Hi all,
So the "out of office reply" has been set on the email.
The laptop about to be put in mothballs for the next three weeks
( no way am i going near a computer over there, even if there is
free Wi-Fi just about everywhere ;o)).
A big thanks to all the contributors of my "Little book Of Bali" that i have copied and pasted from you, here on the forum.
I know it's a bit convoluted and there is some "double ups" of info,
but maybe, some of you, like me will find something of interest in amongst it....As you will see, some is about a year old ( for my last
trip) and some updated for this years.....
Bali Info....
Visa and Aust dollars
I've come to the conclusion that its -
- easier, quicker, cheaper and less stressful to pay VOA in US dollars-$25pp. Exit visa is now Rp150,000 - only in rupiah.
Agree with Filo, last year we paid in AU$ and got change in rp., but it seems that happens sometimes and at other times the transaction is all in AU$, which means you pay at least AU$30 or in some cases for a couple you get AU$30 change from AU$100. They only accept notes and $5 is the smallest unit, and if they do not have $5 they use $10.
Australia Post has US currency, no commission, just order a few days before you go.
Taxi's
Use the light blue 'Blue Bird' taxi's they have meters and you don't need to bargain your price. Blue bird taxi's are the best transport if just needing to get from A to B (eg. hotel to restaurant or to shops). You will find Blue Bird taxi's available everywhere in the tourist area's.
If you are planning on a day trip then hire a driver for the day. You will find drivers with van's or cars outside your hotel who will offer transport for half day and full day trips..Negotiate a fair price first before accepting their services.
You pay the taxi at your drop of point and pay the drivers at the end of the trip!.
We always get the light blue taxi and before getting in ask is the meter working you pay them when journey has finished.
Shopping
I have discovered (and now love) fixed price shops and shopped at 2 recommended on this forum. I found the one in Tuban to be on average about 5000rp per item cheaper than the one we used in Legian, however the Legian shop had by far and away the best range for copy goods and so convenient just being out the back of the main shop. Was very happy with the prices at both these shops and it gave us a good idea of prices for bargaining in other market shops. Bought lots of surfbrands etc from the Legain fixed price shop. My daughter got one of the 21 game Nintendo cartridges at Matahari with plenty of the latest games on it for 500,000rp which is just over the price you would pay for one game at home. My son loved the toy area in Matahari - everything is so cheap. I loved the airconditioning. bought my son some imitation Crocs from Melasti markets. Only 50,000rp and I can't tell the difference from the real ones. Went to the Surfer girl shop in Kuta for my daughter and prices were just a little over 50% of prices here.
Walked to Janako Tailors and ordered 3 skirts, 4 shirts 2 black denim jackets total cost 1,100,000rp about $129.au.
Probably the best place you can go to shop with fixed prices is Geneva Handicrafts on the main road heading towards Seminyak. They pretty much sell everything available in the markets and more (excluding clothes and shoes) cheers.... Jl Raya Kerobokan No. 100 Kuta
There are 2 in Tuban located across from Green Garden Hotel (this is the Green Garden Hotel that's located next to the Dynasty Hotel).
Stalls are Diannes and Jenny's
I like shopping at Ketuts shop in garlic lane, great selection and if she hasnt got it in stock, will get it for you. No bargaining, just a set price, and very good. Her shop is in Garlic lane on the Melasti st end on Legian side of the lane, just ask someone where she is.
Yes the shopping is great in Seminyak. I usually get the taxi to drop me off at the top of Jln Seminyak just by the local market & then walk back towards Legian as far as Jln Double 6 (walking is the only way to do it) late afternoon is a good time when it is not quite so hot. There are some wonderful boutiques & homeware store along this strip, including Biasa, Zenergy, Inti, Jaques Ruc, & many many more. Don't miss Havelli a very exotic homeware store.
Jln Oberoi (Eat St) is also becoming Boutique Street, again I get dropped off, or maybe have breakfast at Ku De Ta & walk back, an interesting mix of restaurants & shops, most of the restaurants are open in the evening but it will give you an idea of where to dine. Ultimo is a firm favourite. I usually end up with a coffee at the Corner Store (best coffee) & watch the sights. You only have to continue another couple of hundred metres & you will end up at the local market again.
homewares store "Unagi". Was excellent....I wouldn't bother with Geneva again (stock old and dusty).
Other great find was "Shoot" in Jalan Legian....photos onto canvas so cheap.
UNAGI. It is located in Kerobokan, past the jail on Jalan Teuku Umar Barat (Marlboro Road) no. 286. If you are on the jail road and the jail is on your right hand side, continue along straight for a few km and Unagi appears on the right hand side.
There are 2 floors of brand new stock, heaps of wooden items, candles, some sandals, placemats and napkin rings etc etc. Prices are same as Geneva and it is bright, clean and nicer to walk around than Geneva. Website is unagibali dot com.
GENEVA. Located at 100 Jalan Kerobokan, in Kerobokan. Is 2 storeys of handicrafts and again, fixed price, but older and dustier than the newer Unagi.
So we didn't like our hotel but we still had a great time, mum was the big hero of the holiday because she found the Animale factory no.82 Jl Raya Kuta, we spent hours here and lots and lots of dollars, that night we had a super model fashion show in our room and went back and bought more the next day, we all loved the fact that compared to Australian dress sizes we were so small, I am a size 1 or 2 !!! The clothes are beautiful and we felt like we were shopping at Paddington in Sydney, seriously gorgeous fashion here, also got some nice men's clothes, my husband bought some really nice linen and cotton long sleeve grandpa collar shirts at Animale outlet
Factory outlet 82 Jl. Raya Kuta open every day 9am - 7pm Sunday 10 am - 6pm. Ph 757015. Opposite Jl. Setia Budi. Taxi should know but don't let them take you to the Zoo.
was there last week and got some fantastic clothes-i am a size 10-12 in oz and found lots of pieces i loved and they also had clothes that would fit a small size 6 in oz up to much larger sizes-a great variety of clothes in european designs-a lot of the clothes are 1 offs and you have to be lucky to get your size but other styles have a great variety of sizes-i just loved the jackets and pants (yes they also have some winter clothes) as well as summer tops, t/s, dresses, skirts and lovely mens dress shirts.
was not expecting this place to be as good and sooooo cheap compared to what this brand costs in oz-you have to go have a look!!!!!
