Bali: Places of interest, food

[nev]

Over the years I've written countless recommendations for places to visit and good food in Bali, and here are the ones that have not changed.

I hope this is useful.

Places to visit:

• Uluwatu Temple (about 1 hour by car), the hotel should have some information. The best time to go is around 3pm, so you can catch the sunset and kecak dance. http://wikitravel.org/en/Uluwatu

• Dreamland for the surfing babes and beautiful beach. This is not far from Uluwatu so both can be done in a day.

• GWK park http://www.baliblog.com/guide/002946.shtml or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garuda_Wisnu_Kencana (this is also near Uluwatu)

• Tanah Lot Temple (about 1.5 hours by car) http://wikitravel.org/en/Tanah_Lot

• Kintamani (Lake Batur), about 1.5 hours by car. http://wikitravel.org/en/Kintamani

• Ubud (1 hour by car) http://wikitravel.org/en/Ubud. Make time to visit the Antonio Blanco museum http://www.blancobali.com if you go to Ubud, it's an absolute must-do!!

For food:

• Sanur area:
  • D'Corner, the diver's hangout - Jalan Danau Poso
  • Kafe Batujimbar - Jalan Danau Tamblingan 75A, Sanur, Phone +62-361 287374
  • Ming's Le Resto - Jalan Danau Tamblingan http://www.restoming-bali.com/EN/welcome.php

• Kuta/Seminyak area:
  • Loloan http://www.bhimaswarung.com/loloan.htm
  • KuDeTa, beachfront bar/cafe/restaurant (very expensive) http://www.kudeta.net/
  • Warung Made (there are two, ask around, everyone knows this place) http://www.madeswarung.com/
  • Kafe Warisan http://www.kafewarisan.com/

• Ubud:
  • "Naughty Nuri's" - Jalan Raya Sanggingan, Ubud (opposite Museum Neka, the museum is worth visiting) +62-361 977547 (best BBQ in town) http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides ... etail.html
  • Bebek Bengil - Padang Tegal, Ubud +62-361 975489 http://www.agungraka.com/bebekbengil/
  • Kafe Wayan, Monkey Forest Road http://www.alamindahbali.com/cafe_wayan.htm
  • Babi Guling- BU OKA. Diagonally opposite Ubud market. Opens at 11am. http://www.travel-betty.com/was-ibu-oka ... t-to-bali/
  • Murni's Warung http://www.murnis.com/warung/warung.htm

[slinky]

Oooh, thanks, Nev!!! We're going to Bali in December, so I'll have to check some of these out!

[canuck]

BU OKA babi guling, Excellent! Cold Cold beer, yummy yummy roast pork and veggies, can't be beat

[Fat Bob]

Vote to move this to Insider Guides!

Places to stay:

Seminyak: Uma Sepna
Tulamben (if you are diving or relaxing whilst someone you know dives): Tauch Tulamben
Mejangan(again good for diving): Mimpi Menjangan


Dive sites:
Tulamben: USS Liberty wreck, coral garden and drop off all off the beach, and a couple of dive sites around the headland by boat.
Menjangan: Lots of little stuff, pigmy sea horses, beautiful white sand beaches in one of Bali's nature reserves.
Candi Dasa: few dive sites in and around the bay, then also out into the strait where there's a bit more of swell and current
Nusa Penida: some strong currents, some large walls, and if you're lucky, the Mola Mola!

Yes, there are better places in the region to stay, but Bali is so accessable and some of the dives are just great.

[nev]

I just thought I'd add a few frequently-asked recommendations:

Driver + car:
Made Wira Mobile +62-8123967403 - He speaks some English
Komang Ariana Mobile +6285935191404 - He speaks English

Local tour guide:
I Gusti Ketut Artha (Ketut) Mobile +628123957976 artha69@hotmail.com

Car rental (will deliver to airport at a small fee):

• Ketut Kusdiantara Mobile +62 8123 98 5056 P : +62 361 288 803 F : +62 361 285 067 www.sindhumertha.com reservation@sindhumertha.com (He can also provide a driver, just ask him. I would also highly recommend their inexpensive hotel in Sanur.)

• Ketut Kartala Mobile +628174704016

• Ketut Suartana Mobile +628123810968 or P: +623617878825

Dive centers (they all provide pick up from your hotel):

• Bali Scuba (Sanur) http://www.baliscuba.com/

• Waterworx (Padangbai) http://www.waterworxbali.com/

Learn to surf:
Odyssey Kuta - Michael Mobile +628123851028

[expat yorkshire]

Nev what is the rough price for the car plus driver

[nev]

Car + driver should be about USD60-80 for 8 hours not including petrol/tips.

