JBR part 1- Sanur (first day)


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Posted by happyhols on Friday, 17. June 2011 at 11:26 Bali Time:

Wow, firstly let me tell you - all those people who think Sanur is for oldies, closes early with nothing open after 8.30, is boring etc etc - keep thinking that way - I don't want to share Sanur with you! First time staying in Sanur and I can honestly say it will definitely not be the last time. Love, love, love the place. What a pleasure to cruise the streets without bumping into someone every step of the way and what a change to walk the streets without being heckled to 'you buy, you buy' or 'scuse me miss, I not sell anything'. Sheer joy! But I am not going to bang on too much about all the good points because I fear that the secret will get out!
Arrived into Bali on 1st June flying the 4.50am shocker from Perth on Air Asia. Flight arrived left and arrived on time, no dramas. We had preordered breakfast (pancakes) and they were yummy - we had also pre-booked and paid for seats in row 1 - we do this with Jetstar also - for the sake of $10 each, I think it is worth having no one in front of you and of course, no cramped legs! Through VOA and Immigration in a blink of an eye - we even beat the luggage - that was our only delay. Out of the airport within 20 minutes.
Our good friend Wayan was there to collect us - no bintang in hand this time - far too early!! Hugs all around and off we go to Sanur - our first stay in Sanur! We had booked a one-bedroom private pool villa at Aleesha Villas. I am so glad that Zen Villas were fully booked when I made the enquiry as they were the ones that recommended Aleesha - and what an awesome recommendation it was. We arrived at the Villas and even though check-in wasn't supposed to be until 2pm, they had our welcome drinks ready and our villa was just being finished after the previous guests had checked out that very morning. Amazing. The staff greeted us by our names without even glancing at the books, and took us to our villa with the forms to fill out and left us to it. How unreal and professional is that. No waiting or mucking around at Reception - loved it. Mike the owner has done himself proud. Evie and Yanni (the two office ladies) were professional and warm. Hats off to all the staff at Aleesha Villas.
Our villa was to be Villa B - walked into the secure private door, immediately on the left are two sun loungers in front of a big pool with what is our bedroom overlooking the pool. To the right is the open-air dining and lounge room, a toilet and outside shower. Walking into our airconditioned villa was another lounge room, to the left our massive California King bed. Behind the lounge is the double vanity bathroom, enormous and deep stone bath tub, separate shower with massive shower head and separate toilet. Behind the bed area was two massive wardrobes - space was definitely not a problem!
Unpacked and ready to go we head to Legian Money Changer to change our hard earned cash and then to Hardys to buy our drink mixers, snacks, incense etc. Hardys is massive - a pleasant surprise. A quick trip back to villa to unload our purchases and then off for lunch. Having never stayed in Sanur, it was nice to know that we were going to be trying all new eateries. For lunch we decided on Café Batu Jimbar - it had a decent amount of people in it and the garden courtyard was lovely. I wanted my Soto Ayam - thankfully it was on the menu, hubby wanted Nasi Campur and Wayan wanted a Club Sandwich! Ordered our first round of Bintangs - BAGUS! Food came out after a short wait and was consumed with much gusto by all - love, love, love my Soto Ayam!

Lunch finished and off back to the villa to try out our pool! Must say the water was initially a heart starter being quite cold but we soon warmed up - the duty free helped!!! Before we knew it, time to shower and hit the streets for dinner. We cruised the main strip and decided on the Village restaurant which is out the front of the Griya Santrian - Italian food. OMG - seriously divine. I had chicken stuffed pasta with this divine sauce, hubby had pizza and Wayan had lasagna. The complimentary bread and salsa was delish to start with. Tucked into the Italian with gusto - definitely needed it. A place worth visiting when in Sanur! My only gripe would be the fact that there is only 1 female toilet....which is fine if you are the only one wanting it, but not so fine if you are not!
Will try and shorten the JBR's as I go, I always get carried away with the first one - brings back all my trip memories!



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