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Seminyak is the style icon of Bali. It is a place where fashion and modern-day luxury meet beach holidays and Balinese culture. Apart from mind-blowing sunsets, shopping arcades, world-class restaurants and famous beach clubs, this booming tourist town is also a great destination for families! Seminyak has got something for everyone, even for families with young kids and teens. Here is an overview of different areas, the best Seminyak villas and things to do in the area. We hope it will bring inspiration for your upcoming Bali trip - or encourage you to consider this destination. Oberoi The famous Oberoi Road (also known as Jalan Kayu Aya and ‘eat street’) is where you will stumble upon trendy coffee bars, designer boutiques, bars, restaurants and shopping malls. You wouldn’t even have to leave this street as it heads straight down to the beach and KU DE TA Beach Club. Have a coffee at Revolver Espresso, Grocer & Grind or Sisterfield. Dine at Ginger Moon (amazingly delicious Asian fusion food), La Lucciola (beachfront!) and LacaLaca Cantina Mexicana (kids eat for free on Wednesday). The options are limitless! Oh, and don’t forget to get yourself pampered at Bodyworks Spa!  Villa in Oberoi Seminyak: Villa Crystal Just off the famous Oberoi Road - this villa couldn’t be any more central, tucked in a secluded lane away from the crowds - it is just unbeatable! You can walk to the beach, take the kids for a surf lesson and treat them to ice cream - Gelato Factory is just across the villa’s laneway on Oberoi Road. The villa is modern but oh so tropical - the best combination you can get! There is a large private garden with a pool for you and the family to enjoy. The villa has four bedrooms and especially great for kids, they get to sleep in bunks. Not sure why you stay in a villa over a hotel? Read this article to find out why! Things to do for families with kids:
PetitengetThe boutique shops, coffee bars and restaurants in Oberoi have gained more territory in our beloved Seminyak, expanding gradually towards Petitenget. This trendy part of town used to be a separate village, but now it is probably the chicest area in all of Seminyak. You can find the very best restaurants by world-famous chefs and favourite beachfront hang-outs such as Potato Head and W Bali. Be sure to check out classy restaurants that are perfectly family-friendly such as Merah-Putih (one table filled with dishes to share), SeaSalt (beachfront location at Alila Seminyak), Sarong (by head chef Will Meyrick and it’s just a must-try!). How about a high tea? Head over to Biku - they’ve got a little playing nook on-site as well as mini cup cakes and tea cups, so there is no need to worry about them getting bored.  Villa in Petitenget: Villa M Seminyak Villa M is a fabulous family villa with a huge private garden and amazing facilities! This holiday home in Seminyak Bali has five bedrooms and multiple places for lounging and dining. The large 16 x 6 private swimming pool has a shallow area for the little ones and you can dine alfresco style in the garden with delights from the BBQ. Villa M even boasts a rooftop terrace for sunset drinks. There are tropical open-air living spaces as well as air-conditioning ones (up for an in-villa family movie night, anyone?). The villa is located just off the buzzing Petitenget Strip and you can easily get around on foot. Things to do with kids
Batu BeligBatu Belig lies in between Petitenget in Seminyak and Berawa in Canggu. It’s an upcoming and trendy area with a gorgeous beach and lots of places to eat and drink (including a Unicorn Cafe!). Batu Belig Beach is home to Tropicola Beach Club (one of the latest hot spots in Seminyak). For a lovely family lunch, definitely check out Watercress Cafe! For a scrumptious dinner head over to iconic restaurants such as Sardine and Metis - both overlooking the rice paddies and it is stunning!  Villa in Batu Belig Seminyak: Villa Hiburan 1 Villa Hiburan 1 is a perfect family holiday haven in Batubelig. This beautiful villa has four bedrooms and two of the rooms are interconnected, making it perfect for a family travelling with young kids! Another highlight is the fantastic family pool with a built-in jacuzzi and the location which is peaceful and strategic at the same time. It has all the necessary modern amenities you need for a great Bali family holiday: A TV to keep the kids from boredom, a kitchen for when you don’t want to dine out, high chairs and baby cots for the littlest members of the fam. Things to do with kids
Itchy Feet Family Other blogs you may enjoy:
- Family cycle tour Bali - Christmas Cruising Pros and Cons - Cheese Wheel Pasta on the Gold Coast - Hong Kong Disneyland
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 When you go on a family holiday so much of the itinerary is tailored around the kids. We put most of our energy into making sure they have a great time. But what about the parents? Why not include some indulgence for us on our family holidays too. My kids, now 10 and 13, have had a few trips to the Gold Coast and in the past it has been all about them. I always have theme park tickets arranged, sunscreen and bathers packed for days at the beach, but on this trip I decided on something different. A pamper package for mum pre-booked and part of the itinerary. I came across a company on the Gold Coast that specialises in catering for holiday makers, Ripple Massage, who take the hassle out of pampering by offering an in-room service. If you are worried about taking time out, finding a massage therapist, getting a car park - a mobile massage is a great option. An in-room mobile massage comes to you in your accommodation and they do all the hard work. You don’t need a car, or to catch an uber - worry about getting a car park - or rushing back to the family when you are finished. You simply answer the door to a masseuse carrying a mobile massage table.  I opted for the one hour pamper package that included a full body massage, foot soak and hot towel face massage. And I have to say the hot towel face massage was amazing!
