I have been a voyeur of the Bali Forum for a few years now and have had the pleasure of reading many peoples adventures in Beautiful Bail, I have diligently taken note, copied, cut and paste the many helpful ideas and hints, best places to eat, shop, stay, see etc.
6 of us (3 couples) have just returned from 16 glorious days in Bali, so I thought it would be nice to share some of my experiences, ideas and hints and give back a little to this amazing site that offers first hand experience that no travel guide can compare to.
We split our trip into two, deciding to stay 6 nights in Seminyak for the first leg of our holiday, feeling it would be a good place to unwind from our ‘manic Melbourne work selves' before we tackled the streets of Legion and Kuta. With research we found the most amazing villas and are for ever thankful that we did.
We stayed at ‘Sienna Villas' Jl Raya Seminyak. www.sienna-villas.com I can not tell you how special we found this place, from the moment we arrived to the obligatory welcome drink handed to us with such warmth and care that we immediately felt at home. We stayed in one of the three bedroom villas; with every amenity you could wish for, amazing bedrooms upstairs all with king sized beds and ensuites, air-conditioning, writing desk, the master room had comfy chairs and a big bath. Downstairs, the entrance led out to our own private pool, open plan dining, kitchen and living area, another bathroom and tucked into a gorgeous nook was the lounge area complete with TV, DVD, entertainment system, huge comfy lounges big enough to fit 12 people if need be. Around our pool we had 4 x sun lounges, 3 big comfy chairs and stacks of clean pool towels delivered every day.
The staff there, led by Made, were just wonderful (loved Made to bits, if there was ever a can do woman it was her, there was absolutely no request to small or big for her to handle) They would come each morning with our breakfast, set the dinning room table, then come along afterwards and clear it all up, while they were preparing breakfast, the pool would be cleaned and decking swept and towels re loaded, all this done with the most amazing friendly smiles, we would usually leave the villa for a touch of shopping around 10 and when we returned the beds had been made and fresh towels in the bathroom. Each evening again the staff would come in to dim the lights, tidy the kitchen, light incense and mozzie coils, turn down the beds (always leaving frangipani flowers on our pillows) then leave us to contemplate our nights activities. One night we decided to stay in an avail ourselves to a meal cooked by one of the chefs in our villa, for a small 150000 rph ($20) per person, we chose the Indonesian BBQ - I can not put into words how amazing this night was, the food was sensational, our table looked gorgeous and we had so much food we were bursting at the seems, a perfect, perfect night.
Most nights though in Seminyak started by wondering down Jl Dhyanapura, (just down the road heading North) we often started at JPs warungclub and started our happy hour with great friendly staff, fabo cocktails, I would say at least the best Pina Coladas of all time! Then after we would just wander around to find a good place to eat, as cliché as it sounded from the outside, we found the Aussie Bar had great food, was cheap and cheerful and would hook us in with their great live bands and entertainment (averaged out for 2 x people inc drinks at $20 Aus). Another wonderful place we would all recommend is Made Warung in Raya Seminyak - must book here though as it is amazingly popular, once again great Indonesian food at terrific prices, (average out at $25 Aus for two including drinks). We also went to Gado Gado at the very end of Jl Dhyanapura, this restaurant is right on the beach and is pretty swish, we did sunset drinks and had a beautiful meal here, I would say it averaged out at around $80 Aus for two people including drinks, well worth the effort.
Shopping in Seminyak, was perfect, most prices are set, but there is still always room for negotiating, better quality and easy no hassle staff. Worth a trip to the monstrous ‘Bintang' supermarket also in Raya Seminyak just down from Sienna Villas, they have everything one could possibly need including alcohol and wines and at cheap prices. Also near this supermarket is a very helpful, well stocked and convenient 24 hour pharmacy with a Doctor for advice, doesn't look much from the outside but it is worth a look inside the staff are great. It was also around this little Bintang Supermarket square you will find a mobile phone shop that you can purchase your sim cards from and receive loads of help and advice on costs etc.
Well I think for now I have rambled on long enough, will get back to you with the second part of our holiday in Legion in my next report.
I am happy to answer any questions, I do hope for my first JBR I have not been too long winded and boring.
Debbie