On the Road with Let’s Go Motorhomes

In the past few years, camping has become a huge part of our lives and has created so many amazing family memories. It is a great way to see more of our own state (Western Australia), is so affordable and gets the kids out in nature and living the simple life. Whilst camping isn’t for everyone, there are so many different options these days to make things simpler, more enjoyable and cut out the need to pack everything including the kitchen sink! Let me introduce to you the holy grail of road trips – the Motorhome!

After growing up watching American movies and TV shows, I was always intrigued about trying a motorhome / RV style holiday one day. Images of the kids happily playing cards at the seated table while we drove the countryside made it seem like a dream holiday, and I am so excited to finally be able to share our experience with you.

Our Home on Wheels

Our Motorhome was the 6 berth Jayco Conquest, the perfect van for a family of five. The front cabin was so spacious and the wide, high seats were so comfortable. I hadn’t driven in anything quite this big before so definitely enjoyed the leg room up the front!

The Motorhome has a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, 4 burner stove and grill, sink and all your utensils and cutlery. Being used to staying in tents, this was such a luxury! Not having to drag dishes over to the camp kitchen day and night and being able to clean up straight away was amazing. There is also a large 2 door fridge and freezer which means you can pre prepare meals before you go away if you want to be in the kitchen as little as possible. The kids thought it was great when we were out driving and they were hungry yet again, that we could just pull over and they could make themselves a snack or raid the “pantry”.

There is a toilet and shower in the motorhome which we used only when necessary during the night as our site wasn’t far from the shower block, but this was such a luxury and would be amazing for when you are camping off grid. Emptying the cartridge from the toilet was super easy and the caravan parks will have dump points for these.

Having a comfortable bed and good nights sleep makes for a much happier holiday for everyone right? Well I am happy to report the beds were amazing! There is a double bed up the back which was one of the best beds I have actually slept in, and we played musical beds a little so everyone got a turn on it. The bed has a gas lift so you can store everything underneath like your camp chairs, cleaning equipment and whatever else you want to get out of the way. Above the front cabin there is a double bunk bed which the kids slept in most nights, but I spent a couple of nights up there too and slept like a log. There is a ladder you can attach to get up and down, and a cargo net you can clip up to stop anyone falling out. It also acts as a great spot to store your luggage when you are travelling without it falling down.

The dining table becomes the third bed by night – Simply convert the table and cushions into a bed which is quick and easy and the kids all said it was really comfortable.  There is also storage under the seats here for anything else you want to keep out of the way.

Speaking of storage – there is so much room in this motorhome! We found places for everything and still had cupboard space left over.  There is hanging space in the cupboard for clothes so make sure you bring coat hangers if you want to hang things up, but we just popped our packing cubes straight into the cupboard.

Did I mention their is air-conditioning and heating throughout aswell? An absolute lifesaver when travelling and can make a camping trip a lot more comfortable and enjoyable!

Some of the other amazing features of the motorhome include

– Colour TV with DVD player
– Awning (loved this for sunny afternoons)
– Reversing camera
– Provision to add 2-bike rack
– Solar panel for charging house battery

So where did we go on our roadtrip?

We travelled to one of our favourite places in Western Australia – Kalbarri which is around six hours north of Perth. We stayed five nights at the Kalbarri Anchorage Caravan Park in a riverside site. We found reversing the van into our site really quick and easy, especially with the reversing camera and it was defnitley the least stressful set up we have ever had! Hooking up the electricity and water was easy, and after rolling out the awning and laying out some chairs, we were good to relax with a wine. Camping really couldn’t be easier could it? We spent our days hiking, abseiling, canoeing the gorges, swimming and visiting all the amazing tourist spots around the town. We really love Kalbarri and everything it has to offer!

Our top tips

1. Colouring books, cards, and lego etc slide off the table fairly easy as you drive (we found that our the hard way haha) so I think next time we would stick to Ipads/ laptops with movies or less fiddly activities to do whilst driving.
2. Bring all your staple pantry items like sauces, spices, spread etc as there is so much room for food items and saves you buying so much when you are away.
3. Plan and research your destination. Kalbarri is really well setup for motorhomes and had plenty of large vehicle parking around the tourist spots!
4. Check the depot times. Some motorhome depots require you to make an appointment to pick up your vehicle so make sure you check ahead to avoid disappointment when you arrive to see the depot closed.
5. Remember the size of the vehicle is much different to what you are used to driving and will take up more space on the road and may sway in the wind. Take it easy and take it slow!