My masseuse arrived with everything required to provide an hour of downtime for me - a massage table, speaker to create a calming ambience and plenty of massage oil. Bliss! With the massage table set up in front of the apartment’s balcony I was able to switch off for an hour, listen to the sounds of the beach crashing on the sand and melt away into the soothing massage as the morning sun shined through the windows. Whilst my little darlings are the world to me, there should be a balance to your family holiday. Yes the kids are the main priority on a Gold Coast holiday - however parents deserve some down time amongst all the thrill rides, character greetings and trips to the beach. Have you ever pre-booked a mobile massage as part of your family holiday itinerary? Penny Itchy Feet Family *Itchy Feet Family were a guest of Ripple Day Spa and Mobile Massage. For details about the packages they provide visit www.ripplemassage.com.au  Dining out with children can be challenging at times. They like to be entertained and it is so easy to simply place an electronic device in front of them to keep them quiet in a restaurant. However on a recent dinner out on the Gold Coast I managed to keep the kids entertained with the help of a large wheel of parmesan cheese and a flame thrower! Salt Meats Cheese is a family owned Italian restaurant on the Gold Coast that every Wednesday night serves up a special pasta dish - cheese wheel pasta. Apparently a very authentic way of cooking pasta in Italy, the restaurant makes a presentation of the process which had us all fascinated. A large wheel of parmesan cheese on a presentation table was rolled up to our dining table and a flame throwing butane can used to heat the inside of the cheese to soften it. A bowl of pre-cooked freshly made spaghetti then taken from the hot pan and put into the cheese wheel to be tossed.  As the hot spaghetti jumped around in the cheese wheel the pasta picked up the melted parmesan to flavour the dish. Amazing! A bit of bacon added on top to finish the dish and cheese wheel carbonara pasta was served! For extra flavour we also tried one tossed in pesto, which was also done on the presentation table in front of us. As Australians we have a tendency of adding lots of ingredients into our pasta dishes, Salt Meats Cheese dishes were simple yet so full of flavour proving that sometimes less really is more. Once the cheese wheel presentation was completed the kids also enjoyed the opportunity to return to the simple art of a blank piece of paper as a canvas to draw, which at the end of the meal they proudly pinned to the restaurant wall. Look out for the drawings we tagged @ItchyFeetFamily!
While the adults enjoyed eating the pasta - the kids tucked into freshly made wood-fire oven kid’s meal pizzas - which we followed with a nutella/peanut butter calzone AND a serve of nutella filled donuts. YUM!