Just up the road from Animale at no.102 is a set price wholesale place with wonderful things down stairs, lots we hadn't seen before at really cheap prices, hand painted bowls, statues, wind chimes, book marks all really different. Maharani silver is up the stairs, it has wholesale silver jewellery and is a must for all shoppers!
By any chance does any one know where to find the billabong clearance store??... Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai 11G .
Didn't think it was that great tho. Prefer the other 2 next to the U-turn about 100 metres away...Billabongs
big discount surf shop on sunset road, just passed the big round about, (planet hollywood) heading towards the airport.
Sunglass 25,000rp
Girls short boardshorts 35,000 rp
T shirts /singlet tops 25,000rp to 30,000rp at Diane's shop.
Revlon Makeup at centro what a bargin. Colour Stay foundation $10.00
Sarongs 20,000rp
Girl's sun dresses 35,000rp
lots and lots of shopping done
sunglasses 20-25000
girls t shirts 25-35000
roxy/von dutch/mooks denim skirts 60-70000
billabong t shirts 30-40000
wallets 30-50000
handbags 80-120000
Then on to Anton shop as I'd gleaned from the forum that this was the place to go for men's Levis.
Dvd's and cd's were 10,000rp a copy and the best selection, by far, of music dvd's that I saw was at a shop called Megah Disc just over the road from the Discovery shopping mall, Kuta. And they changed one disc that wouldn't work no bother at all.
Tailor
Went to Janoko Tailor in Poppies 2 to try them out by getting a shirt & pants copied twice in black & white. Ready the next night. The black linen things turned out fine but I am sure there is no way I would've chosen white polyester. My head had been already on my next chore & I didn't pay enough attention. Only Rp14K/item so no biggie. ADVICE - when the tailor snips off a bit of your chosen fabric get one for yourself too. I blamed myself for being the dill that I am & went back to Janoko later to have lots more things made satisfactorily. Took more things to Janoko Tailor for copying & was extra careful about fabric this time. Six items all in linen for Rp730K. I was pleased with the result 4 days later. This time I dealt with a guy around mid to late 30s who was more interested & cluey than the much younger guy I saw originally. ADVICE go there around 10 in the morning - it gets busy later.
They are a great shop with lots of helpers so you dont wait around long!Lots of fabric books to choose from and design books too they do a fantastic ladies suit for about $50.00 myself and many friends have used them for years they are about the cheapest around and the fastest and best because they have so many tailors working for them.They are really really popular with all nationalities so give yourself plenty time when ordering so its not rushed you wont be disappointed!
Dressmakers in Nusa Dua/Kuta/Legian
I take some material but always visit Alta Moda in Kuta Galeria
(all taxis drivers should know)
I have used a few tailors but the best I have found is Komang - House of Komang in Jln Padma opposite Legian Village Hotel
I had a pair of long black pants made at Komangs in Legian - brilliant job - they were perfect
We always stock up on razors in Bali and Hubby bought a years supply of Gillette Mach 3 razors for half of the Aus price - worth it for you blokes!
Marks & Spencer - Lots of good sizes here - I am between a 14 and 16 and found great jeans for $35 - super comfy, nice tops, shirts, shorts etc...okay so they're not as cheap as the market clothes you can buy, but then again, I have no desire to look like a colourful sack of oranges, so I'd rather pay a little more for something I can actually wear in public.
We brought back a large supply of vanilla beans without a problem at all - declared them at the airport in Melbourne on the way back and no issues. I paid about $10 for 15 packaged plump beans (from a spice shop in Sanur). I'm sure you can buy these cheaper elsewhere, but I was there and they were cheap enough. In Coles last week I saw 1 bean on special for $7.50. I call that good value. Buy some for your friends and bring them back.
Scrapbooking
I bought lots of bits & pieces from "Toko" (bead warehouse) in kuta, ribbons, flowers, flat beads etc. things you cant buy here, I also bought the basic stickers you get as gits from any of the tourist spots. As for a scrapbooking shop !! I wish, could be a good business to start though !! Have fun !!
Waterbom Park
We paid the $9 per adult & $4 per child before you leave the park so you can come back again within 7 days.
Hi they also have swimming floatable vests for the children I used one for my daughter last time we were there it's great not having to bring one with you. Hope this helps .
Yes, there is a kiddies section at waterbom which has a very shallow play pool with a small slide and play things on the slide. This pool has a large bucket of water which dumps a huge bucket load of water about every 5 minutes, but if the bucket of water is too much for your toddler then sit around the other side of the kiddies pool. There are a few water guns for them to play with. Also near this kiddies pool there are 2 small slides for the littlies.
I'm sure your toddler will enjoy it. Just make sure you get there early when the park first opens at 10am so you can get a cabanna by the kiddies pool, then you can get relief from the sun and your toddler can have a nap in the shade.
Tue 3/6 - Today was Waterbom day. Had an absolute blast! Stayed all day till 5.30pm and bought a 2nd day pass on the way out. Have never been before for some reason but it really is good. Got cabana #25 and this one was great as it is in Kiddieland right near the 'big bucket' play area but I could also see the bottom of the kiddies water slides where the 4yr old was playing and he would pop out every so often. 4yr old went on all the big slides by himself, couldn't keep him off. (one of us was always with him but he went down on his own tube - he had his floaties on). Took the 2yr old on the raft slide with me, he didn't enjoy it so we stuck to the kiddy slide after that.
Ate lunch at the park, they came and took your order at the cabana which was great, didn't have to move an inch! Very reasonably priced and nice food too.
You can get 15% discount from tour desks stalls, located on the streets. You don't pay the tour stall for waterbom tickets..they will just issue you a voucher to present to the cashier at waterbom when you buy your tickets.
Also you can get the normal 10% discount vouchers from people handing them out on the streets, just walk the street outside waterbom and you will be offered one in no time at all.
BGH guest entitle 10% discount for Waterbom park.
Yes they have lockers...small ones and large ones. I can't remember the cost but not expensive.
