Hello all. After three years and five visits to beautiful Bali thought I would finally put pen to paper to share my last trip - after all, I have read and gained lots of useful info through this forum over the last few years.
Partner and I recently returned from 14 wonderfully relaxing days. Firstly, to our accommodation selections, as we stayed in three different places over the 14 nights. Firstly, for seven nights we stayed at the Kumala Pantai in Legian. A hidden gem that is three star and tucked away nicely from the hustle and bustle. Our first week we are out and about a fair bit ( shopping, massages, eating out, shopping and massages) so this place suited us really well. Next, after a hectic week we shot off for three nights to beautiful, relaxing and tranquil Lembongon Island, staying at Villa Shambala ( more details later). Our trip rounded off nicely with 4 superb nights in the lush surrounds of The Ulin's One bed villa in Seminyak. A great place to really wind down and forget all the stresses in life !
OK, so back to the start now and more detail. We flew Air Asia for the first time, arriving from Perth at 8.30 am - a great time to arrive as very few other flights were there, so we got thru within 20 minutes. Stepping out of the terminal into the smell of the humidity and the sounds of Bali is a fond memory that I look forward to every time ! Arriving at the hotel early was no problem as the hotel had our room ready to go - unpacked got settled and off for a walk on the beach. The hotel is on Legian Beach virtually next door to Jayakarta. Decided to try the hotel's restaurant for lunch and was pleasantly surpised - my partners pasta dish and my wood fired pizza were excellent. The location of the restaurant is really nice, right on the beach road, with plenty of cute squirrels running up and down the trees. This is the same place they serve breakfast - a nice way to plan the strategies for the day ahead. Food is nice and fresh with good variety. So now for a condensed version of the first week, as I am sure you don't want to hear what we did for each minute of the day. Plenty of shopping - I tend to buy 25-30 t-shirts every trip, so went down to a guy I have bought off now a couple of times in Kuta (first big stall next to KFC) - I also buy a few Ralph Lauren shirts from the "POLO" shops and learnt something new this time. The stores with the logo as just "polo" are made in Bali (still genuine) but the stores with "POLO by Ralph Lauren " are of a finer quality. I have noticed the difference now that I have both types at home. Best priced store was between KFC and Matahari entrance - I searched all week ( much to my partners annoyance). Loaded up on underwaer and socks from D&G store and bought a few pairs of sandals from an old guy on JL Double Six. My partner and I decided to buy a lot of leathers this time. We went into the place at eleven o'clock from the hotels entrance. In short, three jackets for me, 2 for my partner, really well made and minor alterations done without fuss. My partner had trouble finding a shoe maker that would do a true "pump" heel, but finally found one on the street from the hotel that leads back out to JL Legian - Six pairs later (all different colours) and matching clutches made for a happy girl !! Of course all this shopping leads to sore feet and muscles, so off to "Sole" 100 metres from KFC - Reflexology (1 hour) with a soulder massage to finish. Keput gives me the best, walk on my back massage I have had. He cracks my back....Awesome!! Also found a place in Seminyak on Kunti (off JL Seminyak) called 'Chill' nicely upmarket yet not over the top pricing. So relaxing I fell asleep during our 2 hour treatment.
Now on to our restaurants worth talking about in the first week. There is a white brick italian restaurant on Jl Double Six at the turn off to the hotel. Really nice authentic italian served fresh and promptly for a good price - became our lunchtime spot just about everyday. Ate at Un's off Poppies 1 and would have to say the best restaurant we have eaten, all things considered ( creme brulee is to die for! ). Also found Rumours in Seminyak (sitting under a glass roof while teeming with rain was pretty unique) and 'C' Bistro on Legian beach a highlight as well.
So, after a hectic first week we packed up and headed to Lembongon Island for three nights. WE booked the trip over there thru scoot cruises - their fastboat gets over there in about 45 mins, cost is $50 (return). They pick you up from hotel and drop you back when you return. After viewing our villa accomodation on-line we where quite excited. The island is gorgeous and laregly unspoiled. The feeling of peace and relaxation starts with arrival on the island with the boat pulling up on the beach, stepping into pristine ankle deep water. Our villa manager was there to pick us up and did everything for us. The roads are primitive in places and as our villa is a stand alone scenario, the journey was interesting. The villa sits on a cliff top surrounded by natural bush. It has it's own plunge pool. The 220 degree ocean view is astounding, as we watched the sunrise and sunets over water, a rare life experience. Recommend to hire scooters to get around as the roads are not great, but the scooters a lot of fun anyway, as there is very little traffic to contend with. The manager of the villa can organise anything for you, including the boat we hired for a day of snorkelling. Everything included for a 4 hour adventure around the island, stopping in three different places ( cost 400 000 rupiah). The water is crystal clear, refreshing and plenty of tropical fish to see ! - a highlight. Had lunch on day 1 on Mushroom beach in a sand floor place right on the beach. Watching the local kids swimming and playing without a care in the world makes you realise how simple real pleasure can be ! who needs all the gadgets and technology we surround ourselves with. Highly recommend Sunset cafe, a simple place, but just astonishing as the sun goes down. It sits on a cliff and surrounds you with nature. We had Lobster cooked over an open grill their divers had caught that morning from a cave area under the cafe. Sunset was just incredible, coupled with a view of Bali and Mt Agung in the distance. Day 2 and we decided to get on our scooters and explore the island. The locals are so friendly and very helpful. After cruising along past the seaweed farms, we came upon the mangroves at the far end of the island, and lunch was again in a beachside cafe. After crossing a little wooden slatted bridge to another island, we were summonsed by 4 or 5 kids excitedly yelling at us to 'come this way' - they seemed so excited we just had to follow them. Four or five minutes later we found ourselves coming upon a group of 10-15 locals all standing around a section of clearing in the bush. Right there in front of us was a newly born calf (only minutes old apparently). The locals excitement and happinesss was infectious, and the calf so cute !!
Spent the next couple of nights just relaxing in our villa and enjoying each others company in a truly romantic location ( you feel like you are all alone in the world), so no more details available for public consumption !
Headed back to Bali for our last four nigts at 'The Ulin' in Seminyak. Stayed here based on the astonishingly good reviews on tripadvisor.com - and was not disappointed. Just sensational villa. We enjoyed the villa so much that we really didn't venture out much. The full sized swimming pool a real delight.
Returned home fully recharged and with some special life memories. Thanks Bali, see you again soon !!