Sandy and family on holiday in Bali

Left for Bali on 1st September on Garuda from Perth at 8.00am with Husband, 2 sons aged 10 and 6 and my older sister. 4th trip for Me, hubby and the sister but 1st time for the boys. Flight left on time and arrived ahead of time due to tail wind. Waited in line for about ½ hour then found luggage then booked 2 taxis to Dynasty in Tuban. Had Premier room 842 which is on the 3rd floor and would recommend to anyone who ends up with this room to move as it is on top floor with hotels air cond unit right above it and boy does it make some noise (rattles and squeaks and shakes and groans), we complained the next morning after very little sleep and were told they were fully booked and nothing could be done, but after next sleepless night we awoke in the morning to find the manager had got us another Premier room on the 2nd floor and I tell you it was so peaceful in this room, finally a full nights sleep(bliss).
The weather was strange, very grey skies but only rained on one day for morning only and during the whole 8 days only 2 days were clear blue sky so my tan is a big flop. We did breakfast over the road at Daddy's Café which we found to be cheap and nice, only 1 morning we felt like trying something different so went to Copa Café next door but was not happy with the undercooked bacon so it was back to Daddy's for the remainder of the holiday. We also ate at Taman Legian Garden, that was nice and quite cheap, Pizza Hut but only for the kids sake, and I think it better tasting than back home, also did Jimbaran Bay and went to Sharkies after seeing it recommended on the forum and did not think that much of it, was a busy night there with all tables full, but fish and prawns came out burnt. Went to Poppies and had Garlic Prawns which are to die for, and the toilets there are a must see (very clean with a little garden). Kin Khoo is a nice Thia Restaurant with average prices and on our last night went to La luciola as recommended by a girlfriend, I think quite expensive but a lovely setting and food was very nice and there lime granitas were fantastic but only if you like things a little sour.

Highlight of my holiday was the look on my boys faces, I could almost read what was going trough there minds and another was the day we went to the Bird and Reptile park in Ubud, what a beautiful place with the most awesome walkthrough aviaries and some great photo opportunities with birds placed on your head and arms and at the reptile park the most amazing snakes in size and colour and the walkthrough lizard section was also good for photos, while holding a couple of iguanas and you can sit down next to the monitor lizards and huge komodo dragon.

We also went to Waterbom Park and got discounted tickets through Daddy's Café of 20%, so we ended up paying approx $100 aud for 3 Adults and 2 kids. Was a great day and the BBQ corn was excellent. Hit Ramyanas Dept store in Denpasar, which I think is better than Matahris and was driven there in a light blue taxi by a guy call Ketut Bagiastra, he is married to an Aussie gal and speaks great English and has a fantastic sense of humour. He was desperately trying to get my hubby to go fishing with him because he had no one to fish with and this was at no cost but unfortunately we had already made plans for that day. From advise from this forum we also went to Tootsies in Sanua and it was lovely to stock up and know how much to pay for any other items at other markets, although I did find a lady at the Kuta Art Markets who must have liked me because everything I asked prices on was the same as tootsies prices and this was not a fixed price shop, so I went back to her for everything. Even on my last day she was trying to give me a free t-shirt.
Had my fingernails and toenails painted for 20 000 and you can buy nice soft fabric short (kind of feel like suede), and we paid 25 000 for kids, 30 000 for ladies and 35 000 for men's. I think they are great value and are really comfortable, wish I had bought more now, so will have to book next holiday to go get some. Hope my Just back has not put you to sleep........Happy Travelling
Sandy