Just returned from 11n away. Me, hubby, 3 & 6 yr old boys, our 16yr old son and his mate also came along for the first 7n. Still have only 1/2 unpacked but I'll do the JBR before finishing that job!
FLIGHTS OUT: We flew with AA on the Monday 5.25pm flight. Left 10mins early (much to the delight of Perth's AA ground crew who were trying to beat the 5.15pm Garuda out - we passed them on the way to the runway!) Had booked the front row for the four of us which was great, there was no-one in the other 2 seats (not much benefit as the arm rests don't go up but still good). I think there's plenty of room in the front row and then don't have to worry about the kids kicking the crap out of someone in front the whole way. Had forgot I'd ordered meals but these came and were fine, not great but not horrible either. Kids didn't mind the hotdogs.
On landing in Bali the hostie asked the kids if they'd like to go in the cockpit and meet the pilots which was great. They were very nice with the kids. Would have been stressed about getting to VOA before the crowd but as I'd booked VIPVOA the day before, no problem. Took our time and the kids loved it.
The other 2 boys flew out on the Virgin flight 2hrs later from Perth. (It was $400 cheaper so made it worth going on the later flight). They had no problems at either end despite my concerns and got themselves sorted.
VIPVOA: Booked again thru Dennis C and Murti. Used in November and decided at last minute to use again even tho we were in the front row. My kids and waiting in lines don't really mix! Breezed thru and on our way.
JAYAKARTA: Stayed the 1st 6n at a private apt at the Jayakarta. Lovely apt owned by Ray. Had bunk beds for the kids and separate bedroom for us. Only issue is it's on the 5th floor which is actually really high up, I felt dizzy looking over the (quite low!) balcony. We just made it a no-go zone. Didn't let the kids know there was a balcony. There was a lock high up (which my kids would be able to get to pretty easily if they wanted to) but I put black tape over it and never opened the doors whilst they were there. My husband said at least we'll be safe from a Tsunami up here. I said it's not that I'm worried about, it's the earthquake before the Tsunami! He reckoned we were still better off being on top - don't know about that!
Turns out there was an earthquake on the Friday am at about 3am!! Quite a big one too apparently. Tommy (from Tommy's) was telling us. People were talking about everything shaking. We never felt a thing - just as well I guess, I would REALLLLY have cra**ed myself.
I booked the boys a room in the hotel. This was basic but fine for them. Did smell a bit but I don't know if that was the room or the teenagers! B/F was included in the price of the room so that was one meal for the day I didn't have to pay for - teenagers eat a truck load!
RESTAURANTS (around there):
Lanai - (beachfront) for B/F. Good set B/F for 40k and other items. Good service.
Zanzibar - (beachfront) for B/F. Ok, but not as good as Lanai I think. Service was better this time.
Tommy's - (Rum Jungle Road) for B/F. Great as always. Very friendly service. Great menu choices and very cheap.
I took them some vegemite and maple syrup as per saronggirl's request on BTF (they were really good with our kids on a previous trip so was happy to do so). They were very grateful. I didn't expect nor want payment but she gave me the 3 juices for free. I gave them a big tip in exchange!
Teppanyaki (at Carrefour) - still good. Nice freshly prepared food. Very cheap.
Delicious Onion - (cnr Dhyana & Drupadi, Seminyak - next to Harmony Hotel I think, in Seminyak) for lunch. Maybe 50m up from the corner. Got a taxi to drop us off. Lovely place recommended from BTF. We were the only ones there (it was a late lunch and it is out of the way) but well worth the trip. Crispy roast pork, pork ribs, brownies - all to die for! All meals were lovely and very nice setting.
Biku - for high tea! (again!!) (Jalan Petitenget in Seminyak-Petitenget) Very nice again. Would definitely like to try for B/F or lunch as the menu looks delicious!
Yutz - (Rum Jungle Road) for dinner. Boys had steaks which they thought were good. Hubby and I both had a different fish and both a little unwell that night??
Mozarella - (Padma Street) Lives up to it's reputation on here. Lovely meal. I had a Mozarella Fruit Punch, non-alc, REALLY NICE! Food and atmosphere was lovely. Great with the kids. Extremely fast service.
Gosha - (Melasti Street) Very ordinary. Had read this was the place to go for chilli crabs and hadn't made it there the last few trips. Staff were nice but wish I hadn't bothered. Expensive and nothing to rave about. Much prefer Mini in Tuban for seafood. Haven't been anywhere else that's beaten there.
TJ's - (Poppies 1) Great meal again, not cheap though. A real mission to get there on the Saturday night. Traffic was at a standstill and we almost gave up but no way out at that stage, only forward!
THE ROCK BAR - (Ayana Resort in Jimbaran) Recommended here and our treat for the trip. Quite a mission to get there, the driver had to ask directions a couple of times and I ended up paying him nearly double what was agreed on. It's at the very far end of Jimbaran I think. SOOOOOOO WORTH THE TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!! A lovely place overhanging the ocean. You get down to the bar via a little 'railway' down the cliff face. It was really hot but the view amazing. One (VERY large) cocktail, 2 bali boutique beers and a small appetiser were ~350k. We got there about 5.15pm and got picked up at 6.15pm. Only thing I'd say is that the music was way too loud but it was still worth it. One of the best sunsets of the trip (not much cloud) so it worked out well.
