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If you are heading to North Bali and need somewhere to stay we recently discovered The Lovina Bali and would not think twice about recommending it. Booked on a Trip a Deal (available to book until June 2024) this was an amazing special and incentive to try a new part of Bali for us. Here are eight reason why you should consider The Lovina Bali Resort in North Bali. 1. An Authentic Bali Experience North Bali is an authentic Bali experience. There are no night clubs in Lovina, no fancy beach clubs or day spas - this is relaxed and back to basics. There are a few restaurants we discovered, but mostly Warungs and bean bags on the beach where you can enjoy a large bintang for AUD$4 or a fresh coconut for AUD$2. It is a simple, slow paced environment in the north and it is definitely somewhere you can go to relax. Most of the tourists were European - we bumped into a few fellow Australian travellers - but Lovina is certainly not an Aussie Bogan destination. A 2.5 hour drive from Denpasar airport (on a good traffic day) you have to be prepared to travel to get there - but we thought it was well worth it.  2. Beach Side Location The Lovina Bali is a beachside resort so if you like evening strolls on the sand, cocktails whilst watching the sunset over the water and a place to swim or kayak - The Lovina has it! The beaches in North Bali are calm and relatively clean, they offer good snorkelling and calm waters for SUPs and kayaks. And The Lovina provides all the equipment you need at no extra cost - including snorkel gear.  3. Morning Yoga If you like to start your day with a stretch and some meditation, The Lovina provides daily 8am yoga classes included in your stay. A great way to start the day - and to meet fellow travellers. The resort did also have a small gym room with a few weights and a treadmill if that's how you like to start your day - and there were also bicycles available to use free of charge. 4. Breakfast Buffet If you want to start your morning with a hearty meal, the breakfast buffet at The Lovina had something for everyone. Eggs made to order, fresh juices, asian and western dishes - there was no complaints from us here. And there were two options for dining - beach side or overlooking the rice fields - we alternated and enjoyed the varying views. The coffee was basic black American style - no almond half strength barista made coffees here to rival an Australian Cafe start to the day - but the surrounds and the staff certainly made up for that. 5. Free Shuttle The free shuttle service was invaluable for getting around in Lovina. At any time (up to 11pm at night) guests can walk into reception and request a shuttle service to local amenities. A trip to the supermarket, the money exchange or drop off at a restaurant. And once you are out you could simply WhatsApp the hotel and the shuttle would come and collect you if you had not pre arranged it. They were so attentive and responsive on one occasion we were planning a walk back but got caught in the rain, we messaged them and they were there in 5 minutes! The next time we went out for a walk we took our provided umbrellas - but of course it didn't rain.  6. Large Clean Rooms We stayed in a beachside one bedroom suite with the pool just steps from our door and loved it. The rooms are large and well maintained, they included a kitchen area with a full size fridge which was great for storing our supermarket Bintang purchases and the room included bottled water daily - essential for brushing your teeth! The king sized bed was comfy and the room had both air-conditioning and ceiling fans. 7. Onsite Spa When travelling to Bali I always indulge in massages and spa treatments and the onsite spa (Body Tonic) was excellent. The trip a deal accommodation package we booked included 2 x 60 minute Balinese Massages and the facility and service was professional, clean and relaxing. The prices in the spa were higher than massages in the street, however if you booked a day in advance a 20% discount was applied - although there was a 21% service charge.  8. See the Dolphins One of the attractions Lovina is known for is the dolphins that enjoy the waters off their coast. Each morning small boats head out to the deeper waters taking tourists out to the hot spots to view the dolphins in the wild at sunrise. As part of our package we had an included early morning tour to see the dolphins for ourselves. A 5:45am wake up followed a short walk along the beach to join one of the many small boats that head out each morning. Whilst it was great to see the dolphins (guests who went out the day before us also saw a whale) it is quite a touristy experience with in excess of 80 boats moving in packs in what felt close to chasing the dolphins. For European tourists that come from landlocked homes this would have been a highlight, for an Australian tourist I am not sure I would repeat the experience and rather leave the dolphins to enjoy their ocean.  Penny
