Bali and beyond

[LadyC]

QF43 SYD - DPS J

The flight to Bali was full, including in J. I think we purchased the last tickets because we were originally allocated seats 4K, 6K and 7K. That was never going to work for MasterC. New seats were allocated prior to boarding and we ended up in 1A, 2E and 2F. I was very pleased to see that we were travelling in a refurbished A330 and that the trip would be much more comfortable than the direct flight from MEL on a 737.

We have traveled to Bali a number of times over the last few years. Mainly with SQ via SIN but also with GA from Perth last year. Although the flights/origins are all different, it is interesting for us as we can now work out which we think is the best way to travel to Bali (depending on our circumstance).

On board


The seat


The menu (apologies for the grainy photo - can you tell my phone is from 2014! )


The amenities bag

 

[Cruiser Elite]

The transit across from the domestic to international terminal was quick and painless however going through immigration was not. Whilst Border Force may want everyone to go through SmartGate, not everyone can. So we got stuck with many other families in the queue with just one officer processing all the outbound passengers. Adding to the confusion was a JQ MEL domestic flight going through the international terminal and one surly staff member who seemed to get angry at everyone.

Gotta love the 'Public Service' don't you - greatest oxymoron of all time - sorry second worst - 'Social Media' definitely takes the cake.

 

[Pushka]

Wow, we didn’t get an amenity bag on our Mel-Dps flight in September.

QF43 SYD - DPS J

The flight to Bali was full, including in J. I think we purchased the last tickets because we were originally allocated seats 4K, 6K and 7K. That was never going to work for MasterC. New seats were allocated prior to boarding and we ended up in 1A, 2E and 2F. I was very pleased to see that we were travelling in a refurbished A330 and that the trip would be much more comfortable than the direct flight from MEL on a 737.

We have traveled to Bali a number of times over the last few years. Mainly with SQ via SIN but also with GA from Perth last year. Although the flights/origins are all different, it is interesting for us as we can now work out which we think is the best way to travel to Bali (depending on our circumstance).

On board
View attachment 147168

The seat
View attachment 147169

The menu
View attachment 147170

The amenities bag
View attachment 147171

 

[LadyC]

We had a slightly delayed departure and bad weather in SYD which resulting in an uncomfortable first hour of travel with the seat belt sign being maintained and a sensation at times of a 4WD off roading trip.

Once the seat belt signs were switched off, the crew came around to take drinks and dinner orders. I found the meal service very slow in comparison to SQ. it took about 30 minutes for drinks to be served and another 30 for the entree. It was about another 45 minutes for mains and we were being served early (some passengers in J were being served their main meal about 30 minutes after us).

Duck salad entree (which was quite tasty)


I had the lamb for main which was quite tasty but I forgot to take a photo....oops.

Potato gnocchi (the vegies were nice but the dish was cold??)


I had some cheese to finish (no photo but most cheese plates look the same) and a cappuccino to keep me awake for the rest of the flight. The cheese was score of 6/10 but I was more impressed with the cappuccino which I rate at 7.5/10. I find most coffee in flight pretty dire but with these automatic coffee machines now available, coffees have improved for the most part.

 

[LadyC]

Wow, we didn’t get an amenity bag on our Mel-Dps flight in September.

That's poor considering the length of the flight.

 

[LadyC]

The rest of the flight was uneventful. I read my book and helped MasterC surf through the various kids programs on the IFE. About half the cabin stayed awake and the other half had a snooze. I didn't order anything from the snacks or small bites menu so can't talk to what that was like. Soon enough it was time to put my seat upright, store my tray table and fasten my seat belt for landing.

 

[LadyC]

My musings on the flight fall into two categories, being general service and service with children (turn away now if you think children should be banned from the J/F cabin).

I will preface my comments with the fact that most of my long haul international travel over the last 5 years has predominantly been on SQ. A smattering of other airlines here and there (CX, TG and a few Euro airlines intra-Europe). The last QF international flight we took was an overnight SYD-NRT flight in J in late 2013.

1. General service
We found the service to be both slow and disinterested. As mentioned above, the meal service for dinner took a very long time. Some of the cabin crew exuded an air of disinterest when you would ask for something. Not outright rude but their tone implied you were asking for something outrageous or difficult. And like most airlines, once the meal service was finished, the cabin crew seemed to disappear into the ether never to be found.