They also have a "cashless" system that you pay a deposit for a wristband and then put credit on it. When you leave you get back your deposit and any money that you haven't spent. That way you can leave all your money in the locker but still buy food and drinks etc around the park. (hope that makes sense LOL)
Safari Park
Took a local familly up to the safari park yesterday(Sunday) We got there early which was good. The 2 shows start at 11am & 4pm so work around these times. We had a swim in water park which was great for the kids. Take your swim gear with you into the park. They have lockers there if you want to leave your swim gear there while you walk aroung. We played with the 2 tiger cubs,2 lion cubs & 2 baby monkeys. It's very hands on with these baby animals We had a great day & recomend you give the place a go They are still doing heaps of work to the place so it's only going to get better.
$25US/235K rp ea and they don't charge under 3's. This included admission, safari tram tour x 2, waterpark and funzone entry and 1 photo voucher with an animal. You can then buy additional tickets in the park. Pony/camel rides 20k ea, Elephant trek 100k ea, additional photo vouchers for animals (and you will need them!) 20k per pose.
We went and had lunch after this at the Uma restaurant near the water playground. Had read on BTF that it was a lot cheaper than the one overlooking the lions. Good selection of food very reasonably priced with something for everyone - 260k. Whilst I was apparently collecting our stuff together they brought the elephants through the park and the guys all got to pat them and have a photo outside
Now this is a great place. Don't be fooled by the 'Marine' tag as there are no fishy type displays apart from one little fish tank. I think it refers to the fantastic water park attached. That has waterslides and a very nice infinity pool. I would suggest it is a must for anyone to spend their last 1-2 hours.
There is a kids pirate pool, a nice lagoon with pirate theme slides, water buckets, hoses and the like, sort of a mini waterbom park. Also an adult infinity pool. A small snack cafe, a small gift shop, downstairs to very clean seperate mens and ladies change rooms with toilets and showers. A lot of pool lounges to laze on.
Phone calls etc
Firstly, make sure your mobile phone is NOT locked. Next transfer all your phone numbers to your phone from
Your sim card ( if you haven't already). Many shops sell the sims and will get it all set up for you and give you
The prefix codes to dial to save you heaps on calls. You will stuggle to spend $10 on a 10 day holiday, but if you
Were to use international roaming you will end up spending 10 to 20 times this!.
I was using Simpati with 01017 to Oz landlines and it was about 1,000rp per minute ( 12c) back in July. In fact it seemed to also be that price to Oz mobiles. Always check the cost after the call using *887#....SMS is about 400rp each (5c).
To ring Aus from Bali...dial 01017 then 61 then the number you wish to phone dropping the first zero...eg to ring Aust. 08 9335 8076 you need to dial 01017 61 2 893359076 ( dropping the area code 0).
To ring a mobile eg 0404 926 388 ....dial 01017 61 404 926 388. (dropping the first number, ie: 0)
Health/Bali Belly
We are leaving for Bali (from Aus)in a couple of days and local chemist recommended taking a preventative called Travelan - 1 tab before each meal - apparently neutralises E.coli and minor gastro disorders and so prevents bali belly developing in the first place. Have never used them before but will give them a go. Not sure if they are available in Holland or, if they are, what the marketing name would be.
Tip for dining is to go to the chemist and invest in a box of Travellan. We ate one before any meal and had absolutely no tummy problems at all. We stuck to restaurants and enjoyed many wonderful meals. Not sure if Travellan is available in the apotek in Bali, so make sure you buy from home and pack as a safety insurance.
Local driver recommended and bought 'Diapet' for me when I had gastric.
On our visit in April my 14 year old son developed an ear infection. we called Dr Ari (recommended by Filo) He came to our Villa in tuban in his mini ambulance. He seemed well equipped,had great english, was very good with my autistic son and supplied us with anti biotics and other medication.
His details are Dr S P Ari Sudhewa Phone (62 361)225230 24 hour clinic
His charges were Rp 350,000 for the visit and rp 350,000 for the medication. he gave us a detailed receipt.
Drink a can of P0CARI SWEAT its in a blue and white can. Locals drink it to help with Bali Belly.
A daily bottle of yakult will help keep the good bugs 'on top' of the bad ones....it's half the price in bali than in Aust.
Kids
we took Aqua ear as we can never get our kids out of the pool, a few friends had probs with ear infections. We only put a drop in each night. Also took some kids clothes and gave it to some ladies on the beach
*Aquim gel-to clean hands
*Donnagel -for diarrohea,it's a liquid for young ones
*stingoes
*betadine
*steristrips
*thermometer
*panadol liquid
*gastrolyte (if they will drink it?)
*cold and flu releif Like Dimmetapp
Miltons tablets...Sterilizer
lavender oil
You've probably done this before but just in case - it's great to make up small bags for each child containing new inexpensive toys, paper, pencils etc (nothing noisy) & some old favourites just to take to restaurants or for other times when kids might be kept waiting & get bored. Service in Bali can often be slow & bored hungry kids can be a pain for everyone in a restaurant, most of all for themselves & their parents.
Keep them amused with new things that only appear when they're away from the hotel & have a few extras to bring out when needed.
mosquito repelant, antihistamine is useful for all kinds of things ask your chemist, lots of sunscreen, a babysitter is delightful for 35AUD per day for 8 hours :) . you can bye cheap toys at matahari and bintagn supermarket, you can also buy bread if you take vegimite and great range of baby and kids food and nappies, juices if your little one is still on bottles good to take the baby sterlizer stuff i cant rmember its name :( we have taken our child 5 times all good!
I've read that the Mama Poko brand of nappies that you buy in Bali are great - just as good as Huggies apparently..... also to sterilise your bottles, dummies etc just take along Miltons tablets, buy a cheap plastic bowl in bali and just use that to sterilise everything in.
Get some nice hand cream a few drops of lavender oil.Not much, mix together and apply.Read that tip on here and used it in March.Not a bite. Got bit by a cane mite though and used the remedy from here.Rubbed a lime all over it--------gone in 24hrs. my ECN suggested using lavender oil and dabbing it on sons clothes, stroller and sheets and found it to be very effective.
Also start to take Vitamin B at least 4 weeks before you leave for Bali. The mozzies do not seem to bite people who take Vitamin B.
Bokashi Oil. Great for itchy mozzie bites.