Sharkey's - (Jimbaran Bay) had booked dinner here online before leaving. I think Jimbaran is over-rated but as we were at the Rock Bar I thought we'd stop for dinner there on the way back.
They offer free pick-up, which they did from the Rock Bar, and then if more than 4 pax it's free transfer home or for less it was 50k for t/fer to Legian. A nice meal of squid, clams and prawns. Very reasonable prices. A free pavlova dessert (my favourite!) is given which was a lovely touch.
MARA RIVER LODGE, SAFARI PARK - We then moved to here for 1n in a Kifaru room. I booked thru their website as this would allow me to book the 6 of us in the one room. Nice stay again (I've done a previous post about this and the new kids club they've got there).
Boys did the night tour with the zebra/lion feeding which they said was great. They also did the elephant back safari ride which they enjoyed. An elephant was brought to the lobby at dinner time.
Dinner was very expensive, $200AUD!, but we all ordered the expensive mains. You could do it cheaper if you order pasta or the like.
Had chicken noodle soup for lunch the next day (14k - stand near the animal show stage) Delicious and our fears about possible BB were unfounded. Should also have had it for lunch and dinner the night before.
B/F was very nice and the lions amazing. Make sure to get to B/F at 8am as this is when they let the lions out and it's the best time to see them before they move up to the rocks in the enclosure.
Next day, Monday, the boys went to the airport and we moved on to Ubud.
UBUD BUNGALOWS: Nice, fairly basic, very clean accommodation. Double bed and they put a double mattress on the floor for the 2 young boys. Smallish pool of course but perfectly adequate. B/F was served thru an arch near the pool. Interesting that you didn't get a choice it was just served to you. 1st day was a pancake, fruit plate, juice and coffee/tea. 2nd day was barely cooked toast/bread, sml serve scrambled eggs and the above. Basic but if you don't like it I guess you stay somewhere more expensive (this was 51US p/n) or you can go out for B/F.
RESTAURANTS (in Ubud):
Cinta Bar & Grill - (Monkey Forrest Rd) - Very nice dinner. Good atmosphere.
Three Monkeys - (M.F. Road) for lunch. Very nice but a little more $$$/upmarket than last time I think. Still good and would've liked to go again.
Indus - (?main road) just for a drink/snack. Usually go each trip just cause we like the view/setting. Had a taster plate which was nice. Would agree with a review here ?yesterday that the service and friendliness could perhaps do with some attention.
Now, we were supposed to stay in Ubud for 4n but by Wednesday morning we'd had enough. Despite preventative measures we were covered in tons of mossie bites. There were large biting ants everywhere, in the room and out of it! It was pretty damn hot and that day we were to move from our air/con room to a fan room (only one available). Decided stuff the cost we'll move. Deciding on Segara Village, Sanur or Dynasty. Chose Dynasty because of the kids activities/water slide there for our last two days. Flurry of activity, collecting laundry, checking out of hotel (they were ok about this) and arranging transport. I booked a room at Dynasty on-line thru their last minute reservations area. Kids suite with B/F 182US p/n. Alot I know but we'd just had enough at that point. We were all itchy, kids were so hot.
YAYASAN BUMI SEHAT (Birthing Clinic in Ubud) - On the way out of town we stopped here to drop off some donations of baby blankets/clothes and hats I'd brought with me. I purchased at Big W/Target but would almost certainly be cheaper in Bali I guess. Bit of a mission to find but our driver got there eventually. Spoke with a Canadian mid-wife in training who was volunteering there for 2mths. They offered a tour around which I would have liked but didn't want to risk it with my two terrors so we just talked for a few minutes then left. They have a wish list on their website and are grateful for anything you can give.
We would have liked to visit the orphanage in Amlapura that we went to in November to take them some groceries/goods but just couldn't tackle the long trip with the kids in the heat. If I knew a driver well enough I would have sent him up there with food/donations but we don't. Hopefully next trip when it's not so hot we can make it there again.
ON TO THE DYNASTY: Have previously said I wouldn't stay here again (so many Aussie's there you may as well be at a resort at home!) but it was all I could think of at short notice and an extremely slow internet connection. Got to our room a little later than check-in time (but I did only book it 2 hours before so they did pretty well!). Given a ground floor room on the RHS when facing the ocean right near the pool. Newly renovated and very nice. Very similar to the new studio rooms at the front.
B/F - large spread with all the usual. Very nice both days.
Dinner - ate both nights at their themed dinners. Wild West with ribs etc and Satay night. I think they are great value as the kids eat free and it certainly works out cheaper for us than going out of the hotel. Was nice just to step out of the room and be a few steps from dinner too.
Lunch - by the pool. Nice food and not very expensive by hotel standards.
KIDS CLUB - Haven't used this on previous 3 visits (kids wrong ages) and had some reservations this time which turned out to be justified! Kids now 6 1/2 and turning 4 on Monday and were very keen so I agreed.
