Hi,
Left Melbourne on the 20th of April, Business Class with Garuda......good flight, on time.Returning 2 may.
This time we took another couple with us who had not been to Bali before; and decided to rent a villa in Sanur.
Previously we had stayed at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel (excellent), and the Komaneka Resort in Ubud (also good).
Sanur came to mind after we had driven through the area last visit and had read how relaxed it was.
We had a 2 bdr villa at Pavillions Villa, and I can only say it was sensational !! Fantastic location, magnificent staff and service, and really exceptional villas. When travelling with another couple, we believe it is the only way to go, as you have a common area to relax, your own pool,and staff to come in and serve breakfast every morning and look after you.
Sanur to us was a great place to stay, as it is relaxed and as we stayed 11 nights, we got to know people up and down the street; and in typical Balinese style they soon starting going out of their way to ensure we had what we needed.
In point form, I have listed below some of the things we did, enjoyed and did not enjoy:
* Shopping - had suits made at Franks Tailor in Padma street (recommended)
* Leather jackets from Dolphin Leather - as usual, all good
* Visited Sakura opposite stadium sports bar....can't remember what we bought there
* girls visited Geneva, as well as numerous other stores
From a driver perspective, we used the guys on the street(Nyoman, Ketut and the other brothers) who had a van, and they all seemed pretty good and reasonable, once they realised you had been to Bali a few times.
We visited Ubud, Elephants at Taro, Kintimani, as well as the new Bali safari park, where we got to play with 2 tiger cubs, which was sensational. The white tiger was not around, so we didn't see him, but I can tell you these babies were not drugged, and a lot of fun, as well as a great experience. As my friend said, it was worth the entry fee just to play with the tigers.
Food - In Sanur we ate at Donalds on the beach, which was excellent,as well as a brilliant location. Ryoshi in Sanur which is simply brilliant Japanese food, Lotus Pond- fantastic food in an amazing building. Melia in Nusa Dua one night which was also good, as well as some of the local cafes in Sanur.
One night we stumbled across a place on the beach in Sanur, I think it was called Batu Batu .....something or another.
Anyway we must have come across a bogan fest !! No sooner had we sat down, when a bunch of good old Aussies wearing footy shorts, singlets etc descended on the bar. I reckon there was at least 3 generations of them......strong blood !!
Now, I believe that everybody has a right to enjoy their holiday, but I also believe that as I am in their backyard, I need to be respectful of the culture of the people, and cognisant of offending them. Just because they smile at you doesn't mean they appreciate what you are saying or doing. Anyway best prize for that night went to the guy who thought he was "Chopper Read", and dressed accordingly.....oh dear !! Here endeth the lesson.
All in all, a sensational holiday, and I think staying in Sanur gave us a great opportunity to get closer to the people rather than in a manufactured environmen such as Nusa Dua. Don't get me wrong the Beach Hotel in Nusa Dua and its staff are magnificent, but I am not sure there is anything quite like your own villa !!!
Till October,
Alfie1