Places to visit in Bali

The Bay - public area

Bali, the well-known paradise. Either you are looking for suntan, beaches, wave to ride, hip bars, exotic culinary or cultural experience…all (body and soul needs) are offered on this tiny island. Being so frequently talked about…written about…I wouldn’t go further into the stuff that you could probably find somewhere else…but I simply would like to share the places that we visited during our last year-end holiday there   :-)

The Bay - public area

The Bay - private beach of Mercure

The Bay Beach

Since we stayed in Nusa Dua area and were kinda bored of Benoa, Geger/Sawangan or Pandawa Beach, this time we went to The Bay. The location is easy to find, near Bali Collection and Devdan show (another one that we missed to watch due to schedule conflict). Some part of the beach is open for public while the long shore on the right as well as on the left…all are bordered by the exclusive resorts and hotels around it.  We visited both, the public and the private one, and I have to say…it is beautiful. The white sands blend perfectly with lazuli seawater, plus blue sky…it was perfect.

Echo beach

The seafood resto

Echo Beach

Our friend recommended this one for us, saying it was the newest spot for seafood *yum yum*. Abandoning our plan to have seafood dinner at Jimbaran, we directly headed there with the help of GPS. The location was a bit difficult to reach (though GPS helped a lot) but the road is too small and full of turns. Without GPS, we would be lost already. Located on Bali’s southwest area (around 1 hour drive from Denpasar), Echo beach (around Canggu area) was famous for pro surfing (the wave here was big). With its signature charcoal blacken sands, the beach was kinda secluded…no sunbathing people lying around and only few dots (which I assumed the surfers) were in the sea…waiting for the perfect ride. But once the twilight falls, flock of people started to fill the chairs and table at the only and the largest seafood resto here. We felt like an alien here since all guests were foreigners and I noticed several stares from them (probably wondering our nationality since I speak in English with my girls. The seats filled up quickly (ehm this place must be pretty famous) and live music started…ehm dinner here didn’t sound bad at all. With yummy and fresh seafood with reasonable price…almost similar setting but with different atmosphere, dinner at Echo must become one of your must-to-do   :-)

Candidasa beach

Candidasa Beach

Unlike the famous Kuta beach, Candidasa which was located on eastern part of Bali offers something different. Again with its charcoal blacken sands which felt rough on my feet, the place was sort of abandoned. Not much of improvement been seen here (I recalled my visit here several years ago) only the road was much in better and well-maintained condition. However, I still like this part of Bali, which I can spend all day just sitting and watching fishing boat drifting…and sometimes when I was lucky, I could see a diver or two. It is a perfect place to go if you are looking for less-crowded beach

Tirta Gangga

 

Water Palace Tirta Gangga

Tired of beaches, then head to the water palace located within Candidasa area (2 hours from Denpasar). Here, you will find another charm of Bali. This place used to be the bathing palace for the king and the royal family. Beautiful vista of ponds welcome us from our first step entering Tirga Gangga (entrance ticket is IDR 5k/pax for local). There are 3 ponds, a smaller with stepping path which is picturesque with its Goddess statues in between, a bigger one on the left and another smaller one which currently used as public pool (yes, you could have a dip here as long as you can brace the cold).

Flights of stairs to heaven   :-)

View of the bridge from pavilion

Water Palace Ujung

The biggest water palace in Bali (entrance ticket is IDR 5k/pax for local), this place boast a big rippling ponds with its white-off pavilion in the middle. Ancient Balinese style was found within the pavilion (with stories relics and pictures told in black and white) as well as the stony bridge. On the farther side, there are 2 stairs, on the far left and on the far right which if you have strength to climb those flights of stairs, the reward will be breathtaking. The stunning view from above shows you the whole palace and its garden, as well as sea on the far right and mountains on the far left. Really awesome.