Birthday Cake
Bali Bakery on the bypass road out of Kuta on the way to Sanur not far from the round about.Phone 0361 755149
The wonderful staff at Bali Cyber Cafe on Jalan Patih Jelantik ,Legian would probably even do a take away version of their wonderful mud cake for you or whatever you asked for.Ask for either Haaris or Nina if you call.Phone 0361-761326 or 0361 -762290.
Bali Deli on Jalan Kunti - Legian / Seminyak also do yummy cakes.Phone 0361 -733 555
Even the hotel you are staying at can more than likely do a cake for you themselves in their own kitchen.
Unfortunately web pages can't be posted easily here but if you do a google search you should be able to find web pages for all these places.Maybe contact them before you leave since you are in such a hurry.
We celebrated my mums' birthday in Jan 08 in Bali and I bought her a yummy cake from Bread Talk at Centro shopping centre. Only had to give them 1 days notice and they have a book for you to go through, to choose the one you want. Happy birthday
Restaurants
The Pantai has the very best location, -
right on the seafront. The best for seafood is perhaps the Dewi Sri on Jl Kartika Plaza, on the seaward side near the end closest to the airport. It looks like a disused basketball stadium from the front. Look for a small carpark with live fish tanks to the side.... Heaps of good restaurants in Tuban. We just got back and enjoyed Bubba Gumps, Febris, Batan Waru, Ifiori and the Boardwalk at BGH is excellent, has a fantastic location at sunset and is very cheap.
-
Warung Kartini (D) behind Sri Ratu a family warung well most are aren't they - only newly open - now the décor is 'how do you do' but the atmosphere with all the family - mum & the kids serving - dad cooking - oh how wonderful - 5 of us ate and drank and the bill was 130000. They gave us a 'complimentary omelet and a fruit platter'. The 5 of us loved the place, the food & the people. I think our tips outranked the bill.
W. Kartini is in Three Brothers Lane which runs down the side of the All Seasons Hotel. Keep going and turn right when you get to Putri Bali Spa, then follow the lane around behind the Sri Ratu & turn right when you get to the top of the lane . Warung Kartini is on the rhs across from Ayoda Backpackers Hotel. A most enjoyable meal and realy cheap.
Our evening meal saw us straight around to good friend Nyoman at Warung Kartini a cold Binnie a Snapper with a lime/spice sauce, rice & vegs for under $10.00 Aus .
For authentic Indonesian food in beautiful surroundings at a very reasonable price with excellent service, you can't beat Ketupat in Jl Legian behind Jonathan Gallery. Better by a country mile than both Made's Warungs.
Ketupat
Enjoyed an Indonesian feast at a table right beside the pool. The restaurant was quite busy. Enjoyed lovely appetisers of deep fried chicken nibbles and spring rolls, then satays and a seafood/vegetable hotplate which arrived sizzling and steaming to the table. Also had nasi goreng and a huge deep fried fisherman's basket that would have fed us all at the table. Cost 800,000 Rp for 6 of us
Thai
Warung Asia, almost on the corner of Jl Werkudara and Double Six. Bright orange sign. Had the best pad thai, warm beef salad, spring rolls and Vietnamese rolls for lunch one day. Very fresh and tasty and cheap. Many expats come here for dinner and we found it quiet during lunch and could find a table easily. Will definitely head back there again
We went to two restaurants along the beach front in Legian -
Blue Ocean for a quick lunch. Had a table overlooking the beach and ended up with a sunburnt back, trying to hide under an umbrella from the noon-day sun! We had a lovely pizza, salt and pepper calamari and tuna carpaccio. Cost 250,000 Rp for 3 of us, including a number of small bintangs. Excellent value and apparently owned by a Dutch guy and I am told that the kitchen is spotless.
Seaside Restaurant for dinner. We had Mexican fajitas, which came out with all of the condiments and chicken on a sizzling plate - lovely and tasty. Hubby had spaghetti and meatballs and enjoyed those too. Spotless loos here. Cost 190,000 Rp for 4 of us, including bintangs.
Very popular right from its soft opening in May 2008 is SARONG, Jalan Petitenget 19X near THE LIVING ROOM. English Chef Will Meyrick (ex SENTOSA and SOFITEL in Bali and LONGRAIN in Sydney) added some Indian and Chinese dishes to his delicious modern-Thai creations: there are "Asian Tapas" such as Betel leafs with raw tuna, lemon grass, shallots and lemon basil, Betel leafs with salmon, shrimps and coriander or Betel leafs with grilled scallop, crispy duck, Thai basil and peanut Nam Jihm, Chicken Martabak with pickled cucumber and sweet sambal etc. which all can be served in the "Tapas Bar & Lounge" in front of the elegant open-air Dining Room with luxurious curtains and furnished with comfortable sofas and dining chairs. We love the salad from grilled prawns, pomelo, garlic, lemon grass, mint and Nam Jihm dressing and the Sichuan cured tuna with grated carrot, sweet basil, peanuts and Chinese plum sauce. From India there are the Tandoori butter chicken, a lamb Boti Kebab and a fish Tikka cooked in saffron, cardamon, turmeric and dill, a Northern Indian prawn curry, a lamb Rogan Josh, a Vindaloo curry of pork belly as well as a Dahl Tadka. Indonesian grilled snapper, grilled baby pork ribs, twice cooked chicken and crispy duck with two sambals are as tempting as Thai-style crispy pork hog with tamarind tamarillo sauce and nam pla prik or stir fried Asian vegetables with Thai basil. Finish your meal with a duck egg & ginger custard with palm sugar caramel, taro cake with crispy shallot, mandarin and fig compote or durian pancakes with coconut lime caramel and durian ice cream. If the choice is too difficult, just order a sample plate of Indian and South East Asian desserts. The drink list offers a wide choice of imported wines from all parts of the world starting around 380,000 Rupiah ++. The service is very attentive, and a very memorable dinner for two will be around 350,000 to 500,000 Rupiah plus drinks. For reservations call 737-809
The QUEEN'S TANDOOR, Jalan Seminyak 73 opposite MADE'S WARUNG, serves now the same delicious Indian specialties in Bali for which it has been famous in Jakarta since 1986. Enjoy the mouth-watering delicacies from the tandoor oven or the slowly cooked chicken, lamb, seafood and vegetable Curries, Masallas and Kormas with rich sauces full of fresh herbs, spices, fruits and nuts. Our favourites are Masala Papadum, Seekh Kebab, Gosht Shahi Korma, Mutton Pasanda, Murgh Makhani (Butter Chicken) and Butter Chicken Tikka, yellow and black Dhal, Aloo Gobi, Navratan Korma, Raita, Garlic Naan, Cheese Naan and the delicious Peshawari Naan. There are freshly baked other breads such as various Papadums and Chappati to accompany your meal, and Kulfi, the Indian ice cream, is the best way to finish it.
