This trip was 9 days staying at the Puri Raja Legian, myself (43) daughter (20) and her friend 1st timer (20).
Wednesday 21st Feb
Well today we were to go on our bike tour with Wayan from Bike Baik Ubud. We were collected from the Puri Raja at 7.00am in the morning for the drive to Ubud, there were the four of us (Myself , my sister, daughter and daughters friend), as well as 3 others from our hotel that we met and added on. In Ubud we picked up Wayan for the drive up to Kintamani (spelling up the creek), on the way he took us to visit a vegetable plantation (well not really plantation), where there were the different vegetables/fruits growing, with explanations then seeing the coffee beans being roasted and samples of tea/coffee/chocolate drinks, and of course there was the showroom of herbs/drinks etc that you could purchase, great views. From there we went up to Kintamani for breakfast, which was a buffet but very nice and the view was amazing. From here we drove to where the bikes were and jumped on to start the bike tour. Wayan was so informative in the car any question you had he would try to answer as well as give you his own info, stopped whenever you wanted, nothing was too much trouble. He includes in his bike ride a stop at a local school that he passes along the way, though I'm not sure if this is included in every tour, but you only need to ask when booking and I'm sure he will try to accommodate. Even though we had visited Rotary schools, this was still a very enjoyable experience, after being greeted at the front of the school, we went into 1 of the class rooms, where children aged 11 - 12 asked us some questions in English, and we asked them some as well. We also went into another room where 2 girls and 2 boys were singing. A really lovely experience and something I didn't expect to be doing on our bike ride.
From here, as we took off, Wayan advises everyone to leave plenty of room between yourself and the next rider, but on take off my sister left a little too quick and clipped by daughters back wheel, resulting in her landing on the ground, we all had bike helmets on, which I think helped as she hit her head then just laid on the ground flat out, when I turned around I thought oh my goodness, all the kids and teachers from the school came out running, and here's my sister just laying flat on her back. Anyway, she was ok, just went with the roll, but gave us all a little scare, no grazes nothing... Well bother me, if another 5 minutes on, the rider at the back (1 of Wayans staff) wasn't clipped by a motorbike rider (they said foolish young guy the motor bike driver), but once again, he was ok as well. Please don't let any of this put you off really, my sister took off too early not leaving enough room, and was fine and continued the rest of the ride, I think we had more of a fright than her, and that's why they have a guide at the front and back of the group. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the ride, especially meeting all the local children that come running out to give you a high 5, and yelling hello, or hello tourist!!! The friend that we took for the 1st time, was still yelling out hello in the car on the way back to Legian, but just didn't get the same response... We actually took some coloured pencils with photocopies of colouring pages, that we gave out to some of the smaller children during our ride.
There were a couple of hills that you had to ride up (which if you didn't make, just walk up), but all in all it's really just a gentle enjoyable ride, with a lot of down hill. Drinks of water and fruit were given half way through, and at the end ice cold flannels and water again. I have nothing but praise for Wayan and his staff. From the end of the ride, it's a short car ride to Wayans house, this was another great experience to have a meal at his home in his family compound, it's not something that everyone has the experience of. The selection of food that his wife, and I think his mother prepares is amazing and really you don't need anything more. Also to meet his daughter and family. His wife is actually going to be doing cooking classes as well, which is something that I may look at next time in Bali, it's not the typical big company organized thing, and as Wayan says, he is a small business and the profits stay in Bali with him, if your thinking of doing the bike ride, please consider using Wayan, I had done a bike tour 2 years ago, and it didn't hold a candle to this tour..
We didn't' return back to the Puri Raja till after 5.00 I think, this was a complete day and everyone that went couldn't say enough positive things about the whole day and experience. Tonight we went to Breeze for tea, it's a little sad that it's not very busy at the moment, but I had creamy garlic prawns with rice, which was great and of course the staff (Desa I think) and others are great. (But aren't they all in Bali).
Thursday 22nd Feb
Today was a shopping day, as time was running out, so back on the bikes and head to Tuban Centro, before hitting Matahari square. Then tonight we tried Ketumba (on Jln Melasti near Bali Aussie) I had seen this restaurant on previous trips and never got to eat there. They had an art exhibition on here but only a couple of tables were occupied, but before the end of our meal it pelted down raining, so much so that we made a run to Garlic lane to catch a taxi back to Puri Raja. Last week Jln Melasti was blocked half way with the road works that they are doing there, so no taxi's went past the restaurant. The 2 20 year olds were going out tonight night clubbing with one of the staff from Puri Raja. Komang, a lovely guy thats 21 - 22 years old. So they headed out after 10.00pm, while I had night in reading.
Friday. 23rd Feb
Today we were meant to go to Waterbom Park to take our 1st timer, but when they finally returned from night clubbing the night before, he pulled up a little worse for wear, and took until 1.00pm to feel up to it, then needed lunch so unfortunately we didn't end up getting to Waterbom Park, well it gives him an excuse to go back to Bali, and gave us a little more shopping time to finish off as we were to leave on Saturday morning. Tonight we had tea at Uncle Norms, this is a favourite with us, and on arrival were a little sad to see that it was to be closed till 26th Feb, as they were doing renovations, which are great and really open the restaurant up. But lucky for us, they finished early and we could have our last meal there. For me Chicken Parmegiana, and satay for my daughter, then back to hotel to pack for tomorrow.
Saturday 24th Feb
Well, today came around way to fast. Quick pop out in the morning to buy couple of last minutes gifts, then quick dip in the pool before final shower and lift to airport. That's it. Holiday over for another trip.
Can't wait for my next trip, hopefully in July/August with my husband, we normally tend to stay at the Bali Rani, but I don't know whether the Puri Raja has won me over a little with it's closeness to Jln Melasti which is where we tend to head up to for dinner, the beach views at breakfast and also the staff at the Puri Raja were just lovely, but then so are the Bali Rani staff. Anyway time will tell, and this will have to do for my memories at present.
Hope I didn't ramble on too much, as people say, once you get started you sort of tend to relive the holiday for a little while.