DAY FOUR
Last day in Ubud today.
Checkout at Tegal Sari is midday and I've organised 2 vans from Pondok Ayu in Sanur to pick us up and take us down.
Mary doesn't sleep in so much this morning, knowing that we have to pack our suitcases and also a bit worried about Matt has got her up and about. We check with Bianca... Matt didn't have a great night.
Our last breakfast on our balcony with the rice vista view. I take some more photos...I wonder how long it will be until the next time I get to see this.
Time for a quick dip in the lovely pool and then back to the room to pack.
I'm really going to miss the Tegal Sari. The staff have been so nice and helpful. I swear to return one day soon.
Our bags are at reception while we wait at Greenfields with the kids.
Matt doesn't look great and is losing weight. He thinks he'll be OK for the one hour drive to Sanur.
Our transfers are spot on midday as scheduled and we set off.
The kids are in the other van which is taking them straight to the Respati Hotel, we're going straight to Pondok Ayu so we've arranged to catch up with them later.
SANUR
We had heard about Pondok Ayu on Tr!pAdvisor. It was ranked #1 out of 51 hotels in Sanur so we were keen to check it out. After staying at Tegal Sari (which was rated #1 out of 92 hotels in Ubud + a couple of traveller's awards) we thought we were probably on a good thing with this place.
Pondok Ayu is on the wrong side of the Bypass so we knew we were a fair way from the beach.
After driving down a couple of daggy suburban backstreets and then into the smallest of gangs barely wide enough for our van, I was beginning to question my choice of accomodation.
No need. When we pulled up and walked into the oasis-like small grounds of the Pondok Ayu we knew we had made the right choice. It was just lovely.
Only four rooms (2 upper and 2 lower) plus the owners villa and communal breakfast room surrounded the central pool. It was a secure little compound with high walls in the back streets of suburban Sanur. The gardens were immaculate.
After meeting all the staff we were shown to our 1st floor room. It was spotlessly clean. Mary isn't exactly the type to bring out the white glove, but when it comes to cleanliness but she is a stickler and a quick inspection told her all was OK.
We hurried to the Respati courtesy of the Pondok Ayu free transfer, to see how the kids fared with their hotel.
They got upgraded to the new Deluxe wing next to the pool and the rooms looked nice and modern. On closer inspection, Mary picked up on some shabby cleaning which was rectified with a phone call to reception but overall, the kids were pleased.
Didn't do much for the rest of the day, walked along the beach path towards Sindhu Beach Markets and got the usual ambush by the 'beach girls'. For those reading this that don't know, the girls sit in large groups (maybe 8-10) under the trees on the beach (usually about 200 metres from the markets). Once they spot you, they jump up excitedly to meet you and talk very nicely and ask lots of questions about you and basically walk and talk with you until you get near their shop and then it's "OK, now please come look at my shop...very cheap...just look OK?" etc.etc. until you give in. Except 6 different girls want 6 different tourists to go look at 6 different shops.
I've seen it all before so I pre-empt this by declaring that we're just jalan jalan dan lihat lihat today (walking and looking) and will come back tomorrow. They have memorised all our names of course and will remember that 'promise' when the time comes.
Matt goes back to the room. Things still aren't right with him and he needs to lie down but insists he's OK.
That night we jump in one of those green public bemos that goes up and down Jalan Tamblingan all night. I negotiate Rp20,000 for four people (on other nights I pay Rp10,000 for six people) to take us to a little Italian place near Sanur Beach Hotel called Sale e Pepe.
I'd read good things about it, so here we were.
SALE E PEPE
Cute little place set off the street a bit. Clean and bright with open kitchen indicates high standards.
garlic bread(the best),spaghetti vongole main(Mary says nice,but a little bland),saltimbocca alla Romana(excellent,it's the sage butter that melts through that does it),sm bintang,sm San Pellegrino...Rp153,000 for 2 inc.tax and service. Thumbs up all round.