Café Warisan in Seminyak was outstanding. (Dr. julian)
Not sure how it's spelt, but if you are in the mood for a light scrumptious lunch, the Japanese in the Carrefour food Court is to die for!!
It's at the end, not along the sides. All chopped and cooked in front of you, heaps of vegies. Bit of a shock how much fat is used to cook such healthy looking/tasting food but it is yummy and at 18000 for chicken or a little more for the tenderest beef well worth the trip. Kids would love to watch the knife twirling chef I'm sure. I love the teppanyaki in the food courts, there's also one underneath Matahari's in Denpasar, same chain. As you so, so entertaining and delicious, I'm looking forward to taking our kids next year.
Just reutrned from a visit last week- have been travelling to Bali for 25 years, and am always amazed at discovering something new each time. 3 years ago we found a fanstatic warung just on the edge of Seminyak- Eny's warung- not sure if it has been mentioned on the forum, but if you travel to Bali you MUST eat at this place. It is run by Eny and her husband Wayan, an ex-chef from one of the large Legian hotels. Eny cooks traditional balinese food using fresh organic ingredicents, and after all of my years of travelling to Bali and I am yet to eat anything as good as her food- and bleive me, I like to eat! My husband loves the seafood, and dreams about Eny's Nasi Campur, but for me it is her lemongrass chicken and sate. Eny's family (3 children) are always around, and you become part of her daily life and family when you eat in the warung. Eny's warung was written up in Bali and Beyond last year, and I'm not all surprised- this has been the greatest discovery we have made in all of our years of travlleing to BAli. ENjoy!
Yeah, the prices are unbeliveably cheap- we usually spend about 60,000 for the two of us and walk out of there stuffed full. decor is really simple though- don't expect much there, but don't be put off by it, the food will more than make up for it. If you decide you want a seafood feast it is best to let Eny know in the morning and her husband Wayan will go out and get it. Seafood is obviously more exe than the standard dishes. We ate there just about everyday we were in Seminyak last week, and is cut down costs considerably. If you have kids its a great place to go as Eny's children love to have playmates- we always find it's a great opportunity for our children to develop relationships with Balinese children. To get there go up past the Living Room a couple of hundred metres- it is opposite Dahanya Japanese restuarant (another great find). the address- Eny's warung- Jl Petitenget 97, Seminyak.
Top 5 Restaurants
Kafe Warisan - Seminyak
Un's - Kuta
Ketupat- Legian
La Luciolla - Seminyak
Kori's - Kuta
...............................
Poco Loco - Padma Utara
Yutz - Rum Jungle Rd
La Lucciola - Seminyak on the beach
Ketumbar - Melasti St
Un's - Poppies 1
............................
My choices would be:
1. Ultimo for great Italian food on Jalan Laksmana in Seminyak. Lovely outdoor area out the back and great value for the quality of food and a good wine list.
2. Ketupat on Jalan Legian, behind Jonathon Gallery for an Indonesian dinner, sitting near the pool in your own dining bale - cheap food and lovely atmosphere; and
3. Ryoshi on Jalan Seminyak, just up from Bintang Supermarket for cheap Japanese lunches!
I was staying in the Seminyak area recently and found a few great new restaurants and coffee shops:-
FRESH - superb for quiet, outdoor Japanese dining and cocktails
KHAIMA -Excellent Moroccan
WARUNG SOBAT - Excellent Indonesian
GROCER AND GRIND - Excellent coffee and scrumptious cakes
Also add to that list:
KAIZAN - fantastic Korean food - (yummy lobster tempura)
DAHANA - great Japanese food in a lovely house setting with swimming pool
OSTERIA TELESE - the best Italian food in Seminyak (leaves Trattoria for dead)
KUNI'S - Japanese food
SATE BALI - wonderfully fresh Balinese food
WARUNG EROPA -Kerobokan - the best chicken satays in town
You absolutely must include Seaside at Double Six Beach, especially at sunset, even better on a Sunday nite to watch all hte locals come to the beach. Have eaten here an average of 10 times a year for past 3 years and never even had an average meal
Sunday at Kudeta was Kids morning
Not sure what time starts and how they get the kids involved in all sorts of activities but they all looked like they were having fun last March. You possibly could ring them and ask the routine etc
TJ's in Seminyak and Blue Ocean both have good food and laid back music.
Drinks/Alcohol
1. The "Pit Stop" bottle shop on Jln Pantai Kuta (opposite the beach & next to Karma Sutra) has good prices & excellent service.
Also serves beer where you can sit outside and watch the passing parade
Hatten wine also available in bottles & 2 litre casks (Rose & Aga white)
Best Wine & Spirits
Bottle shop with International stock of wines & spirits.
Jl. Gn. Tangkuban Perahu , Seminyak.
2. Ud. Agung Grosir
JL. Raya Seminyak #19
The bottle shop next to Bintang Supermarket (heading north on the left at the old Alus Aram supermarket site) has a good range of both Indonesian & Australian wines
Stocks mixers & beer at cheaper price than some supermarkets
(Hatten wine also available in 2 litre casks (Rose & Aga white)
3. Toko Bali Jaya bottle shop in Jln Raya Kuta ( the next intersection past Bemo corner) has a limited selection of spirits.
Wholesale type place for cigarettes etc.
Bali Liquor Store
Jalan Kunti No. 18 in Seminyak
Wine, champagne, spirits
Spa's
Not exactly sure of the name walk past Jalan Padma past the Jayakarta towards double six its on the right hand side painted green inside..I think we pd 650000rp for massage etc foot massage maybe 40or 500000rp we loved it went in every night. The have a hairdressing salon so cheap, cant wait to go back .
