Just spent 14 days in beautiful Bali for the second time having been there 18 months ago for 14 days also. This time we decided to try a different season (April) rather than September as before. We noticed this time it was far more humid and out of the 14 days it rained probably 6 times mainly late afternoon or in the evenings. We had numerous thunderstorms which no doubt made it very humid the next day. Unfortunately we never experienced a beautiful Bali sunset this time as most of the afternoons it came in very stormy and cloudy. We have decided if we go back for the 3rd time it would be September again.
Our family, husband, two teenage daughters and myself had the most wonderful time and experiences in Bali again. We now understand why people keep going back time and time again and it's true when you hear people say there is something magic about the place. This is so true.
Our first week was spent at the Bali Garden Hotel, Kuta. We were recommended to stay here from friends, but unfortunately our experience for the week as far as the room went was not very pleasant. We absolutely loved the grounds and surrounds, the staff were very obliging and helpful, but mostly we loved dining at the Boardwalk Restaurant which we had 5 dinners and 2 lunches there. The prices were very reasonable and there was always something different to try each day. The restaurant staff were amazing, so caring and very interested in our family and learning about us. Our daughters both had birthdays in Bali and the first week our youngest celebrated her 15th birthday. I had made enquiries with the staff about a birthday cake and was recommended to purchase one from ‘Breadtalk' in the ‘Centro' shopping centre. We purchased a very nice cake for 105,000RP (about $13 AUD). The staff made such a fuss over our daughter putting balloons around the table and chairs and over the railings in the restaurant. When it was time to bring out the cake, 5 of the staff came out singing Happy Birthday which was so lovely. Our daughter was so overwhelmed and really appreciated all they did for us. We only managed to eat half of the cake for our dessert, so decided to give the rest of the cake to the staff to share amongst themselves which they thought was pretty special. Whilst we enjoyed staying in Kuta, which was an experience we wanted to try, we probably wouldn't do it again. Some of the things we did from the Bali Garden Hotel were -
1) Waterbom Park (right across the road from the BGH). A great day. The photos coming down the ‘Boomerang' ride made the whole day really worthwhile. What great photos the camerman took. Memories to last forever. Very tired after so many steps to climb and glad we didn't have to travel far back to our Hotel.
2) Bali Hai Cruise. Picked up around 8.00 and dropped back to Hotel around 4.30. A very full day, but worth it, although we ran out of time and missed going over to the Island for the hour tour. They had 3 tours throughout the day, but we were so busy with, snorkelling with the fish and the coral, numerous banana boat rides, swimming in the crystal clear warm water (just felt like being in the pool at the resort) and Parasailing. I have always wanted to do this and at 51 I thought that if I didn't do it now I never would and it looked pretty safe and tame off the back of the speedboat. It was very exciting and our 2 girls did it also. We had a beautiful full buffet lunch which went down very well after all the morning's activities. We were starving by about 1.30 after also enjoying a light morning tea on board. All in all a lovely day, but next time we will try and make it to the Island and perhaps as a last minute decision decide to stay overnight at the Bali Hai Huts where all you are given is a toothbrush and sarong as everything else is provided. Sounds wonderful.
3) Quad Bike Riding. This was probably one of our best days if you have to give a best day award! None of us had been on a quad bike and the youngest doesn't have a clue about gears etc, but she no doubt enjoyed it the most. Laugh - we haven't had so much fun in ages or so it seemed. The highlight was towards the end of the day when our youngest was very, very confident of her riding skills; she was trying to impress her older sister and somehow on a straight stretch of track, ended up in a rice paddy. Well it took 4 crew to pull the bike out and lots of laughing along the way. She retells this story over and over how she stacked it in a rice paddy! Once again at the end of the adventure, we were treated to a yummy buffet lunch. One thing about the Balinese and their adventure packs is that they know how to fill ones tummy after an early morning start and a morning full of activities.
More details to follow shortly. Must dash and unfortunately go back and do some work! (something that I am having trouble dealing with since coming back)