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As Australians we are coffee snobs. We judge a café based on the barista coffee they serve. We know good coffee and we expect it. Bali is not somewhere I would rank up there as a nation that knows their coffee – so when out on a day trip with Bali Hai Adventure tours and they wanted to take us to a coffee plantation – we were dubious. And dubious we should have been – they served us shit coffee! Literally! The Luwak is a small animal that eats the coffee beans, digests them and poops them out! The pooped out coffee beans are then cleaned, roasted and ground for human consumption. Now whoever discovered this as being a good thing to do – I have questions for. However, being the type of people that like to immerse ourselves in the cultures we visit – we went along for the ride. How did it taste? Well it tasted like coffee. I wouldn’t say it blew us away – but it also wasn’t unpleasant. The coffee plantation visit is more than just tasting the Luwak coffee – we were walked through the garden to see a variety of fruits being grown, shown the coffee production process and then treated to a tasting paddle of 15 different varieties of teas and coffee. With delights such as coconut coffee, avocado coffee, mangosteen tea, pandan tea and ginger tea – it was quite an assault on the taste buds.  And to top it all off they had a baby Luwak that was quite happy to be held. The nocturnal animal was quite sleepy so safe to hold – apparently the adult animals are not quite as obliging! We visited the Hidden Garden in Baturiti on this day tour with Bali Hai Adventures – but there are multiple Luwak Coffee plantations in Bali just waiting to serve tourists a cup of shit coffee! Would you try it? Penny Itchy Feet Family Other blogs you may enjoy:
Bali is known for it’s beautiful instagrammable locations and the North of the Island doesn’t disappoint if you want to chase waterfalls. On our most recent visit we booked a Bali Hai Adventures day trip to seek out some of the island’s waterfalls. Sekumpal is known as one of the most spectacular – it is a long drive from where we were staying in Seminyak, but it gave us a good opportunity to see some of the beautiful countryside and villages. The great thing about doing a private day trip is the flexibility it offers. The drive to the North was about three hours so having a private guide meant we could stop whenever needed to stretch the legs or see some of the sites on the way. When we arrived at Sekumpal there were two options offered to us to get to the waterfall. Option 1, jump on the back of a motorbike and be driven as far down as they could get us. Option 2, be guided by a local on the walk. The path was quite steep so whilst a motorbike sounded appealing – it also seemed a bit scary – we opted to walk. As we were going down – all I was thinking about was the fact that we would eventually have to come back up! The walk down gave us an opportunity to be amongst the locals, we passed through local shops, houses and farming areas. Although it was steep and many steps, it was a great opportunity to be out amongst it all at the grass roots level. To reach the first waterfall we had to take our shoes off and walk through a rocky river but it was only about 10 metres wide so quite easily done. The second waterfall location also required walking through a river – this one a bit wider and had a rope in place to guide us through.   The waterfalls are pretty packed with tourists, upon arrival people take turn to find their instagrammable photo spot and get that ultimate profile picture. Some people climbed over rocks to actually swim in the river – we opted to enjoy the view. It was about an hour walking to get down and see the waterfalls and once we got our pictures it was time to take the journey up. A level of fitness is required and on a really humid day I can imagine it would be a bit tough. But there are plenty of stops along the way that you can buy a drink, take a pause and refresh before finishing the journey. The next stop on our day trip was lunch – but if you are visiting independently there are also restaurants in the area to grab some local fare. If you don’t mind a bit of a drive, are looking for a way to see the landscape of the north - this is a great day trip to take. Bali Hai also took us to a coffee plantation, rice fields, lunch and water temple on this day out and it was a full day with pick up at 8am and drop home back at the hotel in Seminyak at 6pm. Penny Itchy Feet Family *Itchy Feet Family were hosted on this tour by Bali Hai Adventure Tours. Find details of how to book this tour, and other Bali Adventures, at their website www.balihaitour.com If you are heading to Bali and are looking for something active to do - there are plenty of options when exploring this island. With two teenagers in tow on our most recent trip we planned full day activities every second day of our holiday to make sure everyone was entertained in between rest and shopping days. One of out best day trips was a packed adventure with Bali Hai Tours that included rafting down the Telaga Waja river in the morning followed by a downhill bike ride in the afternoon. They call it a combination tour Rafting and Downhill Cycling. The team from Bali Hai took care of all the details, we were collected from our hotel early in the morning and they packed the day with adventure and activities to take us all of our devices for the day! Cycling