Have been very lax in posting a jbr and am now hoping that I can even remember the things that we did!
Left Perth on 16 December for 3 weeks in Bali after some stress with Garuda and flight changes. I also flew my mum from Brisbane to meet us and had (tried!) to ensure that our flights were reasonably well coordinated, alas, the best laid plans and all that...Mum had no less than 4 flight changes before she left, including times, dates and re-routing.
Our 8am flight out of Perth was uneventful, except for the cheering of our 3 year old during take off (he does get excited on the aeroplane!), which was a relief after getting up at 2 am to get to the airport. We had been installing a kitchen until about 10pm the night before so not a lot of sleep was had, but that was all an aside once we were airborne.
We had booked the first 2 nights at the Pondok Ayu in Sanur and were me by the broad smiling Gede, their manager and driver. Thank God for airport transfers because we would never have found this place in a taxi. He took us directly to the hotel and what a find! Tucked away down a couple of little lanes on the opposite side of the bypass, this place is an absolute gem. Only 4 rooms, very new and modern, beautiful timber and limestone work everywhere, straight out of a magazine. We had booked 2 rooms (hoping that the 3 year old might want to bunk with Nanny!) and we were the only people there.
Gede drove us down to Bennos cafe for breakfast each morning, which is included in the tariff, or they could cook breakfast for you by the pool. Would definitely stay here again. Just a small example of how accommodating Gede was: I expressed a desire for a banana pancake after dinner one night and Gede proceeds to not only drive to a little roadside place he knows, but escorts me across the road (making traffic slow to a safe speed!) and back after making sure that I got what I want. We settle down on our balcony to enjoy the pancake and next minute, out comes his smiling face again with enough cutlery for all of us four to dig in.
Did not do much in Sanur during the two days we were there, Mum just walking around taking it all in. The first day we were there, we headed straight to Kami Sama on the beach for their terrific Nasi Campur (extra tempe please). We sat back on the beach, enjoying our first Bintang and I could not see a tourist in either direction for at least 15 minutes. I was very surprised that Bali could be this quiet just before Christmas.
Meals in Sanur: Trophy Pub, Kami Sama, Stiff Chilli.
Best find: Cheeky Monkeys Playground on Jl Danau Tamblingan. We waltzed in here to check out the playground and scored their expat kindy Christmas party, complete with American Santa sweltering in his red velvet. This place is great: outdoor playground with heaps of LIttle Tikes cars, tractors and cubby houses, swings, slides, trampolines etc etc. We paid 60 000rp, which was for the Christmas party, food and a gift from Santa. I think that the standard entry, on days where Santa does not appear is around 20-30 000rp.
On the Monday, Gusti arrived at the appointed hour to take us to Sideman, where I had booked Villa Cepik after terrific recommendations from EdBob (thanks Ed!). This place is located in some terrific scenery and there is absolutely nothing to do which doesn't involve: eating, drinking, swimming in your private pool, taking great photos, walking through the rice fields and villages or chatting to the locals. We loved it, but would definitely make sure that we had a motorbike next time so we weren't too isolated and to get a bit further for photos. Gusti is available to hire for driving if you want to take day trips.
Highlights: Ida's cooking! Visiting a family of gong makers and buying a gong near Klungkung and being escorted into a temple ceremony by fully armed uniformed security - but that might be another story!
We did take a day trip to Kintamani and Besakih, which was nice to have been able to do it, but that organised tourist route is not really to our family's liking; each to their own I guess.
Sorry to have droned on so much but I will be back (sorry) with Amed to come.
Alanna