At last, at last we are on our way. This holiday has been a long time coming. I have been trying to get back to Bali for 4 years but instead had two children (now aged 3 and 1). I also have two older girls 15 and 10 so it was a big family holiday, a bit different from the last holiday where I spent 18 days in Bali with just my partner.
We flew Virgin from Brisbane on Wednesday morning and had a great flight. We made it through the airport in less than half an hour and after everything I had read on this forum I was ecstatic. I was having nightmares about having to spend 2 hours lined up in a long cue while my kids drove me and all the other people in the line a little crazy.
We were met and the airport by our beautiful friend Gede, he had organised a driver to take us to our villa. For the 10 days we stayed in a Royal villa at the Seminyak Villas Estate and Spa. It was huge, the yard was 500sqm, a massive pool and two good size rooms. It is a little old (12 years) but there have been a lot of renovations done.
We had breakfast in the restaurant each morning, a buffet, it was good, nothing amazing, but I didn't have to cook, the girls loved it and the staff helped with the kids.
The villa is some distance from the beach but there is a beamo that travels to the beach 3 times a day. Although being a far distance from the beach the location compensates by being in a nice peaceful area away from the noise of the traffic and nightclubs but still within walking distance to the shops in Seminyak. The staff were friendly and attentive and loved the children.
The standout restaurants were The Pearl on Double 6, the food was the best and the price was fantastic, I can't say enough about it. Lemon Grass, just up from Bintang in Seminyak, great Thai. Rio, also just up from Bintang, has fantastic meat, all different types and if you're up to it, they have an all you can eat meal that was incredible, also their cocktails are the best I had in Bali.
I took all types of Taksi's not just Blue Bird and I never had a problem. They always put their metres on and I would have asked them if they didn't.
I found a shop called Krishna on Sunset Road, it was a big warehouse with lots of cheap clothes (t shirts, dresses) and Bali trinkets. We paid $2-3 for little girls dresses so it was a great find. Cheaper than the markets and no bartering.
We were lucky to have one of our Bali friends Nanny for us, she was a god send and very attentive to our kids, it was great to be able to spend some quality adult time with my partner. She came about 10 and left at 6. She taught our 3 year old traditional Balinese dancing which was so cute.
We spent a day at Waterbom Park and the kids had a fantastic time. We hired a gazebo for the day and this was great with the two little kids as they were able to have a sleep.
We also spent a day at the Safari and Marine Park. This was an excellent park and they allowed our Balinese Nanny into the park for free and also provided her with a free lunch and drink. It was extremely hot but they have a great kids water park where you can cool down.
After months (ok years) of reading this forum, I was worried about quite a few issues on this break. The mosquitoes were bad but not terrible. The airport cue was short so that was a fizzer (thank god). There was no rabbid dogs, no one stole from any of us. The prices have increased quite a bit but still a cheap holiday.
Well that's about it. I am so sad to be sitting in my living room typing this. I feel blessed to know the wonderful people of Bali they could teach the rest of us some lessons on kindness and love.