Would we take another road trip with Lets Go Motorhomes? You betcha! We found the motorhome holiday as enjoyable as a cruising holiday for families because both share a similar advantage – convenience! Not having to pack and unpack anything just made the holiday so simple and relaxing and the kids’ had the absolute best time. We cannot wait for our next road trip!

Crowne Plaza Perth – Our Staycation in Perth city!

We recently had the pleasure of checking out the beautiful Crowne Plaza in our home city of Perth. With Langley Park and the famous Swan River at it’s doorstep, it is the perfect base for those visiting Perth – or even local families wanting a fun little staycation in the city.

The Rooms

We stayed in a standard double room which is the perfect configuration for families, with two double beds and room for a tent bed. Alysse wasn’t able to come as she had a birthday party so Max had a double bed all to himself, with Jay in the tent bed. The room at 32sqm is a great size and the large bath is an added bonus! We also had a beautiful view of the river which the kids loved sitting by and watching the action down at Langley Park.

The King River View room is another great option as it has a King Bed, pull out sofa and room for two tent beds. With views straight out onto the river from the large balcony, it is the perfect spot to watch the Australia Day fireworks.

Slumber Experience

The Crowne Plaza have a Slumber Experience package available for families wishing to have a little staycation in the city! I cannot tell you how excited Jay was when he got in the room to see a gorgeous little tent setup with twinkling lights and chocolates. The package includes

• Accommodation for 2 Adults + 1 Child (for 2 children please call)
• Buffet Breakfast at Gusti Restaurant for 2 Adults + 1 Child
• Set up of Tent, Mattress, Bedding, Bed Tray, Lantern, Fairy Lights, Bunting, Pillow and Blanket. Plus receive FREE a Toiletry Bag, Eye Mask, Toothbrush and Chocolate Surprise.

The Ultimate Slumber Party!

Has your child got a birthday coming up? The Crowne Plaza offer an amazing Slumber Party package for those wishing to do something a little more special for their child’s big day!

This package includes: 

• Accommodation in a Executive Suite overlooking the Swan River for 2 adults + 4 children

• Buffet breakfast for 2 adults + 4 children at Gusti Restaurant 

• Set up of 4 tents, mattresses, bedding, bed trays, lanterns, fairy lights and buntings. 

• Plus, 4 toiletry bags with eye mask, toothbrush and a chocolate surprise 

• Party Food Pack – hot food platter, fruit platter and fruit juice, water or cool drink delivered to your room 

• A choice of movie to watch in the spacious room and popcorn to share

How amazing does that sound!? Combined with some of the activities around Perth City, it would make the party weekend.

To book either of the Slumber Experience Packages, call the friendly reservations team on 9270 4244.

Pool

Located on the 3rd floor is the amazing infinity pool overlooking the river – one of the hotels best features. At 20m long it is a great size and has plenty of sun lounges, as well as a couple of little cabana daybeds. At night time the illuminated pool overlooking the city is absolutely beautiful and a great way to end the day. The pool is open from 6.30am to 10pm and you can order pool service from the pool if you wish.

Also on the 3rd floor is a gymnasium for anyone who likes to keep fit and healthy while travelling.

Gusti Restaurant

If there is one thing we love at a hotel – it is an amazing buffet breakfast. We are massive breakfast eaters, and being very early risers are always one of the first there. The boys  loved the pancake machine, where you simply press a button and you have fresh warm pancakes ready to go. There is a bit of every thing at the buffet from bacon and eggs, toast, fresh fruit, savoury muffins and more. If you fancy freshly squeezed juice for breakfast, then you will love the juicer! Max wanted me to tell everyone there is little packets of Nutella, apparently not many hotels have this and he was so excited for Nutella toast haha!

