JBR 27.2 to 10.3
Our 9th trip to Beautiful Bali! Married 9 years with 2 dogs. We simply love Bali and all it has to offer, we aren't people who befriend locals or do a lot of networking when on holidays. It's simply about being together, spending quality time with each other, relaxing, eating well and being pampered. We were married in Bali, on the beach in Jimbaran Bay in 2005.
Our flight was from Adelaide to Denpasar with Jetstar. It left 10 minutes late, but arrived 10 minutes early. There were no issues with Visa on arrival and we cleared customs without any holdups in around 15-20 minutes. Perfect start. Picked up by Villa driver.
Accommodation - Seminyak
The Light Exclusive Villas - $125 per night.
Fairly new (they had a soft opening in October 2014), great location, around 1km (probably less) from ‘Eat Street' Seminyak. Open air lounge/dining with kitchenette, nice medium size fridge (not a small ‘bar' fridge) and 6m x 3m pool. Large very comfy bed with great netting (heavy) around bed, huge bathroom with separate toilet, bath, shower and dressing table. Heavy duty curtains in bedroom so block-out is really good. Very little ‘light' gets in to ‘Light Villas' (haha). Also, the bathroom lighting is quite dim, probably a power saving measure, we all know how frequent the outages are in Bali! The staff are some of the most friendly and helpful we've ever encountered on the island. Complimentary drop off shuttle, including 2 scheduled times to Kuta, 10am & 3pm. Got an excellent nightly rate with wot if and we're happy. Like anything in Bali, the harsh conditions and with the sometime cheap labour or fittings used, the villas will age very quickly. We pre-booked a scooter with Villa via email, which was waiting for us on arrival. Pleased with service and quick response. 50,000Rp per day for scooter hire.....yes, yes, probably could've gotten cheaper by 10,000 or so, but it was so little effort and without fuss which suits our style ... And for a $1.00 or so saving a day who cares.
28.2 Saturday - Seminyak
Weather good all day, hot, no rain.
Up at 5.30am, walk along the beach and to Daily Gym (50,000 Rp per session) located next to Merah Putuh. As I think we've posted before, the gym has plenty of machines, but a limited selection of ‘free weights' and there is also ZERO air-con. It's over 2 levels, the 2nd floor being cardio & boxing, the 3rd floor being the gym. Once you've done your workout, they sell Protein shakes at the bar on the first floor for around 80,000Rp.
Light breakfast at Light, the breakfast is very basic and nothing fancy but ‘does the job'.
We take a shuttle to Legion for alterations at House of Komang, Jl Padma. Jeans hemmed and pocket of another pair jeans to be stitched, 50,000Rp.
We exchanged AUD for a rate of 10,040 followed by the mandatory Bintang Supermarket shop for Martha Tilla Biokos, Cleanser, toner and serum, lollies, gum etc
For lunch it was Grain Espresso in alley near Ripcurl store across from Bintang. Lovely décor - Burger 78,000, pasta 72,000, equal lge 38,000 and lemon tea 25,000. Total 246,015270,000. Great burger. Service attentive.
Shopping for sunglasses, shorts, singlets etc at Lucky Shop (Donny), never miss saying hi and buying here, it is essential we visit every time. Only has basics but a lovely guy who just gives us good/realistic prices for Bali basic clothing.
Back to villa for swim.
Bodyworks Spa booking for Bodyworks Bliss, 2 masseuses per person, 1 hour, 500,000 per person. Heaven. Booked via their website, you need to allow at least 5 days prior to date to do this.
Villa for another swim.
Seminyak Square, browse at markets.
Dinner - Island Cafe, Seminyak.
Really couldn't be bothered dressing up so short scooter to Island cafe, apparently it had only been opened for 5 weeks. Boy, are we glad we couldn't be bothered with anywhere else. This Italian Café was a great find! Manager/Owner Luigi is very passionate in explaining all the dishes. I say ‘all' but as he'll make know, the menu options are very limited due to being such a new place. Pizza, fresh, crispy and so tasty. Bolognese Linguine, delicious, glass of Tuscany Chianti Red, Bintang and the most delicious white chocolate volcano. Yummy. 365,000 Rp. Fortunately for us, as we were waiting for dessert, the power went out. After a while, a few customers who hadn't ordered were told they probably wouldn't be served due to the kitchen being electric. Sad to see Luigi miss out on some business. Must admit, it was quite lovely sitting only by candlelight with the bi-fold windows opening directly out to the street being peppered by a light shower of rain. We knew we'd be back for a return visit.
