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Bali

I’ve traveled to Las Vegas several times now and have had several clients travel there too. It’s an incredible place and one that doesn’t compare to anywhere else. BIG, BOLD, BRIGHT, EXCITING, TIRING, 24/7, NON-STOP are just a few words to describe the place. No matter who you are there is something for everyone. And to think its all in the middle of a desert! On one of my trips to the USA (I’m a ski/Snowboard nut) I added on a side trip with my group to Las Vegas. A few days to check out the sites on our way back from the cold Snow. It’s always a hoot! Things we checked out that didn’t cost a cent! – Every Casino you can walk through. Feel like you are in France (The Paris), Venice (The Venetian), Rome (Caesars Palace), New York (New York New York) and the list goes on. You can walk through them all as they all have different themes, different shops and of course the gambling is free people watching in itself. – No matter what you feel like to eat, you can get it. Majority of the Casinos have large buffet’s as well as smaller boutique restaurants and cafes. My Favourite restaurant is inside the Eiffel Tour at the Paris Casino and Resort. It has amazing views of the Bellagio Fountain as well as the strip and the food is incredible. Even waiting for the Souffle for desert.. Yum! (Hopefully it is still on the menu.) Just make sure you make a reservation for this place as it fills up quick. It is also great for a romantic evening out before maybe seeing one of the several Cirque Du Solei shows on offer or a concert! – If you tire of the Main Strip, then you can head up to the Old part (in a taxi) or by bus. It is a reminder of how Vegas use to be with the smaller casino’s and hotels. (Circus Circus – to name one.) Don’t just think it is a city of Casinos, as there is so much more to offer “Off the Strip”. Shopping, A day Trip to the Grand Canyon, A day at the Speed Race car track just to name a few. And if you want to feel like ‘thelma and louise’ once you finish in Vegas or even to arrive, take the drive through the desert from Los Angeles. Its about a 4 hour drive on their major highways with a few interesting towns along the way. Have a GREAT trip! Feel free to email me and ask me about Las Vegas or any other trip requirement you may have. Happy Travels Ros

We always enjoy the Merlin Beach Resort, recently staying for a third time. The staff are very friendly, our housekeeper Naiyana was amazing and the resort suits all our needs – we never wanted to leave!

As always, the room was beautiful, but we stayed in a different room to our usual spot. Overlooking the ocean and resort pool, our room had a fantastic view, so much so that we often ordered room service for dinner. The room service was always prompt an delicious, servicing my husband who was recovering from surgery.

As for the bars, there is a lovely bar area located on the beach, run by Zaw. It has the most beautiful view and is the perfect place to have a drink before dinner and Zaw was always more than happy for a chat! The pool bar staff were fun and friendly, and The Little Tiger is a popular spot for dinner if you don’t feel like heading into Patong or eating at the hotel. There are amazing restuarants for dinner with a view all around the hotel.

This is a favourite hotel for us and we will be back again next year!

Just a couple of Hotels and Villas on my last trip to Bali.

W Hotel Bali 

Potato Head, its a must great food and music

By  now its obious I LOVE BALI!

My favourite holiday destination Bali.

Bali has so much to offer and has options to suit all budgets. In Bali you can stay at small cheap hotels in Kuta, spoil yourself with the luxury of the 5 star resorts in Nusa Dua or Jimbarayan Bay, enjoy the beach and water sports when you stay at Sanur, stay in the mountains of Ubud, hire your own private villa or there are plenty of couple and/or family friendly accommodation options from Legian down to Tuban (south Kuta).

I have been travelling there since I was 17 years old.  It was my first overseas holiday with my now husband, Peter.  We had both been working and just wanted a cheap holiday not too far from Australia.  We had that and much more.  We fell in love with the weather, food and of course the locals.  Twenty-three years on and I have been to Bali more than 10 times. 

In Bali we enjoy seeing the island as well as watching the kids by the pool.  Some of the sites and things to do are: visit Echo Beach and Jimbaryan Bay for Sunset, travel to Ubud, take the kids to Tree tops walk, Safari Park, Elephant Park, Monkey Temple, Tanah Lot Temple, Waterbom Park, shop at Kartika Plaza, do a tour to the Volcano, Bird & Reptile Park and enjoy one of the Bali Hai Cruises.

Another attractive thing about a Bali holiday is how little it costs to eat. Most of the hotels include breakfast and you can enjoy beautiful prepared fresh food for lunch and dinner for under $10 a meal. There are an abundance of restaurant’s to choose from. On our last holiday we ate at 13 different restaurants not more than 10 minute’s walk from where we were staying. I think this is a big advantage compared to other island destinations making it even more affordable.

Bali also has great shopping and is getting better every year. You can still barter in the streets to pick up copy clothes, bags, shoes, Bintang singlets and CD’s are only $1. The beautifully air conditioned Kartika Plaza Shopping Centre is clean and a must to visit with shops that you would find here in Australia like; Guess, DC, Billabong, Roxy, Quicksilver, Sketches and all cheaper than what we pay here.

I am passionate about Bali and have plenty of ideas for your next Bali holiday.

Our family joined four other families on the skiing holiday of a lifetime! We enjoyed a week of absolute luxury, staying at the Hilton in Niseko. This hotel has a wonderful onsen ( Japanese hot tub) that overlooks a snow-covered pond filled with coy . The Gondola leaves from the front of the hotel and takes you to the top of the Mountain. The powder is unbelievable, often up to your knees, I spent five days skiing without seeing my boots. The only downside to the Hilton Hotel is that it is not located in the main village of Hirafu, however the Hilton has a free shuttle that will take you to and from town till about 1:00am in the morning.

We also spent a week skiing in Rusutsu. The Rusutsu Resort Hotel is attached to a theme park and resembles Disney on ice.. This resort is not as busy as Niseko, with far fewer Australians. It has great tree skiing and ducking ropes is accepted.  This resort has a much more traditional feel about it. We flew to Sapporo with Korean Airlines and would recommend them to anyone, the service was fantastic.