The restaurant offered a great vibe for families, when Miss 10 spilled her water all over the table there was plenty of ambience in the restaurant that no-one heard the commotion or even batted an eye lid! Thankfully there were no electronic devices on the table to be ruined - just a paper canvas that needed to be started over. Penny Itchy Feet Family *Itchy Feet Family were guests of Salt Meats Cheese. For more details about the restaurant visit www.saltmeatscheese.com.au Other blogs you may enjoy:
 A trip to Disneyland is a dream for many children. For Australians, a trip to LA to visit the original park is a long way to travel. Australians have the advantage of Asia on our door step and with the influx of all things western, we now can travel to Hong Kong to experience a quintessential childhood bucket list item of a visit to Disneyland. In April 2019 we spent a week in Hong Kong and decided to include a visit to Hong Kong Disneyland as part of our activities. Here are some useful tips for your family visit. Getting There I am sure you have all heard the phrase that the journey is as important as the destination and Hong Kong Disneyland takes that ethos to heart with the amazing Disney Express Train. We were delighted to find a dedicated train service that takes you to the Disney doorstep, but even more surprised when the train turned up and it was actually Disney themed. All the kids onboard absolutely loved it, taking selfies with the Mickey windows and checking out all the intricate details of the Disney train. The train is absolutely a great way to get to the park. All the Classics If you have visited any Disney Park around the world there are a few staple attractions that you expect to see. It’s a Small World for example takes you on a slow boat ride past displays from all over the world while the song runs on repeat - the tea cups spin making both young and old giddy - and space mountain takes you on an epic fast roller coaster ride through pitch darkness. Having also visited Disneyland Parks in LA and Paris it was nice to recognise some of the classic rides and enjoy them in another country. Main Street When you enter a Disneyland you are welcomed by a familiar main street that flows guests into and out of the park that is lined with stores and cafes ready to take your tourist dollars. If you are after anything Disney branded, you are going to find it here. The stores have every imaginable item from key rings to Christmas decorations, dressing gowns to slippers, hats to sunglasses, cups to glasses - you name it you will find it in a store on Main Street and it will be Disney branded. Marvel Rides If you are a Marvel fan, you are going to enjoy your visit to Hong Kong Disneyland. Unique to this park are the Marvel attractions. Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle officially opened March 31, 2019 - we visited in April allowing us to be amongst the first to experience the new attraction. An attraction for all ages this interactive ride uses laser technology to get you in amongst the action whilst competing against your fellow riders as you shoot at targets to earn points. The park opened the Iron Man Experience in 2017 and has plans to continue the expansion of the Marvel Super Hero action to create an ultimate hub for fans. There is plenty of Marvel entertainment to keep guests entertained as well as a wide range of merchandise to purchase. Great for Families One of the benefits of a visit to Disneyland is that they offer entertainment for both young and old. The rides are more catered for younger families (and the grandparents that no longer seek thrills) and whilst there were a few thrill rides for our adventurous crew, there were a lot that our 9 and 12 yo were happy to pass on. However the mix of thrill, rides for the young, interactive and walk through entertainment meant there was a good balance of activities to cater for all ages. English ThroughoutFor the main part everything in the park was spoken in English. The only exception was a Jedi stage show that was bi lingual - and although we had no idea what words were being spoken we still managed to follow the story line and understand what was going on.
We had a fun day at Disneyland Hong Kong and would recommend a visit on your itinerary to this city. Have you been - what were your highlights or tips for a visit? Penny - Itchy Feet Family Note: Itchy Feet Family were guests of Hong Kong Disneyland.  Hobart is a fantastic city - I can’t believe it took me 44 years to visit this gem! Having never visited before I have now been twice in two months and I am looking for my next opportunity to return. In June we took a family cruise from Sydney to Hobart for the dark MOFO festival that included a 48 hour stopover, in August we took advantage of new direct flights from Adelaide and indulged in a weekend girls trip. As first time visitors to this southern city we were keen to pack in as much as possible on our short city breaks. If you are looking for a reason to visit - and ideas for things to do while you are there - here are a few suggestions. Red Decker Hop on Hop Off Bus A great way to acclimatise yourself with a city is to take the Red Decker hop on hop off bus tour. This is a sure fire way to make sure you see all the major highlights of a city when you are short on time. The double decker bus provided a loop of the city that takes you to locations including the wrest point casino, through battery point, past the Cascades Brewery and women’s prison, back through the city and then across to the Botanical Garden. We opted for a 48 hour ticket and of course you can get off and on at any of the stops that spark your interest. The advantage of a tour like this is the commentary that comes with it that offers