After our time in Bali in 2003 I finally did a jbr in 2004 due to losing my notes for over three months, last year we went to Bali in September and now here we are in March and I've only just got round to doing the jbr, this time however it's only now that I seem to have the time to put it down in print.
We left Heathrow on the 27th of September, booked through Major Travel (very efficient) with Garuda but using Malaysia Airlines as the carrier. Pleased with that as having flown with Malasian before knew we were in for a good flight, service and food as usual and were not dissapointed. Stopped at Kuala Lumpar for a couple of hours, just love that airport, it might be quite modern but somehow it always seems so well run and clean. And love the hot chocolate on sale by the tropical forest area. Arrived at Nugurah Rai on time and after the usual arrival procedures were met by Komang with whom we had arranged to take us to The Santi Mandala at Sukawati just south of Ubud. We got hold of Komang through the BTF (Komang Arca, 081 236 59105, komangsw@yahoo.com)so it does serve a valuable purpose.
We had stayed at The Santi Mandala before back in 2003, we only were there for a few days that time before we went around Bali, this time we decided to stay for the full vacation, 15 nights in all. We had had such a good time there back in 2003 and everyone was so friendly and helpful so it seemed a good idea, also this time we would have it as a base, reasonably central to any were were we wanted to go to.
We managed to book the same garden villa as before with views over the valley and waterfalls, wonderful.
It was good to see and meet again those who had made our stay last time so memorable. We arrived on the day of the companies annual celebration ceremony, the owner owns other businesses in Bali and an childrens orphanage up in Singaraja, so there were many people there.
We were invited by the manager Wayan Surya to the ceremony and were able to dress in accordance as we had brought our sarongs with us. It was a very colourful evening with an amazing array of food provided for everyone there was dancing and displays by some of the children from the orphanage and Balinese music/dances as well. Before the end of the evening the local Priest went among us giving us the blessing.
In all a very good end to our first day back in Bali. Just as we were going to sleep thought we heard sounds in our room, put lights on but did not see any thing so went to sleep.
Weds, Today is our wedding anniversary !, we spent last years one here as well. Were right in supposing that there was something in our room last night, found the remains of some fruit under our bed, well chewed !. We went into Ubud by the Resort transport and went immediately to The Three Brothers Wisata on Hanoman Street to arrange car rental, we hired a Suzuki jeep, we had the same last year and it worked well for us then so the same again please. They would deliver it to us the next day.
We then had a good wander around Ubud to see if it had changed atall , there were a few new places/shops etc but otherwise not so different to last year. We went and ate at The Griya on Jl Raya (virtually opposite Miros), small and with views looking out down a tree lined small valley. They serve in my opinion the best beef sate in Bali, so had to try again and was not dissapointed, what was just as good was that they remembered us from last year, certainly makes you feel as though your home again.
Returned to Santi Mandala to be asked to go to the restaurant as Wayan wanted to see us, wondered what was up, and were amazed to find that they had remembered it was our anniversary and gave us as a anniverasary gift complimetary massages at The Spa !!. It was wonderful, after being relaxed by the massage we then had a warm bath were the surface was covered in frangipani flowers, afterwards we had a wonderful herbal tea to finish off with. The Spa is on a lower level than the rest of the resort and has been built into the rock face, it has water running through as well. It was a wonderful experience ans so kind. We had returned to our villa and were sitting out on the open raised area above water with koi in, when ther was a knock and when I went to see who it was there was Ketet and Komang with this amazing triple tiered chocolate cake covered with cream, cherries etc, and the inscription on top saying 'wedding birthday celebration' and a bottle of Bali Rose Hatten !!!, for once words failed me, these people are so kind and thoughtful no wonder we would like to leave the west behind and spend the rest of our days in Bali.
We ate in that evening had as usual a very good meal, retired to sit and gaze out on to the valley drinking the wine and eating the cake, darkness around us but the night full of the sounds of water and animals and the insence filling the air, what a first full day.
Just as the eyes were closing we heard scratching sounds again, just like last night, suddenly something ran up behind our heads up to the area over the bathroom area, needless to say we were out of bed in a flash. Could not see anything any where, by now it was past midnight, decided the best thing was to see who was in reception and see if they could find anything, Putu was there , after rubbing the sleep from his eyes he came down and together we looked everywhere but nothing could be found, any way we then looked in the cupboard over our wardrobe and in a humane trap was the largest mouse we had ever seen, so after it was taken away to be released somewhere else we finally slept. We never had any trouble with furry creatures again.
I should explain that our villa is not perhaps as you might expect, you enter by going down three steps and over to your right is a waterfall, the water from this surrounds the tiled bathroom the entire area except for the wall between the bedroom is open with rock face along the right side and a stone wall at the end where the water then drops into the water area under our open veranda area. There is a shower at the walled end to which you walk over a wooden raised area, this is in the open then there is the loo seperated by a small wall and on the other side a sunken bath. Against the partition to the bedroom is the sink/mirror and wardrobe area. You then go into the bedroom with it's wonderful four poster bed with mozzie nets around. The three walls of the bedroom are glass, with doors leading onto the open verandah, there are of course net curtains that give you enough privacy during day time and proper ones to use at night time. It's heaven, and there is the wonderful sound of water allaround you, some might not like this but we do.
Thursday;
8.00 am, ready to go for breakfast when knock at the door and there to our surprise was Nyoman with this wonderful breakfast tray for our post wedding bithday !!, we ate leisurely looking out over the valley watching as the village beyond came to life, you actually can't see much except for smoke from the fires and seeing (from a distance) as they walk down to their bathing area . The jeep arrived at noon as promised, so we went into Ubud to wander and have lunch, returned mid afternoon and as it was a hot day, around 34c decided to spend rest of day lazing in and out of the pool, reading, relaxing swimming etc.Felt so relaxed we ate in again, got into a good book and had a reasonably early night.
More later .................