is a great way to see a destination at a slower pace and provides access to areas that you otherwise would not see. What I loved about this cycling trip is that it was mostly downhill which meant although we were in the saddle for a few hours it was more of a roll rather than a demanding pedal challenge. The tour takes you through the back streets of the villages, through rice fields, on the streets, to temples and even through bamboo forrest. And with your hand on the brake, the bike just rolls you through the scenery - really you just need to be able to balance. The tour came with two guides, one at the lead and one at the back, and on our tour it was just the four of us out on the adventure. One of the stops on the tour was at Penglipuran traditional village where we were able to walk into the homes of the locals and chat with them. They were very open to welcoming tourists into their homes and showing us how they live - the local children loved the opportunity to practice their English. We met the local school teacher who was more than happy to chat and show us his home.  Although mostly on smooth downhill paths, the tour takes you through varying terrains. There were a few steep descents and rough tracks throughout the bamboo forrest, and you do ride along a couple of busy roads, but we are not a family of regular cyclists and we all enjoyed the day. The tour ended at Taman Narmada water temple where we could dismount and enjoy a freshly picked coconut as we enjoyed the view. The coconut juice refreshing the palette after the day's adventure.  If you like being active and getting out and seeing more than just the pool at your hotel - we can highly recommend this tour. Penny Itchy Feet Family *Itchy Feet Family were hosted on this tour by Bali Hai Adventure Tours. Find details of how to book this tour, and other Bali Adventures, at their website www.balihaitour.com Other blogs you may enjoy:
A visit to Bali normally includes an itinerary of day trips and activities and rafting is one of the fun family adventures on offer when visiting the island. We took the two teenagers to Bali for a week in January 2023 and included a combination day out tour of rafting and cycling - this was definitely one of the highlights of our week and an adventure we all enjoyed. We have been rafting in Bali a few times before, but this time we went with Bali Hai Tours who took us for an adventure at Telaga Waja river. In the past we have been out of Ubud down the Ayung river - this river to the East of Bali was far more adventurous!  As it was rainy season there was plenty of water flowing down the river which made for some fun moments on the two hour 18km down stream adventure. It was definitely all hands on deck paddling, ducking to go under low bridges and hanging on when we took on a 4-metre drop! At the 6km mark we stopped at a waterfall for some photos and the chance for a bintang and a rest - this activity is not for anyone wanting a peaceful paddle down a stream. 
If you are looking for a day out for your trip to Bali - this is something you can add to the itinerary for the whole family to enjoy. Have you been rafting in Bali? Which did you prefer Ayung of Telaga Waja river? Penny Itchy Feet Family *Itchy Feet Family were hosted on this tour by Bali Hai Adventure Tours. Find details of how to book this tour, and other Bali Adventures, at their website www.balihaitour.com Other blogs you may enjoy:
My first post-pandemic overseas adventure and I wanted to do something off the bucket list. I had seen amazing pictures on Instagram of the Mt Batur Volcano Sunrise Trek in Bali and decided that I wanted those images on my feed. But sometimes reality really does not replicate what you see on the Gram! When the alarm went off at 2:45am in our Ubud villa the rain was coming down hard. We ran through what felt like splash buckets at a water park dumping on our heads to get to our driver who collected us at 3am for our magical insta worthy adventure. Bali Hai tours website refers to the trek as a way to enjoy "Glorious sunrises and stunning morning views" - we were in! A one hour drive through heavy rain and then thick fog was a miraculous feat by our driver - I closed my eyes and just hoped we would get there alive! At least there was very little traffic on the road which is an insta worthy moment in Bali of itself. By 4am we had met our trek guide, donned a plastic poncho and a head torch, and the adventure began. The rain had reduced to a drizzle and we held hope for our sunrise as we took off in a single file along with hundreds of other hopeful sunrise seekers. For two hours we ascended in the dark, one step at a time in a single file with anticipation for the summit. The climb is not for the faint hearted - it was definitely a steady challenge with uneven surfaces and a rudimentary track. At no point did I think I was not going to make it - but it certainly put a burn in the legs. We passed a 20 something who perhaps had been out on the local cocktails the night before who had ended up in a bush just off the track - not sure her or her group made it. A boozy night before this trek is not something I would recommend. When we arrived at the top our guide seated us on a bench, prepared us a small breakfast and left us to enjoy the sunrise. It was cold and the fog so thick we could barely see in front of our faces. The insta worthy sunrise was an epic picture of thick fog and me in a plastic poncho!  