1.3 Sunday - Seminyak
Weather good all day, hot. 10 to 15 min shower around 8pm, quite heavy for a few minutes.
Walk on beach and Daily Gym.
Breakfast at Sisterfields, close to Seminyak Square across from Cool Spa.
Smashed avocado, tomatoes, feta and poached egg, kiwi and lychee granitas, 2 mugs of cappuccino. Scrambled eggs, toast and bacon. 325,000Rp. Nice setting and very well presented, but the food lacked somewhat. Would we hurry back? No, but worth a visit.
Back to villa for morning swim.
After a considerable time of indecision as to how to spend the day, we decide to venture to Kuta for a few hours. Both are not huge fans of Kuta, but as we hadn't visited for last 3 trips we felt it was time to give it another go. Shopping, we lasted 1.5 hours. Quick look in Discovery, Matahari and Beachwalk. Purchased Calvin Klein underwear and a top at Body and Soul which was on sale which was a bonus. Kuta isn't our thing, we find it too hectic and aggressive for us. Exchanged AUD in Legian for Rate 10,040Rp, which is higher than what we saw on offer in Kuta at 9,950 approx.
Lunch
Cafe Sardinia, Beachwalk Arcade, JL Pantai Kuta. In front of Beachwalk.
mall. Nice enough I guess. Friendly staff. Trio of dips, meat lovers pizza, small fries, diet coke and small water. Pricey for what it was, 383,724
Bodyworks Spa for 2 x mani and pedis. OPI colour choice good. Always a great job which is why it's mandatory to book. 580,000. Having been to Bodyworks numerous times over the years, this was the first time we were escourted up the stairs to a second level where a row of chairs (probably around 12) are set up specifically for manicures & pedicures.
Dinner
The Bistrot, Eat St, JL Kaya Aya (JL Laksmana) No 117, Seminyak. Ph: +62 361 738 308. Across from Red Carpet bar.
Great decor, cloth napkins, crockery cool. Once again, friendly staff, but not overly attentive. Wine reasonable price. Complimentary bread. Beef Carpaccio, Summer Vegetable Risotto, Chicken Breast Thai Curry. Meals really well presented, hot and very tasty. 1 x German Riesling, 2 x Italian Pinot Grigio, 1 x Frozen Mango Daiquiri, Caramel Macchiato. 871,000. We've visited before, was lovely then, and still is now.
2.3 Monday - Seminyak
Weather same as previous, good, hot all day.
Usual walk along beach and to Daily Gym.
Rate dropped slightly, 10010.
Breakfast in Villa.
Headed to JARI MENARI, (dancing fingers) Jl Raya Basangkasa #47, Seminyak Ph: 62 361 736 740 for what we think is the best massage you could ever have. We always visit and are always impressed. 1.5 hours of heavenly bliss. We both had Perfect Massage. Rooms are open air, cool and tranquil with water feature. We get a double room. All male masseuse, very discreet and professional. Shower afterwards is also appreciated. 978,750 Rp for both. Yes, pricey for Bali. To put it into perspective, I have 1 hour massage in Australia and pay just under that total for me. We had booked here for a massage online for Sunday the 1st, we arrived excitedly looking forward to what we had coming, only to be told that the appointment had been cancelled as we didn't reconfirm the booking the day before. Totally our fault, but nonetheless disappointing.
After the massage a small dilemma that could've ended up being a much bigger one. We take off on our scooter and begin sliding all over the place - the scooter has flat tyre. Seems that 50,000 rate per day for hire was worth every cent, because after hubby managed to ‘limp' back to the Villa (I caught a Bluebird to lighten the load on the bike) the bike was changed over within 30mins, no charge, no questions asked.