We also had dinner at the restaurant and it was delicious! With happy hour from 4.30-5.30, pop down for a beer or red wine before heading into the restaurant for a meal. There is a lovely decked terrace where you can sit outside or plenty of seating inside.

Jay recommends the fish and chips and Max the toasted sandwich, while Shane and I definitely recommend the beef curry and bruschetta!

Perth Mint Tour

The Crowne Plaza offer a fantastic package partnering with The Perth Mint, a must see when visiting Perth. This was our first time visiting the Mint and everyone, especially the boys, thoroughly enjoyed it. The tour starts with a history talk outside, before heading in to see the famous one tonne gold coin, which is 99.99% pure GOLD! The kids loved holding the replica nuggets and finding clues to the answers for their Challenges sheet throughout the Mint. At the end the kids can take their completed sheet to the guide who will award them with a little Perth Mint Medallion.

The highlight for Jay however was watching them pour liquid gold to make a gold bar – it was really fascinating to watch and feeling the heat come off the gold was incredible. It’s hard to imagine them pouring the gold “back in the day” without the appropriate safety equipment they now have! Don’t forget to check out the stunning jewellery on the way out, notably their Pink Argyle Diamond Jewellery.

You can read more about the package with Crowne Plaza here or some information on the Perth Mint here.

Business

For corporate events & meetings, the Crowne Plaza is a great option. I actually attended a Cruise Training event here and the meeting rooms were a great size and our morning & afternoon tea and lunch was amazing. You can also hold functions (think cocktail party) at the Gusti Restaurant out on the terrace, which would make an ideal location for an event.

We really enjoyed our staycation at the Crowne Plaza and would highly recommend booking one of the family packages during the school holidays! You don’t always have to travel far to have a holiday – we are huge fans of holidays in your own city, and it gives you that chance to spend some more time exploring our own cities attractions, which we certainly don’t do enough.

Thank you so much to the team at Crowne Plaza for inviting us to stay, we cannot wait to come back!

Our Staycation at The Holiday Inn, Perth!

For some reason we had never thought of doing a staycation in our home city before with the kids in tow – we had done a few as a couple for our anniversary, but never got around to booking one with the kids.

After our recent staycation with The Holiday Inn, I am pleased to report that we are now converts to the “holiday at home” and will defnitley be booking another one in the future! We all had such a great time and it was so nice to be a tourist in our own city.

The Holiday Inn chain of hotels has always been our firm favourite and I have spoken many times of our love of their properties on our blog and instagram. They just seem to understand what it is families want in a holiday. Most of the hotels offer a Kids Stay & Eat free deal, which when you have three children, can make a huge difference.

The Holiday Inn Perth is in a great location right in the heart of the City, on Hay Street. The train station is only a few minute walk, and the main shopping strips at the end of the street. There are plenty of restaurants and bars around the area for those wishing to head out into the city for dinner and drinks.

We arrived at the hotel in the late afternoon and as the hotel offered Valet Parking, just gave the lovely staff our keys who took care of the car while we checked in. One thing to note is the staff here were SO friendly. It really does make a difference when you arrive at a hotel and the staff go out of their way to make your stay amazing. The kids were given their green wristbands for the VIK Program (more on that in a moment) and some kids travel packs on checkin, before heading up to our interconnecting rooms.

The Rooms

We had a double room interconnecting to a twin room, and decided for something a bit different to have a girls room and boys room. Alysse and I planned to have a girly night and watch some movies together so we were super excited. The rooms were generous in size, with nice modern bathrooms and a bath in the twin room (a bath is a luxury for me in a hotel room!).

VIK Kid’s Program

One of the great features of the Holiday Inn is their dedicated Very Important Kid’s Program. This green wristband allows you access to discounts on some of the popular family attractions around Perth, aswell as free meals at the hotels Ivy & Jack Restaurant. We took advantage of this and headed to Palace Cinemas to watch The Lion King, aswell as enjoying lunches and dinners at the restaurant. All the names of the attractions are on the band and you will receive a booklet on checkin detailing the offers. You can read more about the VIK Program here.