Our poor guide barely had time to catch up with her fellow guides for breakfast - we knew the fog was not going to clear, it was cold and we were ready to descend. We never imagined a trip to Bali we would regret not packing our thermals! The track on the descent, in the daylight, was a surprise. I think if we ascended in day light and could see the track we were on we may have thought twice! It was rocky and uneven, no tourist dollars have been spent here on any fancy walkways. We had a glimmer of a sunrise on the way down, our guide desperately trying to get us an image but by the time we got the phones out it was gone. We met with our Bali Hai Tour driver at the base and he delivered our weary bodies, along with our non gram worthy photos to the local hot springs where we soaked and debriefed our morning adventure. So it's not always like it is on the gram! But no regrets - we still have a great story to tell and memories to relive. And who knows - maybe we will try again. Penny Itchy Feet Family *Itchy Feet Family were hosted on this tour by Bali Hai Adventure Tours. Find details of how to book this tour, and other Bali Adventures, at their website www.balihaitour.com Our first post pandemic international travel was to Bali in September 2022. We enjoyed our direct flight to sunshine so much, we have been three times in the last 12 months! One of the most common questions I have been asked is about the arrival process at Denpasar airport. Here is a quick guide on what to expect when you arrive and how you can prepare for a smooth arrival. Updated January 2024. There are a number of steps to the arrival process but if prepared it runs quite smoothly - here they are. Pre-Departure in Australia When we checked in for our flight in Adelaide we were required to show 1. Passport only - no requirement for any sort of COVID certification is now required. Arrival into Denpasar - Station 1 The first queue is where you will pay for you tourist visa. They will take many forms of payment including Australian Dollars, Indonesian Rupiah, Pounds, US dollar - whatever currency you have. There is a conversion table for each country and it gives you the rate of the day. On the day we went through it was $53 Australian Dollars per person. If paying by cash - they will only take notes (ie for $53 I had to give them $55 and I received change in Rupiah) You can also pay be credit card so they are happy for you to just tap and pay! Station 2 The second station requires you to show 1. Passport 2. Your Boarding Pass (so don't lose that on your flight or leave it in the seat back! 3, Your receipt from paying for your Entry Visa and 4. You will have your fingerprint taken (although some people say this is not all the time?). We have found this is always the longest line. In August it took us about an hour at this point. There is a line for seniors (over 65) and families so if you fit that category you may get through quicker on that line. Station 3 After collecting your bags you will need to show a QR code from your customs declaration for arrival. Many people were standing around filling out the online arrival declaration (there is free wifi in the airport so it is possible to do this) or filling out the paper forms - however if you have pre-done it the process is much smoother. The customs declaration can be completed up to three days before travel and you can complete it online. Click here for the website - you will need your passport number, flight number and know how many bags you are checking and carrying with you. Once you have done all three stations (queue) you will have access to exit to enjoy your Bali holiday! A Few Helpful Tips Transport I always pre-book airport transfers - it is so much easier and cheaper. Your hotel may include a transfer - great! Or you may want use someone like Viator who have cheap and secure options. Click Here for More. Hotels/Travel/Tours Be sure to sign up for CashRewards before you do your travel bookings if you like to make bookings yourself online. This a great way to save and get cash back on your travel expenses. Currency I always use cash in Bali - take Australian dollars and simply exchange as you go. There are plenty of money change locations throughout the island and it saves getting caught with a lot of currency left at the end of your trip. Penny Itchy Feet Family Other blogs you may enjoy:
Some six years since our last visit to the beautiful island of Bali – we headed back in September 2022 for our first post-pandemic overseas trip and were welcomed by the Blu-Zea by Double Six Resort in Seminyak. Seminyak is a great location if you are after some hustle and bustle. A block away from the beach, this resort has restaurants, bars, market stores and massage spas all on your doorstep. When you are done with all the action – the resort offers an oasis to relax and chill. The resort pool has the mandatory swim up bar, coupled with daily happy hour, a basketball ring for some in-pool activity and plenty of in-pool seating to chill.
