We just did a 16 day trip with a couple of friends who haven't been to Bali for 20 years. We pretty much did a repeat of last year.The 1st two days we stayed at budget Bakung in Tuban. Mainly for the surf location. The hotel is now overrun with rats day & night.I Don't think I can stay there again although it's amazing what a squirt on exit mould can do.
Day 3 we were off to Medewi. The boys had some good surfs & the rooms were great. Overlooking the surf. We went to Negara to visit the orphanage where we have a sponsored child. It was good to finally meet our little bloke. It was hard to communicate as no one spoke english although our driver helped us out a bit. This orphanage ALAS KASIH is very poor & if any-one is interested in sponsoring a child it would be great. The contact is Loren (lorijg@rocketmail.com) We took some toys, games & clothing which they were very grateful.We had some good meals in Medewi.
Day 6 we went off to Balian to stay at our favorite villa Balian Breezes. It had been raining for a couple of weeks so the water was brown where the boys were surfing as the river runs into the ocean. Also there was a water problem in the village. The local water supply had been broken for 2 weeks so they were carting water from the river for showers etc (no laundry done!)
The staff looked after us great as usual. We hired a couple of scooters but there is not realy many places to ride to. The village is very small.It was still an enjoyable 3 days despite the water issue. At least we had our own pool.
Day 9 off to Sanur for some pampering. We finally got some laundry done . The boys we off to Keramas each day for a surf. We went in to Kuta for some retail therapy.
Day 12 off to Nusa Lembogan. We had booked in to a villa at Playgrounds. It was magnificent but oh so many steps! 121 big steps up to our place. We had our own pool inside in the lounge area. Beautiful views of the Island. We hired scooters for our 3 days there which was great. We went snorkelling which was awsome. The fish came & ate bread out of our hands. The boys had a few good surfs & we checked out other accomodation for next time (somwhere with less stairs!)
Day 14 headed back to Tuban. This time we had booked in to the Risata. Thought we deserved some pampering after our treck about the island. Well we were so dissapointed. We had booked delux rooms only to be put right up the back in these crappy rooms with no balcony & the rooms were mouldy & the air con didn't work! We were not happy but they had nothing else . We didn't let it get us down though we still had a nice last 2 days around town. Ate at out favourite Japanese Take 44 in Padma 1 night & Pantai on the beach the last night. All in all we had a good time EOM