Just back in after spending two glorious weeks in Sanur. We flew Qantas leaving Melbourne on Thursday morning and after a very smooth flight arrived to renew our love affair with the island. What is it with arriving in Bali? Those first few minutes when the warm air just seems to suck you in and envelope you and your senses seem to be taken over by the unfamiliar yet familiar smells and sounds. It really is so hard to describe - maybe it has something to do with one's blood pressure slowly lowering in preparation for dealing with 'Bali-time'! We went through the VOA and immigrasi process in record time - 10 minutes and after collecting our luggage were outside within 25 minutes of landing. That must be some sort of record. The only ‘sour note' was when the immigration officer asked my husband for money before stamping his passport, needless to say he is still waiting for his handout!
We had booked our hotel with Mida (WMW Tours: wahyutur@indosat.net.id) and as this was the first time we had used an agent in Bali and dealt exclusively through the internet, I was a little apprehensive but she proved to be a real gem and I would recommend her to anyone and will certainly be using her agency again. The room at the Puri was a disappointment - previously we had had lovely accommodation at this hotel - and she did her utmost to get us a better room. The hotel had 80% occupancy throughout our stay and so we were really lucky to get what we wanted on the second day. Apart from this little hiccup, I really cannot fault the Puri Santrian and we will definitely be staying there again.
By 3pm when we were relaxing by the pool, it was very difficult to imagine the bleak winter's morning we had left behind just a few short hours before - and that was the last time we mentioned or thought of Melbourne for 2 weeks. That evening we walked out the front of the hotel and found our good friend and driver from previous years Nyoman (081 338 652). We had not let him know we were coming and his grin from ear to ear said more than words could have. He and most of the drivers that congregate around the hotel entrances are doing it tough. Sanur is a haven for the European tourists who do not travel back and forth as much as the Australians or Kiwis consequently we found that in the 2 years since we were in Bali last, the taxi fares to Kuta have almost doubled. The norm for a round trip to Kuta was 120,000rp.
The ever-present problem of lounge chairs around the pool was quite an issue. I swear that some guests sleep out at night in order to get the best spots! At the risk of being shot down in flames, I reckon that the Germans are the culprits! I cannot tell you how many times we noticed ‘reserved' chairs, which went empty the whole day, never to be used.
The 8 restaurants outside the Puri have really improved and it was great seeing them buzzing and busy on most nights. When we were there in 2004, Donald's was closed but is now open for business and most nights is packed out. We ate there 3 times and could not fault the food or service. The Cat and Fiddle was also busy and we had some great meals there - hubby had a very un-Indonesian bangers and mash which he rated 5 stars. The Trophy Pub is very popular especially on Friday nights when they have a 6 piece live band. Our favourite though was Magos, great food and service. Their band is - I don't know how to put this - quaint. They have a repertoire of maybe 25 songs and when you eat there 5 or 6 times, you basically know what to expect! I love the way the songs are learned phonetically and it became a challenge to try and remember the correct lyrics. By the way, the swordfish in orange sauce is fantastic! One night we made the trip all the way to Seminyak to eat at Brown Sugar. What a character the owner, John, is. They were not very busy and so we had the pleasure of his company throughout dinner. And by the way, the seafood basket at 59,000rp is an absolute must. We had a lot of difficulty in contacting Brown Sugar so here is the telephone number: 739 923 and the address is Jl. Petitenget, Seminyak.
During the day we mainly went down to Donald's on the beach for our mie goreng fix. After about a week we decided that too much of a good thing was, well, too much of a good thing and we would have fruit (mangoes, passion fruit and pawpaw) together with a Bintang or two on our verandah for lunch. Hardys was just a short bemo or taxi ride away and we managed to keep fully stocked.
Our trips into Kuta were short. We visited Discovery Mall for the first time and found it to be overpriced and quite sterile. Not the Bali we had come to experience. A word of warning - the supermarket in the basement is now closed. I must admit to having fallen under the spell of Bread Talk - wish someone would open one of those near us here in Melbourne.
We paid a visit to H-----s to order our DVD's and then made our way to the Art Market for a wander around. I could not find Billy's; we have always bought watches from him but this time he was not there. Could someone let me know if he is still in business? I have his card from all our previous visits but no luck this time round.
We visited the Galleria where hubby did some buying but in the main, again the stores sell very expensive items, which I suppose are geared to the Japanese market.
I have kept the best for last. Animale factory outlet. The first time I went, dear Nyoman sat patiently outside under an umbrella with a coke and newspaper - he knew he was in it for the long haul! I must have spent at least one and a half hours there and still came out only having spent $52.00. The next time we went, hubby kept Nyoman company while I did my thing. Found another 4 items, came to $72.00 - hubby took one look at the bill and literally turned me round and said 'go back'. I honestly thought that he had sunstroke, he has never, ever told me to 'carry on spending'!!! So I did. Hopefully I now have enough to carry on with until the next visit. The costume jewelry is fantastic too. I handed out the Animale flyers to some of the women I had met at the hotel and I reckon I should get commission judging by the bulging bags brought back!
We have always visited Bali between March and May when the humidity can be unbearable but this time I can honestly say that the weather was perfect. The humidity is quite bearable and in Sanur there is a breeze off the sea which makes life much more pleasant.
The hotel, as mentioned before, was quite full. I just wish that more Aussies would realize that Sanur is a really great place for a holiday. You are only 20min away from the hustle of Kuta (although it is not hustling at present). The 'you come see my sop madam','massage' and 'transport' (with appropriate hand movements) is always in your face but a smile and a tidak is all that is needed for them to back off and leave you alone....until the next time!
I hope that this JBR has proved to be informative. I know that I have left out heaps of things but if you want any additional info, I will be happy to help.
Until next year...............