Just got back was staying at Jayakarta Hotel if you walk out of hotel and turn Left its just on your right cant miss it brand new green shop very nice staff great massages excellent. I have always gone to Melasti but not anymore and price is excellent 1 hour Massage 65,000 1 hour cream bath 60,000 manicure / pedicure 50,000
you will be very happy.
Hi your not far from melasti spa which i and many others can recommend (standing out front of jayakarta go right and walk not too far on right hand side out from of melasti beach resort hotel) or go left and walk laneway towards double six rd and on right its lime green i think its called green garden or eden green spa and there also a nice cafe next door with great food, hope you find one of these and enjoy all that spa treatment cheers di
Our favourite salon for massages was at 48 Jalan Werkudara, Legian just past Su's Cottages called Eden Green. Cost 75,000 Rp for a 1.5 hour full body massage and foot reflexology combination treatment. It is very green inside, with green curtains between cubicles and on the tables. Start with a foot wash and then onto the slab. This was the second time in my life that I fell asleep during a massage and it felt fantastic. We went here a couple of times, they have both male and female masseurs. No individual rooms, so you do hear people coming and going, but just do it quietly and you aren't disturbed too much.
Briella Spa - 526 Jalan Werkudara, Legian.
This spa only opened 6 weeks ago, so everything brand sparkling new. They have two bright green umbrellas out the front of the salon. I had a flower pedicure and French nails done for total of 120,000 Rp. Took about an hour each and the girls did a lovely job. At the same time, my husband had a one-hour foot massage (65,000 Rp) and he fell asleep - said it was the best he had ever experienced. Very comfortable leather padded chairs in this salon. They are open from 9.00am to 11.00pm daily. Highly recommended. They also offer massages, facials and hair braiding too, but we ran out of days to sample any of these other services. For the facials, they offer various products and costs change from most expensive using Loreal, then Biokos and cheaper ones too. So that is top of the list for next trip.
Santosa in Seminyak
is the best SPA going around.. Its only 12 months old in an unbelieveable private resort complex, its won several awards & the general manager is an Aussie guy, Steve Dawson.... A great experience
Bali Baik Bike Tour
Wayan Sujana of Bike Baik Tours can be contacted.
Phone:0361 978052
081338673852 ( 8.45 am - 9.30pm)
email: bikebaik@yahoo.com
Bali info for 2009
Tourist police hotline
The Police Department set up a special 24-hour Tourist Police Hotline which is (0361) 224-111.
Breakfast
Any suggestions for good/great breakfasts?
Grocer and Grind was fabulous, yes very Melbourne but loved it.
Have thought about Ku de ta, think mentioned about 80,000 for breakfast
brekkie (not cheap) with fantastic view and service. La Luciolla is fantastic cost us 600,000 for 4 in September (was fathers day) so well worth it
La Lucciola - Sunday breakfast - beautiful food right on the beach - this is a special place and I highly recommend dinner if you want to splash out but if not, at least do weekend breakfast. The food is amazing and the view is great. They have a set menu for 75,000 - and for the quality of food at $10 AUS it is great value - even if higher than normal Bali prices. I had the corn fritters with Avocado and bacon for about 60,000 -the BEST i have ever tasted.
Had breakfast last week at La Luciola in Seminyak for 75,000 Rp plus tax. Lovely view, good service and very peaceful! they make their own breads, things like pineappple bread, muesli hotcakes,fresh yoghurts, muffins, jams, hash browns, special egg dishes, smoked salmons , etc.
I have just returned yesterday from a 5 day stay at the Samaya, and believe me the breakfasts here are outstanding...my partner had the Japanese set most days whilst I was more conservative and had soft poached eggs, crispy bacon and the best English sausages ever! I also had a variety of other things such as muesli , pancakes etc and they were all fabulous..the service at the Breeze is exceptional, and the view is so nice- fun watching the dog walkers everyday! Be warned though the tables directly by the beach are reserved for house guests, but the position further back is still very nice.....trust me the breakfast here is outstanding
Tommy's In Rum Jungle Rd...bit of a stroll about half way up RJ but well worth it....not the fastest service but nice coffee, grainy bread and home made jams and chutneys.They also do pikelets and its cruisy as.Not flash like Ku De Ta but YUMMY. Also do nice Greek Salads and salad rolls for lunches .
Ive tried, found a newish restaurant on corner of sixty six road where it cuts through to alleyway to rum jungle road got the name written down somewhere wil post soon best pizza Ive had in bali lovely restaurant, food great. The restaurant is called Melzano
Good Breakfasts near Jayakarta
we just got back on Wed night and we went for breakkie everyday and found Blue Ocean the cheapest and best variety....my daughter was having Banana Pancakes for 10,000 !!!! Can you believe that ?? Agree Tommy's is lovely also.
Shops
Best sandal shop Shibana on Jl Basangkasa No 42 (northern part of Jl Seminyak) same side as Cafe Moka but further north (almost opposite Haveli). Best sandals I found anywhere, she starts very high price, honestly not sure what sandals are worth when she says ‘but they have leather soles'!!! Very good business woman, even me who thinks I'm a good bargainer, probably coz I realllllly wanted some sandals and showed my keenness, silly. 3 pairs for me 2 for partner, around 100,000 each,
Sarong material shop Rum Jungle Rd
I am trying to find out exactly where walking from Jl Legian ( which side heading to the beach) and how far down is the little shop in Rum Jungle Rd -Jln Werkudara that sells the sarong material by the metre and will sew in to table cloths....
The shop is located next door to a small bar called the Captain Cook bar/pub, located on Jalan Werkudara or Rum Jungle Road. It is not far from the Jayarkata hotel entrance (not the beach side). The road changes from two-way to one-way and there is a T-junction. Take the road heading towards Jalan Seminyak and stick to the right hand side. On a bend you will find the Captain Cook and this shop is one or two doors back toward the Jayakarta end. Has many sarongs hanging on the wall and then tables of fabric inside. It also cost 20,000 Rp per tablecloth to have the edges hemmed. Fantastic assortment of colours and I came home with loads of them for our bbq's for this summer.
DVD's get....
