Just back from a very nice holiday, 8 nights in Phuket and 8 nights in Bali. Flew AirAsia from Phuket to Jakarta then on to Denpasar. Jakarta airport was very tidy and VOA / Customs were easy. Transfer from International terminal to domestic in the free yellow bus then the 3 hour layover between flights went fast. Plenty of facilities in both terminals. This, our third trip to Bali was full of expectation as we were staying at new locations. Our driver Nyoman Adnyana was busy with his father's cremation but organized his mate Felix and a driver to pick us up. They were there on time and getting through the domestic terminal at Denpasar is easy. The drive to Life in Amed was not so easy, it was raining and the road is under repair a lot of the way, the boys earned their keep that night. Upon arrival at Life in Amed, the friendly staff started a memorable stay, they whisked our bags to the room and settled us down to a meal (9.30pm), Sarah the owner had arraigned for them to be ready for a late meal that night. The room was nice and bed was comfy.
Day 1. After a wonderful night's sleep I ventured out and took in the beach scene, it was 8am, humid from last night's rain and a lot of the fishing boats were back, but it was nice to sit on the low wall out the front of the property and take it all in. It did not take long for a local to introduce himself and offer his services as a tour guide, organizer for fishing or any other activity. He was the only one (unlike other parts of Bali). Next to approach me were the kids, checking out the bald headed Aussie with the camera, I got some great photos that morning. The tranquility of the place cannot be put into words, especially after 8 days in Phuket (Patong). By now my wife was wondering where I had got to, once she saw the photos, all was understood. Breakfast at the hotel is good and the staff are great. We took a walk for one hour in one direction and on the way back stopping for a drink or two at different hotels and checking them out. It was straight back to the hotel for a swim and that is how the afternoon was spent, relaxing. Grilled Mahi Mahi for dinner....mmm. Food here is of good quality.
Day 2, no more walking, we hired a scooter from reception, donned helmets and went for blast in both directions and also up into the hills, wow, so pretty and unspoilt. The bays are all full of little boats and small villages, happy kids greeting you and waving. Lunch at Sails was very nice, quality food with a great view. Back to the pool. At dinner, one of the staff asked me about fishing and I decided to go out in the morning with her husband @ 170,000rph.
Day 3. Up just before 5am to meet Wayan on the beach, boat is pushed in by the local fishermen (they all help each other getting boats in and out), hop in and paddle past the reef line, up sail and off we went. After a while Wayan rolled out the handline - 150 hooks, chasing Slimy Mackerel. You sail out with the wind trolling the weighted line behind and feel the increase in weight as you catch fish - cool. Wayan altered the sail and hauled in about 30 Mackerel, reset the line and sailed back to shore, no more fish but he was happy. I got some great sunrise pictures. Breakfast then back to the pool.
I enjoyed the morning trip so much that I took up the offer from my mate on the beach and went out in the late afternoon @150,000rph. There was little wind so the motor was used resulting in not such a tranquil trip but the dolphins put on a show and I got some great sunset pictures. Both trips went for roughly 3 hours. There is some nice coral out the front of Life in Amed to snorkel on, but I did not try it.
Meanwhile, my wife was getting very close to finishing a book and dinner time was looming. Cocktails at the hotel were very good and well priced. We both had a relaxing day in different ways.
Day 4. Breakfast then transfer to Sanur, Nyoman was on time, we say our goodbyes to the staff who were all very good, pledging our return next year, Life in Amed is a top place to chill out. So down the bumpy road we go. We stay the first night at Sanur Beach Villas with the jolly host Bloodyron making us at home. Dinner at Kesumas on the beach was nice and seafood fresh as always, don't let the plastic chairs and beach sand floor put you off, it is a well priced, clean eatery.
Day 5. Transfer to Peneeda View Hotel, twice the price of SBV but with a low season rate, great value at $89US inc breakfast and taxes. Beach front location and new seaside villas are very good. Nyoman whisked us off to check out the Green Garden in Tuban as an option for next year to stay for a couple of days first up, it looked nice. Then off to Padang Padang, chill out for a few hours, enjoyed a meal at the Warung on the beach. It looks like there is a development underway, I hope that it doesn't mess up this bit of old surfie Bali as happened to Dreamland. Back to Peneeda View, dinner over the road at Cinnamons, wow, great food, cool atmosphere and well priced.
Day 6. Breakfast at the Peneeda is good, great view. We went for a street walk up to Sindu markets then back down the beach path to the Peneeda. A couple of cool drinks and lunch along the way at Cafe Bamboo, on the beach. A bit of fixed price shopping at Tootsies 25,000 for Bintang T-Shirt or singlet. Afternoon by the Hotel pool at the beach end was nice, small but effective. Dinner was up the road at Dadaciao Warung, very nice food, complex flavours, value - excellent!
Day 7. Following breakfast, a quick shop in the street for pressies then suit up in my Saint Kilda jumper for the AFL Grand Final. We watched it Bloodyrons latest venture 'Dukz Nutz', a bar up the road from Hardys. It was a fun afternoon with all nationalities enjoying the game. Met some good people that day. Dinner was back at Cinnamons - great.
Day8. Back to Perth via AirAsia, no drama flight, pre booked meal is recommended. Check in was slow with a computer crash for half an hour delaying the flight by an hour. Immagration was a breeze with the E passport system and customs no drama, I declared a wooden dice game (Jackpot) from Phuket and had no problem bringing it in.
Planning for next year now (it cures the back home blues), Green Garden for 2 or 3 nights, Life in Amed for 2 or 3 nights and defiantly Peneeda View Hotel for 10 nights. We like Sanur and this hotel is perfect for our needs, but we have to go to Life in Amed again as well, just for that 'Real Bali' fix.