We stayed in a Junior Suite – room number 09 – which was a great corner location at the resort that comes with a private deck, an outdoor lounge area and direct access to the pool. The room was spacious with a second toilet separate to the bathroom complete with bath and rain shower. The rooms were clean and well maintained and come with a daily towel animal left on the bed – it made me feel like I was on a cruise ship! We really appreciated all the free bottled water left in the room every day – and there was an added bonus of a water refill station should you need more. Bottled water is essential in Bali you need to use it for both drinking and brushing your teeth! The breakfast was served in an open-air restaurant overlooking the pool beach area and offered a large buffet selection of both Western and Asian cuisine. The egg station was well received and did made-to-order eggs from scrambled, omelettes, boiled, poached or fried.
We traveled as a couple and found it to be a great option for adults. There were not a lot of kids staying here that we noticed – plenty of adults that were repeat visitors and raved about the resort. There is a kids club, a theatre room and free pool tables in the lobby for some entertainment. And for those that value their exercise the gym was a good set up offering a variety of machines and weight stations. We also tried out the onsite spa with one of their signature packages. The whole experience is relaxing, and it felt very indulgent. The staff were fantastic and the facility very calming and well maintained.
The reception offered a money change service that we found useful as the rates were comparable and it was a safe place to change our Australian dollars as we needed it. The Blu-Zea by Double Six is a great option for a trip to Bali. It was fantastic to be back in Bali and be able to support the local tourism that has been doing it so tough over the last two years. Penny Itchy Feet Family Itchy Feet Family stayed at Blu-Zea Resort by Double Six as a Guest. More details of the resort including rates can be found at their website www.blu-zearesort.com 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  It’s an unfortunate fact of life that planning a holiday in Bali can, at times, get a bit stressful. Instead of drooling over pictures of tropical beaches and turquoise waters, or dreaming about technicolored sunsets, we find ourselves worrying over passports and tickets and making sure we have got the absolute best deal. One of the biggest decisions to make is the type of accommodation to stay in. Bali has a few choices on offer, but, if we rule out backpackers and hostels (lets not even get started with tents, glamping or otherwise!), great if you are young or travelling solo, but less appealing the older you get, then really there are only two main contenders: hotels or private villas. For many people, a hotel is the obvious first choice, they are safe, reliable and we generally know what to expect. The idea of booking a villa though, can seem a little bit daunting for first timers - so why would you consider a villa over a hotel? Pros and Cons Of course both forms of accommodation have their pros and cons and it really is up to each individual to decide which will be the best option for them - we for example really enjoyed our stay in the Hard Rock Hotel. If you keep reading though you may decide that a private villa can, in many cases, be the way to go. There are many benefits to staying in a hotel. They often have the best locations (i.e right on the beach), large pools, opportunities to socialise and onsite bars and restaurants. However, there are also downsides, most often involving either space or privacy. Suites can be expensive, standard rooms a little too small, especially for families, and you may have to keep the noise down in order to avoid becoming unpopular with your neighbours. Villas, on the other hand avoid most of these issues. Perhaps their biggest selling point is the amount of privacy and freedom they can offer. If you want to get a feel for what it’s really like to live in Bali, a villa will give you a much closer approximation of this than a hotel. Imagine just popping out of your own private enclave, strolling just a couple of minutes down the road and finding yourself right in the heart of some of Bali’s best locations. A villa can be your own home-away-from-home, you can cook whatever you like, whenever you like (or never if you like, as many villas come with a private chef!). You can stay up as late as you like, without worrying about the noise, and you can even take a skinny dip in the pool! Maybe, best of all, there will be no more staring longingly at towel draped sun beds, the claimants of which are nowhere to be seen, because you will have your own private outdoor area. How do costs compare? Whilst there are plenty of villas designed as romantic getaways for couples, there