Kid’s Stay & Eat Free

Holiday Inn’s Kids Stay & Eat Free program is just one of the reasons they are so popular among family travellers around the world. It can be a huge saving for parents (because travelling with kids is already expensive enough!), and a massive selling point for us especially. We have travelled to many Holiday Inn properties around the world for this reason. At the Holiday Inn Perth, up to four kids aged 12 and under eat for free any time of the day at their on-site restaurant, Ivy & Jack.

Ivy & Jack

We loved everything about this restaurant – the vibe, the food, the drinks. It was all delicious and a great price aswell. I highly recommend the Sticky chicken bites for an entree, the Beef Burger for Main and a Smores Cocktail for a special treat! Jay recommends the chicken nuggets and Max the spaghetti bolognaise.

The buffet breakfast was amazing, with everything from toasts, cereals and muffins to freshly cooked eggs, freshly squeezed juices and a real coffee machine. Always a winner when you can get a proper coffee at breakfast!

They also have happy hour from 5-6pm where they have select wines and beers at a discount price. The house red here was beautiful!

Events in the City

During the school holidays, there is always a variety of activities going on in the city for families. One annual event is of course the Perth Royal Show! The Holiday Inn is a great base for those wanting to visit the show aswell as enjoy the city – just jump on the train to the Claremont Showgrounds before heading back to the hotel for some much needed R&R.

For a full list of some of the events going on these holidays, click here.

We decided to check out the Palace Cinemas and watch a movie together as a family – something that doesn’t happen often. We watched the new Lion King movie which was a beautiful movie and the whole cinema complex was just amazing. The cinema was only around a five minute walk from the Holiday Inn – it really is a fantastic location!

The Holiday Inn is a great base for either locals wanting a Staycation in their local city, or tourists visiting our beautiful Perth city. The location is unbeatable and for families, you really can’t beat a Holiday Inn property.

Thank you so much to the team for inviting us to stay, we will defnitley be back again.

5 tactics to survive a family road trip

Consider the term ‘family holiday’ – what comes to mind? Trips to the beach, a relaxing break by the seaside, an opportunity to spend valuable time with the people you love? Or does it fill you with anxiety, stress and sleepless nights?

For most of us, it’s probably a little bit from both camps. Family holidays can indeed be special, but they are also liable to hit your bank balance hard. Also, it can be difficult to know how to fill your days when in a location that you aren’t fully familiar with.

But, before all of that, there’s the dreaded road trip to contend with. Children are rarely adept at sitting still and remaining calm for extended periods of time, so parents need to plan and prepare to ensure road trips don’t descend into anarchy. 

1. Spend time on a playlist

It’s likely that everyone in the vehicle will have a different music taste, so try to accommodate everyone when creating a playlist. This may not be entirely possible, but at the very least you should try not to alienate or annoy anyone. Also, along similar lines, consider listening to an audiobook that will engage both adults and children alike. 

2. Have a supply of snacks and drinks

Having a supply of snacks and drinks to hand can alleviate stressful situations and keep tears at bay. Sometimes a food-based distraction is all that is needed to stop young children from getting frustrated when trapped in a car. Luckily for you, there are many healthy snacks out there to choose from.

3. Stretch your legs

If you have the time to spare, try to stop off every couple of hours to stretch your legs, eat some food and perhaps enjoy a coffee or two. Fresh air and a change of scenery can make a world of difference when on a long car journey. 

Before you head off on your trip, see whether you’ll pass any landmarks, sculptures or areas of natural beauty that would be worth stopping off at. Consider it a little holiday bonus to enhance the overall trip.

4. Encourage sleep

Ultimately, the very best outcome on a long road trip is for your children to sleep for the entire journey. This will not happen every time, of course, but you can encourage them to close their eyes by making their seat as comfortable as possible, providing pillows and blankets, and not being afraid to spend some time in silence. Though this is not particularly intuitive, boredom can actually be the perfect medicine for any road trip.

5. Prepare for the unexpected

The last thing you need when on a long-haul road trip is for your car to break down, or to get so lost that you have to spend the night in a hotel. This can not only be inconvenient but also incredibly costly. So, to that end, it is important to put some emergency money to one side just in case the unexpected occurs.