Lunch at Taco Casa, JL Pettitenget (Nth end of Seminyak), Kerobokan. Ph: +62 361 9161919. Same side as Potato Head. Just lovely! Small capacity and uninspiring décor, but DELICIOUS food. Crispy Chicken Taco, Quesadilla, Diet Coke & Sprite. Lots of salad. Very fresh. Yum. 158,235 Rp. Satisfied! We went past several times during our trip and it was always busy.
Back to Villa for relaxing few hours of swimming and a couple of duty free Vodkas. Heaven!
Dinner at La Lucciola, Kayu Aya Beach, Pettitenget. Ph: 03 61 730 838
OMG this place would be one on my list as a choice for my last meal. It's simply amazing. Great service, gorgeous views and lovely food. Absolute beachfront. A great place for see the sunset. We visit at least once every visit. We have always been impressed. Worth every cent. We showed up just after 5 with no booking, and received a table right out front on the lower level, only catch being that they needed the table by 7.30. No problem.
Complimentary bread, Beef Capparcio, Gnocchi Beef, Lamb Ragu, Italian Sparkling and Mixed Berry Granitas. Simply gorgeous from all aspects. The view is mesmerising. 780,300 Rp
Finished the night with two cups of gelato at Secret Café, just slightly up the hill and on the opposite side to ‘Petitenget' restaurant. Yum. Did a walk thru behind Secret Cafe at what was once the gorgeous restaurant ‘The Living Room'. It's now a building shell, almost totally abandoned, apart from the large Koi which still swims around in the pond. ‘Who feeds that thing?!', we thought. Great memories of 30th birthday celebration some years back. You learn after a few visits not to get attached to too much as it can change very quickly.
3.3 Tuesday - Seminyak-Nusa Dua
Checkout of Villa to head to Nusa Dua for 3 nights. First time to have accommodation in Nusa Dua.
Weather Seminyak - light showers until we left at 11am.
Weather Nusa Dua - fine, slightly cooler but warm. Took the toll road out in a Bluebird (10,000Rp) and were dropped straight off for lunch.
Lunch - The Cafe, The Mulia Bali, Nusa Dua
Banquet - not normally banquet people but after reading reviews wanted to try.
The Mulia facilities are massive, inviting and dripping with excess. The staff presented impeccably, girls greeting are all pleasant looking, wearing pearls with heavy makeup and good English.
Lunch was lovely, 6 stations with multiple selection and cuisines, very large open space room with lovely tables and chairs. I think the wait staff could see that we were a little ‘out at sea', so came over and began suggesting dishes which they would then scurry off and have freshly prepared. All very tasty. The toilet itself is with a visit, buttons galore, who knows what some of them are for?! Vibrate, pulsate....WHAT?! Back to the food - service is from 12pm-3pm and we both walked, or waddled out satisfied. The dessert station was probably the highlight, SOOOOO much choice!
Lunch buffet 339,000 Rp ++ per person, equil 760ml 75,000++, Bintang 65,000++, Frozen Margarita 130,000++, Frozen Mojito 130,000++. Bill total 1,473,000 Rp
Accommodation - Nusa Dua
Checkin at Sofitel Nusa Dua. $310 per night - Club Access and Pool Access room.
Staff a plenty. All smiling and willing to chat and help out.
Club access permits entry to ‘Club Millesime', a separate, exclusive area within the hotel grounds to eat breakfast, have high tea from 3pm to 5pm and Cocktail/wine tasting 5.30pm to 7.30pm with snacks (cookies, lollies & fruit) and soft drinks available all day. This is all complimentary. You also have access to the exclusive lap pool.
The room at the Sofitel was as you would expect. Nicely furnished and finished, a full supply of toiletries, the room was spacious. Guess that is why you pay a lot more.
Cocktail/wine tasting at ‘Club Millesime' was great. For 2 hours, the staff are constantly offering you refills of sparkling, sauv Blanc, Chardonnay, Cocktails....whatever it is you feel like. Very relaxing. No need for dinner as still so full from lunch.
4.3 Wednesday- Nusa Dua
Walk .. Hotel gym.
