Christmas in Bali [Bali Indonesia - December 2016]

We have been to Bali before in approximately 2008 and I loved it so much that I vowed to return. So there we were looking at holidays that turned out to be so expensive that we decided, hey let's look at Bali. We ended up going again and our family from Windhoek Namibia decided to join us. So bare with me as it is going to be a long post with lots of photos (it was a buys holiday!).

The Hotel: The one and only Bali Tropic Hotel and Spa

The rooms: Each were joined so if you had a large family and you took 2 rooms you would have left and right. We always ask for the bottom ones (kids and stairs never work well) and far enough from the pool so it is nice and quiet.

The food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is buffet style. They always have a selection of traditional as well as western food. Their desserts are always good.

Christmas in Bali: We were lucky enough to celebrate Christmas in Bali and I am so glad we did. It was an amazing experience and the amount of effort that was put into the celebration by people who do not celebrate it themselves, was amazing.

Suzie got a birthday crown as it was her birthday as well.

They started the celebration on Christmas eve with one hell of a buffet. 

It starts off with some canapes and music. 

Then Santa came to visit with gidts of Oreos (in so many different flavours!)

The cutest part is they had local children come and sing Christmas songs as entertainment (among others)

They went all out for the food, just check this out:

This gingerbread house is massive (but also fake!)

As I mentioned, it was Suzie's birthday. We were wondering why she was given a crown (with explicit instructions to wear it!). It was because they organised a special surprise!

 Christmas morning we opened some presents (all bought in Bali!)

The Christmas Day Buffet:

This is the view EVERY NIGHT!  A private beach with solitude (even during the December holidays it was great!).

  

 And for dessert!

Sightseeing:

The first stop was a Bitik shop where they showed you the extensive process.

 Then we visited one of the larger Silver shop. Last time we visited a smaller village which was better (and cheaper).

Then off to the famous Volcano for some lunch where the ladies couldn't stop laughing at the size of the Bintang beer!

 Then it was off to the coffee villages. Bali is famous for its Luwak coffee, but I love the Ginseng coffee so much more!

Then on our way back we visited the biggest rice fields in Bali. Unfortunately it only has one road that passes it and it was so busy!

The Pool: (not only does the pool have a Bar in it (!) but it's big and beautiful!

You have a couple of options when it comes to food. you can have the buffet for lunch or you can wait a bit and order more western food from the menu.

All served next to the pool.

Swimming is so tiring!

The Spa:

A definite treat and they do what is called a "mirror" massage which means you each have 2 ladies doing both sides of your body at the same time!

The shopping:

The food is also great at the various restaurants. We found a real Italian one with an Italian chef. 

 The Little One enjoyed every second - the shopping, the food, the attention!

What we brought home:

Best stuff to buy are the batik cloth, ginseng coffee, Surfer Girl and Cotton clothes, Green tea chocolates, wooden sculptures, silver jewelry and Victoria Secret's at the airport.