Of course, it’s always easier to set cash aside to deal with unexpected events if you haven’t paid over the odds for the trip in the first place. Did you know, for example, that the average holiday stay in the US is around £8,006 just for one day? And this is not solely related to the United States; other countries where it is expensive to have an accident include: 

• Switzerland (average of £6,127 each day)
• Germany (average of £4,294 each day)
• Sweden (average of £4,246 each day)
• Netherlands (average of £4,116 a day)

When abroad, the last thing you want is to end up digging deep into your savings to pay for a hospital stay.

Travelling when pregnant

Nothing should get in the way of adventurers and explorers travelling the world, not even pregnancy. There are some precautions and considerations to take into account to make travelling as safe as possible, but you definitely shouldn’t be put off from exploring the world with your precious bump. If you’re feeling anxious or confused, worry no more; here is everything you need to know about travelling while pregnant:

1. Pack in advance

It doesn’t matter if you’re away for a weekend or a fortnight, you can’t throw all your belongings into a suitcase at the last minute if you’re pregnant. To make sure you don’t forget any essential items, start making a checklist weeks before your holiday and have your bag packed well in advance. Flat shoes and loose clothing will help with your physical comfort and your maternity notes should be easily accessible if there are any issues during your travels. 

2. Choose your holiday activities wisely

You might feel like you can take on the world when you’re choosing your holiday, but pregnancy is changeable and your adventure holiday might not be so appealing when the exhaustion kicks in and you’re suffering from morning sickness. Understand your limits and what activities are safe for you and your child. If it’s always been your dream to go surfing in Australia, consider booking this destination another year or just take part in gentler activities like walking and relaxing on the beach. 

3. Make sure you have the correct travel insurance

Did you know that if you’re pregnant and travelling with your normal insurance you might not be covered? Special pregnancy travel insurance is far more appropriate and will cover you against any health problems that you might encounter on your travels. It will also give you an idea of when it’s safe to travel as most policies won’t cover you if you give birth abroad in your third trimester, so make sure you get your travel dates right when you start booking. 

4. Take precautions when you fly

Flying can take a toll on your body even when you’re not pregnant, so make sure you’re comfortable with spending several hours on a plane before committing to a holiday. The NHS recommends flying while 4-6 months pregnant; the first trimester is often accompanied by nausea, while travelling late into your pregnancy can be uncomfortable, both of which aren’t ideal for a flight. While on the plane, make yourself as comfortable as possible; a pregnancy pillow can help alleviate any physical discomfort. 

5. Check if you need travel vaccinations and medication

Some destinations, such as countries in Asia and Africa, might require vaccinations or malaria tablets in order to enter. However, the NHS don’t recommend that pregnant women receive vaccines that inject live bacteria or viruses. However, if you’re travelling for essential work to a high-risk area, travel vaccinations are unavoidable. Ask your GP about which antimalarial tablets and vaccinations are safe for your travel plans.

Big 4 Emu Beach, Albany

We recently discovered our love of camping, and to be honest are not quite sure what took us so long to take the plunge. Yes, it is a lot of work and a lot of gear to cart along, but the kids have such a fantastic time and sleeping in a tent seems to be such a novelty for them!

We just spent 5 nights down in Albany with my parents, our first time to that region and stayed at the Big 4 Emu Beach Caravan Park. We loved the caravan park so much we just had to do a write up so hopefully you will book a trip down there with your own family!

Albany

Albany is a town around five hours drive South from Perth, made famous for it’s Whaling History, ANZAC battlegrounds and stunning coastline. The historic whaling station at Discovery Bay ceased it’s operations in 1978, making Albany safe for migrating Humpback, Southern Right and Blue Whales. There is so much to see and do in Albany, it makes a great destination for a family camping holiday but I will talk more about this in a separate post.

The park

The Big 4 Emu Beach is located just ten minutes from the centre of Albany, with direct access down to Emu Beach. If you plan on taking bikes along, there is a bike track from the caravan park along the beach all the way around to a beautiful cafe and foreshore. 