Breakfast- two choices, Club Access with limited option but exclusive or main area with many choices. Chose main area, lots of options/stations, nice without being brilliant.
Spent day at pool, both main pool and Club Access Pool (lap pool) 158,000 Rp ($16.00 AUD ... hmm) for diet coke and sprite around main pool ... Yep, expensive. Free soft drinks at Club Access Pool, which we had all to ourselves.
Had afternoon team, then happy hour and to bed.
5.3 Thursday- Nusa Dua
Lunch at Table 8, The Mulia Resort.
Cantonese Restaurant inside The Mulia. Choice of A la Carte, Dim Sum ‘All you can eat' or Buffet. Chose the buffet, very nice. Clay Pot and Pork belly the highlight. Also had a serve of hubby's favourite, Peking Duck 98,000+. Good service. Glass of Chardonnay (Chile), 195,000+. Whilst the choice was limited, the quality of the food and service was exactly what you would expect.
6.3 Friday- Nusa Dua/Seminyak
Rain a little this morning in Nusa Dua so opted for gym not beach walk. We headed out to small strip of shops mid-morning prior to check-out, had a 20min foot massage for 70,000 Rp and Bintang at local restaurant. After check-out, headed back to Seminyak. We both fondly remembered the Polenta Chips at Sisterfields so stopped in for a serve. Both agreed they were not as good as we remembered, 50,000 Rp.
Checkin at U Paasha Hotel. Our second visit, stayed here in Oct 2014. Decided to check in at 8pm which means you check out at 8pm.
Happy hour at Rooftop bar, buy 2 get 3. Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri & 2 x Purple in You (vodka, triple sec, pineapple, blackberry, lemon juice & nata de coco). 196,000++. Windy for Bali and watched rain, just arrived under U Paasha Reception in time to miss heavy downpour. Coolish for Bali.
Didn't want to walk far due to the threatening rain. Wish we had of! Walked across road to Trattoria, we'd never eaten here on the 8 other visits, you know what they say - ‘variety has something to do with spices' ;). We thought it a good sign that the venue was close to capacity, but we were wrong. Two of the most uninspired and bland dishes, both in appearance and taste, were served. Gnocchi in tomato sauce and Tortellini in cream sauce. We struggled through a few mouthfuls and left extremely disappointed. Maybe things would have been better had we chosen from the millions of different pizzas they do?
7.3 Saturday- Seminyak
Rate 10,050 to 10,000
Weather overcast most of day, showers and coolish for Bali, first time I've ever seen my hubby wearing jeans in Bali! (Must have been cool)
Jari Menari - another 90 min Perfect Massage. OMG, heaven. I want to take my masseur home. Money well spent 987,000.
Hubby not well, aches etc so quietish day spent in room and around pool. Browsed shops but bought very little. Couple of necklaces and pendants.
Dinner - headed back to Island Cafe as it was so nice the first visit. Very good again, Pasta Carbonara, Pizza. A good little find, and since our visit the Saturday prior, Luigi had added two new chicken dishes to the menu. There was also an extra front of house staff.
8.3 Sunday- Seminyak "Happy birthday to my gorgeous husband"
Breakfast was lovely with staff at U Paasha singing Happy Birthday, a few of the other guests having breakfast got involved which was a nice touch also. The staff served a nice little sponge cake with strawberries throughout. I even got a little emotional as hubby was pleasantly surprised. Following this, we just relaxed and swam.
Lunch - The Butchers Club, Kerobokan. Hubby is a burger fan, so appropriate for lunch on his bday. Stick with the beef burgers as the fish burger was average! Back to the beef, dry aged, melt in your mouth good. But it'd want to be! At over $20 a burger, you could just about justify stopping in at Wah-Wah Burger down the road (even pricier). Skip the wedges, they aren't that nice, but the Jack Daniels Slushy was a real winner! ‘The Burger' (single patty, cheese, bacon, tomato, special sauce), ‘The Captain' (barramundi, coleslaw, Mayo - a lil disappointing as lil tasteless), serve duck fat chips (wedges), Jack Daniels Slushy (yum although one was enough as sweet).
