In Reply to: first time to bali posted by marcey on Thursday, 6. January 2005 at 02:59 Bali Time:
NUSA/BENOA/BUALU DISTRICT SECTION.
For the story of one of our stays in Nusa , including a walking tour around Tanjung Benoa and some photos, click on this link - http://www.geocities.com/filo_1au/PhotosDays1_4.html .
The Kuta bombing has hit Nusa Dua and Bualu very hard. Many of the established shops and eateries that may be mentioned here have now ('03) closed, maybe temporarily or maybe permanently. Only time will tell.
SHOPPING -
1. The Nusa Dua hotels area is expensive, particularly Galeria shopping area although those few shops that survive after the bombing are a little more reasonable now that even the Japanese tourists are seeking cheaper lodgings and better bargains. Jalan Pratama that runs along the short peninsula towards Benoa has many good value cafes & restaurants. The local village of Bualu is also cheap.
2. Many of the well-known clothing brands have outlets in Nusa, mainly in the Galleria, and seem to have constant sales at almost unbelievable discounts.
3. Change money at PT Central in Kodak shop opposite Club Bali Mirage about half way along Jl Pratama, or at the independent stall a few steps north.
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EATING.
Eating in the hotels of Nusa Dua is an experience - but an expensive one.
There are restaurants and cafes in the Nusa shopping complex, called ‘The Galleria', that are good and a bit cheaper.
There is a village nearby, within walking distance of many hotels, called Bualu. Eating here is as good as the Galleria and cheaper still.
If you are staying in one of the Tanjung Benoa hotels you will find hotel eating about on a par with The Galleria, but on the main road through the peninsula (Jalan Pratama) you will find a great range of magnificent, small restaurants, cafes and warungs. (‘Warung' is the local word for a small community eating-place. It is now often used however, to give a local flavour to a restaurant or café.)
('Jalan', abbreviated to ‘Jl', is the Bahasa Indonesia word for road.)
Look for Jl Pantai Mengiat also, at the southern end by the Hilton and Putri Bali. It runs along the edge of Bualu village.. Host of good eateries here.
1. Jukung Seafood Café Jl Pratama, (Jukung is a traditional outrigger sailing boat with small triangular sail. Most now have outboard motors. Also known as Prahu.) Opposite Peninsula Beach Resort on dark section of road. Very well patronised. Free transport in Nusa. 773 902
2. Bola Bali Café & Bar, Jl Pratama #85D Nusa Dua. Opposite the Aston. Well patronised. 775 490, free transport, fresh food daily, purified water, welcome drink and garlic bread. Cuisines incl. Italian.
3. Bumbu Bali, ****. On Jl Pratama $$$ opposite Nusa Dua Clinik.
4. Nyoman Rest., On Jl Pratama Nusa Dua.
5. Café Bagus Bar & Rest. Jl Pratama Nusa Dua. 772 716. Small, good food, value (Gado Gado Rp9,500) single toilet could make the whole place 9/10 - but it wouldn't flush, - 3/10. Pity!
6. Warung Bali on Jl Pratama.
7. Kacek Restaurant.
8. Eveh Warung, Benoa.
9. Maxi Boga, Nusa Dua.
10. Bali Epeh, Jl Pratama, Nusa Dua.
11. Mini Restaurant. Opposite Novotel Hotel. Good and cheap. Recommend for breakfast. Value, even when cab fare from Nusa is included in cost. You'll often get 20% discount as a return customer. The laundry next door is very good and cheap.
12. Bali Café, Jl Pratama near Novotel, Tanjung Benoa.
13. The Hann Restaurant, Jl Pantai Mengait, Bualu. Ph 77 6565. It was very good but we had bad experiences in 2000, which probably means we will not return.
14. Lotus Garden, Bualu village. Good food but a bit noisy.
15. Mentari Ming Garden, Bualu, Ph 772 125.
16. Nelayn. Bualu Village. 773 534. Call them for a pick-up.
17. Koki Bali, Bualu village. Ph 772 406.
18. Jala Restaurant, Bualu village. Ph 771 203.
19. Bale Banjar, Bualu, Ph 771 953.
20. Kecak Bali, Tanjung Benoa. Great steamboat dinner. Free transport from Nusa Dua hotels. Cooking classes' also good value.
21. Lhai Lhai - Canton Chinese - on main road.
22. El Pirata International - Pantai Mengiat St Bualu village - Seafood.
23. Ming Garden, Bualu. Cheap but good. They will arrange transport for you.
24. An interesting experience can be had at the Surya Café at Jl Egara Lor 21 Benoa, Nusa Dua. Actually in Tanjung Benoa, about 50 paces from the Chinese temple which is almost at the end of the peninsula. They will take you for a boat ride around the harbor with drinks and nibbles while your meal is being prepared. Ph (361) 772 016 for the boat trip and get there about 5 pm.
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VISITING.
1. Tiger Jam Laundry opp. Hyatt. Will deliver to hotels. Very cheap and good - '20 pairs of knickers for A$2.10'.
2. Novotel Hotel. Bronze by Dali as tribute to Newton. 20' (6m.) tall, which was an attraction, is no longer there. Good breakfast is included but generally the food expensive. The excellent Mini Restaurant is just a few minutes walk away. Live entertainment at night. Active Kids Club. Many beach activities along adjacent foreshores but look out for dangerous situations and check the fine print on your travel insurance.
DOING.
All sorts of water sports are offered, along the Tanjung Benoa beaches in particular, but beware of un-safe situations, and if you are female, beware of fairly blatant groping when uncontrolled opportunities are presented to the ‘handlers' at activities such as para gliding. Look before you leap!
1. Blue Oasis Beach Club has aggressive manager.
2. Fishing - Tanjung Benoa, on the peninsula point north of Nusa Dua. (Not Benoa Harbour which is about 25 km away around the other side of the bay nearer Sanur.) You will find several people on the beach selling trips out.
3. Cooking classes. Kejak Bali & Bumbu Bali. See Restaurant. List above.
4. Besakih has the most aggressive ‘temple guides'. Whole trip unpleasant.
5. There is a seaplane excursion from Benoa Harbour. US$150/person for 1 hour flight time, 2 stops, lunch and snorkelling. Cheaper excursions available and cheaper fares for up to 6. The scenery from the air is magnificent. Contact pilot darrel_hansen@hotmail.com .
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DRIVERS.
Tanjung Benoa is an open cab area where you will find Blue Bird Group cabs and others. Beware of White cabs even when ordered thro' hotels.
It's not easy to hire a cab off the street in Nusa. There seems to be some sort of ban on hailing cabs from out of the area. Perhaps ‘local' Gold cabs pay a premium to operate there?