They went in on the Thursday from 10-12 and 3-5. Under 4's need a babysitter with them and even though he was only a week off being 4 I got the babysitter so he would be safe and looked after. He is ok in the pool with floaties but can't swim. I explained this to the babysitter and kids club staff. I was assured they would only be in the kids pool and watched at all times. They went to the beach crabbing in the morning and the kids loved this then a swim.
In the afternoon I wasn't feeling all that comfortable so returned to the hotel from the shops after 1hr. To my disgust and dismay as I walked towards the pool to have a look (it was water sliding activity for the afternoon after garden games) I immediately saw my son running unattended around the big pool. He did have his floaties on but still I was shocked. I stood there watching for about 3 MINUTES thinking the babysitter must be with him. Not seeing her I looked towards the kids pool and she was just then coming to look for him. By this time he was right around the other side of the pool trying to remove the volleyball from a group of guys playing there and they were telling him off. I was furious with the babysitter and explained that it wasn't his fault, he was supposed to be in the care of someone. She was running after me trying to cover herself and making excuses but I was livid. I went straight to reception to speak with the manager but she didn't overly have a problem with it and said: "maybe she thought he was on the slide". Her eyes shouldn't have been off him so there shouldn't have been any doubt. She said she was getting something out of the pool but I think she didn't realise just how long I'd been standing there. A child will drown in 3 minutes. They both said sorry but I got the strong feeling I was being brushed off. Offered me a discount for the baby sitting! I wasn't going to pay her anything but didn't feel right about that regardless so I gave her $ for 3hrs and said I didn't want to discuss it further and I would write a note to the GM.
This left a really sour taste in my mouth. I couldn't do anything further till my husband returned from his massage an hour later. I then wrote a letter to the GM on the back of the laundry list! and delivered it to reception in an envelope for the GM - I refused to deal further with the duty manager.
We then returned to the pool for a swim and to top off my day nicely I had just received 2 cocktails, happy hour!, and just as I was about to move them out of the way my son lent on the silly little pool tables they've got and over they went! I was ready to cry at this point!
Just before checking out the next day one of the senior managers (the GM was away in Aus) called and met me at reception to discuss the matter. He was extremely apologetic and totally agreed that it was unacceptable. I won't repeat what he called the other manager but it wasn't nice! He says he will be following up and will let me know. The housekeeping staff do the babysitting and this person has been taken off that duty. I certainly don't want anyone to lose their job but if they're going to babysit then they have to understand how important the job is and not to be so blase about it.
It was unfortunate as they both REALLY enjoyed going to the kids club. I don't think I would leave a child there again who can't swim despite their assurances.
After the meeting the manager gave us a courtesy transfer to the airport (probably couldn't wait to get rid of us!)
Check-in was smooth, we'd booked the front row again.
We used the Dewa lounge (I like this one as the kids can see the planes/runway from upstairs - just got to avoid the smokers as this is their area). Not many people in the lounge this time though. 100k per adult and kids were free.
AA left on time. Once again on landing the hostie asked the boys if they would like to go into the cockpit - there's definitely some benefits to paying to sit in the front row. It's very rare these days for you to be able to see the cockpit of a commercial plane. They were again very nice and the 6yr old was telling the pilot some story about bombs on planes?? The pilot assured him that they make sure the plane is very safe for everyone to fly.
Despite it being the rainy season we were lucky and only got 2hrs of rain one afternoon. It was pretty hot and muggy though, much more so than when we were there in Aug and Nov.
The rate stayed between 8000 and 8275 whilst there.
Booked a babysitter before we went thru Karsini services. This went ok although she tended to come quite early which was a bit annoying as you weren't ready but oh well! Used her the first time whilst we went and did shopping, got phones, booked the tours etc... things I can't do whilst I've got the kids. She also watched them while we went to the Rock Bar (this isn't suitable for kids) and Sharkey's.
The 'family'- me, hubby and 3 yr old had foot massages/treatments done at Briella spa which is just out the front entrance of Jayakarta to the left. Also had some waxing done with no problems.
Didn't do much shopping at all. Went to Ketut's and Debbie's fixed priced shops. Won't go anywhere else in future. So sick of the hassle at the other places.
Went to the Tuppaware store again and got a few things. Also went into Matahari/Ramayana in Denpasar but was a bit of a waste of time. The boys tried the fish spa near Matahari - 10k for 5 mins.
Went to Waterbom one day (booked the gazebo we wanted the day before). The teenagers got a return ticket for another day. They also went water-rafting. This and Waterbom was booked at a booth somewhere near BGH.
All in all, another good trip. Did cost us quite a bit more than usual as the teenagers tended to order the most expensive thing on the menu, usually a steak!
To get a real break I think we'll have to consider staying in one place because when you move around like we do it doesn't feel like you've had a long, relaxing break. Looking at taking the boys by myself next year for 2wks whilst my husband is in Europe. Was thinking the Dynasty for the kids club but will now have to give it some thought! Did go have a look at the MBR but it didn't really appeal. Certainly didn't appear to have a supervised kids club.
Cheers for reading.