a good insight into facts and figures about the city and a lesson on the history. Walk to Cascades Brewery If you are after a city walk, head uphill from Salamanca to the Cascades Brewery. A four kilometre route will take you through South Hobart (SOHO) past the heritage cottages and vintage stores to arrive at the Brewery visitor centre where you can enjoy a well deserved drink. During winter you can enjoy a glass of mulled cider with a serve of chicken wings - and if the sun is shining there is plenty of seating in the outdoor gardens to take in the views. Of course there are also brewery tours that you can take to see the back end operations to the Cascades brews. Salamanca Markets Operating every Saturday, the markets are a fun way to spend your day meandering through a collection of market stalls offering local products and produce. From soy candles, to gin, pashminas to potatoes there is a wider variety of stalls to wander. The open air markets operate from 8:30am to 3pm and have been lining the streets of Salamanca since 1972. Classy Cocktails Hobart knows how to style a bar - there are some amazing venues to enjoy a classy cocktail in a chic setting. In Salamanca you will find a great selection including The Den, The Botanical and The Whiskey Bar and don’t forget to head over to the Henry Jones Hotel and visit the IXL bar for rosemary infused glasses filled with tasty cocktails. Visit MONA If you love Modern Art, you are going to love MONA. If you have no clue about modern art, you will still enjoy a trip to MONA! The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is the jewel in Hobart’s Crown and a must see activity. The adventure starts when you board the camouflaged catamaran from the Brooke Street Pier and take the 25 minute fast ferry ride to the museum. If you don’t like the water, there is also a bus service to use as an alternative. Upon arrival be prepared for an assault on the senses as you take the spiral staircase down into the underground tunnels of the museum. Download The O app and be guided through the exhibits with all you need to know by the phone in the palm of your hand. Stop and enjoy a drink in the funky bar, visit the mechanical replica bowel depositing smelly outputs, explain the fish bowl with a knife in it sitting on a chair or just ask the question - what the MONA? Long Lunch If you are after a picturesque setting for a long lunch head to the Brooke Street Pier and settle in at the Glass House restaurant. The floor to ceiling glass walls provide an uninterrupted view of the waterfront where you can gaze at the country side and watch the MONA fast ferries pull in and out on their journey from the pier. Enjoy a three course meal, matched with a glass or two of Tasmanian wine, for a long lazy lunch. Mt Wellington If you are visiting in winter it is highly possible there will be snow fall on top Mt Wellington which is the back drop to Hobart city. A great way to get amongst the snow is to take the Mt Wellington Explorer Bus tour to the summit which sits at 1270m above sea level and provides spectacular views of Hobart. The tour bus leaves Hobart city regularly for the 2.5 hour return journey. If it is snowing, the only way you will get to the summit is if you are on the Mt Wellington Explorer Bus. This tour operator has exclusive and unique access to the road that leads to the summit that is otherwise closed during snow. On the morning we visited our small bus of tourists were the only people on the summit. The fresh snow was untouched providing a unique experience for the kids who had never experienced snow fall before and were able to make their first snow angels. Stay in Salamanca If you are staying for a city break to enjoy the highlights of Hobart you really don’t need a car if you stay in the heart of Salamanca. We stayed at the Salamanca Wharf Hotel which is an apartment style boutique hotel right in the heart of all the city action. Walking distance to everything you need for a weekend city break, the Salamanca Wharf Hotel provided great quality accommodation and fantastic service from friendly staff. For a unique room, stay in the penthouse loft and enjoy the balcony views of the city. As this is an apartment hotel it features a kitchenette and laundry facilities which are always useful for families. Have you visited Hobart before on a short break? What were the highlights of your city stay? Penny Itchy Feet Family *Itchy Feet Family were hosted by Red Decker Hobart, Mt Wellington Explorer and the Salamanca Wharf Hotel.  South Australians can feel right at home and still get away from it all when they embark on an Adelaide staycation. A holiday in your home city or state provides an unexpected and affordable getaway from routine and reality. Hotels.com offers many Adelaide accommodation options online. There’s also fun-filled suggestions for capturing all that Adelaide and surrounding regions have to offer. Wine lovers are spoilt for choice in this premier wine state. The Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley and world-renowned Barossa Valley are a stone’s throw away and provide access to renowned wineries, including Penfolds, Hahndorf Hill, Wirra Wirra, Bremerton, Mt Lofty Ranges and endless boutique vineyards, offering cellar-door tastings. The kids can also feel fulfilled, educated and enlivened at a selection of tourist attractions that are right on your doorstep. The Adelaide Zoo, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide Botanic Garden and pet-friendly Adelaide Himeji Gardens provide hours of child-focused sightseeing, events and activities. Venture further afield to a range of metropolitan beaches, including the historic, family-friendly Glenelg and Brighton beaches. Chocoholics can get their cacao fill