First time travel blogger here…Hi
I am a published writer of articles and opinion pieces but never done travel….so bare with me please. I'm a newbie!!
My life has been a crazy beautiful, horrible insightful trip in itself the last couple of years. One thing I feel I'm good at in life is being grateful for it all and that I maintain a great perspective in things. Thankfully that has always come very naturally for me. Glass half full or half empty right?
I'm a person that feels you can't feel the sun on your back without knowing how cold and glum the rainy days can be. You simply can't have one without the other in life and the rainy days just make those sunny days all the more enjoyable.
Right now, I'm grateful for booking my latest trip with Chris Watson Travel.
In a world of DIY travel, online marketing and - what seems like to a layman - deals that are too good to be true, it's nice to still trust a face to face interaction. It’s easier to have faith that you are getting what you pay for and feel confident that it will all come together at the time of travel when it's dealt with by a human.
Enter Chris Watson Travel!
Chris and his team have arranged everything on this one. Flights to Sydney, great rates at the Rydges Sydney international airport. And we've chosen the Grand Hyatt at Nusa Dua from what seems to be three amazing options that Chris ran me through in his office a few months back.
I don't know about you, but as a traveller? I'm not a stresser as such, but I definitely am not the type of person that wants any last-minute dramas. I'm also the guy that checks three times that I’ve got my passport before I leave the hotel.
I can only manage a quick trip this time around. I’ve got a week's leave so this trip needs to be somewhere close. I haven't been OS since 2019 so I’ve stipulated an OS trip to Chris. With 6.5hrs travel time, the beach, 5-star accommodation and a fully inclusive food and free flow drinks package…I'm not sure what else you could look for! So with Chris's help we are off to Bali.
I'm writing this from the Batik Airlines flight, maybe two hours in the air so far and a big part of me is mentally already poolside.
The flight left at 7.15am so it meant an early start. Check in at the flight desk was around 5am, so staying at Rydges at the International Airport is literally the only way you want to do an early flight. It's right across the road from the departure area so this is already too easy.
Up at 4.30am, showerered, packed, checked my passport the standard three times and a walk across the road to the smoothest check in ever.
No line at all on Batik Airlines, I'm already feeling relaxed. Five check in counters and one lady waiting in front of us, within minutes we were checked in.
The next big issue is do we line up to take the token selfie at the SYD departures sign?? HELL NO i'm sorry guys…I'm not that guy. If you want a travel blog that will keep it “real” in a world of tripods, ring lights and filters stop reading me now. If you want a legit writer going on trips to give honest inspo on a destination, I'm more that guy.
Full disclosure: the first thing I did when I booked with Chris was Google Batik Airlines. I'd never heard of them and, based on the absolutely incredible deal I got with Chris and his team, I'd be lying if I didn't say I had a little worry about an international airline I'd never heard of. All I could think about was the old Flintstones episode where all the passengers run the plane down the runway. Maybe this was factored into the deal 😄
I’ve since found out that Batik is like the Jetstar of Malaysia and the Philippines. As I sit here typing away, I can honestly say there is not one thing to report that isn't positive so far.
Now this is a ‘buy as you fly’ airline (did I just invent a travel term in my first travel blog?) so if you are wanting the Qantas feels and the food and booze deal or the TV screen in every seat, then maybe this isn't for you. Otherwise I cannot fault the staff, check in process or plane itself at all.
All media is handled through the on board Wi-Fi, and let's be honest everyone has a movie screen, games console and food ordering system in their phone nowadays so again it hardly takes away from the onboard experience.
So thats day 1 so far…two hrs in the air and we are sitting at a 10/10 for Chris Watson, Rydges International and Batik Airlines. With an arrival time of 10.45am and private airport transfers, I'm hoping my next blog post is delivered from the poolside while taking advantage of the free flow drinks package…
If the photos of the Grand Hyatt are anything to go on, the 10/10 rating for Chris will just keep rolling on.
Day 1 - Is it All Too Good to be True?
OK I'm back.
Firstly I want to recap the remainder of the flight with Batik Airlines and update the 10/10 rating I’ve given them. The good news is the top scoring review remains intact.
