The plan was made, the bookings done... everything ready... except for one minor detail..
We were ALL set to fly to Bali as a family (Paul, myself, Paul's eldest son - Brent, Jasper and Molly) on Saturday 29 April.. we get to the airport, and BOOM! Catastrophe!
Who knew you needed 6 months validity on a passport to travel internationally? I didn't! Paul did, but assumed that as Jasper, my and his passports were all issued at the same time, it was ok... turns out, it wasn't ok, and Jasper couldn't travel. His passport expired inside the 6 month marker.
After a few tears and stress, I made the decision to stay in Perth with BOTH kids, and get the passport situation rectified, and hopefully fly out Tuesday afternoon..
Fast forward a few days, and with a super VALID passport in hand, the kids and I set out for the airport to hopefully fly the 3 1/2 hours to Bali..
It was about 10.30pm when we got out of the airport (we cleared customs and immigration very quickly - benefit of having hand luggage only, and 2 kids as a lone woman!), Paul and Brent were waiting for us with a lovely driver, and off to the bungalow we went!
Our first day saw Molly get all she wanted, and Jasper get most of what he wanted... Molly wanted her hair braided, nails done, and to eat camel brains (keep reading, I will explain!).Jasper just wanted to shop.. don't know where that comes from, I don't like shopping, and Paul avoids it at all costs!
Here are some pics of our little adventure
Breakfast Day 1
Molly and I getting our feet kissed by little fish... it felt super weird, but once you get over the initial sensation, it was funny!
Princess Moo getting her nails painted, while she got her hair platited... it's hard being spoilt!
Jasper didn't miss out, he asked for a shoulder massage, and got one! (he was super embarrased to have his photo taken, hence the face!)
Plaited Princess
My bogan Aussie girl - new bikini.
Me relaxing while Paul swims with the kids
Some of our friends, Michael and Isher, who were in Bali at the same time, came by for a drink.
Paul and the kids at the front gate of our accomodation, looking out into the Gang (laneway)
Dinner at Yogi's (where the kids were going to get Camel Brains)
The step-son with his ribs
The boys being silly
Molly with her Camel Brain
Jasper with his Camel Brain
Daddy with his Princess
Jasper LOVES his big brother
My bogan girl
me with my bogan babies
hmmm.. typical Aussies in Bali??
How Molly got around most of the time..
One of the Ogoh Ogoh from the Nyepi festival.. the kids and I missed this festival because of the delay in flying, but there were still some around for us to look at!
On the beach...
At Circus WaterPark
the chair of nails..
brave lad!
Jasper with another Ogoh Ogoh
Looks familiar... kids in the pool!
being watched by mum
night time swimming with dad
Jasper drinking his Sprite with a Bintang stubbie holder...
Dinner at Poco Loco
Mumma got a bit of deliciousness!
Molly loved this little lady.. she taught Jasper and Brent a neat trick with cards to tell how old someone is!
Boys again
Molly with the camera -
Me and my girl at our last breakfast
back to the beach!
walking walking walking...
Our last dinner at the beach. One of the waiters made Jasper this prawn.. very clever
and made Molly this rose!
"look like you love each other"
green tips in the hair
Legian beach sunset
Jasper ordered a pizza...
jasper ate that pizza!! (oops, he is upside down!)
A close up of the prawn the waiter made.. it's made out of a straw... incredible!
After the pizza, Jasper ordered (and ate) the hugest slice of chocolate cake!!!
Molly after her icecream.. I think she liked it!
The waiter who made the prawn and rose!
Brent bought some "throw downs" little cracker things.. the kids had a blast blasting them at our feet!
At the Bungalow on our wat to the airport.. this is Ketut.. he loved Paul (his very own Rhonda!) and was trying to convince Molly she wanted to stay and live there!
He was a very sweet man - like 99% of the Balinese people we met.
On the plane, happy to be going home to her pups.
Super tired boy, ready for his own bed!
totally wrong spot, and I'm too tired to move it.. Brent and Jasper on the first morning at breakfast!
Paul warned me that I would probably hate Bali the first time... I was well prepared though - he warned me well, and as a result, I really loved it! We can't wait to go back!
A great first family holiday - even with the rough start! Wont be making that mistake again! Check your passport expiry dates, everyone!!!
Thanks for reading (and viewing 80+ photos!)
Brooke