at Australia’s oldest chocolate-making company, Haighs. While the parents are sipping premium Pinot, Shiraz or Eden Valley Riesling in the Adelaide Hills and beyond, the kids can also savour the freshest strawberries at Beerenberg Farm before a family visit to Melba’s Chocolate Factory. For some much-needed rest in between the exciting sightseeing, dining and cultural attractions in abundance, Hotels.com offers a range of Adelaide accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets. Staycationers can choose to stay in five-star style at the Intercontinental Adelaide. Located in the city’s vibrant heart, this premium accommodation option provides the ultimate luxury in first-class suites, guest rooms, facilities and dining options for discerning families. The Mayfair Hotel also offers five-star appeal, a central Adelaide base and all mod cons in one of the city’s newest and most lavish accommodation options. If you’re planning on a seaside staycation, Glenelg beachgoers can relax in luxurious comfort and family-friendly facilities at the Stamford Grand Adelaide Hotel. With enticing family package offers and a chocolate high tea that staycationers of all ages will savour, a visit to the Stamford Grand is worth getting excited about. Back in the Adelaide heartland, access all the city attractions with a mini or maxi break at the five-star Hilton Adelaide. With the cream of the city’s dining destinations, including Chinatown, Central Market and Gouger Street, on your doorstep, epicureans will be spoilt for choice. Peppers Waymouth Hotel is another central and premium Adelaide accommodation option. The feature indoor heated pool with its CBD outlook through heritage bay windows, heart-and-body warming on-site sauna, state-of-the-art gym and 24-hour room service are the makings of staycation heaven. Every day is a holiday when you and your family embark on an Adelaide staycation, with a little expert guidance from Hotels.com. *This article was written in partnership with Hotels.com Other blogs you may enjoy
- Adelaide Oval Roof Climb - Adelaide Parade of Lights - Adelaide Weekend at Sea - 24 Hours in Sydney with Kids - Melbourne Weekend with Kids Family time is incredibly special and precious. The nature of modern life means that we often spend family time in front of devices and screens instead of out and about enjoying adventures together, so it’s important to get away. A staggering £6.4 trillion is spent in the travel and tourism sector every year – but where to go? What to do? And how do you keep everyone in the family happy? If you are heading to the UK, we have found three exciting places to take the family to create memories that none of you will ever forget. 1. The Yorkshire Coast The perfect family break requires a blend of comfort, outdoor adventure and relaxation. The Yorkshire coast has all of those things and if you get the weather, it is one of the most beautiful spots on earth. The beaches, caves and hidden coves of Flamborough, the history and culture of wonderful Whitby and the charm of Filey are all worth visiting and that's without even touching upon the incredible wildlife on show at Bempton and the revival that Scarborough is enjoying. There are some fantastic cliff-top walks which will get the children away from their screens for a few hours. There are excellent restaurants, some of the best fish-and-chip shops in the country, and if the children claim they are getting bored, you have got the Flamingo Land theme park just up the road. 2. The West of Scotland This is a truly stunning part of the United Kingdom with great cities, incredible lakes and mountains, and a wondrous coastline. Start your family trip in Glasgow, where you can soak up all this magnificent city has to offer – including incredible theatre, music and culture, fantastic restaurants and things to do. Once you have visited the many brilliant places in Glasgow (don't miss the Kelvingrove Art Gallery or the Transport Museum by the way) drive an hour north to Loch Lomond. It is a place you can easily fall in love with. There are lots of spots to camp around the shore and the views are just magnificent. Pack the car back up and drive up to Oban on the coast to catch the ferry across to the Isle of Mull. There you can soak up some history and Scottish culture. Take plenty of spray for the midges if you are going in May or June and you will have an incredible time. 3. Windsor Famous, of course, for its historic castle and its role in the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Windsor is a brilliant family destination. Of course, the castle is the centrepiece and the tour around it will delight all ages. But the parks around Windsor are also fantastic for children and for having picnics in the sunshine. Stop by 'The Two Brewers' pub in the shadow of the castle for the best lunch in the town and then to keep the kids happy with a trip to Legoland, which is just 10 minutes up the road. What would your top three locations in the UK be to take the family - leave us your suggestion in the comments below. * Collaborative Post Other blogs you might enjoy
- Cycle London with Fat Tire - Christmas Cruising Pros and Cons - Adelaide Oval Roof Climb - Four Seasons Sydney Review  Why do people around the world leave the comforts of their home to travel? The answers are varied but they almost always have one thing in common – the opportunity to try something new. Travelling exposes you and your family to unique cultures and pushes you outside your comfort zone. But with the costs of airfares, accommodation and tour tickets, travelling has undoubtedly become more expensive. But if all of that is still wanting you to take flight, here are some tips on how to enjoy your holiday without breaking the bank.