The diving bell and butterfly, There will be blood, The secret of the Grain, Wall-E, IL Divo, Iron Man, The Counterfeiters, The Visitor, Charlie Wilson's War, Vicki Christina Barcelona, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost Nixon, The Edge of Heaven, Funny Games, Man on Wire, Gran torino, Changling , Milk, Revolutionary Road, The Wrestler, The Combination, W, The Reader, Frozen River, Love The Beast,
Software
In Reply to: Can you get computer software in bali? posted by mykbear on Monday, 12. January 2009 at 18:36 Bali Time:
Go to Sakura opposite the stadium sports bar at Kuta square always go there and get Ado*e and Mi*rosoft stuff, always works.costs approx.$5 Aus.
"SOFTCOMP" Discovery Mall at Tuban
20.000rp Per Program.
Nintendo DS games - purchased from little electronic shop within Gamespot toy store on ground floor of Discovery - was 295,000 rp for over 100 games and they all work perfectly. Great price given one game over here costs as much as the card with 100 we bought.
Art Shop
yes there is an art supply shop on Imam bonjol just past the carrefor . the one that used to be the alfa supermarket...
The name of the shop mentioned is Bali Art and Media. A fairly extensive range.
Restaurants
Kafe Warisan first choice, Breeze Number Two for the view and beachfront setting (similar to Ku De Ta and La Lucciola but better food), and why not try SIP Wine Bar for simple but excellent French cuisine.
FOOD - Lunch - La Lucchiola Seminyak, Passion fruit granita, strawberry granite (this has to be the best non alcoholic drink I have ever tasted) stuffed fried zucchini flowers, calamari with chilli lime mayo, fritto misto with huge scampi, prawns, fish, calamari and baby octopus all as shared plates, chocolate pannacotta, young coconut pudding, beer, water and coffee RP676000. Wonderful meal 9.5/10
Cafe Moka: just love this little place, cool and yummy sweets.
Grocer & Grind which was one of our favourites. Ok, its so Melbourne, but the food was fantastic and well we loved it, Melbourne food with Bali prices, perfect.
best balinesse/indo food??
as I haven't tried all, but I recommend you try a place that serves an assortment of foods.
Try Ketupat in Legian or Bumbu Bali in Benoa for very good quality authentic cooking.
Also worth a try is Sate Bali in Seminyak and a great warung serving Javanese dishes is Warung Sumba in Kuta.
Have a taste of as many dishes as you can like Bebek Betutu which is a duck specialty, Babi Guling (suckling pig) , Sate Lilit, made from minced prawns and fish., Lawar Ayam (green bean salad with chicken)
Don't be afraid to try new and unusual dishes.
Ultimo
in Seminyak is fabulous and so cheap (although I hate saying it's cheap as it makes it sound, well cheap). Their pastas are too die for. Last time I had a fried gnocchi on a bed of pureed eggplant...sounds weird but it so amazing. Also, their black squid pasta is excellent.
I am not a dessert person but a friend ordered the white chocolate creme brulee last May. I had a bite of it and dreamt about it for 6 months. I was in Bali 3 weeks ago and went twice to Ultimo and had the creme brulee twice...to die for!!! Enjoy.
The Duck Ravioli is AMAZING!!!! Oh I wish I was having that for dinner tonight....mmmm...mmmmm...mmmmmm!!!!!
Warung Tropicale nearly opposite KP on the road has really got it's act together and we have had a couple of really nice nights there. It seems to be especially popular with families because the kids like it. All the food we have had has been nice.
Warung Asian near the intersection with 66 is still as excellent as ever with the best Pad Thai I ever had, even in Thailand. Brian says everything else is delicious too but I'll have to take his word for it because I can't get past the Pad Thai.
The Beach House Echo Beach Canggu 8/10 A+++++++++++++++
What a top spot this place is. By the surf and great breezes. There were 6 of us and the bill only came to 330,000Rp everyone had something off the BBQ except for me I ordered off the menu. The Chicken Fajita @ 55,000 was excellent and I gave Putu and Rai a try and they wished they had ordered it. Ahh next time.
Bintangs were 13,000 for small. Milkshakes 15,000 Rp Ice creams 15,000 rp BBQ Tandori 25,000Rp. Juice 12,000 Rp all plus 10% service charge. The BBQ has accompanying help your self salads, sambal and vegies.
Beachhouse Restaurant, Echo Beach - one of the highlights of our trip. Was guided by the forum here and obtained the correct advice -go on a Sunday night but get there before 6.00pm. The place was absolutely buzzing and the band brilliant. I love the fact that a band in Bali will play for 3 hours non stop without a break. Our meal was so good - would recommend the chicken pie - excellent. What was also interesting was the bbq outside on the beach - the fresh fish - the krypacks of fish - so good. I would much rather go here than Jimbarin any day. I am so happy that we found this treasure - brilliant place and and so cheap
The address is J; Pura Batu Mejan - Canggu Phone 62 361 738471
email beachhousebali@dps.centrin.net.id
Best New Restaurants - 2008 ....Balieats.com
Best Fine Dining Di Mare - Ungasan
- Sensational location and food at the new Karma Kandara. Mediterranean style and setting featuring the classic cuisine of Raymond Saja.
Best Restaurant Sarong - Kerobokan
- Everyone was waiting for it, and they got what they had been waiting for. A blend of Thai, Indian, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Chinese but all done with flair, passion and feeling. The real taste of Asia! Will Meyrick at his best!
Best Value Sorriso - Seminyak
- Its fun, its stylish and its great value. Simple Italian food done well. Pasta with sauces you can taste, Scalloppine that is tender. A fun place to visit.
Best Cafe Street Café - Sanur
- A lounge bar and a cool, clean café, all with free internet access. Snacks, meals and drinks all very cheap! Freshly baked Turkish bread. Live music some evenings. Now breakfast as well.
Best Cheapie Pregina - Sanur
- Local and sensational. Very traditional Balinese [chicken is Siap not Ayam], always tasty and at an average of $3 for mains. This is more than just a warung, the stylish but simple fit out says it all. Someone knows what they are doing.
Pubs nightlife
the SkyGarden for Margarita Monday (19,000rp each).