The pavilion of Water Palace Ujung

The ruins

Balangan Beach
This famous spot for pro surfer is located at the southern part of Bali, around Uluwatu area. A bit difficult to reach (the road is in good condition but just too small - not to mention the turns). Anyway, the 1hour drive there was worth the effort. The white smooth sands were ankle depth (walking around with slippers were a bit difficult). Here you could get the most of sands...deep teal seawater...blue sky...sea breeze in the most humble way. The supporting facilities were limited and basic but, all you need to enjoy this place was only your bikini, sunglasses, and cold beer   :-)  Cheers

Balangan beach

 

Mercure Nusa Dua - Bali

The entrance to the hotel with Christmas tree made of coconut leaves

Hi...hi. It's flooding in Jakarta now...pretty big (though I hope not as big as the one last year) but these 2 days flood has been keeping me at home. How bout your place? I hope everything is ok. So staying at home means I have plenty of time to update my blog...so here it is   :-)

The bedroom

The resto

 

Another new hotel that we tried during our last year-end holiday was Mercure Nusa Dua. Strategically located just at the outskirt of Nusa Dua BTDC, you can reach the BTDC within 5 mins of walking. The hotel provides free shuttle to BTDC and the private beach at an hour interval from 8am in the morning until twilight. With tropical garden and low story of building, Mercure’s façade and interior looked simple, humble yet sophisticated. The unique Christmas tree, made of coconut leaves, greeted us at the entrance to the lobby while another Christmas tree (this one was made of piles of Mercure caps) stood proudly on the corridor to the restaurant.

 

The pool

 

The room was standard in term of size and amenities provided, but clean with tiny pool-view balcony. But I fell in love with the 2 story pool, the lower one with its line of blue gazebos and hydrotherapy pool while the upper pool is beautified by its red gazebos. The pool towels were sort of worn out, but it didn’t deter me to snap lots of pics on the pool  *grinning* The restaurant was a bit small in size with few variety of dishes offered for breakfast, but yet, I loved the setting. For family with children, no worry bout what to do to entertain the kiddos since the hotel has small outdoor children playground near the gym.

 

 

Another thing that I love bout this hotel was the private beach. About 10mins drive using the free shuttle, we were dropped onto the white sand private beach on The Bay. With several sundeck laid neatly in rows, though small (just few metres) but we could have all the beach to ourselves…awesome. Free wifi are available in the rooms as well as in the public area as well. So in short, this hotel offers the premier location and accommodation within your budget.

 

The private beach at The Bay

Swiss Belhotel Mangga Besar

The lobby

Hi everyone…how was your new year’ eve? Had a blasting party with non-stop BBQ, free flow wine or masquerade gala dinner? Well…unlike the normal new year’ eve that we spent at home…this time we spent it at Swiss Belhotel Mangga Besar. Ehm…are you wondering why I chose this hotel. Well, first because it is near with our home. Second, I got really great bargain with this hotel…in which it could be said that we stayed here for free  :-)  Perfect!

The tub

King bed on grand deluxe

 

This four-star hotel looks pretty dressed-up from the inside. Cluster of family filled the lobby with their happy chatter. Though check in took a long time (I wait for the person in front of me for more than 15mins phewww) and we had to wait quite long as well for the elevator to come (they have 3 running elevators but since it was new year’ eve and the hotel had its rooms filled up so those elevators were working at the best it could). Not too mention another long lines snaked outside the restaurant on the next morning for breakfast. We were lucky, at least we didn’t have to queue but we had to wait for 15mins for the waitress to bring another chair (we got table with missing chair LOL). However, I had to skip the egg station (another long line there)…and apparently, the food was dished up the soonest the waitress refilled it…phewww. The indoor pool was crowded with family…no empty chair be seen with smelly worn out pool towel. Check out took the same lengthy process as well (although during my turn, it was only a min or two – didn’t know why others took so long)

indoor pool

Contemporary art displayed

High tea on the lounge

The bar

 

Despite the long queue or crowd, our room had a wide glass window (the whole side) overlooking the city…totally perfect to watch the firework show. It was kinda VIP seat, gotten our Grand Deluxe room on 18^th floor, where we simply sit on our bed and ahhing and ohhing during the count-down with colorful firework exploded outside in various shape…awesome   :-)

Firework show from the room

Breakfast fare

Long lines in front of the resto

Cheers for the new year of 2014...my  best wishes for all of you
*writing from my room at Novotel Bogor   :-)