I will break up into parts so that I can provide some of the detail that people may find useful (I know that I always appreciated detailed JBR's) but its not an essay in one post!
First Week
This trip comprised husband and I (third trip) daughter 13, son 5 and daughter 2 (second trip). Our last visit was October 2009 so it had been nearly a year. We took the red eye from Adelaide to Perth, and after spending an enjoyable day at the Pert Botanical Gardens were scheduled to get the AA 5.40pm flight to Bali! After being delayed for 1 hour and getting on board an in the air, we had a peaceful flight to Bali - note about AA, this was our first AA flight and I was amazed at the tightness of the plane! After using Virgin to get to Perth and having plenty of legroom, the leg space on AA was a shock and we felt so enclosed by the seats in front that claustrophobia almost set in - thank goodness that our smallest child now has a seat of their own as I would not have been able to sit an infant on my lap for the flight - that being said, we found the seat belts longer than Garuda and did not need to ask for an extension belt.
Arrived in Bali and used the express service for the first time. My husband had been skeptical but after the speedy run through the airport and straight out to the transport we also had Murti arrange he is now a convert! I think that we will be using it again when travelling with the children. Our transport took us straight to our hotel (Adika Sari in Legian) and we finally got into our room at about 10.30pm after a VERY long day!
Awaking on day 1 we caught up with our friends that were also staying at our hotel and after breakfast headed to Carrefour for the stock up trip (the first of many!) We bought our first stroller (yes, and not the last!) and then spent the afternoon re-familiarising ourselves with the area and having a swim. Ate at the hotel restaurant that night and was about to take a night walk when the stroller purchased that afternoon broke! Stayed at the hotel that night instead and decided that the next day we would brave the Carrefour Customer Service counter and check out the exchange/refund policy!
Back to Carrefour first thing the next morning and was given a refund when they couldn't locate same or similar stroller to the one we had bought. Went down one level to a baby store and purchased the second stroller (yes, again not the last!) and then off to Matahari for the annual shoe purchase for our son. My son hates all shoes except for his sneakers. The only time he will tolerate wearing other shoes is Bali (we discovered this last year) and he will only tolerate slip on shoes that fit him 'just so'. Matahari was the only place we could satisfy him last time so we thought we would try there again. Luck again and a pair of slip on shoes were located, tried on and purchased - a successful shopping trip!
Went to Ketumbar in Melasti St. for dinner. I ate fish and the rest of family had pasta - fantastic food and service and would certainly return there again. Only challenge is the stairs from the street meant that the pram had to be carried up, but the terrace is a lovely spot to sit and people watch while enjoying dinner! Walked back to the hotel after dinner making the first DVD and metal wall hanging purchase along the way.
Next day we made the required trip to Centro (of course stopping at Bread Talk for the required cakes and muffins), swam in the afternoon and ended the day with a meal at TJ's (Poppies Lane) for one of the best Mexican meals that I have had a in a long time. The fajitas served rival those of all other Mexican restaurants I have ever eaten at and win! My husband had the same and was equally full of praise. Kids had the nachos and thoroughly enjoyed themselves!
The next few days were spent swimming, walking, eating and a trip to Ubud (via the Batik factory and wood carving shop). Ate at Gosha in Melasti St (underwhelmed by both the service and the food), and La Monde 2 and The Corner Bar in Padma Utara St. Also enjoyed lunch at a hillside restaurant outside of Ubud overlooking the tiered rice paddies. This was the first time that I had seen them like this and the view was just beautiful - a bit of a rough path down there, but certainly worth it! Experienced out first fish tank foot thing - son was freaked out by the feeling and got out but eldest daughter and I enjoyed it!
During this time the second stroller also broke down! At this point my husband finally listened to me and we went to Bali Baby Hire and hired the rugged jogger pram for the rest of the trip. Was relieved to finally have a decent stroller and was eager to get my Rp 1.6 million back on the other stroller that was under 2 week warranty!
All of this took us to the end of our first week.......
TBC in Part Two