Tropical Bale, Ubud outskirts.
We dined there for lunch. I chose the set menu, either choice of appetizer and main or main and dessert for 95,000. Great value for money. I also ordered a glass of Two Islands shiraz and it appears much lighter in colour these days. I recall is cost 60,000rp. (Which reminds me, red wine by the bottle in most restaurants costs about 400,000 or 500,000rp or more) Service was terrific, décor is sensational, food tasty and the toilets, well I am not saying anything other than go see yourself! With a Bintang, cocktail and glass of red with 2 a-la-carte and my set was 534000, including ++ of 25%.
Siam Sally restaurant Ubud
We walked across the road from Tegal Sari, opposite Pundi Pundi and found ourselves the only patrons at Siam Sally. We were bill number 3579 so I expect that's the number of patrons so far. We ordered from their Thai menu. Food was delicious, service was excellent, so it should be, being the only ones there but as we know, isn't always (when they are not busy, how often do you find the staff yacking and not concentrating on their diners?). I had mixed seafood (Ho mok tale) in coconut and red curry sauce, wrapped in banana leaf basket (if I made a banana leaf basket to hold fluid I am sure it would leak) with red rice. Trevor ordered fish mango salad and he enjoyed his meal too. We both ordered desserts, tirimasu for me and coconut ice cream creation for Trevor. Some other patrons arrived later. We were stopped for transport on the way there, no more than 100m and I did accept one offer and said we wanted to go to Siam Sally. Poor fellow hadn't heard about it and since its reasonably new he needed directions. I pointed up a few doors and he got caught out good and proper. His mates laughed.
The restaurant will arrange transport to and from your hotel within the Ubud ‘city limits'. SS is a sister restaurant to Terazo, Cinta Grill and kafe Batan Waru. (You are offered a 15% discount card for all food to go to any of the other restaurants within the next week.)
There is a huge, like really huge, gigantic, almost village size hole in the ground along Jl Raya Ubud after the market before Jl Hanoman. Traffic is diverted down Monkey Forest Rd to the soccer field then across to Jl Hanoman.
Ideal for extra parking space in the mean time.
Ubud Birthing Centre, Ibu Robyn Lim.
We called to the Birthing Centre late on Sunday morning. Ibu Robyn had been up all night with a delivery so invited us to her home for a cup of tea. It was lovely to sit with her and get a better understanding of the centre and what she does. Balinese are welcome to have pregnancy checkups at the centre and when they deliver are asked to make a donation, whatever they can afford. Births are expected to be non-complicated else the Govt require hospitalisation. Did you know that more than 300% higher deaths occur in babies in Bali who are bottle fed, in the first 12 months? It due to the cost of formula being so expensive, they water down the mix, contamination,disease etc. Robyn had to rush off to a home delivery (I expect she would be paid by the ex-pats) so I was shown around the centre by Sandy and met some new parents with their tiny babies. There are large baths in 2 rooms for water births. (Trevor didn't come in, he said he has delivered enough calves and lambs in his life time and since he wouldn't go to a birthing centre at home, he didn't wish to go here either!) We had brought from home some much needed Aussie quality bunny rugs and also handed over (and was receipted for ) au$100 from our Melbourne Bali Enthusiasts dinner fundraising in July. I am so pleased I saw the centre first hand and had the pleasure of chatting with Robyn. I believe the Australian Govt has provided the funds for two booklets for new Mums. One on breastfeeding and the other on bringing up new babies, eg how to detect a high temp in a baby, when to seek medical advice, milestones, etc
(If you are interested in going to the centre, all welcome, here are some rough directions from the Ubud market. With the market on your right you continue along Jl Raya Ubud and turn right into Jl Hanoman. Continue down this one way road, pass Dirty Duck and Monkey Forest Rd turnoff, pass new Siam Sally on left, entrance to Tegal Sari on right, wind around, pass service station on your left, then take next turn right. Go down under the dip, wind up and you will see road on your right, one way street, do not enter. Next road on right, opposite Spirit Hotel, turn right. Sign indicates Laka Leke restaurant. This road is one way and starts and ends on main road in the Nyuh Kuning village. Drive in and around to exit road and the centre is boldly on your right, not far back up to the main road.)
Laka Leke restaurant, Ubud
Lovely garden setting, extends way out into the rice paddies. Similar to Dirty Duck setting, with lots of varying sized bales, very nice. I ordered a mixed serving of entrée, lumpia, chicken satays and fried tofu stuffed with chicken mince, with crackers and par boiled fresh vegetables. It was plenty big enough. Trevor ordered a salad similar to a Caesar which he enjoyed. Staff were attentive and friendly. Nice place to return to. With a drink each our bill came to 297,000.
They have Kecuk (Mondays) and Joged and children dancing on Thursdays. (Saw advertised an all woman kecuk).
This is located in the Nyuh Kuning village too and is actually just at the very back of the monkey forest. The Alam hotels are located in same street.
Café Wayan and Laka Leke are both owned by Ibu Wayan.
She runs cooking classes at the grounds.
Ubud market
I had a good saunter around the markets one day. Trevor had planned to ‘dine' at Ibu Oka, but when he saw the yellow fat on Ms Pig, once again he was turned off. I don't fancy it at any time.
We explored the hole in the road then he walked back and I joined the crowds in the market, about midday. I didn't buy much as I probably already have one of most things for sale... Always good to wander thru all the same. He walked back along Jl Hanoman.
Pundi Pundi, Ubud
We met at Pundi Pundi for lunch. I had delicious Nasi Goreng and Trevor selected lamb chops which were a little over done, but as the man chose meat, as a man should be fed, he enjoyed it.
I had a liver cleansing vegetable drink and Trevor tried a Bintang. Bill was 191,000rp
The Pond restaurant, Ubud
Its in the new building across the rice paddies, back of the new Tegal Sari villas, alongside Pundi Pundi , which is opposite Siam Sally. A gorgeous large lotus seperates Pundi Pundi and the Pond.
We had dinner at the Pond one night. Trevor had streaky beef steak and mash and I had wok seared beef ribs. Mine tasted delicious with a tasty coffee sauce. Trevor tried another Bintang (is there a pattern forming here?) and I had a fresh fruit mango Margarita, shaken not frozen. Bill 373,000rp