Showing posts with label Bali. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bali. Show all posts

Friday, 30 June 2023

Eat, Pray, Love Bali Here I come

With Movement Control Order (MCO) due to Covid 19 pandemic over for quite some time, and with the new domestic helper on board,  my husband has been numerous times telling me to arrange travel and I have been procrastinating!

Since RCI has this unit in Avani Seminyak, here we go again to Bali for 2nd time for 4 nights stay.  The last was most more than 10 years ago when my two boys are still studying in primary or high school.





Bali Itinerary 22- 26 May 2023

Day 1 22 May Mon
5.30am leave fr home
6.15am Reach Putrajaya Sentral Park & Ride 
6.22am 20 mins KLIA Transit journey depart to KLIA2
8.30am Boarding time
9.00am Via Air Asia X D7 798 ETA 1200 hrs

I have arranged via whatapps for 1 pm Bluebird Group Meter Taxi +6281994999123 pick up estimate IDR75k - IDR100k at Denpasar Airport Departure Hall level 2/parking area. Estimate about 30mins to Seminyak. If I book private car, it will cost IDR200 - 250K. I have paid IDR100k for this transfer to hotel. Basically saving of IDR100k. The driver Bambang Hermawan is from Jawa working in Bali.  Bluebird taxi uses meter all times.  He can be reached at +62 813 3813 3488 though he is not good in English, we have no problem as we can converse in Bahasa Indonesia.

Taxi tips
Take the elevator, located on the left after the first convenience store past the telecom booths to the 3rd floor where departures are dropping off other tourists.

You can often wave down a Bluebird Taxi (the only kind you should ever use) and get him to take you to your destination using the meter.

5pm Bluebird taxi pick from hotel to kedonganan traditional fish market/jimbaran fish market and for Jimbaran Sunset View Seafood dinner, approximately 45 mins away.  We had dinner at Kampoeng Seafood Restaurant accompanied by beautiful sunset view.

Day 2 23 May Tues 
We took hotel shuttle to Seminyak beach, approximately 5 mins away, had a stroll and breakfast there.  This beach is suitable for surfing.  We then slowly walk back to hotel, about 15 minutes walk. In the afternoon, we went for light meal at Hibiscus about 5 minutes walk from hotel.  

At 4 pm our Bluebird taxi driver came to pick us  as we intend to be at Bali Safari and Marine Park, Gianyar by 5 pm to exchange our ticket which I have purchased online prior to the trip. If you walk in, it will be IDR1m for night safari whereas we paid IDR880K per person, a 12% discount.
 
It was a satisfying unforgettable experience of a night time adventure in the wilderness.

A specially designed caged tram will take you on a journey where you will get to witness and hand-feed animals at a close range!  Then indulge in BBQ buffet dinner, follow by Fire Show. By time you finish will be around 8.30 - 9pm. Program details:

Walking Safari
Welcome Drink
Night Safari Journey (1x)
Dinner
The Rhythm of African Fire Dance Show
Animal Encounter

 For the Night Safari Program:

The counter is open from 5pm
Activities start at 6pm
Last walking safari program at 7.15pm
The counter closes at 8pm
The program ends around 9pm
 
Then we whatapps our Bluebird taxi driver to fetch us back to hotel.  His home is nearby about 15 minutes away.

Day 3 24 May Wed 
Pre-arranged via whatapps with Nyoman Go Wisata Nusa Penida +62 822-9854-8647 at agreed price of IDR1.9m for 2 pax for Package D.

6am pick up from hotel 30 - 40 mins journey
Speed boat at Sanur port to Nusa Penida, approximate 45 mins. Last boat back 4.30pm. 
 
Package D 
Tree hse (we didnt manage this as the way down is too long and with lots uneven steps)
Diamond beach
Thousand island
Kelingking
Paluang Cliff (if got time) - we skipped this
Angel bilabong
Broken beach

The weather was hot, lots of walking to the beautiful sceneries.

Inclusions 🏖️🏖️
▪️Return Hotel transfers with private car
▪️Return Fastboat ( Go and Return )
▪️Mineral water on Arrival
▪️Lunch ( Indonesian food)
▪️Private Car for the Tour
▪️Entrances ticket 
▪️Parking fee
▪️Retribution to Goverment
 
We reached Sanur Port earlier than we thought and the driver who picked us this morning came to fetch us back to hotel.  We had a good rest and late dinner at Hibiscus Restaurant since is just walking distance.