There are plenty of accommodation options available to suit all styles of “campers” –  Powered / Unpowered / Ensuite sites, Studio Apartments, and 1,2 and 3 bedroom villas. The 3 bedroom villas have two king beds plus two sets of double bunks, making them perfect for large families or extended families travelling together.

Facilities for kids

Caravan Parks are getting more and more in tune with what families want from their holiday. Whilst the days are often spent exploring the towns, it is so nice to come back to a caravan park where the kids can go off and play while the adults have some down time. This park has everything and more to keep your kids entertained!

Playground

My boys especially loved this playground and often rode their bikes up early in the morning for chin up competitions on the monkey bars. It is modern and surrounded by artificial grass rather than the old pesky sand you still find at many playgrounds.

Jumping Pillow

Another firm favourite for all three kids, battling out the acrobat moves on the huge jumping pillow! This is situated right behind the kids playground, and next to the reception area.

Rec Room

Whilst my kids didn’t use this facility it is a great option for the older kids, having pool tables ping pong and a TV – and if you are staying over the school holidays, the staff put on afternoon and nightly movie screenings for the kids!

Kids Club

Again, if you stay over the school holidays the kids have the option of staying in the kids club for some fun activities including baking, arts and craft and games. You can view the school holiday program on their website.

Mini Golf

My kids LOVE mini golf so were super excited to see a golf course in the caravan park! The games are free, simply hire out a club and ball at reception for $5 bond which you get back when you return the clubs. This was definitely a highlight for our kids and we were there most afternoons for a few rounds.

Camp kitchen

The camp kitchen here has all the facilities you might need during your stay including fridge / freezers, microwave, kettle, toaster, 2 burner cooktops, TV and bbq. Alternatively there are some undercover bbq areas scattered throughout the park which are beautifully decorated with mosaics and brightly coloured walls.

Laundry

The Laundry here was clean and modern and both the washing machines and dryers were so quick – my clothes were washed and dried within the hour!

Bathroom Facilities

For those travelling with young children, the park has a family bathroom complete with toilet, baby change table, large bath, baby bath, sink and shower to make life a tad easier! This bathroom requires a special code which you can get from reception. As our kids are older we used the normal bathroom during our stay and were blown away at how modern and CLEAN it was! No need to fear the old caravan park TINEA infection here!! Honestly – the cleanest caravan park we have ever been to. Ten points for cleanliness – it was almost like a hotel room.

We had such a fantastic time in Albany and really enjoyed our stay at Big 4 Emu Beach. The kids never got bored and had a fantastic trip! We defnitley recommend the caravan park for those wanting to explore Albany!

Disclaimer: We were NOT staying as guests of the caravan park and all opinions were 100% true.

Holiday Inn Resort, Bali Benoa

Travelling with three young kids in tow changes our accommodation needs significantly – we no longer fit in most standard hotel rooms and are always searching for rooms that accommodate five. That is why the Holiday Inn properties have fast become our favourite and first choice when we travel. Not only do they provide amazing family rooms that fit our three kids, their Kids Stay & Eat free deals, aswell as their kids facilities makes them our most recommended hotel chain.

We were lucky enough to stay as guests at the Holiday Inn Benoa in Bali on our recent trip and will share with you why this hotel is a must for your next Bali trip!

THE LOCATION

The Holiday Inn Benoa is situated on Tanjung Benoa Beach, a five minute drive from the main area of Nusa Dua, and around fifteen minutes drive from the airport. The beach is lovely and clean and there is plenty of water sports to keep you busy if that’s your thing!

One of my favourite things about this hotel is it’s size – it is a great compact hotel so everything  is so close by. There is no 2km walk to the breakfast buffet, and if you forget your suncream its a short walk back to the room! If you feel like getting out of the hotel for a meal there are a few restaurants out in the main street or plenty along the beachfront at other resorts.

THE ROOMS

We stayed in a Tanjung Family Adventure Suite, which was one of the largest family rooms we have ever stayed in. The kids had their own ocean themed bedroom with twin bedding, a PS4 console and a cute pint size bathroom – making them feel like they were more at home than in a hotel!

