Bali Trip Report – Mar10

We spend 4 weeks exploring Bali and take a side trip to the beautiful Gili Islands to escape Nyepi

Getting to Bali

We secured cheap flights to Bali with Jetstar flying  Brisbane to Denpasar for just AU$358 each however the downside with this flight was a lengthy 4 hour stop-over in Darwin each way.  The return flight has you disembarking in Darwin around midnight where you clear customs.  Unless you can get a cheap flight to Bali like we did I suggest you look at alternate carriers who fly direct.

 

Sanur

On arrival at Denpasar we caught a cab to Swastika Bungalows where we stayed for our first 3 nights.  Nice gardens, swimming pools and breakfast.  Our room was fan only, however next time we would book the aircon rooms which were bigger and better appointed and just a few dollars extra.

Sanur has a nice beach which was just a short walk from our bungalow and has excellent restaurants nearby.  We met up with some friends one night for dinner at Kayu Mani.  The food and service at Kayu Mani, although only moderately priced was 5 star and is highly recommended if you’re ever in Sanur.

 

 

Candidasa

After our intro to Bali we headed up to Candidasa on the East coast.  We had booked into Bayshore Villas and I am a little hesitant to write how good this place was for fear of it becoming too well known.  We had a beachfront villa with drop dead gorgeous sea and pool views.  Bayshore villas have all the comforts you could wish for and is certainly a place to relax.  The owner, Brad, is an Aussie chef and has taught his staff well.  Needless to say our 5 day stay was soon extended to 11 days.

 

 

Whilst in Candidasa we  hired a bike to explore more of the rugged coastline and beaches.  Two places we particularly enjoyed were White Sand Beach and Talamben, where we snorkeled above the sunken wreck of the USAT Liberty.  Another place we enjoyed a few relaxing hours was Blue Lagoon.  This was a few kilometers south of Candidasa and quite near Padangbai.  Snorkeling in the crystal clear lagoon was most enjoyable.

Most evenings we strolled into town and dined at a selection of restaurants.  Conveniently a few of the better ones offered free pick-up and return to your resort afterwards.

 

Legian

It was sad to leave Bayshore Villas but it was time to explore the Legian region and meet up with some family and friends.  Our daughter Julie and a few friends were in Bali at the same time so it was great to catch up.  One thing we noticed about Legian, and Bali in general was the quality of western restaurants.  Every night was a memorable dining experience.   One place that really stood our was an Italian restaurant called Mozzarella in Legian.  Their scallop fettuccini followed by a cream brule’ soon became Jan’s favorite.  Jan and Julie certainly had their share of 2 for 1 cocktails and had the waiters running back and forth all evening.

 

 

We teamed up one day with Julie and her friends and rented a minivan for the day to take us to Tanalot and a few beaches.  Tanalot is a magnificent temple and should be  on your list of places to visit.  After a few hours of wondering around the seaside temple we went for a swim at the gorgeous Geger Beach and then across to Jimbaran beach for a few drinks.  We were even serenaded by a trio of musicians strolling the beach.  Bob seized the opportunity to show his skills on the bongos but the consensus was that he still needs a little more practice.  Oh, and nearly forgot to mention… Geger beach is one of the few beaches at which topless sunbathing is allowed

 

 

Ubud

Ubud is the cultural hub of Bali with lots of crafts and art shops to browse.  We had just a few days in Ubud so on our first day we hired a bike and toured the nearby villages.  The following day we hired a driver who took us up to the  rice terraces and on to Beratan Lake  to see Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and the Gitgit waterfalls.

 

 

Ubud has some great restaurants and we couldn’t leave without trying guiling pig at Ibu Oka.  We had a few beers one afternoon at a  cafe and were mesmerized by the view from the back of the cafe.  We sat sipping our drinks as a farmer would herd his flock of ducks from one rice paddy to the next,  quite an entertaining site to watch.  Later that evening we booked a driver for the next morning to drive us to the ferry port of Padangbai for our trip to the Gili Islands.

 

Gili Islands

After a short 2 hr fast ferry trip from Padagbai we arrived at Gili Trawangan or Gili T as it is known.  As soon as you reach the island you know that you will enjoy your stay here.  The waters are crystal clear and the island views beautiful.  Motorized transport is not allowed on the Gili Islands so all transport is via either pushbike or horse and carts know as cidomos.

We walked down the beachfront road and soon found a bungalow that suited us.  From our porch we could look out across the waters to the next nearby island.  Snorkeling here was absolute heaven.  After a 200 metre walk up the beach we would enter the water and then get carried back down along the reef to our bungalow by the slow rip.  Effortless snorkeling over the reef in crystal clear water while spotting turtles and other sea life became our favorite pastime.  Of an afternoon we would sit in the shallows watching little fish dart between our legs.  Memories of the crystal clear waters will stay with us forever.

 

 

One afternoon while snorkeling the rip I had a little upset stomach so said to Jan that I was going to go ashore.  Jan said she was okay and would stay out by herself.  Reluctantly I swam ashore and as I was approaching the beach turned to see if Jan was okay by herself but couldn’t see her.

To my surprise as I walked up on to the beach Jan was already there waiting for me.  After a few stuttering words she said… SHARRK!!!  Jan’s first shark encounter and being all alone raced to the shore and exited the water in lightening speed beating me  even though I had left her behind on the reef.  Ever since that day when I leave the water my “shadow” follows.

Gili Trawangan is a small island, so one afternoon we took a walk around it.  From the far side you get magnificent views of Mt Agung on Bali.  We timed our walk to be there for sunset but unfortunately due to the cloud cover we missed the opportunity.

Gili T has some very laid back bars and restaurants along the beachfront, so evenings were spent at different places each night.  The atmosphere sitting at an open beachside bar chatting to fellow travelers and exchanging stories was a great was to finish off each day in paradise.

 

Sadly our 5  days in the Gili Islands went all too fast so it was back to Padangbai and on to Legian for our last night before our flight home.

 [help] Our flight details:
Brisbane to Denpasar – JetStar Flt JQ81
Depart Sat 20Feb10 1205hrs arrive Denpasar 2120hrs (4 hr stopover in Darwin)
Denpasar to Brisbane – Jetstar Flt JQ82
Depart Sat 20Mar10 2250hrs arrive BNE Sun 21Mar10 1020hrs (4 hr stopover in Darwin)
*** Return airfares incl all taxes $358 each [/help]

 

 

Have you been to Bali, Indonesia? Comment with your own favorites or insights below!

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