Choose a Suitable Destination The French Riviera (Côte d’Azur) is a beach resort located in the Mediterranean coast of Southeastern France. It’s undoubtedly a beautiful destination and one that’s appealing to many. But it also costs significantly more in terms of airfare and accommodation. Traveling doesn’t have to stretch your finances to the limit. Other options in the Maldives and Thailand offer similar experiences of relaxing in a bungalow and basking in the sun at a fraction of the cost. And with the amount you save, you may even be able to extend your holiday a few days longer. Travel Off-Season Peak season is when more tourists travel, and in Australia starts around December to the end of January. If you can, you’ll want to avoid booking around this time as airlines and hotels generally increase their prices. The difference can be quite significant. School holidays also cause a fluctuation in prices - consider taking your kids out of school for a week of experiential learning that could never be achieved from the four walls of a class room. A more cost-effective way to travel is during the off-season . not only do you save on airfare costs, but there will also likely be fewer tourists at your destination. Create a Travel Budget A budget is an important part of travelling as it creates a spending plan for your money and ensures you have enough to cover all expenses. Start by creating a basic budget if you haven’t already. It should include expected expenses like airfares and accommodation. Research your destination ahead of time to find out the costs for any activities you want to do. Then be sure to include that in your budget. Add at least 5% to give your budget some breathing room as unexpected costs will undoubtedly arise. You can save up faster for your holiday using a high interest rate savings account. This not only means you can reach your budget sooner but you may even have a little more room to spend by the time you’re off to travel. Compare Airfare and Accommodation Prices Airfare and accommodation are two of the largest travel expenses. Use comparison sites to compare airfare prices to your destination. Prices vary frequently so book at the right time to maximise your savings. Another way to save is to book a stay at an Airbnb. These options may not be as luxurious as a hotel room, but if you’re not planning to spend most of your holiday relaxing inside your accommodation, opting for Airbnb may be a cheaper option. If you are cruising, consider the cheaper inside cabins - the price you save on your room you can spend on shore excursions and onboard activities. Be Smart About Exchanging Currency Exchanging money at the airport is extremely convenient. All you need to do is walk up to the currency exchange counter with the amount you want to convert and you’ll receive local currency. However, you’ll end up paying a small service fee and get an exchange rate that’s often much worse than the standard bank rate. A cheaper way to get local currency without the high conversion fees is to either withdraw from a local ATM or exchange with your bank. Just be sure to order the local currency of your destination a few days in advance. Buy Travel Insurance Anything can happen when you’re on holiday. Your flights might be cancelled or your luggage might get lost on the way. Plans vary depending on the provider you choose but most cover unforeseen circumstances including medical emergencies, flight-related problems, and even personal accidents. Even if you don’t end up using the insurance, it’s better to be safe than sorry. By Guest Blogger Alex Morrison  P&O’s Pacific Explorer is the most recent addition to the P&O Australia fleet of ships and, as with any ship, it has some unique features to explore. If you are booked on, or looking to take a cruise on, the Pacific Explorer here are a few handy tips on some of the offerings available to you. Pacific Explorer App The Pacific Explorer App is a must download as soon as you board. If you head to Deck 5 Reception there is a large board near Reception with details on how to download and get online with the App. Once loaded you can see your onboard account, view the itinerary and activities of the day and send messages to your travel companions. Of course for those that love getting their paper copy of the daily activities that is still placed on your pillow each night - but for those that prefer a digital option I found the app really handy. The messaging option is also a great way to keep in contact with your family. The one downside is that the app does not have the ability to send push notifications. Consequently the only way you know if you have a new message is if you open the app and check. So unless you are checking your messages at regular intervals it is possible to go some time in between actually getting messages.  