In Reply to: NOT LONG TO GO NOW! posted by BLUEBIRD on Wednesday, 9. June 2010 at 23:54 Bali Time:
lovely small hotel 3 steps from the beach, nice place to relax, the beach sellers will find you quickly once you arrive, but Sandy does not let them come onto the hotel premises, I just buy something from each one to be fair and then they are happy to just stop by and say hello and leave you alone .... mind you, they are more insistent down at the larger village of Kalibukbuk so I avoid going down there.
Things to do ... trip to Banjar hot springs is worthwhile, take your bathers but don't put your head underneath the water. Nyoman could organise a driver for you if you don't have a vehicle.
Nyoman, an institution at Villa Agung, is a character who will be happy to organise an early morning traditional boat trip looking for dolphins and seeing the sunrise over the mountains from the sea is wonderful. If you need a quick cuppa before you go on the trip ask Nyoman to organise for you. You'll have breakfast when you get back around 9 am. He may even offer to show you his and Penni (his wife who works at Villa Agung too) their house in their traditional balinese community. PS: their boys would be maybe 12-14 yo now, but would still like some engish children's story books (second hand would be fine), maybe non fiction science type books or geography books? they would be much appreciated.
Beach walks (to the left along the beach) is another small village with warungs to explore, to the right along the beach you can walk and observe village life as well.
Sandy or Gus would be happy to organise Nyoman to take you into Singaraja. There are lontar palm historical collection at the museum there, Sandy can tell you where a traditonal weaving/batik factory to visit, also ask about a cooking class, they may be able to organise for you. I went to one in the next village called the North Bali Cooking School, but I'm not sure if it is operating anymore.
A must do is a visit to the Singaraja market, lots to see in there. You can catch bemos to/from Singaraja, just ask the staff to guide you. A traditional donkar (horse cart) ride is the local transport for the ladies in at Singaraja is fun. There is a harbor area with some restaurants which are out on the jetty there, ok for a cold drink, not sure about eating there.
And, the food at Villa Agung is so inspiring and delicous!!!
Have fun, have left my addy open if you want to email me with any questions.