are also many larger properties that are a great choice if you are travelling with friends, or relatives. In fact the more people you can bring along the better a deal you will be able to find. As of writing, it is possible to find some amazing villas, available in high season for as little as $20 USD per person per night! These are villas with private gardens and pools, spacious bedrooms with ensuites, beautifully appointed kitchens, well designed living / dining areas and a permanent staff, available to cater to your every whim. One major concern that many have about renting a villa is the cost. The idea of renting an entire building with facilities anywhere as nice as even a basic resort seems as though it should be prohibitively expensive. In Bali, however, this is really not the case. Of course, there are villas that were built to cater only for the super rich, but, there are also plenty of others, that are much more affordable, and would still easily be classified as luxury accommodation. Where will I feel safe? Another barrier many have about renting villas is the perception of the possible lack of security in a villa as opposed to that offered by a resort, however many offer 24h security guards on duty so be sure to check the details of the villa you are renting. There are couple of options when it comes to finding your dream villa, you can try to do so privately, or, you can organise it through a dedicated villa company. I would recommend doing the latter. There are plenty of these companies operating in Bali and a quick search through some of their websites will turn up tons of fantastic villas for you to compare. Bali’s private villa market has been booming in recent years and with so much competition, villa companies have to ensure a high operating standard in order to remain in the game. The best will have stringent quality control checks on all their listed properties and team of staff on the ground to provide you with advice or to assist you should any problems arise. This guest post was contributed by Bali Villas. With extensive experience in servicing Australian clients, Bali Villas knows what families are looking for in terms of location, style and pricing. Each of their family friendly villas situated on the beautiful island of Bali have been hand-picked by their ‘family expert’ – someone with children who knows exactly what families are looking for. Contact Bali Villas on [email protected] for a short consultation, and they will be able to find you the perfect villa. Bali Villas aim to take the stress out of planning your holiday, so you can concentrate on creating lasting memories with your family.  Going to the dentist on a holiday might not be everyone’s first thought for a restful and fun break. But if you’re one of many who laments on the dentistry that was never done in your teens, then you might just find yourself considering it.
In Australia, my husband was looking at $35,000-$40,000 for the work that he knew inevitably would have to be done (or consider false teeth in the not too distant future – eek!). When in Thailand some years ago, we met an Aussie nurse who worked in cosmetic hospitals and the stories that he shared on the professionalism and results that he saw daily really had us thinking. Maybe this overseas thing isn’t as mad as it sounds. A few years went by, but the idea was firmly in our mind. ONE FLIGHT DESTINATION Being from Adelaide, you really just want one flight to the destination and back home for a short holiday, so Bali was put on the list. A chance holiday to Legian at the last minute allowed my husband to seriously consider this idea. So, combined with hundreds of hours of internet research, he decided to go and meet two dentists on the shortlist and chat about the options. Both were incredibly professional and suddenly this option was real. Estimates for the work were around $15,000 and the process was explained clearly with a map of visits, timeframes and what to expect. Would we really consider this? Haven’t we watched any of those ‘Surgery that Destroyed My Life’ shows? Are we mad? But sitting in the waiting room, in this modern surgery, with all the latest equipment and meeting the staff made us realise this is a genuine growing business in some countries – and they take it very seriously. Most surgeries have a head surgeon who is from a more medically advanced country. In this case, our choice was a German dentist (and his surgery runs with that precision) and his speciality is cosmetic dentistry and implants. Finally deciding to go ahead with the process means a commitment of several visits, depending on what you are having done. We chose to do some extractions in Australia and then do the restorative and implants in Bali to save on having to do a third trip. Of course there were some nerves about the procedures, but after several consultations, any concern over the