We departed the plane. I’ve got to also give a big tip for such a short trip, in my case, five days. Leaving Sydney or wherever early is essential, I'll get to why soon.
We paid the entry visa and fees into Bali, $50 AUD for the 30-day VISA, did the pre-customs questionnaire on the computers which is kind of like the paper declaration we fill out when entering Australia. We picked up the bags and again the perks of dealing with Chris kicked in.
Greeted by our driver, we were whisked away to the A/C of our private transfer that had a drink waiting. Now this is where the early departure tip comes in…we were landed with bags collected, through customs and into the car on the way to the hotel all by 11.30am Bali time. Thanks to the three hour time difference, we travelled back to the future.
I haven't been to Bali in fifteen years, maybe longer? So to say this place was unrecognisable is an understatement. The clash of Indonesian culture living right next to Starbucks and Jimmy Rockets burgers with local beers in the fridge is the feels and I guess it's simply a sign of the world these days. If you dig a little deeper the whole development of Bali in particular is a very hot topic.
It was a short fifteen minutes from the airport to the Grand Hyatt Nusa Dua due to an amazing new over-water toll bridge. I'm seriously starting to get the itch for beers by the pool. Sorry, not sorry - I'm here for sun and beers and relaxation.
Check-in was amazing with the usual outstanding Balinese hospitality. We get the rundown on all things about the resort and how our all inclusive food and bev package works while our bags are taken to our room. My first impression is I'm potentially going to get lost!! The resort is big but at least the layout is user friendly. The perks of February travel is that it's at 50% capacity right now. I’ve heard reviews saying this property is dated and feels old. I really didn't get that to be honest. Let's be honest, as in life if you want to look hard enough for something to complain about I'm sure you'll find it. Again, I'm the glass half full guy.
Google this place for yourself please!! I can't begin to tell you how amazing it is. One of the biggest takeaways is that this area of Bali (Nusa Dua) is ‘semi private’, I wasn't aware of that. It's an area that is exclusive to the resorts and the surrounding properties. There is a manned security checkpoint as you enter so if you're not wanting the ‘you buy, you buy!!!’ haggling holiday again this is your sign to contact Chris now!!
We check in, get to our king size room which is standard and huge!! King bed with a double size daybed that looks over the balcony and lotus, lilypad garden. A quick unpack and it's time to test out the all-inclusive food and beverage I think.
If you are still with me I need to get you to focus right now!! FOCUS because this is a huge part of why you should book this NOW!!
We went and sat poolside, and one of the amazing staff was straight over, the standard Balinese mojo and hospitality continues.
She explains the food and drinks menu and what exactly our ‘free flow food and bev’ pass entitles us to.
EVERYTHING!!! EVERYTHING is the answer! All but Moet and some really select beverages but otherwise all cocktails, beers and wines were covered. I'm talking 97.35% (note: I made up the number, I'm a blogger not a number cruncher) the menu in food and bev were included as part of the package.
Sunshine, lobster roll, mahi mahi tacos, arancini, Bintang beer and a lychee cocktail was the first supper, and to be honest, it could be my request for my last meal if I was ever on the green mile.
We soon start to get a grasp on the magnitude of the potential kilograms we could kick the scales in at on our return post five days.
At this point I'm still cautious, waiting for someone to come over with the fine print we've missed. Five-star hotel, all-inclusive food and beverages - this is all feeling too good to be true. What's the catch CHRIS!!!??? Nothing it turns out. Another drink or two by the pool and between swims was about all else we had concern for.
Image source: Grand Hyatt
Japanese was on my mind for dinner. This resort is home to a 5-star Japanese restaurant Nampu as well if you weren't already sold. Check out the link and see the feedback for yourself. Full disclosure the premium Sake was not included on the free flow package boo hoo…very first world problems 😄
Image source: Grand Hyatt
Reminder…this is just day one!!
Chat soon!
Day 2 – Entering the Bargain Battlefield
We wake early which is partly our style but more due to the 3-hour time difference - the body clock was just doing its thing. 6am Bali time is 9am our eastern daylight savings time.
Who wants to waste a place like this when you only have five days anyways. LETS GO!!!
Before we head to 1 of 4 restaurant choices for the buffet breakfast we head to the gym, sauna and hot and cold plunge.