There is also a large living area with extra seating, as well as the parents large king bed, bathroom and balcony.  At over 81sqm it is a very generous room for the family!  The other family rooms options available are the Tanjung Kids Adventure Suite, which is much the same but without the living room or the Tanjung family Connecting Rooms which is two interconnecting rooms, both sill beautifully decorated for the kids. All the family rooms accommodate 2 adults and 3 children, with the third being on a rollaway or in existing bedding.

KIDS CLUB

My youngest has finally hit the age where he can stay in a kids club without a parent, so I am thankful that Max, at age 9 still loves to have a play in the kids club with his little brother. The kids club here is fantastic – a little carnival theme room with ball pits, slides, dress ups, trampolines, chill out zones aswell as PS4s and movies. They do some great scheduled activities including the Water Balloon piñata which my boys loved! Kids under 4 need a parent or guardian with them to stay or you can arrange a nanny through the hotel. The kids club opens at 9am – 5pm and 6pm – 9pm where they offer movie nights amongst other activities.

POOLS

There are two main pools at the hotel, one being situated around the pool access rooms in the centre of the hotel and the other right on the beach. Both have swim up pool bars, and there is also a kids pool / splash area with waterslide and large bucket ready to dump your kids with a load of water!

DINING

The buffet breakfast here was amazing with plenty of options on offer, including some delicious healthy fresh juices to start the day. The main selling point however is the COFFEE!! I love when hotels offer a nice, proper coffee rather than instant, and the Holiday Inn Benoa even had my beloved mocha. Winning!

The hotel arranged a beautiful beach dinner for us complete with fairy lights and flower petals which was a lovely surprise! The food was delicious and with the kids eating free at the hotel, super affordable.

And for those that love happy hour like us Aussies, you can get more bang for your buck with 2 for 1 drinks between 4 pm – 6pm at Nudis beach bar and restaurant next to the pool. The cocktails here were delicious with a great variety.

Continue reading “Holiday Inn Resort, Bali Benoa”…

Snorkelling Safari with the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi

We were super lucky to be sent on a snorkelling safari tour with the Sun Siyam Resort – which turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip in the Maldives.

The  tour departed at 8am which was a great time with little ones, giving us enough time to have a nice big breakfast before we headed off (because three hungry kids on a boat is never fun!). The boat was a traditional longboat which was roomy and comfortable with a large deck up the top.

Our first snorkelling stop was around thirty minutes away, the staff had washed all our snorkelling gear on the trip out so we were good to go as soon as we arrived. Once they checked the currents we all jumped in one by one (Jay bobbed around in his floatie on my back the whole time) and we followed the guide around. The boat waited back and if anyone was tired or had enough we could just put our hands up and they would come and pick us up which was great.

One tip of mine for longer snorkelling sessions – even if your kids are confident swimmers is to pop a life jacket on them if they aren’t super confident snorkellers yet. We find Max (8 years) really tires out when snorkelling and is so much happier and content when he can float around and enjoy the view, rather than having to tread water to fix his snorkels etc. Alysse on the other hand spends more time ducking under water than above it so she is fine just as she is without life jacket. We spent almost 40 minutes snorkelling and the marine life was absolutely amazing. We saw turtles, lobsters, sea snakes, lion fish and much more! Sunday, the guide on our trip, was so great with the kids and held Max’s hand while he pointed out all the fish or dived down to point out turtles .

Once back on board we were given some juice ,water and friuit and then something amazing appeared – a huge pod of dolphins came past, diving under the boat and jumping out of the water doing flips! Sunday was calling them in I am guessing a dolphins call and it was just amazing to see so many in the wild, especially the babies along side their mums.

The next snorkelling spot was just opposite the first spot and again we spent around 40mins snorkelling and the fish we saw was just incredible – like being in an aquarium and the kids took turns in jumping from the top of the boat with Sunday, the guide. We all agreed that we finally found somewhere that rivalled the snorkelling we experienced in the Philippines.

We arrived back at the island around 11.30 – 12.00 which was a great amount of time out for the kids who were now starving and ready for lunch. We had such a fantastic day and highly recommend this tour to anyone staying at the Sunsiyam Iru Fushi!