Indonesia
He was friendly, trustworthy, reliable and full of local knowledge - it made my trip a once in a lifetime!
Area in north east Bali with fantastic snorkelling, diving and beaches. Well away from the busy south but has some great small hotels and places to eat.
What a find in the backstreets of Ubud. Belgian owned and very professional. Eat inside in the Wantilan, or where we preferred to sit every night, outside in the garden courtyard. Mainly European food, simple but well prepared and presented. Staff are wonderful, pleasant friendly Balinese. On average we spent 20 pounds for two main courses and one half litre of wine. Always full and need reservation for dinner.
Jln. Bisma 9, Ubud.
(0361) 972.706
www.cafedesartistesbali.com
Just back from another great holiday in Bali. Amazed by the quality of their new restaurants, and the incredible low prices. What would cost 100 Pounds in London is 20% of that in Bali. I get the BaliEats Newsletter every month to keep updated on all the new restaurants.
It's a restaurant that has the best sambal (spicy chili paste to eat with plain grilled fish and rice) in Bali. Not for those who don't like very spicy food, though.
Take the road from Denpasar to Nusa Dua, it's about two miles before Nusa Dua, high above the road on the righthand side.
I did and was completely taken aback how, though being a little bland, when mixed with a tangy sauce can be quite tasty.
All over the island
We wandered into the courtyard of the palace as a respite from the market over the road — and ended up staying. Some of the pavilions have been turned into hotel rooms, but like no other hotel room you’ve ever stayed in: huge carved wooden doors, pagoda roofs supported by gilt pillars, painted masks, brocaded chairs. Some of the Sukawati family, who own the palace, were lounging on daybeds in other salons, one surrounded by birds of prey. And you can hear the music from the traditional dances from the comfort of your room. Surreal.
Ubud Palace, Jl Raya Ubud, 036 975057 $65 a night.
The Dirty Duck restaurant is as much a feast for the eyes as for the stomach. Stunningly beautiful open-air restaurant overlooking rice fields.
The duck is done to perfection and the
pumpkin soup is heavenly!
Tulamben Wreck Divers and Paradise Palm Beach are much cheaper than the main ones that come up on the Internet, like Tauch Terminal, Mimbi and Emerald.
Tulamben Wreck Divers, Tulamben, Bali.
Tel : +62 3632 3400
www.tulambenwreckdivers.com
Paradise Palm Beach, Tulamben, Bali.
www.aquamarinediving.com
Tel : +62 3 6173 0107
Fabulous hotel/guest house - relaxed atmosphere, upmarket travellers haunt mixed with regular holiday makers - great pools, rooms, location etc.
Poppies Lane I/27, Kuta Beach
Tel: 62 361 758 507
masainn.com
A hill town with a relaxed vibe surrounded by lush rice paddies... the perfect retreat.
Ubud is around an hour by car from the airport, and about 40 minutes from Sanur. Catch a taxi of bemo, or a shuttle bus from Kuta.
Very comfortable yet quiet small guesthouse set back amongst the bustling throngs of THE place to surf n party.
Lovely pool and agreeable price lets you spend extra bargaining for gifts and art in Ubud market.
poppies 1 kuta beach down an alley on your lefthand side sharp eyes needed to see a blue sign
Stylish modern restaurant for beautiful food and pretty people. Great to laze away in the sun during the day or party with great music at night, all the while feeling the wind in your hair as you hear the surf break on the shore just metres away.
Fancy a fluffy night? Go to one of these bars from 10pm and see the drag divas doing their stuff with costumes more spectacular than Cher, wigs bigger than Sir Elton John and dance routines more excitable than Steps on speed. Hulu Cafe is fun for all the family.
Hulu Cafe - Jalan Padma and Jalan Melasti, Legian;
Q Bar - Abimanyu Arcade, 1-2 Jln Dhyana Pura; Kudos - www.kudosbali.com
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