Dear All,
First a big thank you to Tinggading and Kiwi Carol! We stayed at Tegal Sari for the 1st time and it was greaT.
Well, we booked a last minute and although we always fly Malaysia Airlines, we had to book KLM. We were just too late to get a good rate at Malaysia A. Needless to say, if you're use flying Malasia or Singapore airlines, you are spoiled, so KLM was bit of a disappointment. The attendants were great though, but the chair space smaller and no personal video screen, and no menu to choose from.
We flew amsterdam - jakarta, and booked Air aSIA through the internet, jakarta - denpasar. They were good, needless to say a very good price and they had nice leather chairs!
After arriving Domestic, we went straight to the taxi counter, which was even open at midnight! Then heading off to Bali Mandira. We stayed here before, because we love their location, although the rooms are a bit small. We use to stay in the bungalows and 2-storey superior rooms, but the prices were high, so we choose the superior room in the Tower Building. I must say, superior rooms are now ONLY in the Tower Building.(BM have to adjust their website still) BM have renovated the 2-storey buildings all to deluxe bungalow.
Now, for you who do not like "noisy" rooms, do not book the superior in Tower Building, they were so noisy!! You could hear the people above you, and to the right and left of you! esspecially when the furniture gets moved.....and I think with kids, this will be often the case. It's a pity they didn't use silent proof walls...........
(I spoke to ladies who stayed one hotel further up at Legian Beach Hotel and they were in the appartment building and said they were silent proof........)
The breakfast at BM is great. we stayed 4 nights before we moved up to Ubud. While at BM, we ate at: Made's Warung, great food, but when you are only with 2, they do not take your reservation! Which I think is rediculous. We went anyway, and of course had to wait, then we were directed to a table where 2 people were already sitting, so they force you to join if you're only with 2. But the food and prices are great!
We also went to Pantarei (Greek) which we always enjoy. Was good.
(only thing: when you order a bottle of wine and you do not want the waiter's to keep filling up your glass, just tell them. I found it annoying and just told them I prefer to do this myself)
We also went to Hard Rock Cafe, for the old time favourite's (lunch)
I tried to call Warung Sobat but got no answer on their handphone number. Tried the phonebook and called information, but they also could not help me......
Ubud: Tegal Sari offered pick up service, so we booked them to pick us up at B.M. (RP 115.000). As said many times before on this forum, the service is great and we had a very warm welcome. The rice had been harvest, so this was a bit disappointing. No nice green ricepaddies but brownish blubber, we did enjoy the magnificent view and the duck's though! We stayed in nr. 10. They now have 6 more rooms (rice paddy view), ready since 3 months, we had a tour and they looked also very nice (2 storey). Tegal sari provides you with pick up in Ubud whenever you want and also at any time you want. So they would bring us to "downtown" Ubud where we would have dinner. We always ended up at Tutmak for a wine, and we were picked up there. This service is for free. a few houses further up the road at Tegal Sari a big new Jewelry store has opened, they are called "Gemala Jewelry" and they have exclusive jewelry, I mean different from what the other shoppes offer. I bought a beautiful ring and pendant with Oro Verde Quartz. You can negociate the prices!
We stayed at T.G. for 3 nights at RP 450,000,-- p.n. including breakfast. We then moved to Ubud Bungalows at Jln. Monkey Forest Rd. We always stay here when in Ubud and enjoy it. The owner Wayan, is very nice and provides a very good service. He also has nice staff.
We felt we also should stay with him to support him as I know the last years after the bomb have been very difficult for him.
We stayed here 4 more nights and had a good rest. We had great dinners: 3 Monkeys, international, good. Batan Waru, this is a must if you like indonesian food, we went there many times for either lunch or dinner. On Tuesdays they were having "chili Crab night", we booked our last evening there and enjoyed the food! You have to order in advance and also make the booking.
Cafe Wayan also great! delicious indo food but also international, and very nice prices.
Had lunch at Cafe Lotus, nice surrounding and food o.k.
We always took our after dinner drinks at Tutmak (football field) they also have wonderful desserts! Nice atmospfere. While in Ubud we noticed a lot of Italian people. We always enjoy Ubud and this is also the place to buy jewelry and nice gifts. There's a nice jewelry store on jalan Hanoman called Asterix, we bought little small dreamballs made of silver, very nice and when you moved them you could here "gamelan" music...I bought silver chains to hang them on and think i have a great and most of all unique xmas present!
There is a Bali natural store in the same street as Batan Waru and Tutmak, It's up near the intersection with Jln Hanoman. They have nice products too like body scrubs, or hair do. All natural and at good prices. more later!