Hubby and I spent one week in bali to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. Flew with air asia, got through bali airport within 30 minutes. got a taxi from counter out front to Tuban, cost 35000rp,$4aud.
Stayed at BakBeachCott (2 star) which is in an alleyway of jl Kartike. Hotel is old, which doesn't bother us,the room was clean, the aircon worked well. The advanced gardens were beautiful. A big clean pool. Pillows were like bags of cement, and towells threadbare,lol. 2 minutes walk to beach and 10-15 minutes to kuta. Only cost $33aud per night for two including breakfast.booked on internet. Anyway I would use the hotel again but would be careful recommending it to others as hubby and I don't mind roughing it a bit.
We quickly got into a routine of up at 7am. half hour walk along beach, back for breakfast which was one egg, one strip bacon, two toast or pancake, orange juice or fruit plate and cuppa. Ample for us for breakfast... Hubby ordered extra egg for 5000rp. Then it was leisurely laps in the pool, mainly to cool off. Only one of the mornings were we joined by another guest in the pool. Hotel was definitely not full. Not sure how many rooms hotel has but possibly 100. After our swim we would walk either along the beach or along the street to discover plaza, by this time it would be morning tea time and we would head straight to streetside bakery. This bakery is amazing, so much to choose from and all delicious, ranging in price from 4500 to 13000. Average price 7000rp, 80c aud. Then we would walk through discover plaza to the beach side and order a coffee or juice at one of the many restaurants there and just enjoy the beach view, the passing people and the ambiance. Next it would be shopping or more walking along the beach then lunch at a different place everyday, then back to the hotel for an afternoon swim and relax. Then more walking, watching the sunset on the beach, then dinner beachside or streetside? So many to choose from in Tuban. Found green grdn Hotel/restaurant not far from our hotel and decided that is where we would go for our anniversary dinner. (there is two green grdn Restauants, we went to the one in Jl Jenggala, not the one on Jl Kartike) It was a perfect selection, Location was excellent, overlooking resort pool with waterfall, large trees, statues, winding pathways. Food was excellent, service was friendly and efficient. Cost $35Aud for the two, meals and drinks. One of our days we hired a driver and car for 400000rp, $46aud. Went to Nusa Dua and snorkelling, which was one of the highlights of our trip. Boated out about five minutes then jumped overboard. Were given a small bag of bread to feed the fish. The fish know tourists mean food so as soon as you jump in you are surrounded by fish, literally hundreds, thousands. It is truly amazing, about 20 different varieties. You hold a bit of mushy bread in your hand and 100 fish devour it. they surround you as if you are one of them. It is a must do. We stayed as long as we wanted which was two hours then the water started getting a little choppy which makes the water murky so it was back into the boat and onto turtle island. Only about 5-10 minutes. Not just turtles here, but iguanas, bats, snakes, toucan, hawk, all of which you can hold and take a photo. Our guide was great fun, called my hubby the lady, cos he wouldn't hold the iguana or snake, but I did. Make a donation on the way out. Then back to Nusa Dua, all this cost $25aud each. It was perfect, a must do, It made me plan our next trip and to bring the kids. Seven days went fast but we got lots and rest and relaxation in, which was our main aim as we are very busy people, 4 kids aged 11 to 18, our own business and doing house renovations, for the past 3 years. Oh yeh..we were getting 8650 to 8720 rp per $1.