9 Nights at Ramada Bintang again. Top spot.
Second trip, first was in June this year.
Pretty much did a lot of nothing, just sun, walks, drink & food.
Had a taxi trip to Sanur. Cost 10k each way.
Saw somewhere that Randys Bar was number 2 must do there.
Driver couldn't find it, nobody we asked had ever heard of it.
After going up and down the main street, finally found it, some crumby little empty place.
We didn't bother going in!
We found out where the beach was, found some bar that had every seat taken by what looked like a crowd of old fat guys that had just come back from a bad week in Patong.
Instead we took our drinks outside.
Was tempted to walk down to the small groyne to see what else was here, but the pack of about 8 dogs that had been prowling around decided to have a mass fight on the beach, so not wanting to risk the chance of getting a bite myself, we knocked back the drinks and went back to Kuta.
We didn't venture anywhere else on the island, though were offered a driver for 400k for 8 hours.
Maybe next time.
The places we dined are in reverse order of merit.
Il Cielo Italian pizza etc. Pretty average 5 out of 10. Wouldn't go again.
Queens of India, nice staff, nice food but 6 out of 10. Wouldn't go again.
Reason being it went through me like an express train and if it wasn't for Gastro Stop, don't know how I would have ended up.
I also know of a group who dined there this year several times and half the group were extremely sick.
Hotel unlimited a la carte. 6 out of 10. Wouldn't do again. Difficult trying to get the staff to get what you want.
Kori 6 out of 10. Wouldn't go again. Wife's meat was cold in the middle and had to get it microwaved. Just seemed like kids running the place.
Hotel Seafood Cultural night 7 out of 10. Done similar here last time, and it was a good way of tsting some genuine Bali cooking.
Pearl 9.5 out of 10. Would have got 10 if located in a better spot.
Shared the starter and also the desert tasting plates.
Mains, she had duck, I had lamb, beautiful.
With Bintangs and a bottle of Californian wine it cost 135k, tip included.
A must do next time.
Finally the winner, Ma Joly 10 out of 10.
Equally good food, but with a perfect setting.
Recommend booking there one hour before sun set on a Saturday night, as they have a saxophonist and good singer on.
The wife insisted on us going through 2 bottles of wine, against my advice! So I gave her 150k towards the bill, so am not sure of the final price!
Stumbled across Gado Gado for a swift drink.
Didn't know where we were until I asked.
Very impressed with what I saw and will be adding it to the list for next time.
Saw a couple of rats on our travels and a few other negatives, but not enough to spoil what was another brilliant holiday!