Part 2 has been awhile coming but here it is. Went with husband, 4 Adult children plus son in law (25-30 yrs)2 grand-daughters 4 & 5 years and 2 grandsons 4 & 6 months.(10 in all). First 2 nights in Bali were spent at Santika in Tuban (see previous JBR).
We stayed for next 6 days just North of Sanur at Sakura Gardens- a 3 bedroom house in a small Village about 10-15 minutes by car to Sanur.This was a new experience for us as we have always stayed at resorts.
We were picked up by 2 vans from Santika-1 for us and a smaller one for luggage. After a scenic trip over we arrived at this fantastic house which was all it was everything the website had described it to be.A two Story house with amazing seaviews from upstair verandah,a great good size pool, staff, car/driver,very private and secure, and large enough for us all.Probably not suitable to anyone that wants to walk to everything but perfect for a very relaxing family holiday.The beach area is not great but we went to Sanur beach any time we wanted to.
Day 1: After dropping off our luggage we went to Sanur to stock up on supplies and then back to the pool to cool down and settle in.Dined at Bonsai Restaurant on Sanur beach (while patient driver waited.) Reccommended restaurant but there are better along the beach.
Day 2: Lots of fun and relaxation around the pool. Staff will cook for you if need for a very small fee (tasty breakfast supplied) We had them cook a delicious dinner this evening and all for a total cost of AUD$30. Heaps of food.Spent late afternoon along Sanur beach market and shops.
Day 3: Driver dropped some of us over at Waterbomb Park for the day and the rest went shopping in Kuta.Kids loved waterbomb park (and Adults).Well worth going.
Day 4: Organised driver to take us to Safari Marine Park for day. While expensive for Bali standards was really value for money.Water/fun Park, zoo, aquarium,freerange zoo, train ride and more all rolled into one. Probably need more than one day to see everything. Admission came with a free sitting with animals for a photo for everone. the 4 & 5 year old fell in love with the young Urangatang and we used all our free tickets so they could keep going back for a cuddle.Of course had plenty of detol handwash for afterwards. Really well run and definitely reccommend.
Had organised staff to cook a banquet for us for dinner and arrived back after an exhausting day to cool off in the cool pool and dine on the delicious food (cost for Dinner $34 AU). These dinners were the best we had while in Bali. Staff look after our every need even supplying internet for us to use. They loved the children/babies and were amazed that the babies were in the pool too as Balinese children don't go near the water until a special ceremony.
Day 5: Lots of R & R- relaxing by the pool. A visit to Sanur for the girls to shop while the boys babysat back at the house.
Had Dinner on the beach at Besakih and we all thought food and atmosphere was better than Bonsai. We had chosen this restaurant because of the cool breezes.
Day 6: Went to Sanur beach and then across to Denpasar for Tupperware.My daughter brought some items about 1/2 price of Australian although they did not had same range as in Aus. Spent rest of day by the pool and late evening the driver took us to the airport for our AA flight to Perth.Flight was on time and we had paid extra for the seats at the front of the plane for extra room but only row 1 had the extra leg room- would not bother paying extra for the others next time as only advantage was that we were able to exit earlier but did not get priority boarding even with children. All in all was a smooth flight.
Children travelled well (slept most of way) and arrived in Perth early morning. We caught a taxi-van to our accommodation fo the next 3 days before our flight back to Melbourne and had a few hours sleep before going to pick up the hire cars from Bayswater Car Rental (no problems with them) Thanks to Baldie for the loan of the baby car seats. We had taken the backless child booster seats with us to Bali but the baby capsules were too big and bulky to take. Bayswater Car Hire does not hire babyseats.
Everyone had a great time in Bali and Perth and will be definitely staying in a Villa or House next time (rather than a Hotel/Resort). It was a great experience and looked after so well.