Benoa – Travels with Ali

We decided to head back to the easiest place to visit outside of Australia, our home away from home, Bali. The munchkins were counting down the days from weeks ago. There are still a few red tape issues to enter Bali, eVisa, customs declaration and now a tourist tax. It would be great if they used the tourist tax to pay for better rubbish removal.

Normally around Easter Bali is bustling and busy, but with what is going on in the World right now, we noticed that the queues for immigration weren’t as long as normal. Also if you have little ones or you are over 60 you could go join a special line. It seems that everyone has this demographic!

Nikko Hotel Pool

We were staying at the Nikko Hotel in Benoa. It is situated on the beach and around 10 minutes by car to Nusa Dua. The cost was three times cheaper than Nusa Dua, where all the high end hotels are. Having left home at 5 am, we were checked in and by the pool 1.30.

I had requested adjoining rooms and happy to see this was granted. It meant that we could watch the kids when our daughter went to the gym or shops. I would say Nikko Hotel was 3.5 stars not the 5 as advertised! Not if the Conrad was anything to go by. It was very much old style Bali with a rustic charm. Solid wooden furniture and our bed was enormous. The bathrooms had been renovated, with separate bath and shower cubicle.

The swimming pool was fantastic with a sandy “shoreline” making for an easy entry. It was right on the beach with sunbeds facing towards the sea to catch the cool breeze. You could gaze for ages at the shimmering water and watch the various water sports in action.

There were always plenty of beds and who doesn’t love a swim up bar for happy hour.

Going on an adventure

There were always so many ships, tugs and cargo boats waiting to enter the harbour. Jet skis, banana boats, parachutes and hoverboards in were in action throughout the day, so never a dull moment on the ocean.

Benoa Beach, Boats and Mount Agung

We tried different restaurants every night enjoying the Balinese cuisine and friendly service. I felt sad for the Balinese people who tried to entice us into their venues, so many of the places were empty. Having just recovered from Covid and now to suffer another blow to their economy.

One restaurant in particular stands out for the munchkins, called Ketut. There were many iguanas on display who loved to be petted. After dinner every night they would go along for ice cream and a cuddle with the iguanas!

And the rest!

Don’t be koi now!

We were all very well rested and relaxed after a week here. Back to school on Monday and my decluttering awaits.

I decided to change things up this time for our family holiday in Bali. Four days in peaceful Benoa and four days in lively Legian.

It was extremely late by the time we arrived due to a delayed departure. The lobby was large and spacious with enormous high ceilings. Checking in took a while but we were finally given our keys and taken to our rooms. We were assigned interconnecting rooms for Elena, Damian and the kids, and an upgrade for myself and Anthony. There are two parts to the Novotel and the block we were staying in was across the road and away from the beach. I was disappointed to start but after the first night was feeling quite happy with this arrangement. It seemed less busy and the adult and kids pools were just below us.

Novotel Swimming Pool, Benoa, Bali — View from our balcony

I had a great night’s sleep, but Anthony said it was too noisy for him. When I stepped onto the balcony I realised that we were very near the road.

The road doesn’t look too busy in this shot, but the bikes are a big problem!

Breakfast was served in the beach block across the road. This is manned by two attendants who try their hardest to stop the traffic. The bikes especially just drove around them and the cars mostly ignored them!

The above photos show some of the artwork on display around the Novotel.

A buffet was on offer serving up all kinds of traditional food plus fresh fruit. There was an egg station plus waffles, pancakes and donuts for the kids. Something for everyone.

Over the next four days, we swam in the ocean, played in the pools and relaxed. We found some fabulous restaurants for dinner but stayed at the hotel for lunch.

One day we took a tour on a glass bottomed boat to Turtle Island. The kids loved the boat. Out at sea was exceptionally busy with all kinds of activities. I thought I had seen most water sports, but all of a sudden we saw a flying lilo with someone holding on for dear life.

The sea here is tidal so the optimum time for swimming was around 1 pm. Anthony and I swam every day, but the kids preferred the pools. There is a forest of seaweed, undulating beneath the sea and I wasn’t keen on swimming over this. The feeling of feathery tendrils sweeping your legs was most disconcerting.

Waiting patiently for the tide to come in

Some more of the sculptures around the hotel

One of the things we enjoy about Bali is the food, always tasty and full of flavour. Unlike the others I prefer something not too spicy, whereas they all have a dish of sambal on the side.

Some of the dishes we ate. The top dish is called Rijsttafel, a Dutch word that translates to Rice Table. It consists of many (forty is not an unusual number) side dishes served in small portions, accompanied by rice prepared in several different ways. Popular side dishes include egg rolls, sambals, satay, fish, fruit, vegetables, pickles, and nuts. Source: Wikipedia. One of Anthony and Elena’s favourites.

Family dinners were not complete without Ipads and earphones. This meant we could all have a leisurely dinner. Although you couldn’t ask for better behaved munchkins.