“Planning to go to Bali, would you like to come?”
That sealed the deal and I was back in Bali less than 3 months later with my dad and a cousin on a family vacation. Clearly this is a very comfortable holiday compared to my backpacking adventures and it was structured. Correction, it was VERY organised and we managed to do and see a lot in 6 days.
If you haven’t already seen my previous post on Bali, this is just an extension of that but on the other end of the scale.
That sealed the deal and I was back in Bali less than 3 months later with my dad and a cousin on a family vacation. Clearly this is a very comfortable holiday compared to my backpacking adventures and it was structured. Correction, it was VERY organised and we managed to do and see a lot in 6 days.
If you haven’t already seen my previous post on Bali, this is just an extension of that but on the other end of the scale.
Tanjong Benoa.
We stayed at Fontana Bali, a hotel located just off the main street of Kuta. This made pick-up and drop-off easy as we’re not stuck in traffic-central plus it was low season, so more to be merry about!
Pura Tirta Empul.
Seminyak is one of the places in Bali where if you want to be seen, you got to be here. The restaurants here as well as the cafés are some of the best in Bali. You have a range of affordable restaurants to some really top-notch-high-end sort. This trip to Bali was much of a gastronomical affair as my dad is a little picky about street food.
Seminyak may be a place frequented by shopaholics but the extension of the area right up to Petitenget, Umalas and Kerobokan, are best known for food. These other districts that border Seminyak is where most of the restaurants are. One such, serving up beautiful assortment of Asian food is Mama San. The interior of this place is gorgeous, brilliant service and just beautiful food. Not far from there is a café that serves some of the best local coffee, Anomali Coffee. Mind you, it’s usually filled with people on computers and caffeine junkies, also the occasional groups of the traveling sort. Its laid back and just deliciousl local coffee!
For more up scale bars and restaurant, you might want to head to places like Ku De Ta, Potato Head and La Lucciola. Heading to these places you have to be dressed especially if you’re going for dinner, in smart casual wear. Along the way here, there are restaurants and cafés that are worth a stop too.
Seminyak may be a place frequented by shopaholics but the extension of the area right up to Petitenget, Umalas and Kerobokan, are best known for food. These other districts that border Seminyak is where most of the restaurants are. One such, serving up beautiful assortment of Asian food is Mama San. The interior of this place is gorgeous, brilliant service and just beautiful food. Not far from there is a café that serves some of the best local coffee, Anomali Coffee. Mind you, it’s usually filled with people on computers and caffeine junkies, also the occasional groups of the traveling sort. Its laid back and just deliciousl local coffee!
For more up scale bars and restaurant, you might want to head to places like Ku De Ta, Potato Head and La Lucciola. Heading to these places you have to be dressed especially if you’re going for dinner, in smart casual wear. Along the way here, there are restaurants and cafés that are worth a stop too.
Anomali Coffee serves up good local coffee.
During the day, we would visit a temple or two, or an area while we spend the evenings within south Bali, which is not too far of a drive from Kuta. We hired a driver and a guide for the entire stay and I have to admit, it was pretty luxurious for me, as I have seen Bali on my previous trips on a scooter (way more fun and adventurous if you don’t mind the sunburn and a few wrong turns).
One of our first temple stops was Pura Tirta Empul, a temple known for its purifying water pond. The holy water comes from an underground spring where it is then channelled to watering spouts devotees bath from. After dipping myself in these waters, we stopped by Ubud. This temple is not far from Ubud hence visiting Pura Tirta Empul and the Monkey Forest temple in Ubud is possible in a day.
One of our first temple stops was Pura Tirta Empul, a temple known for its purifying water pond. The holy water comes from an underground spring where it is then channelled to watering spouts devotees bath from. After dipping myself in these waters, we stopped by Ubud. This temple is not far from Ubud hence visiting Pura Tirta Empul and the Monkey Forest temple in Ubud is possible in a day.
Feeding time…but watch out for your spectacles!
In the evening we headed down to the all-famous Rock Bar at the Ayana Resort. Clearly the Rock Bar doesn’t do any table reservations unless you are in a group so it on a first come, first serve basis. At night, you can’t really appreciate the beauty of the vicinity as much, but I was taken a back a little with its tasteful lighting. The resort itself is beautiful not to mention the bar situated on a rock at sea. The breeze is soothing, the sound of crashing waves amidst lounge music is perfect for after dinner drinks.
You'll have to take a 'cable car' ride down to the bar from the resort.
Clearly the bar only serves a small selection of tapas so we opt to have dinner at Sami Sami, which served Italian food within the Ayana Resort. It was beautiful food, again, and the view was…dark. We should had gone there to watch the sunset and have dinner, but I can’t complain, the food was good and the resort’s grounds are amazing.
Amazing ambience...
We went back there before we left Bali to catch the sunset while sipping on Caipirinha’s at the Rock Bar. They open at 4pm and we were there by 5pm. Its best to be there before 5:30pm as the crowd starts packing in. Seats are taken up fast! Since there is no shade, you’re given umbrellas to shade yourself.
I normally would opt to sit out in the sun, but I think I made a wise choice by saying yes to the brolly. It was too hot and I would have been sunburnt! The tapas here are all right, nothing I would shout about but the view and ambience during sun down is beautiful. The crashing waves may spray you at times but its just amazing.
I normally would opt to sit out in the sun, but I think I made a wise choice by saying yes to the brolly. It was too hot and I would have been sunburnt! The tapas here are all right, nothing I would shout about but the view and ambience during sun down is beautiful. The crashing waves may spray you at times but its just amazing.
Sunset by Ayana Resort.
We also headed down to Tanjong Benoa where most of the water activities are held. This place is packed with tourist as it the only spot close to Kuta that the corals are predominant when you snorkel. Don’t bother diving here or trying to dive here as there is nothing here to dive. I wouldn’t recommend it, even if you plan to do a DSD (discovery scuba dive) do it on other locations in Bali such as Tulamben, Amed and other places to the north. The only other place to dive here is Nusa Lembongan in the south.
The prices for water activities are ridiculously expensive and not worth it down at Tanjong Benoa. Bottom line, tourist trap… beware.
The prices for water activities are ridiculously expensive and not worth it down at Tanjong Benoa. Bottom line, tourist trap… beware.
Sea Circus (located between Ku De Ta and Potato Head, serve some mean gelato and its perfect on a hot sunny day!
There are other activities such as white water rafting, hiking and other outdoor sport that are better, cheaper and well organised (did I mention safe?) further away from Kuta. I did the sunrise hike up to Mount Batur, which is relatively easy and rewarding.
Mouth watering food at Mama San.
Clearly I couldn’t do a lot of outdoor sports as I would like too but have to admit, I had a good time and it was really nice to see my dad, for once, enjoy his holiday!
Think we have found a new family vacation destination!
Got to thank my dad for this trip.
Next up: Mount Batur
Think we have found a new family vacation destination!
Got to thank my dad for this trip.
Next up: Mount Batur
Down by Uluwatu.