Just next to the Ramada was a restaurant called the C.Line. We nearly went straight past it. This was on our list of recommendations. The food was nice, a little dearer than what we were used to but still cheap as compared with here. Lovely atmosphere and the staff were lovely.
One night we managed to catch up with Cathy, a lady that I had met through the forum. It was wonderful to put a face to a name. We went to eat at the Topi Koki in Legian. We were a little sceptical at first as no-one was in there. The manager 'Alex' was very coercive. The place was nice and the prices and food was good. We obviously drew the crowd in as people started coming in. Meanwhile, the waitresses were interested in talking to my 'boys'. Hmmm
We had booked to stay at the Blue moon villas in Amed when it looked as though the other students were coming. Sad to say that after they backed out, we couldn't afford to stay there, especially when we lost the money. The owner was very lovely about it all, but after the Canggu problem, I suppose I was a bit sceptical of everyone I met after that. We had read a couple of good reports about the Bayu cottages. I had come across them before in looking for somewhere to stay in Amed and then the reports. So we booked there, again, as with Rumah, we didn't have to pay in advance. I know that Rumah has changed it's policy since the first time we stayed but since they new us and in the circumstances that we were booking, they were very understanding.
We really had no idea about Amed. We had stayed at Candidasa a couple of years back. We had upgraded the Jimny for a Kijang and off we went. Great drive, quite hilly. We finally wound down the hillside and turned on to the road to Amed. Did I say road? More like a cycle path, it was so narrow. Amed is a series of bays. Clear water and the place to snorkel, right off the beach. After a few bays, we found the Bayu. Six rooms in all, up a steep hill face. Great for mountain goats. The hillside at night is dotted with lights. You have to wonder how the people got up the hill. It's not very green, but rather barren, but boy what a view!!! We were told that there is no water up there and people walk up and down a few times a day to get water. I can tell you, it was really steep.
The staff at the Bayu were wonderful. A four tabled restaurant over looks the small pool and the bay. To our surprise, we met some people that live around the corner from us!! I found out that her son goes to Air cadets with my boys and she taught dog training to my friend Jenny!! Talk about a small world!
The girls carried our luggage on their heads up to the highest room, all steps. The room was basic but cosy, clean and it had a good bathroom. A great balcony to view the boats coming in and out of the bay.
We went for a walk that night looking for Wa Wa We We II. We walked past Gede's restaurant in search for this restaurant with the strange name. Oh dear, bad sign, should have warned us, then a steep drive, through the villas to the restaurant. Nobody was eating and the guys that were hanging around, didn't look like I would want to have them handling my food, so we said see ya and left to go back to Gede's. The food was good there, but we were near a table where there were two aussies, a girl and a guy and a Dutchman. Well, their talk was so foul, that I ended up asking them nicely to please watch their language as we were trying to eat. They seemed good about it but as soon as we were walking down the steps (yes more steps) they decided to say something loud about being able to talk as they liked now. Why is it that they didn't have the guts to say something to me when I talked to them but as soon as you start to go, they say it loud for all to hear? It's people like that that give aussies a bad reputation.
Breakfast was juice or fruit, tea or coffee and pancakes or toast and egg. Not huge, especially for two growing boys, but luckily they weren't feeling too hungry.
The following day we went for a drive to Tulumben were the boys could dive to look at the US Liberty. We saw the path of the erupted Agung. Tulumben's beach was volcanic rock. The boys said that the diving was good but a little choppy and as it is on black rock, a little hard to see.
Drove up the coast and followed it along until we turned off to Kintamani. Well, talk about a steep curvy road!! We stopped for lunch at Gong Dewata. The food was fine but the toilets(????). The drive from Mawar-Menanga was windy and beautiful. Through Bebandem to Amlapura back to Amed. Ate dinner at the Bayu. It was o.k. Maybe I shouldn't have listened about their fish, but I didn't eat much that night.
Well next stop was Ubud on the way to the airport to drop the boys off.