We could of waited until the midday checkout but we ask our driver Wayan to pick us up at 9.00am as we are keen to get to Tuban - we have just spent 2 nights in Jimbaran, but found there wasn't much to do that interested us. This might of been due to the area in which we stayed, there were not really any restaurants, other than the seafood ones on the beachfront. And no beauty salons or day spas close by either, unless they were within a 5 star resort - then you pay a lot more.
We arrive at the Holiday Inn around 10am and are lucky that our room is ready. Last year we stayed in a Family Suite but this time we have booked a King Grand Ocean Suite. IMO much better space wise. We are very happy with the room & it's location on the ground floor just steps away from the gardens & pool area.
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| View from Room 6103 just steps to the pool & gardens |
The room is very spacious, accommodating 2 adults & 3 children with a super comfy king size bed, single bed & sofa bed in a lounge area. A large flat screen tv swivels so you can watch it from bed or the sofa.
There is a dressing room & large bathroom with bath & shower. A huge window looks from the room into the bathroom, but the shower is hidden behind a recess. The terrace has a swinging daybed & single lounge chair plus a sun lounge. A great place to relax with a book.
My husband wastes no time & is off to check the surf. The kids dash off to the pool & I grab a book and find a sun lounge.
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| Walkway past the beach towards the beach |
Hubby returns to declare the surf conditions are not so great, so he heads off for a massage down one of the lane ways.
This is the first place on our trip that has a swim up pool bar, so the kids want to buy a drink & sip it on the bar stools.
They decide on strawberry milkshakes & feel so grown up sipping them at the bar!
I was standing on the side of the pool & just as I took the above photo, I felt something under my feet. It was a slight vibration & in the back of my mind, I thought it could be a tremor, but dismissed it thinking I was probably standing on a section of the pool filter. About 3 seconds later, it felt as if I was standing on a boat out to sea. Staff & guests came running out from the hotel onto the grass. A lady near me thought a bomb had gone off. I told the kids to get out of the pool. Why they questioned... Just get out.... But what about our milkshakes! Don't worry about the milkshakes, just get out of the pool..NOW! don't think they realized what was happening, especially my 5 year old, who had probably never even heard of an earthquake.
Anyway, think it only lasted about 5 seconds but I remember feeling very uneasy afterwards, mainly because my husband was off getting a massage & I needed him here to reassure me. Many things were going through my head.... Would there be more tremors? And if so, would they be bigger, longer? What damage was done in other areas? Where did the quake originate? If it was out to sea, there could be a tsunami..... Shit! better take a look.
Hubby came back from his massage to check on us. He said he was on the table & the first tremor, which shook the table a little, but only sounded like a big truck driving past, had the lady yell 'earthquake' at him. He jumped up starkers, grabbing a sarong for cover & ran out the door into the little lane way.
After he reassured us, hubby returned to resume his massage. I was a little peeved at him because I still felt unsettled & wanted him close by. We both had trouble sleeping for the next few nights, waking a few times thinking of quakes & tsunamis. Enough about that now....
For lunch we walked up the beach path to Pantai. Good inexpensive food and friendly staff. Kids had spaghetti bol, and a BLT, hubby had Gado Gado and I had chicken satays with a San Miguel.
After lunch we went back for a swim & a relax by the pool. We took blow up lilos & left them at the hotel when we came home.
Then took a walk around the hotel & checked out the day spa. As with most hotels, the day spa was more expensive than outside places, but I'm sure it would of been a wonderful experience!
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| Tee Tree Day Spa |
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| Fish pond at day spa |
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| Walking around the hotel grounds |
On sunset we all walked up the beach path, heading towards Kuta.
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| Heading towards Kuta along the beachfront path |
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| Ma Jolly Restaurant set up for a Wedding reception |
We walked up to Poppies Lane 1 passing the markets & had dinner @ TJ's Mexican. This place hasn't changed in 20 years - they still have the bacon & cheese stuffed potatoes I ordered on my first trip as a 21 year old. This time I order a chicken tortilla & we share a jug of sangria.
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| Passing the market stalls in Poppies Lane 1 |
After dinner my husband took the kids back to the hotel & I did some shopping - great time to do it as it's nice & cool and not as busy. I wanted to buy my dad a good watch, so thanks to the good advice from TA I went to Bagus Watches & bought him a nice silver & gold Rolex.
Next stop was Rusty surf shop where I bought myself a cardi & a tee for my husband. Then onto Quiksilver where I found some items for 40% discount. I wanted to go into Mataharis but was still a little spooked re the quake & didnt like the idea of being enclosed in a 3 or 4 story building..... That could wait until tomorrow! Enough shopping done, time to head back to the hotel.
When I got back, hubby & the kids were settled in bed watching a movie....what a lovely way to end a big day...