Waterslides The Pacific Explorer has two waterslides for both young and old to enjoy. If you are cruising in nice weather and the slides are operating you should give them a go. However one thing worth noting is that there are strict rules around jewellery when sliding. You are not allowed to wear any necklaces and the staff are very strict on this. To avoid the inconvenience of climbing to the top of the ship ready to take a slide only to be told that the thin gold necklace around your neck is not allowed - be sure to remove your jewellery before you leave the cabin. I have also been told that zips on swimsuits are not allowed so make sure you have zip free swimmers for the kids to avoid disappointment. Luggage If you have a quad share cabin - you may want to consider the luggage you take as there is not much storage space for large suitcases. On other cruises we have taken our bags have fit under the beds - however on the Explorer they don’t actually fit as the beds are very close to the ground. You may want to consider bags that pack inside each other and/or soft bags that can be unpacked and placed under the beds. If your bags are too large to fit under the bed, try opening them up and sliding them under the bed open in two halves and they may just fit. Otherwise be prepared to take up your wardrobe space with a suitcase. Powerpoints There is only one powerpoint in the room. It is a dual plug consisting one Australian outlet and one European. Bring a power board/double adaptor and/or European plug to give access to more power for charging all your devices. Hairdryer Yes there is a hairdryer in the room - however it is a standard against the wall low wattage type. Fine if you are not fussy - but not very powerful if you need a strong hairdryer.  Pool Towels There is no need to bring pool towels as they are provided in your room. The pool towels can be used both on the ship and off shore so that saves packing them yourself. Best of all someone else will wash and dry them for you and give you clean ones every day! Soaps in the Room The shower has two dispensers - one with a shampoo/conditioner all in one type liquid, the other a shower gel. For some reason this seems to be a common question from cruisers. I tend to take my own shampoo and conditioner - but it is nice to know there is some supplied should you forget. Kids Club Registration If you have kids that are using the kids club there is paperwork that needs to be completed before they can attend. Watch out on your schedule for the registration opportunity (normally on the first day in the Black Circus an hour or so after the emergency drill). If you miss this sign up it means you are lined up at the door of kids club on the first morning waiting to get your paperwork done whilst other kids just check in and settle in to play while their parent’s are sipping cocktails. Read my other blog for some handy tips for family cruising.  Restaurant Bookings There are two specialty restaurants included in your cruise fare: Dragon Lady and Angelos. These are both great restaurants and it is best to make a booking for these on the first day of your cruise. When making your dining times it is worth noting that the main shows are generally scheduled for 7pm and 9pm so you may want to make your bookings for dinner with those show times in mind. However if you don’t manage to secure a booking, don’t despair as they do still take walk-ins and if you are happy to eat early sitting (5:15pm) or late (8pm) then you can normally get lucky on a walk in. Bondi Room Tucked away on Deck 12 there is a quiet inside room called the Bondi Room. If you are looking for somewhere quiet - or somewhere to play cards, or a board game, then this is the place for you. There is also a book exchange and board games (although my most recent trip there were not any board games) located in this room for those looking for some quiet entertainment. Thermal Suites Pacific Explorer does have a thermal suite in the spa area - however it does not really rate compare to the thermal suite onboard the Pacific Aria. The thermal suite on the Pacific Explorer is more a private sauna and steam room located in the ladies and mens change rooms of the Elemis Spa. There are no ceramic thermal beds or relaxation area - so unless you are after a daily steam or sauna you may be disappointed by this offering. However the price point is much lower than that of other ships and it is a quiet space on the ship to escape crowds.  Nutella Calzone
