May 17 to June 1
Typical flight with Garuda, luckily we were among the first off the plane and the first at the VOA counters. We were away in a taxi around 30 minutes after landing, much happier than the last year when it took two hours.
Our taxi driver backed into a girl on a motorbike in the laneway by our hotel. The front guard of her motorbike was damaged and she was limping with a hurt leg - no exchange of names and addresses here, just an examination of the damage and an offer of cash. The driver offered her 50,000 and the bargaining took place but I'm not sure of the final amount.
SANUR:
Stayed at Sari Sanur, room 116, just behind Bonsai Café for four nights. We found this a pleasant place to stay - the usual 'not enough sun lounges' by the pool but they did have extra lounges and umbrellas on the beach as well which was good. It was noisy in our room due to construction going on immediately behind us.
We ate at the several nearby beach front restaurants, nothing special about the food but really enjoyed the ambience of being on the beach.
MT BATUR CLIMB:
Cost 420,000 from Sanur through Pineh. Up at 1.50 am for the drive up Mt Batur. It was eerie to drive at this time of day in Bali - without the chaos on the roads, we sped along no traffic at all, but many groups of dogs that congregate in the middle of the roads. We stopped just before Penokolan at the Pineh office where I had breakfast (tea and a banana pancake). Then to the start point for the trek with a guide from the trekking association. Several groups had already started and you could see their torch lights in the distance. There were only two of us with our guide and we started at around 4am, total darkness and cool. It was a gentle climb for a long time and gradually began to get steeper as we began to stop regularly for a few minutes. The final 45 minutes was very steep and nearly all continuous climbing as if going up stairs. I sweated profusely and was finding it extremely hard going. Our guide then helped me by carrying my pack which was heavy with extra water and my SLR camera and heavy lens. We reached the top before 6 am, there was some cloud on the horizon by now and cloud moving in over the lake. Had another breakfast here, boiled egg with dry bread, pancake and tea. For the return you have the option of returning the shorter same way back or the longer different route. I took the longer route which takes you to the other side where you view other craters. We stopped for a break while they cooked some eggs in one of the steam vents, the air was cool but the ground was very warm to touch. The dog who had accompanied us up the mountain stopped for a rest with us. The return to the bottom took and two and a half hours and we reached our start point around 9.30am and arrived back at Sari Sanur at 11am.
LEMBONGAN ISLAND:
Booked transfers using Scoot fast boat, 420,000 return from Sanur. Stayed in room 5 at Oka 7 Bungalows. They have several rooms on the cliff face, room 5 is at the top, 85 big steps from reception. It's an effort to get up there but well worth it for the views. The room has a large balcony with chairs and table as well as a daybed/couch.
They don't have a bar or restaurant and provided a very basic breakfast. You can order meals from the restaurant next door who will also deliver to your room. A refrigerator, tea and coffee making facilities would be a nice addition here, especially having such a hike up and down the steps and no phone to order anything.
We ate at Lembongan Reef and Ware Ware, both good but our most enjoyable meal was at a tiny warung on the main road.
We snorkelled at two points off Nusa Penida and also at Mangrove Point off Lembongan which were good but nowhere near as good as the snorkelling off the beach at Gili Trawangan we experienced last year. Cost 80,000 each with Lembongan Reef (provided they can get at least four to go) otherwise 300,000 for a boat.
PACUNG:
We stayed at Pacung Indah, room 1 with a private courtyard and also a small room with couch and TV and amazing views. This is an ideal place to stay and either just relax and/or as a base to explore the region.
Went to Candi Kunning Market and bought Pashminas for 50,000, thanks to getting info from the forum, especially as they starting their bargaining price at 850,000. We caught one of the many local buses that pass along the road to the 'Ghost Palace' and it was quite something to see and is quite an eerie experience that you can't appreciate from photos of the place.
LEGIAN:
We stayed at Suriwathi on recommendation (thanks Tina) and found the location ideal. Stayed in a superior room which was small and basic but it was pretty much what we'd expected. Breakfast was basic but adequate for us. Will definitely stay here again.
We had two photo collages printed on canvas at Shoot Bali and as previously an excellent.
Best meal was the grilled seafood at Indo National.
RAFTING:
Booked through MBA and went with Bali International Rafting to the Telaga Waja River. There was white water the entire 16km of the trip but no really exciting rapids with the highlight being the ride over the 3 metre dam wall. I would say this is fun and worthwhile activity but for excitement nowhere in comparison to other rivers I've rafted outside Bali.
DENTIST:
Connie had a crown and a clip-on replacement for a missing tooth made at Bali 911 Dental Clinic in Denpasar. Went in without an appointment and seen straight away for them to make preparations and then returned two days later to complete. An excellent result.
SHOPPING:
Pandora bracelet 140,000. Pandora beads 30,000.
Bought some handicrafts from Unagi and Geneva. Their prices weren't that good but it was easy and we didn't want to spend much time hunting down items elsewhere.
Bought metal geckos at Sita Fashion, large 86,000, small 16,000.
Photos to come.