Trip Review - Bali 2017

[coyote25]

 

[Pushka]

It looks substantially better than the awful lounges in the old airport.

 

[coyote25]

It looks substantially better than the awful lounges in the old airport.

Yeah it actually does to good and does have reasonable good and drinks.

I might have been a little hard on this Lounge. I was kinda hoping for a pre flight shower after a full days activities before overnight fligh

 

[Cruiser Elite]

coyote IMHO you were on the money - Lounges in DPS are cough - no need to beat about the bush.

 

[coyote25]

Flight Review - QF044 Denpasar to Sydney

One thing they do a lot of is security at Denpasar airport, there is another bag check just to access the boarding gate.

This was a nice overnight flight of just under 6 hours. It would be better with business class seats that reclined a lot more but the seats are comfortable enough.

QF serve dinner after departure (no entree) and a small breakfast item before landing (in my case a muffin). I would have thought better to make main meal breakfast.

Very full flight once again and every J seat taken although I know two were staff on personal travel having overheard their conversation at checkin (they were worried about getting in flight).

Over 7 minutes of significant air turbulence certainly woke everyone up about 1.5 hours out from landing

The amenity kit was nice especially the face mask and ear plugs.

A solid J product on a leisure route.

 

[Pushka]

coyote IMHO you were on the money - Lounges in DPS are cough - no need to beat about the bush.

Lucky you weren't there a couple of years ago. Rats abound.

 

[coyote25]

Breakfast

 

[kermatu]

Kind of woeful that it's essentially the same food offerings as a 3 hour MEL-AKL red eye service, with an even poorer breakfast offering.

 

[Chrisd26]

I don't get why anyone would want to go to Bali?? Just an example!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-...li-brutally-killed-meat-sold-tourists/8620128

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I don't get why anyone would want to go to Bali?? Just an example!

I don't get why anybody would not want to go to Bali? Dog meat? Like the Viets / Thais / Chinese have never eaten dog meat either - OMG who would go there? A thousand cultural differences in every country in the world from Australia - visit overseas countries or stay at home - totally up to you.

FTR: I have been a pax in a car on roads in China where every 100mtrs there have been a bunch of dogs tied up ready for selection - from Chihuahas to German Shepherds - choose your supper - there country - there rules - I still chooses to go there.

 

[Pushka]

I abhor cruelty to animals. And I've been a Bali fan for years. And we will return in a few months. But I hate that they torture dogs (or any animal) before consumption. In any country. I knew about this in S Korea and Vietnam and it's a part of their culture I can't accept.

 

[get me outta here]

And apart from trussing the dogs up by the muzzle and legs and leaving them there tossed in a concrete trough immobile for a week or so with no water and wallowing in filth, I was quite alarmed that some of them are fed a poison to kill them, then that poisoned meat is fed to the humans.

I understand this a is a cultural difference, but given their gentle and religious approach to animals, I was very surprised to see that.

 

[Pushka]

I'd suggest it isn't the local Balinese Hindu community involved in the cruelty but those from the larger Indonesian islands.

 

[coyote25]

Dynasty Resort Bali Website

So for the 5 nights 6 days Bali trip my family stayed at the Dynasty Resort Bali. My sisters selected this hotel and I'm glad they did.

We booked 2 rooms with 1 additional bed in each room (so 3 people per room). Breakfast buffet was included. There are two buffet areas, one for families and one for couples/singles. Huge selection that changes slightly each day. Buffet opens 6.30 am and I think ends at 10.30 am,

Each day the room attendant make a sculpture out of one towel, actually very creative and different for each room, the kids loved seeing what was today's towel sculpture (it's the little things they can make for a good impression).

The Resort is well maintained. The main pool area was well used by guests. You can get massage at poolside.

The kids pool area has a 50 metre slide that my nephew Harry used 104 times (he was counting!). There are kids activities that change everyday and it was hard to get the kids to not do each day.

There are also activities for families to get involved in each day (tug of war, biggest splash etc).

The H2O restaurant has an upstairs bar for drinking and relaxing under the stars which is a must.

There are numerous other restaurants on site with different themes, the Balinese Irish Pub got the kids dancing up a storm.

The onsite massage parlour was great with very reasonable prices, sure you could get cheaper elsewhere but these ladies were good and no risk of someone not qualified.

The Resort staff were great always helping and smiling. We organised a late check out with no problems and they held bags after take.

The rooms are big enough and well maintained. I'd recommend getting second floor to be further away from happy children playing and away from the main pool if possible.

Complimentary airport pickup and drop of worked well. The Resort is situated in South Kuta, I wasn't a big fan of Kuta but the Resort is good and you are close to airport making quicker to airport when arriving late. I used an independently sourced driver to get out of Kuta and explore the island.

I'd recommend this Resort for people with families and who expect to spend time relaxing on the premises.

 

[coyote25]

 

[coyote25]

This trip started as a great business class deal which I could use to get Qantas Double Status Credits and finally reach Life Time Gold Status and visit the Qantas Sydney First Class Lounge for the first time.

It then evolved into a family event when first my older sister Kara and niece Erin joined as a celebration of Kara's next career stage following the difficult position of her job of 14 years being outsourced to India. And it evolved again when I invited my sister Lana to celebrate her recovery from breast cancer and her two children experiencing international travel for the first time.

This turned into mostly a trip for people to be spoilt with relaxation, both my sisters ended up loving this trip, and the children couldn't wait to get to the pool, the water slides, the shops, the buffet breakfast and their own massages!

While I did end up exploring the island a little on the last two days this was a different trip. I felt amazing levels of contentment and happiness watching Harry, Darby and Erin playing, dancing and even singing. I felt joyed seeing my two sisters smile and laugh and gossip. I just felt great and spiritually renewed. I felt incredibly lucky to have this life and to have the people I care about be safe and happy. :up:

Happy travels everyone.
Bali 2017 Blog Entries

 

[Jacques Vert]

And a belated congratulations on your 1,000th post.

I've enjoyed travelling along with you.

 

[coyote25]

And a belated congratulations on your 1,000th post.

I've enjoyed travelling along with you.

Thanks Jacques everything lined up LTG, AFF 1,000 post and an enjoyable holiday.