The Nutella Calzone in 400 Gradi restaurant is pretty good! Priced at just $6 it is great value and is enough for dessert for four people. You can get it take away - but I can’t imagine trying to eat it in my room. Even if you don’t dine here for pizza, I highly suggest a dessert stop to try this gem. Have you cruised on Pacific Explorer? Do you have any ship specific tips to share? We enjoyed a Christmas Cruise on the Pacific Explorer and took the trip from Sydney to Tasmania on the Dark Mofo Cruise and loved both our cruises on this ship. Penny Itchy Feet Family  When planning our trip to Hong Kong I met an expat who suggested we must include a visit to Ocean Park. I had never heard of the Park, but was intrigued to visit the location that she spoke so fondly of that held so many fond childhood memories for her. Ocean Park is a full day of fun and thrills - an action packed theme park popular with both visitors and locals - this is one busy attraction in Hong Kong. More than 140 million people have visited the park since it opened in January 1977. We visited in April 2019 as guests of Ocean Park and were blown away at just how much was on offer at this expansive park. Whether young or old, all ages were attracted to this park where your entry fee provides access to a world of shows, animal encounters, thrill rides, amusements and entertainment. Getting There The fantastic thing about Hong Kong is how accessible everything is through the expansive rail system - the MTR. A dedicated stop at Ocean Park means that no matter where your Hong Kong hotel is located, accessing the park is simple. Tourists can purchase a 24 hour travel card for the MTR, however we found it was actually more cost efficient to simply purchase single trip tickets as we went. The only downside to that was the need to have cash at the station to use the ticket machines - and the machines did not take large notes.  Tickets Tickets for Ocean Park are priced at HKD$498 (approx AUD$90) for visitors aged 12+ and provide entry and access to the majority of attractions. You can purchase your tickets online, at the gate, or at a 7-eleven. Locals told us they too love to visit Ocean Park, particularly on their birthday when they receive free entry to celebrate their special day! Navigating the Park Ocean Park is an expansive attraction spread across a mountainous area. Located on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, Ocean Park covers more than 91.5 hectares of land and has more than 80 attractions. There are two distinct areas of the park - the Waterfront and the Summit - the two areas are connected by the Park’s 41 year old cable car, providing breathtaking views of the South China Sea, and the Ocean Express, a funicular train system. I have to be honest it was a bit overwhelming the expansive size of the park - and as my navigation skills are not the sharpest I did find it a bit of a maze. However it meant there was constantly something new around every misguided turn I took! The Park provided a printed map upon arrival and there was an app that was useful to help us navigate our day. Look out for the e-coupons available on the app - a great way to save a bit on your food and drink costs for the day. And the park is all hooked up with free wi-fi to keep you connected and posting all you favourite snaps of the day to you social media channels. We opted to take the cable car up to the Summit as soon as we arrived - an option that proved a smart one as in the afternoon the line up to take the journey down the mountain was huge! The four minute funicular train journey is capable of taking 5,000 people per hour and had more capacity at the end of the day when we were tired and ready to leave.  The Rides So we are a family that loves a good roller coaster and Ocean Park did not disappoint us there!Thrill Mountain homes rides such as the Hair Raiser, Arctic Blast, The Flash, Mine Train and Raging River that have you speeding through loops and around corners at speed. Our favourite had to be the Mine Train, set on the side of a cliff, this ride gave an option to include a virtual reality headset. It was one of the most bizarre experiences I have ever had and takes your thrill ride rollercoaster to a whole new level. For those not seeking loops and drops there were plenty of other lower adrenaline options to entertain including a ferris wheel, bumper cars, tea cups and the like. Animal Attractions As well as offering theme park rides and activities, Ocean Park is renowned for its animal husbandry, conservation and research. As proud South Australians we were delighted to see the Adventures in Australia attraction that highlighted none other than South Australia! Featuring a koala, laughing kookaburra and a rare albino wallaby, it was interesting visiting our local flora and fauna in Hong Kong. Add to this the giant pandas, birds of prey show at the amazing bird theatre, a polar adventure featuring both south and north pole encounters, and an amazing aquarium - there is plenty of animal encounters to be had at the park. Have you been to Ocean Park? What was your highlight of the visit? Leave us a comment with your suggestion. Penny - Itchy Feet Family * Itchy Feet Family were guests of Ocean Park for our visit in April 2019. Other blogs you may like to read:
- Finding Fish Balls in Hong Kong - 15 Things to Do in Hong Kong with Kids - Kayaking the Fjords in Norway - Cruise Port Day in Sitka Alaska - Cycling in London - Roofclimb Adelaide |
AuthorPenny, an avid Trip Advisor Reviewer, is the author of ITCHY FEET FAMILY. A family of 4 living in Adelaide, Australia, and taking every opportunity to travel and explore the world. Archives
October 2019
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