Here's the story on how we landed in Bali for the third time in three years. May 7 was election day in Singapore (there's only one political party so 'election' is a loose term). Since it fell on a Saturday many local firms gave employees off on Monday. We were aware of the possibility, and Paul's company finally announced on Thursday that they would also offer a day in lieu of election day. Paul emailed me at home to let me know since we had been wondering.
I interpreted the news as "I am off on Monday." Not one to waste time (alright let's be realistic: not one to waste a travel opportunity) I began looking up airfare to Bali on Friday. Friday as in tomorrow. I found perfect flights at a reasonable price. Then I searched for a place to stay, and my top choice was available at a last-minute discounted price. I consulted Paul. Then we left for Bali the next morning.
We had been considering a long weekend away in May but nothing had fallen into place. Once we were at the airport Paul clarified that he did not specifically have to take Monday off, just that he was given a day for election day, to be taken in the future. So Monday was the future! Did I rush into it? Yes, for once!
RASH
1 adj
: marked by or proceeding from undue haste or lack of deliberation or caution
Used in a sentence: I need to make rash decisions more often.
We arrived early Friday afternoon. We didn't get to sit next to each other on the plane since we booked so late but Paul sat in front of me. We agreed on a strategy to attack the now familiar visa-on-arrival line and we got through pretty quickly. After staying at the same place in Jimbaran twice, formerly the Ritz Carlton now Ayana, we decided to try something new. We still love that salt water pool overlooking the ocean but after the slight letdown by small details between our first and second stays, it seemed like time to hold onto the good memories and venture out. Disini Villas in Semiyak was the chosen location. Seminyak is a busy town with shops and restaurants, very different from isolated Jimbaran Bay.
Down a narrow side street off a busy main road is a hidden oasis. All you can see past the front office is a long cobblestone road and a succession of individual doors to 24 private villas. Our door opened to a beautiful pool surrounded by a fountain, loungers and lush greenery as well as an outdoor living space with kitchen and living room. Inside was a serene bedroom with an opulent Balinese wood framed, four poster, canopied king size bed. We were welcomed with brownies and iced lemongrass tea. I do have a knack for selecting accommodations.
Seminyak is supposed to be the place to eat in Bali with its many restaurants and cafes, some right on the beach. Last year we liked the restaurant Bumbu Bali in Nusa Dua so much that we wanted to find something similar with local flavors, and Nusa Dua was a bit too far to drive for dinner. We tried a place in Seminyak called Ketupat. I think there was only one other couple in the fairly large restaurant when we arrived. In fact, the cab driver said, "Quiet place!" but a few more followed later. It was a nice open air setting with good food, but not Bumbu Bali good. It also started pouring rain soon after we ate and we had to finish up inside.
It was still raining when we got back to the villa so we relaxed in the living room and Paul had the couple of beers that were in the fridge, mostly on the principle that that were so incredibly cheap, compared to Singapore, that he just had to.
A hearty breakfast was included and served in the villa. Then we walked to the beach. It wasn't a very pretty one. I think Jersey Shore beaches are nicer. It was hot and uncomfortable in the sun so we headed for guaranteed relaxation at the villa. And then there was the hammering. There was some construction going on nearby along with the noise that accompanies it. Workers were walking around on roofs in the visible distance so the private villa was somewhat less private unless you avoided certain angles on the property. Though the proprietors couldn't be blamed for noise near their property, it was the only drawback of this location. The super cheap Balinese massages we got down the street helped ease that tension.
That evening we ate dinner at a well-known and often suggested place called The Living Room. It was a gorgeous setting. The food was pretty good but it was a bit disappointing because it was very expensive, certainly by Bali standards and even by other standards (except maybe Singapore's). Time for more relaxation back at the villa. If only we were closer to Jimbaran beach and our favorite spot, Lia, for fresh seafood at marvelous value.
On our last full day someone from the villa kindly gave us a lift into town where there are several furniture shops. One of the reasons we had wanted to return to Bali was to check out furniture again. The shop where we saw the coffee table we liked last year was in walking distance from the villa. As it was a Sunday, almost everything was closed, including that shop with the table. C'est la vie. We explored the streets of Seminyak instead, and got another massage to manage the disappointment.
That night we decided to ask for a suggestion for good local food, and the young woman who gave us one surely meant well, but I'd spend the time and money to take a cab to Jimbaran Beach next time before taking another suggestion from her. Mang Engking looked really nice, with sprawling decks and huts over water. There appeared to be large groups of Japanese tourists so it must appeal to someone, but the food was not good at all. That was a real disappointment when we know how good you can eat in Bali at the right places. It also rained again but it didn't last as long.