2. Service with children
I found the service aspect for my son poor. Maybe I have a high bar from SQ but at no point in time did the QF cabin provide any proactive assistance/interest in MasterC. Travelling with SQ, they always approach us early in the flight to provide the kids toy/game/travel pack, ask about food/drinks and when to serve and circling back regularly to check if there is anything else they can provide. QF however was inflexible and regimented in their service. Although one FA remarked to the Gentleman that she had 3 kids travel kits, none was provided. MasterC had to wait over 2 hours for his meal and at no point did QF ask about if it would be helpful to serve him early. He ate very little of his main meal so I asked whether I could get a fruit plate and a cheese plate for him to which I received a stern response that not every passenger had been served yet. Sure, I understand your point but maybe work on the delivery of it.

I appreciate that my review might sound like a bit of a whinge but it is more of an FYI. If travelling with kids in J/F with QF, I would recommend being very proactive in your interaction with cabin crew about what you may need for your child as they won't be.

 

[LadyC]

The Ulin Villas - Seminyak

Our accommodation is located in Seminyak, in a side street off Jalan Kayu Aya. It is a small locally run hotel with villa accommodation. I think there are 14 villas in all, comprising 1,2 and 3 bedroom villas all with their own pool. We first stayed here back in 2010 and returned earlier this year when we were looking to be somewhere more centrally located. It was a lock for this trip when I saw the Christmas period mark-up was only about 25% compared to the 40% plus at many other hotels.

The Ulin has some good free inclusions in their accommodation. Whilst we don't use them all, they include:
- return airport transfer;
- breakfast;
- mini bar;
- afternoon tea; and
- free local drop off service.

It has a small restaurant which is open all day and where breakfast is served. It also has spa services but no gym.

The path to the villas


Reception


The restaurant

 

[LadyC]

The room

 

[LadyC]

 

[LadyC]

The pool is about 4 x 8 metres with a depth of 1.2 - 1.5 metres.

 

[LadyC]

The dining area is outside with a small fridge and basic cooking implements which is handy with MasterC. Unfortunately no espresso machine (there is a filter coffee machine) which means we head out each morning after breakfast so I get my caffeine fix for the day.

 

[LadyC]

Breakfast is included in the booking and you can either have served in room or up at the restaurant. It is all made to order (no buffet). There is a menu but they are also happy to both take requests and you can get multiple serves (we have never had push back on a request or been charged extra).

The food is quite good but the coffee not so. Hence why I head out after breakfast

Some breakfasts so far

 

[LadyC]

Seeing as we are travelling with a 4 year old, our days are quite routine. Wake up, breakfast, out for a walk to get me coffee, back for a swim, play, then out for lunch. The afternoon consists of more play, another swim, more play, dinner for MasterC, wind down and time for bed. Rinse and repeat each day.

MasterC is starting to get into games (both board and card). We bring a carry on full of toys, games and books that keep him/us entertained and sane.

 

[LadyC]

Sibling Espresso Bar

After we have breakfast, we head out to Sibling Espresso Bar (near Seminyak Square) for my caffeine fix. The coffee is great but the chai is not (the Gentleman had only one sip and said it was disgusting).

 

[LadyC]

Bossman

When we need a burger fix, this is the burger bar we head to. With 160gr beef patties and a brioche style bun, Bossman serve up great burgers. If you are feeling the full carnivore, you can enough double up your beef patty like we did, but note the bun isn't sturdy enough to handle it and tends to collapse. They even do pint sized burgers for little ones like MasterC.

 

[LadyC]

L'assiette

L'assiette is a French restaurant located on Jalan Merthanadi in Kerobokan. Beyond walking distance with MasterC, we utilised the free drop off service that the hotel offers. It is quite a large restaurant with both an inside and outside area. After a few hiccups to start (several items on the menu were not available but we would only be told that after we ordered them), we had a nice lunch. The gentleman and I ended up ordering the same meals. I wouldn't hurry back there but if you are in the area it would be worth visiting.





Salmon tartare



Steak tartare with frites

 

[LadyC]

Barbacoa

A recommendation from @Cruiser Elite led us to this Latin American barbeque restaurant in Kerobokan. The building is in a large almost medieval hall style with roasting pigs on one side yet overlooks some paddy fields.

 

[LadyC]

When placing our order with the waitress, she expressed concern about our ability to eat all the food. We confirmed that we are of strong constitution and that we were up to the task.

MasterC's corn and deconstructed cheese tortilla


Grilled provoleta cheese and jamon serrano


Pulled pork slider


Tuna ceviche

 

[LadyC]

Charcoal grilled Black Angus with chimichurri sauce


Spicy prawns with avocado


Sides of cabbage gratin and roasted carrots


The food here was excellent and I would not hesitate in recommending it. It was so good we are considering a repeat visit before we leave.