Day 4 25 May Thurs 
Pre arranged with Made Bedu, D'Bali Private Driver +62 812-3767-4240 at agreed price of IDR1.6m for 2 pax

3am pick up. Journey 2 hrs
Jeep Mt Batur Sunrise Tour
+Tengalalang Rice Terrace include IDR50k x 2 entrance fee

Mount Batur Jeep Sunrise:
Price IDR 1.6 Million All included, 1 Jeep fit up to 3 people.
* Hotel transfer (Private) Seminyak
* Mineral Water on the Car
* Jeep Sunrise
* Small breakfast
* Insurance 
* Black Lava after Jeep Sunrise

On the way back to hotel visit Tengalalang Rice Terrace (inclusive entrance fee for 2).  Then we have our own lunch at Resto Teba Sari not far from Tengalalang Rice Terrace.  We were then transferred back to hotel.
 
Our driver, Made is always cheerful, something that I admired even though the journey is long. 

For Dinner, we walked to Resto Kendi Kuning, about 5 minutes from hotel.  Glad we found this place for our last night in Bali. The lady boss from Melbourne is a friendly person, she is married to Balinese. We loved the food served here.

Day 5 26 May Fri
D7 799 1335/1650 hrs
Be at airport 11.30am
Leave from Avani 10.30am with Bluebird Taxi.

We relaxed at hotel till check out and transfer to airport. We had instant noodle for breakfast as we still can get some meal before boarding at the airport. 
 
For this trip we did something that we have not done before during our first trip.  Love the Jeep Sunrise, experienced the animals close encounter, seeing the undisturbed island of Nusa Penida. A good though short trip to rejuvenate, bringing home lasting memories.


Jimbaran Beach Sunset

Sunday, 4 May 2014

Bali - Magical Island

We were doubtful each time we wanted to visit Bali as it had been bombed twice in 2002 and 2005. Everyone who visited Bali would say wonderful place. So we finally visited Bali in November 2011 on a 5 days 4 nights free and easy tour.

We were picked up from Denpasar airport by a driver arranged by Tjok Bagus, recommended by one of my Jakarta friend who studied in Bali. And was brought to check in to our Kuta Seaview Boutique Resort & Spa  booked through hotelclub.com.  The beach is just opposite the hotel. It was a relaxing day.
 

Hard Rock Cafe at Jalan Pantai Kuta

The next morning, our driver, Pak Gedek came to pick us for sightseeing.  We stopped at Bagli-Bali for Luwak Coffee which cost Rp60k and Male Coffee Rp30k.  The rental car which came with driver cost Rp275,000 per day.

Coffee

Then we went to Pura Bersakih, the mother temple, entrance fee was Rp50,000. You need to wear a sarong to be able to enter the temple.

Pura Besakih, the mother Temple

Later we had our lunch at Batur Sari Restaurant while enjoying the view of Batur Volcano and panorama of the biggest lake view.
Volcano



On the second day, we went to Tanah Lot, entrance fees cost Rp35,000.
Tanah LotTemple that stand on huge rock in the ocean

We also went to GWK (Garuda Wisnu Kencana) Statue, highest in the world and Dreamland beach, a beautiful white sandy beach.

At Uluwatu, holy temple in southern part of Bali we watched Kecak and Fire Dance with beautiful sunset. Tickets for 4 pax to watch the dance cost Rp280,000.


Indian Ocean Spectacular View from Uluwatu


Kecak Dance


Then we went to Jimbaran, famous for its fresh grill seafood, sitting by the beach.  The food here at Aroma Restaurant was excellent.



Grill Seafood dinner at Aroma, Jimbaran Bay


A day before we suppose to leave for home, we enjoyed our day in the hotel and the beach.  My both kids had went for Surfing lesson RP400,000 for 2 person.
We also went shopping at Quick Silver situated at Legian Street, the place where bombing took place in 2002 and visited the Memorial Monument.

Dont forget to try the Babi Guling or Suckling Pig, the famous balinese food.
Bali to me, a magical island as it attracts lots of visitors all over the world especially Australia.