We said goodbye to Bali on Monday, hopefully not for the last time but most likely for a long time. It was a great spur of the moment getaway. The villa was lovely. We got to spend time in an area new to us, even if the food overall couldn't compare to our previous experiences. And I'm glad I misunderstood Paul about the Monday holiday and jumped the gun to revisit a place we love, a mere 2.5 hours from where we live, to grab a few more special remembrances.
It also happened to Mother's Day that weekend, and Father's Day is next weekend. So happy Mother's and Father's Day.
We arrived early Friday afternoon. We didn't get to sit next to each other on the plane since we booked so late but Paul sat in front of me. We agreed on a strategy to attack the now familiar visa-on-arrival line and we got through pretty quickly. After staying at the same place in Jimbaran twice, formerly the Ritz Carlton now Ayana, we decided to try something new. We still love that salt water pool overlooking the ocean but after the slight letdown by small details between our first and second stays, it seemed like time to hold onto the good memories and venture out. Disini Villas in Semiyak was the chosen location. Seminyak is a busy town with shops and restaurants, very different from isolated Jimbaran Bay.
Down a narrow side street off a busy main road is a hidden oasis. All you can see past the front office is a long cobblestone road and a succession of individual doors to 24 private villas. Our door opened to a beautiful pool surrounded by a fountain, loungers and lush greenery as well as an outdoor living space with kitchen and living room. Inside was a serene bedroom with an opulent Balinese wood framed, four poster, canopied king size bed. We were welcomed with brownies and iced lemongrass tea. I do have a knack for selecting accommodations.
Seminyak is supposed to be the place to eat in Bali with its many restaurants and cafes, some right on the beach. Last year we liked the restaurant Bumbu Bali in Nusa Dua so much that we wanted to find something similar with local flavors, and Nusa Dua was a bit too far to drive for dinner. We tried a place in Seminyak called Ketupat. I think there was only one other couple in the fairly large restaurant when we arrived. In fact, the cab driver said, "Quiet place!" but a few more followed later. It was a nice open air setting with good food, but not Bumbu Bali good. It also started pouring rain soon after we ate and we had to finish up inside.
It was still raining when we got back to the villa so we relaxed in the living room and Paul had the couple of beers that were in the fridge, mostly on the principle that that were so incredibly cheap, compared to Singapore, that he just had to.
A hearty breakfast was included and served in the villa. Then we walked to the beach. It wasn't a very pretty one. I think Jersey Shore beaches are nicer. It was hot and uncomfortable in the sun so we headed for guaranteed relaxation at the villa. And then there was the hammering. There was some construction going on nearby along with the noise that accompanies it. Workers were walking around on roofs in the visible distance so the private villa was somewhat less private unless you avoided certain angles on the property. Though the proprietors couldn't be blamed for noise near their property, it was the only drawback of this location. The super cheap Balinese massages we got down the street helped ease that tension.
That evening we ate dinner at a well-known and often suggested place called The Living Room. It was a gorgeous setting. The food was pretty good but it was a bit disappointing because it was very expensive, certainly by Bali standards and even by other standards (except maybe Singapore's). Time for more relaxation back at the villa. If only we were closer to Jimbaran beach and our favorite spot, Lia, for fresh seafood at marvelous value.
On our last full day someone from the villa kindly gave us a lift into town where there are several furniture shops. One of the reasons we had wanted to return to Bali was to check out furniture again. The shop where we saw the coffee table we liked last year was in walking distance from the villa. As it was a Sunday, almost everything was closed, including that shop with the table. C'est la vie. We explored the streets of Seminyak instead, and got another massage to manage the disappointment.
That night we decided to ask for a suggestion for good local food, and the young woman who gave us one surely meant well, but I'd spend the time and money to take a cab to Jimbaran Beach next time before taking another suggestion from her. Mang Engking looked really nice, with sprawling decks and huts over water. There appeared to be large groups of Japanese tourists so it must appeal to someone, but the food was not good at all. That was a real disappointment when we know how good you can eat in Bali at the right places. It also rained again but it didn't last as long.
We said goodbye to Bali on Monday, hopefully not for the last time but most likely for a long time. It was a great spur of the moment getaway. The villa was lovely. We got to spend time in an area new to us, even if the food overall couldn't compare to our previous experiences. And I'm glad I misunderstood Paul about the Monday holiday and jumped the gun to revisit a place we love, a mere 2.5 hours from where we live, to grab a few more special remembrances.
It also happened to Mother's Day that weekend, and Father's Day is next weekend. So happy Mother's and Father's Day.
1 comment:
I need to get myself one of those private pools...maybe in the attic?
Post a Comment