competency, hygiene and professionalism had disappeared. So on day eight of an 11 day holiday, in my husband went for implant surgery. I won’t go into details of the procedure, other than to say it was over extremely quickly and the panoramic x-ray was done prior and post-surgery to confirm exact location (very professional and reassuring). You certainly won’t be lining up for cocktails that evening, but my husband was shocked at how manageable the pain was and with some painkillers, he slept for most of the day following the procedure. The next day, much to my surprise, we still went out and he was managing to eat some soft food like pasta and rice without great challenge after we went back to the dentist for the 24 hour follow up visit. POST DENTISTRY Returning back home, we resumed daily life and there were no issues around pain or healing. Unfortunately, one implant didn’t take, but that related more to existing damage on the jaw and we knew that risk before surgery as it has been highlighted by the dentist. It was worth a shot and the other four took exactly as planned. We knew the day after surgery at the check up about this failure and it was managed quickly then. Some months later, we returned to Bali to complete the process which involved creating the tooth component and having veneers on 13 teeth. This visit to the dentist was by far the longest and certainly the toughest, because of the process of building veneers. It’s fair to say my husband wasn’t that spritely the following day, but he knew that this was part of the process and he was relieved that it was over. Around a week after that long day at the dentist, he was able to return to complete the veneers and implants. Upon walking out of the surgery, I have never seen him smile so much and he admitted to the dentist that when he saw the results he actually teared up knowing that the days of being able to eat simple things like apples and smile in photos had returned! The results speak for themselves and my husband doesn’t regret it for a second. And the number of people that have asked him about is experience has blown me away. With the world becoming more connected, many people are choosing this option and certainly the waiting room at this clinic was always full of Aussies and New Zealanders. Even for a check up it’s about $60, so regulars to Bali (particularly without health insurance) make that hour part of their annual holiday. The clinic downstairs does injectables and minor cosmetic procedures and that place was flat out every time we visited too. THE COSTS The total cost for us was around $14,000 at the dentist (the exchange rate will vary visit to visit) and the dental work was completed in two trips that we enjoyed as holidays too. Obviously though, the flights and accommodation are a cost you can’t ignore, but we invested no more than $4000 on both trips. TOP TIPS Our top tips:
So would we travel for procedures such as heart surgery, plastic surgery or laser eye treatment? I’m not sure being perfectly honest, but probably because we haven’t faced that health challenge (thankfully). If we did though, it’s certainly something we would consider and research again. And I’d not be surprised if we came to the same conclusion as we did on dental. Guest Blogger VixenMixer The VixenMixer was a patient of ARCDental on Sunset Road, Kuta - http://www.arcdentalbali.com/ A trip to Bali is a right of passage for Australian families. Once you have done the obligatory trip to the Gold Coast theme parks the next progression is a family holiday to Bali. Although not a regular destination on the Itchy Feet Family destination list, we have done a few trips and always like to try something different outside of the Kuta markets, Ubud day trip and visit to Waterbom Park. On our most recent trip we decided to see the countryside on two-wheels on a cycling tour. We chose Bali Hai Tours who collected us from our hotel in Kuta, the Hard Rock Hotel. Although we knew we were doing a tour, the one thing we forgot to prepare for was the almost two-hour car journey to Ubud to actually start the cycling tour! Whilst the kids were excited at the prospect of cycling, when our driver gave us an estimate drive time to our tour we nearly had a riot on our hands from the kids! So be prepared.  Cycling tours are best when all family members are able to cycle, however even if your youngest is not quite at a stage to handle their own wheels, bikes with child seats are available. Our 5 year old could ride but not confidently enough so we opted for the child seat for her. Master 8 on the other hand was rearing to go. The clever part of this tour is that the transportation takes you to the highest part of the journey and the route takes you downhill and along flats. So even for someone with only modest levels of fitness, there are no mountains to scale! The challenge is not so much in activating your quads to cycle through terrain, but rather keeping cramp in your hand at bay as the steep descents require excessive usage of your hand break. The route took us through rural villages, bamboo forests, rice fields and to the doorsteps of temples. Children waved and laughed at us as we cycled by and we saw a lovely side to this beautiful country away from the hustle and bustle of Kuta.  