Went out a fair bit this trip, best spot was Paddys, we would start off drinking at Bounty Hotel in the room our nice single malt scotches on the rocks (from duty free :P) and then head to 'The Engin Room', for happy hour 8-12pm, two for one, 2 bintangs for 25,000 and then head across the road to paddys and bounty till sun up, Bounty got a bit feral and towards the end of the trip was mainly full of locals, but there all having fun so its all good. A few places that were DEAD were Apache Bar, MBARgo bar and the bagus pub, usually full but this time really really quiet. The ekspresso bar went off too!! Always full and karaoke..
Legends on Garlic Lane particularly if the Yellow Band are playing. they also do a few comedy shows that are good fun
Maybe the prices are a little more exspensive AT Billy's but they have a live band every night and GOOD bands and the place just has a great atmosphere. the staff are great fun and always entertain my kids. We really enjoy our time there. I'm sure if we go to bar in Aussie and there is a live band which the cost of has to be covered we are paying a little more for our drinks also. :)
Buggies/Quad Bikes
Hi
We have not done the buggies, because we are all over 5ft 11 and have been advise that they can be a bit uncomfortable and sqeezy....... Those I have spoken to had a great time apart from this.
Go do it have fun.
I went a couple of years ago on the quads and it was unreal. My husband went on the buggies last time but said the quads were better but hey that is just personal opinion. I have also heard that the quads do not do the sane trip anymore maybe someone will answer you that has just recently been. We also took backpacks full of lollypops and I will never forget the smile on the kids faces. It was well worth it. I think if your son knows how to ride a motorbike they will probably let him on his own. When we went there was only one automatic so I had to take manual and didnt have a clue. I ran out of fuel half way through the trip as my husband said get out of 2nd gear. This is all part of the trip and I will always remember it. Do it and have a great day.
Yes you can have 2 in a buggy and 2 on a quad. My brother in law took their 5 year old in the buggies and he had a ball. It isnt cheap but worth it.
We did the quad bikes a couple of years ago, the kids 11 &13 are still talking about it. We booked it while we were there, they picked us up from the hotel we called into a small village shop on the way and bought 50 lolli pops (this made the shop keepers day) then proceeded to Ubud area. You get to have a trial run on a small area so you learn how to ride the bikes first. Bit of a laugh. The kids have to be 16 and over to ride on there own. So we put our helmets on 2 on a bike and we go it was unreal the scenery of the rice paddies and driving through all the villages with the children waving as you ride past. We gave them all a lolli pop, we will never forget there faces, there smiles were from ear to ear. Our daughter always comments on this when she has a lolli pop. We drove through a stream to get home. Under the hut when we returned was our lunch being prepared and a cold drink. Make sure you wear enclosed shoes and OLD clothes you get dirty. All part of the fun. Highly recommend it
Street Names Western/Indo
Jln Bakungsari/Jln Singosari
Jln Sahadewa/Jln Menuh/Garlic Lane
Jln Padma/Jln Yudistira
Rum Jungle Rd/ Jln Pura Bagus Teruna/Jln Werkudara
Jln Oberoi/Jln Laksmana/"Eat Street"
Jln Kartika Plaza/Jln Dewi Sartika
Jln Double Six/Jln Arjuna
Jln Dhyana Pura/Jln Abimanyu 'Drink Street'
The lane that runs from Melasti to Benasari is Lebak Bene (or some people just regard it as an extension of Jl Benasari). Some even call it Camplung Mas street.
Seminyak
In Reply to: seminyak square?? where and what is it posted by joeyrobby on Tuesday, 19. May 2009 at 19:07 Bali Time:
jl laksmana..( oberoi rd )...before Kudeta ,all new with sunday markets..great deli at the right prices.....good luck
UBUD
Shopping is very different in Ubud than...
Kuta. I love Ubud for homewares, decorative items, paintings and one of my favourites - handmade soap! Many shops in Ubud are fixed price and you will find more "artistic" items as well as "antiques".
If you want to shop you must stop at Sukawati on the way up to Ubud. Allow at least an hour just to see what's there.
In Ubud there is a geat market opposite the Palace as well as all the little shops down Monkey Forest road. Note the DOWN Monkey Forest road. Start your shopping at the top end!
After breakfast went to Tangalalang Road. Absolutely fabulous shopping, so cheap. The jewellery shops are amazing, I bought lovely necklaces and bangles for around 10,000rp, and my only regret is that I didn't buy heaps more. A lot cheaper than Ubud markets
It's on the main road as you head north from Ubud towards Kintamani.
The shops are on either side of the road along about a 5 km strip.
We have usually driven to the northern end and walk back downhill with the driver collecting our purchases,
Its a mainly a wholesale area, so some items are for order only, but many shops sell at wholesale prices, no bargaining required.
You can buy jewellery, mirrors, basins, paintings, furniture, metal animals, wooden statues, oils, burners, soaps, flags and lots more. Lots of items are made in the shop or to the rear.
Not much clothing or footwear, no dvds.
Its also mostly not seen elsewhere eg down in Kuta area.
Ubud restaurants
Mozaic....restaurant equavilent to this in Sydney is 200.00 australia pp but they charge asd 90.00 per head pretty good value compared to here and evidently the chef is world renowned.
Mozaic .. always top class and now rated as one of the best in the world. Expensive for Bali, not when compared against similar standard in all major cities worldwide.
We'll be there again next week.. can't wait.
Tropical Bale.....Comes highly recommended by this forum. It's not as expensive as Mosaics.
They have a website with their menu & pics.
Café de Artiste is top notch.
Lembongan island cruise
We also went to Lembongan with Bali Hai, just for the day. We had the option of staying on the pontoon & going snorkelling from there & using pontoon slides etc or going on to the island where we could use Hai Tide huts facilities (pool, gardens etc.). As we had a little one with us we decided on the island, (safer) but if we were to return without kids we'd still make the same choice. Snorkelling from the beach was beautiful, & we still had the option of taking the short boat ride back to the pontoon & snorkelling from there (we didn't do this but heard it was awesome).
There's a big fresh buffet lunch included, free banana boat rides & various activities. You can pay a little extra for parasailing & jetskiing. It was such a relaxing day for us, if it's affordable i'd say give the Hai Tide Huts a go for overnight as our only complaint was we didn't get to stay long enough. :)