sons ipod touch up with about 60 games appropriate to his age for $30 as well. We did most of our clothes shopping at Ketuts in Garlic Lane and bought too many pairs of shoes at Matahari.
The next four weeks was just myself and the 7 year old. We did heaps of relaxing and shopping. Took him snorkeling a few times out to Serangan beach. He loved it out there as the water is calm and easy for him just to float around close to shore. We also went to the Turtle Conservation out at Serangan. We love going there at this time of year as the new turtles are hatching. I am hoping to be there next year when they do the release of the turtles.
We had different friends come and go while we were there. This keeps you going as everyone has different likes and dislikes and you get to see and do new things. One girlfriend had prebooked her baby hire needs and a few trips before leaving home with a local tour group, Whatever Bali Tours. She said at the airport they had a large sign with her name which made it easy and they had a flower necklace for them all. When they got to the car they also got cold refresher towels, which after getting throught the airport with a baby in the heat was fantastic she said. She was very happy with the baby items as they were all like brand new and they had an esky with ice each time in the car to keep the bottles and food in and had a clean babyseat in the car. Earlier in the year she said the other group she used, the items were a bit grotty. She also got a free massage voucher for booking before she left home.
With my friends Chris and Nanna we ate at the new local seafood restaurant that is up near Jln Iman Bonjol. It has huts over the water and there are heaps of fish in the water that you can feed. For those that cant sit on the floor with legs crossed to eat they had hut with the floor cut out under the table so you could dangle your legs down towards the water. It is a seafood only restaurant but the prices are quiet good. They had a Guest board to sign and Danny DeVito had been there in the few days before us. We did not know any of the other names on there and they did not believe that any of us were famous so we could not sign.
We also went out to Echo beach for dinner, it was vey sad to see the developments that are happening around the restaurants there. But as usual it was a great night out. Another favourite seafood restaurant is Baruna, which is almost opposite Carefour. Great local restauant and the prices are fantastic.
This is the first time that we have gone shopping in the Local tourist shops. They are like big factory shops and the prices were great. But a bit overwhelming when 5 or 6 buses of Javanese tourist turn up at once. It got like a boxing day sale.
With my parents we went up to Ubud for the day. Mr 7 wanted to see the monkeys so our driver took him down into the forest area. I think they are becoming more agressive and we watched a few ripping plastic off bags on the back of a parked motorbike to get to the clothing inside. One of the bannana sellers chased them with a stick and the others used sling shots on them. We went to the markets and then to Kampung Cafe for lunch. They make a great Chicken and Mushroom and the view is fantastic looking over the rice terraces.
Well That is about it.....
We had a great time and are waiting for next years fares to be released...
Tassie Smiles {*_*}
Janelle