Not for the faint hearted, there were a number of stretches that took us along main roads and I must admit that as a mother with an 8 yo on a cycle I did have a few nervous moments when trucks and cars were passing. We had a number of stops along the way where our guide would share with us stories and facts of the area and we were able to stretch our legs, rehydrate and take in the surrounds. Master 8 was fascinated by the Durian and at a local village stop he was shown how to cut the fruit open. He was also offered a taste - however the smell was not one he (nor I) could quite handle. An acquired taste for sure! So if you have done the obligatory tours in Bali and are after something a little different, a cycling tour is a fun family day out if you can drag yourself away from the pool, cocktails and massages! Other blogs you may be interested in: Christmas Cruising: The Pros and Cons Y’All Come Back Soon: Visit to a Texas Ranch Getting Dirty in Vietnam: Nha Trang Mud Baths  Having been to Bali a couple of times, I had always vowed that I would NEVER stay in Kuta……. but as you learn in life you should NEVER say NEVER!
Our last trip to Bali we got an amazing deal at the Hard Rock Hotel, right in the heart of Kuta. I was sceptical - but I have to say, I would actually stay there again. Here are my top four reasons why.
The pool area at the Hard Rock Hotel Bali is amazing. The largest free-form swimming pool in Bali, with an amazing sand bar, this pool is off the hook! Not only does it have slides for the kids and the mandatory swim up bar for the big kids, but it also has a great vibe. During the day it is easy to find a chill out space to read and soak up the sun, and for those that like a bit more going on the crew do a great job to keep people entertained. The kids loved the foam disco party, the beach volleyball and the biggest splash competition. 2. The Location I know this hotel is right in the heart of Kuta and for a family Kuta is probably not the location that comes first of mind, however it really worked. In the morning, after breakfast together as a family, the kids would head to kids club and we could take a five minute stroll and be in the thick of shopping and massages. My children hate shopping and whilst they actually like to get massages in Asia and wanted to come with us, it was nice to be able to go on our own occasionally. There was no need for a taxi or any commute, we just walked out of the hotel and into a spa. An hour (or maybe two) later, we could be back at the hotel - again no taxi required - to collect the kids for lunch. In the evenings we had plenty of options for dining at our doorstep and we were also within walking distance of Waterbom Park.. 3. Rock Royalty Lounge I have to admit, having access to the Rock Royalty Lounge certainly put a shine on our stay here. This is Hard Rock’s equivalent to a “Club” area and it really was a nice extra to include. Instead of eating breakfast in the large buffet restaurant (which was in itself great), Rock Royalty allows a much quieter experience with personal table service in a more intimate, yet very funky, dining area. In the afternoon snacks and soft drinks were available followed by early evening canapé’s and cocktails. Admittedly Rock Royalty felt a bit indulgent - but we certainly loved it! The kids relished in the independence of being able to order mocktails and enjoyed happy hour as much as we did! If you can get it included as part of a package for a reasonable price, I would say go for it. I would not pay top dollar for it as you want to get out and explore and not spend your whole time at the hotel trying to get the value from it. 4. Kids Club There are two things we always require in a sun holiday, a swim-up bar and a great kids club! Hard Rock Hotel has two big ticks on this one. The kids club had two quite large indoor spaces but the daily program quite often took them out of those rooms and into other areas of the resort to explore. The kids would go rock climbing, out to the garden for a picnic, to the sandbar for soccer and much more. The daily program was entertaining and the staff were as you would expect - enthusiastic and nurturing. The kids club, like the hotel, had a very funky vibe to it and the kids enjoyed playing with others and being entertained. They even performed on stage poolside one evening after spending a day in rehearsal. Have you stayed at Hard Rock Hotel Bali? What did you think? Penny - ITCHY FEET FAMILY |
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