Now I know you don't know me but this is my jam. I’ve always kept fit, so to start the day moving my body in the gym and then going between the heat of a sauna and the 12°C of the cold plunge is like paradise.
An hour in the health club - which I might add feels like some kind of exclusive country club resort you'd see on a movie – then we are off to breakfast.
So this morning we chose the Italian restaurant Salsa Verde. It's located by one of the four pools and only a stone's throw from the sand of the amazing semi private beach.
Image source: Grand Hyatt
Again the discussion comes up, can this be for real?? This all inclusive deal just doesn't seem to make sense but as I sit with my coffee, Indonesian noodles and a selection of fresh local fruit, I soon forget about the rules and the enjoyment of this whole trip goes next level again.
The only plans for today were to get into Kuta and tick some of the shopping off the list. I’m not the type of person that wants to troll the shops for clothes and souvenirs at the best of times but I had a few requests from people.
If you know Bali shopping and you know Kuta you already know shopping here is also like preparing for mental and emotional warfare. You don't just stroll through shops, walk in and out, relaxing as you browse. You need to be ‘shopping fit’, bartering and getting hassled by every single person that is in a shop front is standard. SHOPPING, SHOPPING!! YOU BUY, BAG FOR YOU!!! HAVE LOOK PLEASE!!
It's easier to be rude here and ignore which sounds horrible but if you are wanting to even look in a shop you need to be ready for an arm wrestle of a negotiation and have a clear escape route in the case that you don't want to buy 😉
So we tick a few things off the shopping list and to ensure my survival in this shopping war metaphor I also seek a ‘medic’ (bar) for a beer. Local bars are doing Bali's Bintang for anything from $3.50 to $6.50 AUD. We've somehow racked up five hours in Kuta shopping and no I wasn't in the bar the whole time.
A full Mani, Pedi for my plus 1 and I even got into a foot massage myself, all in the aim to assist our shopping survival for $65AUD.
I was honestly exhausted of the walking, negotiating and noise…I was all about getting back to chill out for the afternoon at the Grand Hyatt. I was in real need of the free flow drinks package right now and a swim.
We grab a taxi which is again a negotiation. We got into Kuta this morning in a GOJEK (like UBER) for 160k IDR or $16 AUD so we had an idea of what was a good price. I started the haggle for the return trip at 160k but he insisted 200k $20 AUD.
I think when you are in places like Bali it's really important to remember that we really are blessed to be in the financial position we are as a visitor. I'm know there are poorer countries around the world but in Bali, whether right or wrong, we can easily get caught up in haggling for every last dollar.
This driver was just a local man with kids, true or not he tells he had been waiting for us. We were his first job for the day. Being the wet season he tells us there aren’t many tourists and he hasn't been busy at all, so sat for four hours so far. We were his lucky job he says. 160,000 IDR is $16AUD. So him insisting on 200k ($20) really isn't a big deal and that was inclusive of tolls and him driving back to town.
In the end and after more of the Balinese hospitality we tipped him a further 50k IDR ($5 AUD) much to his stoke. It seemed to really make his day a little brighter which is nice.
Back at the hotel and we shower, hit the pool, enjoy a beer and cocktail and I book for dinner at the Italian restaurant.
Dinner is amazing with wood fired pizza, and a duck ravioli topped with a couple of glasses of Italian Chianti and a few local beers.
An amazing day done and as a wrap re the shopping experience: if you are staying in and around Kuta or Legian you will have the ability to pop in and out of the shopping chaos as you please. If you are staying elsewhere like Nusa Dua then there are some smaller local vendors, but in all honesty so many of the stores are now on Facebook and deliver straight to the hotels and villas.
I didn't get everything I needed for gifts in that first trip to Kuta so I got onto a local guy that delivered free to the hotel. I can't say that this isn't the way I would go next time. Yes, it's good to see what you are buying and if you haven't been before definitely go and check it all out face to face. If I was to go again next year I'll be shopping poolside on FB and have it delivered to be honest.
Bali, you haven't seen the last of me! If you want to read on, head to
Part 2 of this little getaway and find out about the centipede that changes everything (I'm not kidding) and the insurmountable joy of walking barefoot in the rain.