Well back to Sanur. Really do like the place. Taxi from airport $15, seems to be the going rate. Ate at MONA Lisa, excellent food and service and quite cheap. Wicked Parrot also okay but a bit dearer. Coconut tree warung,always reliable and very cheap. Fire Station, great food and wine, but probably best of all was Bennos on the beach. The food was really great and the wine was buy two get one free so of course I had to have three. No problem. We stayed at Puri Sading hotel this time and it was very good. They are building a new reception area at the front so it was a bit noisy at times, but that didn't really worry us greatly. The staff were lovely and most apologetic so they gave us cake and fruit to compensate. Last night we were upgraded to pool view room which was more upmarket and lovely.
Hired a driver one day to take us to Padangbai, Candidasa and White Sand Beach. This place was fantastic, a real hidden gem. Beautiful beach for swimming and very friendly locals. Had an excellent lunch of fried rice and calamari. Cost $10 for two with drinks. The walk down to the beach was very hot, but you can actually drive right down for a $1 parking fee.
Our driver Made, was a mine of information and very careful. I would hire him again.
Of course hired bikes and rode around the whole area but wife is not so keen on traffic. My advice was just don't look behind you and no worries!
Sanur is surely becoming busier every year but still a great place to stay. Shopping at Hardys is always interesting and gives you a good idea of current prices. Massages by Diah at Angel Spa are fantastic as always.
Tuesday, Made drove us back to Kuta and the Masa Inn. Really like this hotel in Poppies 1. It's very comfortable and central with heaps of good restaurants nearby. Love the baguettes at Secret Garden for lunch. So far have eaten at Tubes in Poppies 2, always reliable, Secret Garden, very cheap and cheerful and tonight we go to Mozzarella at Magani to say goodbye to the girls and have a drink and then we'll eat at Lemongrass Thai in Melasti street.
Finished the shopping today. Bought the usual heap of DVDs and some beautiful metal wall hangings from a shop in Legian street that has a huge range at good prices. They are just beautiful! Also went to Ketuts fixed price shop in Garlic lane. She was making a killing, very busy. Lovely lady and no ripoff. Also bought 10 pairs of sunglasses for people at home who had ordered. Only pay $2 a pair so no great damage there. Also bought jeans at Matahari for $15 a pair. They fit me perfectly because I'm on the slim side!
Last night we went down the beach for fantastic sunset. I reckon half Bali was there and enjoying the place. Met a lovely couple from another Indonesian Island who insisted on having photos with us. She said," You call me when you come to my island." I don't think her boyfriend agreed and neither would my wife! Pity about that eh!Plenty of beer still being sold on the beach and in all small shops around Kuta so new rules haven't made any difference. Dollar is currently at 10300 rupiah in the street.
Well only one full day left so have to make the most of it and then back to Adelaide on Saturday afternoon flight. Hope you enjoy reports. Back in October.