Trip Report 2. Summary -
We did little tripping this visit due largely to Gede being busy with the wedding party (see Trip Report 1/ earlier today.). Also, after 16 trips we are getting short of things to see so we were quite happy to sit on the beach and do the odd bit of shopping
SANUR : There seems to have been a conscious effort to clean up the Area. Garbage on the main street was being picked up more regularly, fewer dogs, and those that were about look in better condition. Also the beach was much cleaner and free of weed. Sanur is indeed a fine area for families and those who are not there just to party but to relax.
Over the years we have 'slept around' along the Sanur beach strip and have now settled on Besakih. The staff are friendly and can't do enough for you. The hotel rates only two stars. Possibly because there is no room service. However there is Coffee/Tea making facilities in the rooms and I understand there is someone at the bar 24 hours.
As well as Sat T.V, ISD phone and the usual comforts. The property is handy to restaurants and shops.
KALAMANTAN RESTAURANT : A favourite of ouse since the days we used to stay at Segara. I read some negative remarks about this place on the Forum some months ago. We found it to be up to the standard it has been for years. The night we had 19 odd people there and at a later date 16 the wait and kitchen staff worked their butts off to feed and water us very efficiently. As I have mentioned before the place has the atmosphere of a slightly Americanised version of an establishment out of a Somerset Maugham novel.
We have a great photo of the bar being Bintang stocked prior to one of the aforementioned evenings. We have captioned it 'The British are Coming'.
HAWKERS :' Trust me' said Robert the Javanese Belt Man 'I won't rip you off!'. And so we made the basic mistakes of a] buying on the first week when we had 2+ b] believing the guy when he said he was desperate to pay his rent tomorrow. c]not shopping around. I will not tell you what we paid for 4 belts. BUT. If you are staying at Gia Santrian, Besakih or La Tav, sure, buy belts from Robert, they are good quality, but don't pay him any more than RK25 per belt! If you are staying at Tanjung Sari – then you can afford to pay anything! The hawkers, generally, were not over bearing.
GEDE ARIANA: Friend/Driver/Guide. Gede once again showed no bounds to his talents – certainly in the opinion of the brits..He directed and advised on the non GBB arrangements for the wedding i.e. Flowers, cake at the Restaurant, the restaurant itself, the wedding video, with wife Nyoman dressing the brits for the wedding, transport logistics (at times 3 vehicles were involved), honeymoon accommodation. Of course he would have earned commissions but this is his business and he did it well and enjoyed being the focal point of arrangements.
For more details on Gede please email us.
Juliette and Bob Brownfield, Gooseberry Hill, Western Australia.