We were booked into the Tegal Sari for 3 nights and the driver from the Tegal picked us up at the Putu Villas (175,000 rupiahs). He was spot on time and as we got into the car he looked at the Putu and told us that he thought the Tegal Sari would be very similar for us as the Putu. I heard this voice from the side 'God I hope not'. Cath was not happy.
On arrival at the Tegal it looked just OK as we walked through from the car park to the reception and dining area. When we were shown to our room all doubts evaporated, it was absolutely fantastic. We had on advice booked room 24 and it could not have been better for the room quality or the views. If you know of a better view sitting on your balcony watching the locals working (singing and joking) in the fields, herding the ducks and trying to keep the birds at bird then please tell me because I have travelled the World and stayed in some great hotels but never had a balcony like this. On the last morning we had breakfast on the balcony, a memory to last forever.
Service was the best we have received anywhere, nothing was too much trouble. In fact one evening we had bought a bottle of wine and of course there were no wine glasses in the room. When I went to reception I was asked if the telephone was broken, because I must telephone if I need anything 'you are our guests'. Free take you or pick you up anywhere in Ubud service 24 hrs a day. The exchange rate at the hotel was the best we found anywhere. The prices of the room bar were no more expensive than outside. I could ramble on for ages about this hotel but enough to say we enjoyed our stay here as much as any hotel we have ever visited. It was without doubt the best value for money.
Funny thing first night there on the balcony and there he was 'big bird' had followed us and gave us a chorus
We did a day trip with the Tegal and they charged us 60,000 rupiahs an hour and it was well worth it. Eight hours; Temples. Kintamani etc etc. Apart from the sites we learnt so much about Bali and their traditions. How long we wanted to stay out where we went was our decision and at no time did we feel we were being taken any where the driver could make some 'extras'. Beware though the vendors at Kintamani were very aggressive and in your face and you did have to run the gauntlet. Funny though I had my binoculars with me in the restaurant and one of the waiters asked if he could have a look. Next thing all the staff were there waiting to have a look jumping up and down getting very excited. It was great fun.
'Big bird uncovered' One of the Temples we visited had over 600 steps (don't' try this if you have a faint heart) and on the way back Cath decided she needed a rest, One of the vendors offered a stool which was gratefully taken. I took the opportunity to yet again try and mimic 'big bird' and he looked at me as if I was crazy and said it sounded nothing like any bird he knew. Suddenly the vendor did a perfect mimic, laughed and said it was not a bird it was a Ghekko. We all had a great laugh and still cannot believe a small lizard can make such a racket.
I said the Tegal was perfect and it was apart from two small complaints LOL The beds are quite high and the mattresses must be at least 15 inches thick, which must add up to about 3 foot high. Now Cath is 5ft nothing so you can imagine the laughs we had when she tried to get into bed. The other problem is the step in the middle of the room and I was really chuffed that after a few bintangs and a bottle of wine I remembered it was there when I had to pay a visit in the night. Only trouble was I fell over it on the way back. Did I get any sympathy, don't be silly.
Some strange bites? And eating in Ubud to follow but please do say if you are getting bored.