Aah...the fabulous Seminyak.
My first stay in Seminyak was last year and I can't believe that it took me nearly 20 trips to discover the amazing restaurants, bars, boutiques, etc. I think my budget Kuta/Legian days are now a thing of the past..... :)
Anyway, we arranged for transport from Lovina to Seminyak for 400,000rp with some dude we met at a restaurant called ‘Captain Jack Sparrow'. He would only drive us if we liked to sing loud 80's power-ballads. So yes, it was 4 hours of the sub-woofa going off in the boot to Mr Big, Poison, etc. A very interesting trip indeed!
We checked into a fabulous little villa that found just off Jln Drupadi. We had a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom villa, and then other friends took the two other 1 bedroom villas and we all shared a pool. It was the perfect private set-up for out little party.
RESTAURANTS/BARS
I think I have been to some of the most amazing restaurants and bars, and eaten the best food I have ever had. No, it is not your typical cheap Bali but you can get sensational food and drinks for the same price as your local Aussie pub. God, we ate so much food! Sometimes it is worth splurging a little... (...)
- SOS Rooftop Bar at Anantara Hotel - Jln Dhyana Pura
This bar is located on the 4th floor of the flash Anantara Hotel. It has a sensational view over the beach to watch the sunset from one of the day lounges and some very funky chill-out music. Cocktails are very reasonably priced considering the location @ 70,000rp ++
- La Sal - Jln Drupadi
I think this is my most fave restaurant in Bali. It is hidden down the quiet Jln Drupadi and is a beautiful building with lovely outdoor area. It is a Spanish restaurant with the most yummy tapas and sangria. I am in love with the chicken croquettes! The service is outstanding and there are a few complimentary breads, dips, etc. We ate here twice and never paid more than 200,000rp p/h each time inc drinks. Such good value for the food and experience.
- Delicious Onion - Jln Drupadi
This is a very cool little restaurant that has a quirky asian menu. It is also known for it's yummy pineapple margaritas
- La Plancha - Seminyak Beach
This cool little shack is located on the beach between Jln Double 6 and Dhyana Pura. They have cool music and heaps of bean bags on the beach to chill out and watch the sunset
- La Lucciola - Jln Laksmana
This Seminyak institution lived up to it's reputation. This is definitely a place to book in advance due to it's popularity. It was not cheap, but the food was magnificent. Our whole table of 8 all agreed that my gnocchi was the best they had ever tried. My friend and I shared a yummy dessert platter that was to die for. Beautiful ambience as well. This is a must!
- Rock Bar at Ayana Resort - Jimbaran Bay
This was the one thing on my ‘to do' list and it did not disappoint. WARNING - arrive no later than 4.30pm to ensure entry. We were just lucky friends arrived earlier and got us a lounge. Anyway, you arrive and line up to go down a little travelator down the cliff face to the bar which is set up on different platforms on the cliff. It is out of this world! Words simply cannot describe it. Cocktails are expensive (140,000rp ++) and the service was slow, but the location overrides all of that. All was very pleasant.....until a freak storm hit! There was chaos at the Rock Bar and we went from glam princesses to drowned rats in seconds! A small travelator cannot fit over 100 people, so we were very unglamorously ferried back up a million back steps.
- Kudeta - Jln Laksmana
An old favourite of mine. We went here for breakfast a couple of times and they have the most delicious pancakes I have ever had - honeycomb butter and blueberries and maple syrup. YUM! After brekky, it is a good idea to get a sunlounge for a couple of hours and enjoy some sunbaking beachside.
- Cocoon - Jln Double Six
This is a newish establishment along the same lines as Kudeta. There is a pool, sunlounges, restaurant, etc. It is a place where all the super cool people go! Our friends raved about a dinner they had here so we all booked for another night. The food was fantastic, but there was this cheesy loud older style band playing which did not suit the venue. It really changed the mood of the place and we did not enjoy our time as much as we should. So, we then moved over to the pool area and had some cocktails on the lounges with some more cooler DJ music.
- Corner Store - Jln Laksmana
We loved this little cafe for brekky - it was just like being back in Melbourne. Beautiful simple food and very reasonably priced.
- Biku - Jln Laksmana
This is such a cute little cafe. We had a very girly girly high tea which was beautiful. The tiered tray had fresh sandwiches, scones, choc cupcakes, shortbread, quiches, etc and included tea/iced tea - all for only 84,000rp ++. A glass of sparkling was an extra 60,000rp. Such a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
SHOPPING
My fave shopping streets include Jln Laksmana, Jln Raya Seminyak and Jln Kunti.
Lilla Lane - Seminyak Square and Jln Raya Seminyak
This shop has beautiful but simple leather bags. I bought a beautiful clutch for about $65.
Papiya - Jln Raya Seminyak
This is a bead wholesaler and there is so much to choose from it is overwhelming. You can bargain, but when they offer 20,000rp (about $2.00) per piece there is not much point.
Body and Soul - Seminyak Square and Jln Raya Seminyak
My fave shop with lots of nice clothes. We always spend up big here as everything is about $30 - $40 each.
Sorry, I know I did a lot of shopping but I can't think as my mind is still on the food!
Anyway, we checked into the Tune Hotel in Kuta on the last afternoon and did some last minute department store shopping. We then had a sticky beak at a friend's wedding which was held on the beach in Tuban with the reception at Ma Joly. It was so beautiful - hopefully that will be me one day!! :)