Dinner - a highlight- METIS, Jl Pettitenget #6, Kerobokan. Ph: 0361 473 7888.
Been before and enjoyed. Again, food and service was high standard.
Passion Fruit Tini, smallish cocktail and very tasty, 130,000++, Glass of Pinot Grigio 140,000++, Le Fillet (steak with mustard, mash) 315,000++, green vegetables 45,000++, L'Onglet (100 day aged steak) 195,000++ with fries. Espresso Martini 130,000++, moelleux (chocolate melting cake) 78,000++, sorbet 26,000++. Steaks Cooked to perfection. A must if you want quality food and fabulous service. Metis restaurant is open air and overlooks lovely grounds. Staff attentive and efficient. Restaurant was quite busy, I'd say at least 100 guests. My only very slight criticism, and it's only slight was the temperature being open/outdoors was a little sticky. Minor only. Also, another gripe, as we were departing, we requested they call a Bluebird Taxi for us - the girl advised us it'd be around a 20-25 minute wait. We said that wouldn't be necessary, thanked her, and left. As we exited, we were approached by a driver at the entrance seeking our business, we told him that we were going to walk. Strolled the path out of Metis to the road and within 1 minute a Bluebird had picked us up.
9.3
Our last day. Quick breakfast at U Paasha and then off for our final session at JARI MENARI for this trip. Another 90 min Perfect Massage. 978,750 for two.
Lunch - Hotel Mexicola (across from Bodyworks) Staff seem non-fussed and very casual. Venue was quite deserted as it was just prior to noon. Ordered the Nachos and Chicken Quesadilla. If you don't do spicy, don't do here! The Quesadilla was supposed to be mild, and whilst it was ‘steam coming out of your ears' hot by any stretch, it still had significantly more kick than I was expecting.
Bodyworks- Mani & Pedi - you can get cheaper in Bali but in our experience definitely not as good/thorough as BW. Sports Mani 130,000++, sports mani 105,000++, BW Mani 130,000++, BW Pedi 150,000++. Total 579,375. Again put into perspective a mani in Australia is hard to find under $30 and in my opinion not as good a job as BW.
Dinner - LA FAVELA, 177x JL Laksamana, Seminyak Ph: 0361 730 010
Cool atmosphere, lovely food, water features including a pond (which the mosquitos LOVE), rustic furnishings and separate theme rooms. Second visit for us. Service is so, so. There are plenty of staff on hand, but they a rarely as attentive as they should be. We had a hiccup with our Mango Daiquiri which came out as a Pineapple Daiquiri. We also had a ‘wonky' table that no quantity of folded serviette was going to fix. The food and ambience was as we remembered, wonderful. Mary's Lamb 240,000++, The Napoleons (steak), 290,000++, Aqua jug 25,000++, Daiquiri (wrong one given at first, changed without any issue) 100,000++, Bintang x2 70,000++. Total 853,325
...and then it was off to the airport. I may be incorrect, but it seems now that the AUD has plummeted you are probably better off doing your Duty Free shopping in Australia. Our 10.20pm flight with Jetstar departed closer to 11pm, despite this we arrived home earlier than we were supposed to - confused? We were too! Had to catch the bus out to the tarmac, but once on board we were delighted to find that we had a spare seat in our row, something that has never happened before! Stretched out, we were able to get some sleep which was a big bonus!
A few observations -
* Nusa Dua is hideously expensive compared to anywhere else on the Island!
* Traffic will get even worse! We were told by a driver that the government has just issued a licence for a new taxi company which will increase the number of cabs on the streets by over 30%!
* If you see something you like, BUY IT, then and there! The chances of you finding something exactly the same elsewhere, or of you returning to the store/market where you saw it are unlikely. That's our experience anyway.
* Private Pool Villas are great, we've done them for years - hotels don't seem to be as accepting on skinny dipping!
Highlights for us -
Pampering- Massages at JARI MENARI, mani and/or pedi at BODYWORKS
Food- definitely indulge in a high end restaurant. Our choices include LA LUCCIOLA , METIS, SARDINE
Only 79 more sleeps and we return for my birthday in June.