[chocolate]

Has anyone stayed here http://tegal-sari.com/index.htm - has great reviews.
Taking other suggestions too...

Am trawling through these threads now - will March be decent in Bali ? Not like I tan anyway but I'd like some sun!
Part 2 of honeymoon - Ubud and then maybe beach for a few days - or maybe just ubud.......

Kooky - which is the villa you stayed at - can't find in my gmail..

[Kooky]

Villa Kubu in Seminyak. Villa number 10 (twice). Don't think we're the only forumites to do so

[nev]

Delaney et al stayed at C151 villas in Seminyak, it was really nice, private pool, huge villa. The staff organized a BBQ for us and the food was awesome.

For Ubud, I really liked Biyukukung, and Kori Ubud. Get the top-end room, they're not that much more expensive and the view is amazing.

[nev]

Oh I recently discovered Bebek Tepi Sawah (literally means "duck by the paddy fields") in Ubud. Great food and ambience.

[chocolate]

Thanks Nev!

[sluggo]

The two times we were in Ubud we stayed at Alam Sari in the village of Keliki (just outside Ubud) and really liked it.
http://www.alamsari.com/index.html

[nev]

The two times we were in Ubud we stayed at Alam Sari in the village of Keliki (just outside Ubud) and really liked it.
http://www.alamsari.com/index.html

Looks nice sluggo, I'll check it out next time. It's not really in Ubud but I usually drive so it's not a problem for me. Thanks for the info!

[nev]

For Ubud, I really liked Biyukukung, and Kori Ubud. Get the top-end room, they're not that much more expensive and the view is amazing.

Biyukukung is very conveniently located, right behind the famous Bebek Bengil. It's within walking distance to some shops and the Monkey Forest, but not right smack in the touristy area so it's quiet. My sister stayed there for the honeymoon, the suite was very nice with a private jacuzzi and covered patio overlooking the paddy field.

Kori Ubud is not within walking distance to the main tourist strip (Monkey Forest Road, Ubud Market, etc.) but is within 5 mins drive. I stayed in the luxury suite, which has a private balcony overlooking paddy fields. The room was enormous, the bathroom has a huge tub. Nearby, there are two museums (Museum Neka, and Antonio Blanco museum), and two awesome restaurants: Nuri's (best ribs!) and Murni's Warung. A little further away but still walkable, Pura Dalem Ubud (the main Ubud temple) has kecak (fire dance) performance some evenings. The schedule is here.

[nev]

Just to add a few foodie places in Ubud:

Ary's Warung - famous for the durian brulee (it's fantastic) but they have other nice desserts too if you're not into durian. Their house-blend herbal drinks are also very nice.
Casa Luna - very nice desserts (didn't eat any main course so can't comment).

[sluggo]

The two times we were in Ubud we stayed at Alam Sari in the village of Keliki (just outside Ubud) and really liked it.
http://www.alamsari.com/index.html

Looks nice sluggo, I'll check it out next time. It's not really in Ubud but I usually drive so it's not a problem for me. Thanks for the info!

Its not in the city of Ubud but just outside Ubud. They have transit to and from Ubud several times a day and it is actually close enough to walk if you are interested in a nice hike. We did the hike to town and really enjoyed it. I can't remember how long it took but it wasn't bad.

[Kooky]

One week, three villas

So I'm nearing the end of a last-minute week in Seminyak and, for those of you not subjected to all the photos on my Facebook page, I thought I'd update this and tell you Villa Kubu is still wonderful.

Due to limited availability I started out in Villa 8, which is marketed as a one-bedder with an optional second but I don't really get that as it has 2 almost identical bedrooms and lovely bathrooms (as well as a third behind the bale). Then to the old Luxe Guide and forum favourite Villa 10 - I try not to think too much about who has slept in that bed - it's still my favourite of the two. It really is one-bedroom and actually it's open plan with the lounge, separated by a curtain, but for me that's ideal as I hate aircon so could use fans and breathe. Right now I'm waiting for an 11pm flight home and Villa 10 was booked so I have moved over to Villa 15 which is small, with just a plunge pool, but is fine for a single or a last-minute trip for a couple.

The spa is still very good; in the last year or so they've opened their own cafe (room service used to be from the villas down the road) and the food is excellent; the staff are still a cut above. Highly recommended, especially with the very last-minute addition of a

to keep you company

[daffodil]

Some old / new suggestions courtesy of the SMH :

http://www.theage.com.au/travel/activit ... 23y95.html

Haven't been to Bail in ages, maybe time for a trip