Holiday Highlights

Well i'm back and feeling super refreshed from our family vacation. The Reindl man on the other hand has decided he needs a holiday from his holiday, but a first time international holiday with two kids will do that to a working man. So now that he is back at work and the girls and i are settling back into our routine i thought i'd share some highlights from our trip and a few things we learned along the way.

Accommodation:
Vilarisi Hotel Legian
If you're the type that like staying in 5 star trendy hotels, this place is not for you. For our family we enjoy value for money and the feel that you are not in your home town. The family rooms were great size and were serviced everyday of our 9 day stay. The pool had a fantastic set up where there was a small kiddie pool cornered off the main pool plus another area of the pool had a large ledge so miss lexi (6 and not a confident swimmer) was able to play freely. We didn't try the restaurant as we preferred to venture out at meal time but it seemed nice and clean and you can have your food in your room or by the pool if you wish. Check out time is 12pm which i thought was great instead of having to get up early to pack up and check out.

Things we learned:
Its not like i didn't know it already but perth airport is shocking. In the whole departure lounge of the international terminal there is one measly bar and an eagle boys that charge $9 for a pizza the size of my hand. There is maybe ten tables with chairs to sit at while you await your flight, and about 900 people all waiting to board their flights. not an easy situation to deal with at dinner time with two kids. Perth airport also dont gate check prams, denpasar does, but not perth... is that saying something or what?
Very few restaurants in bali have highchairs so if possible take a travel highchair similar to the one i did and just tie it to the pram when you're going out walking, it was a real lifesaver for us. As soon as we got to bali i cursed bringing a stroller that didn't lay back. i wish i had of paid the extra $80 and brought the holiday stroller instead. Also for anyone traveling with a child who naps and one that doesnt, i suggest bringing some quiet activities for the non sleeping child to do at nap time. Coloring in books and school work sheets collected from the teacher saved us here.

Activities we recommend:

• bali safari and marine park

Spend a whole day here. Its about an hour drive from kuta and is alot better than the bali zoo. They have many opportunities for you to get up close with the animals and have your photos taken plus there is a water park and rides within the grounds too

• Waterbom park

opposite the discovery shopping centre in the heart of kuta this water park boasts exciting waterslides slicing through 3.8 hectares of landscaped tropical gardens. it is the number 1 waterpark in all of asia and number 5 in the world.

• Tabanan Trip

only a 20 minute drive from kuta, we began our trip at the gorgeous temples of tanah lot, went to the bali butterfly park and then headed to the Yeh Panas hot springs which was a lot easier than a six hour car ride with the kids to the volcanic hot springs

• turtle island

not this one isnt for everyone. if you read the reviews on trip advisor you'll see what i mean. I'm in between as the turtles aren't being harmed but i do feel that it would be nice to make the enclosures more natural as seeing the turtles in concrete pools can be depressing.

While in bali i found out that on her first trip to bali (she was only 17) one of the Reindl wives refused to come out of her hotel point blank because she hated being hassled by all the shop owners for her to come look in their stores and this made me realise some people just arent prepared for bali. So heed my warning, every shop owner WILL hassle you to look in their store, they will also try the same with your kids. I was glad that Lexi was quick to learn to smile, nodd and keep walking but we were also careful to have her follow me with the Reindl man bringing up the rear so she couldnt be stopped without one of us noticing.

My verdict? well we all enjoyed ourselves but i think it will be quite some time before we take the girls overseas again. next holiday will just be for mummy and daddy i think haha much more relaxing.