JBR - 04/08 to 22/08 - Part Two
Second Week
This week decided to try out Brisbane Tailor (in the laneway next to All Seasons Hotel on JL Padma Utara, Legian. I took in a cotton tunic top and pants that I wanted copied. Arranged to have one set in white and one set in black made for Rp 700,000 which I was very happy with (and I am a plus sized person so a lot of fabric goes into it)! Was told they would be ready on Saturday.
Went back to TJ's again for dinner and had the same meals - exactly the same fantastic quality as the first time so was convinced that it wasn't just luck the first time around! That restaurant will always feature on our itinerary every trip from now on!
Did the trip to the memorial with the children - tried to explain to my 5 year old son about it but he didn't really understand and there were lots of people around.
On the Thursday we went to the Safari Park - we had booked directly with the Mara River Lodge and their driver arrived spot on time to pick us up. After the long (and very bumpy due to the roadworks) drive we arrived at the Safari Park. You then have to wait at the entrance for the lodge bus to come and collect and take you around to the hotel. The kids were beside themselves with excitement, and the adults were a little too!
We checked in to the Kifaru Family Room - was impressed by the bedrooms, bathrooms and view but certainly not the living area - and we saw our first ever spiders in Bali! After unpacking and getting organized we had lunch at the Lion Restaurant and got our first glimpse of the famous lions - not doing much in the middle of the day! Decided to go back to hotel for a swim in the infinity pool that overlooks the zebra and rhino area. It was a great spot and the kids enjoyed waving to the people on the elephant rides and bus tours!
That night we went on the evening bus tour. The bus windows are opened right up and you hand feed the zebras - the kids absolutely loved it and we all thought it was a great experience! Also got to feed the lions (with the window cages on!), again another amazing experience of being so close to the animal!
Before having dinner in the Lion Restaurant the kids had a hold of the snake (the animal of the evening) which they really enjoyed. The lions are pretty active at night so the kids got a great display!
The following morning with breakfast in the Lion Restaurant the kids got another look at active loins having a morning play (they came right up to the window), and after a day bus tour that showed all of the animals (Jurassic park style with the big gate opening for the enclosed areas) and a walk around and a hand feeding of the elephants, it was time for us to head back to Legian.
One thing that did disturb me about the Safari Park was the treatment of the Lions. Firstly, there is a male lion that is kept in a very small built up enclosure with windows into the toilets and the bar. We were told that this lion is separated due to being male. This lion roars quite a bit, paces back and forth and has very little space to wander around. In addition to this we noticed that whenever the lionesses would attempt to walk around the back of the enclosure (away from the restaurant windows) the keeper in this 4WD would force them back. While we were eating he did this 4-5 times, always sending them back under the lights and in view of the customers. We saw where he was parked when we did the bus tour. This is just my opinion though.
Upon our return to Legian dinner that night was at Drops Restaurant and the front of Casa Padma Suites in JL Legian. Delicious food that could not be faulted, another to add to our must visit list!
With our second week starting to draw to the end we got into some more shopping - this time exploring Matahari from top to bottom. Picked up some great value kids clothing, Revlon makeup and shoes. Could spend a lot more time here but with kids the time is always limited! Another trip was taken to Carrefour to stock up and for the first time we went to Geneva - I think that the kids bought more than I did and was really surprised by how cheap it all was!
Had a stop in at the Embassy to vote! Then headed off to Turtle Island - our only visit we will ever make!
Paid US$10 per person through a street kiosk. The transport arrived to pick us up and we got down to place without incident - caught the glass bottom boat (not sure why this was a feature as there is absolutely nothing to see!) and then pulled up out front of Turtle Island. Waded up to the beach where we were met by a 'guide'. He took us into the turtle area and proceeded to lead us to the pen where adult turtles are kept in sea water but quite shallow and quite smelly! You are encouraged to wade in amongst them and take photos (which my 5 year old was very keen to do!).
You are then taken to the next section where young adult turtles are kept and are able to pick them up for photos (again my 5 year old was very keen!) and then shown the area where the baby turtles are kept (not able to touch them). The guide then takes out a snake that has its mouth taped shut and proceeds to put it on everyones shoulders for photos. You are then shown a strange assortment of animals (bat, sea eagles, monkey, lizard and a few others) before being led to wash hands and have a drink. You are then told by your guide what drink he would like, and told that you need to purchase a Bintang for your boat driver, you are instructed that payment for the drinks will be made at the end (the reason for this became clear later!). You are then guided over to the shop!
We eventually purchased some turtle figurines that we were told have the shell crafted from the ocean shells (still not sure) and paid a very handsome Rp 500,000 for the set of 3 and a keyring. The sales lady was quite please with herself and was busily talking with the others about it! Our friend that was with us decided to not purchase anything and was then treated with contempt and anger from the same woman! Shortly after that they calculated the cost of our drinks and we heard reference made to our friend and that no purchase was made - then we were given the large bill for our drinks! More than the airport charge for water! At this point my husband came to the realization that your drink price is calculated at the end so that they can decide the price based on what you have bought in the shop! This and the assumption that drinks must purchased for the guide and driver (who I would have been happy to buy one for on my own) gave us a really bad taste - and I felt quite bad supporting this turtle place given that I don't really feel that they are treated well. I will never be returning and will be looking into the other turtle area next visit. However, the kids were unaware of this undercurrent and had a great time!
After spending some time down at the beach (our first time ever!) another week was over!
Dinners were had at Papas Restaurant (twice)(out the front of the Alam Kul Kul Hotel on the beach road in Kuta) they do fantastic food and the kids especially love the volcano pizzas they light at the table!), La Monde (again) and the restaurant at the front of the Melasti Hotel (on JL Padma Utara)
TBC in Part Three