Bali - Do, Stay, Eat?

SUNSET

- have a drink and watch the 'in' crowd at Ku De Ta bar

- have a drink at the new Anantara hotel's roof top bar

- take the drive to Tanah Lot temple and enjoy the view


BEDUGOL (located in the centre of the island)

- take the kids to the rope course at Tree Tops and Botanical Gardens (quite a challenge for adults too)

- check out one of the many spice farms

- drop by the market to buy fresh organic strawberries

- definitely visit the twin water falls and swing into the cooling water on the tarzan rope


MOUNT BATUR (also in the centre of the island NE)

- unbelievable views - stop at one of the restaurants overlooking this volcano that last erupted in the 60's

- spend a couple of hours in the hot springs


UBUD

- do some shopping for handicrafts, jewelery etc...

- check out the monkey park and zoo

- have lunch at one of the hotels with views over the river (my favourite is Bambu Indah - one of the best views in a rustic setting and the chef is unbelievable - but you have to place your order a couple of hours in advance - try the grilled bbq chicken)


JIMBARAN

- enjoy a fresh seafood dinner on the beach

DIVE

- see beautiful soft/hard corals and macro life in Padang Bai

- sharks, great underwater scenary and the occasional Mola Mola in Candi Dasa

- super drift dives, Mola Mola, Mantas in Nusa Penida

- a pretty large wreck very close to shore with lots of reef fish, occasional sharks, macro life, huge parrot fish at Tulamben


SANUR

- lots of cheaper hotels on the beach (more US$70 than the US$400+ of Jimbaran)

- mooch along the beach footpath that runs for a few miles. Stop for a cool beer and ridiculously cheap lunch en route

- wake to views of Mount Agung in the distance

- don't get disturbed by loud bars/clubs


DRIVE

- around the island (get a proper guide)

- check out the fab views of rice fields, mountains, lakes etc

- visit temples (Besakih, 'the Mother temple' is very impressive and also provides excellent views), Tanah Lot is a short but interesting walk from Le Meridien hotel - relatively cheap with nice gardens and pool, also has a good gold course and fab views of the sea crashing against the cliff


BUY

- wood carvings

- statues/furniture and get them shipped

- paintings (we especially like Keliki miniatures - easy to transport...)

- Ubud and surrounding villages are probably best for this


DRINK

- Bintang beer, of course (much like Heinekin)


EAT

- Lots of nasi goreng (seems to have improved hugely over the past 8 years we've been visiting)

- Satays/sates with satay/sate sauce (yum, yum)

- Roast duck or suckling pig


DON'T

- stay in your hotel compound all day waiting for the next buffet to start

- step on the lovely offerings that abound on streets, near shop entrances, if you can help it

- lose your humour when bargaining for cheap batik sarongs or a snorkel trip on the reef...but DO bargain

My ultimate Bali Restaurant Guide:


Bukit

- di Mare at Karma Kandara is outstanding for lunch - great view with a magnificent ocean view from atop the cliff


Seminyak

- D'Hanna - super Japanese food in an elegant villa setting

- Metis - former chef of Warisan has reopened - I prefer the old restaurant but the food is still the best French fusion on the island

- Gourmet - great little place for lunch - run by the Metis people

- Sardines - the new kid on the block - gets my thumbs up for the best designed restaurant in Bali - chic mix of bamboo with modern elements and a fantastic rice paddy view - cant go wrong if you are after a romantic dinner setting - mediterranean with an emphasis on fresh seafood.

- Cantina - this is a relatively unknown gem so I'll leave you contact info (Jl Pengubengan Kauh (next to Warung Gossip), T: 0361 731 840. Best for lunch as it has superb rice terrace views. Asian Fusion. Do not go there and no try the shrimp/chicken soup.

- Junction - another simple but excellent lunch venue - chicken curry sandwich on whole wheat baguette.. you'll worship me if you take me up on the recommendation!

- Ultimo - I hear they started out aiming at the high-end with food and prices to match - that apparently wasnt the right formula so the quality remained and the prices dropped and the result is a full house every night so book ahead.

- Osteria Telese - right across from the Legian this hole in the wall serves up some of the tastiest Italian food in Bali - its run by an elderly Italian fellow

- Sarong - very chic - very Asian fusion with a strong Indian influence... dinner only

- Blossom in Sentosa Villas gets an honourable mention as does Samaya Breeze which is the best place for a sunset drink as well



Sanur

- sit out on the deck and enjoy some of the tastiest food in Bali - Im partial to the fish taco and the Greek Salad is unsurpassed. They've got live Jazz and Blues later in the week. If you want a western breakfast, this is THE place

- Massimo - authentic Italian run by a real Italian emigrant - you must have the New Zealand Mussels with garlic bread!


Ubud

- Mozaic - simply superb food in a formal garden setting - the have two tasting menu options each night - one Indonesian the other French Asian fusion - both have optional wine with EACH course (watch your step on the way out because there's 8 courses...)

- Batan Waru - relaxed setting - try the daily specials for lunch or dinner - never had a bad meal there...

- Sari Organik - the setting is a bamboo house in a picturesque rice padi - its a pleasant 15 minute walk from the main street in ubud - tasty organic fare - surprisingly good pizzas

- Ibu Oka - the best bali guling (roast suckling pig) in the world bar none, this place has been featured on Anthony Bourdain's food series.

- Devilicious - just discovered this gem... it's tucked in a small lane and serves up some of the tastiest fare on the island

- if you are health conscious but don't like your food to taste like cow feed... there's a fantastic just-opened restaurant called Clear - the interior designer displays genius in his collaboration of the modern and traditional (huge steel girders topped with huge black bamboo hold the roof up!)... nothing unhealthy on the menu and shockingly inexpensive - highly recommend you give this place a try

- and last but not least, Naughty Nuri's - this place is an expat institution in Ubud and has been featured in the NY Times on a number of occasions. Great ribs and burgers - fabled martinis...

Escape to Bali's Coffee Country http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704353404575114813010204880.html?mod=WSJASIA_hpp_MIDDLEThirdNews

Darn....just not the same when you go with a 2 yr old. We stayed at Nusa Dua and it was pretty much beach, hotel swimming pool, drive around the island and in bed by 11:00 latest. Enjoy your single or couples lives!

If you need affordable accommodation in Bali this works... http://www.asiaxpat.com/redhousebali/

Any local contact for car rental with driver recommended?

I have use this Balinese gentleman every time. His name is Made Mudiana. He has a 6 seater four wheel drive, and can access car seat for child if you need it. He is an extremely safe driver, kind & considerate, and knowledgeable about the Island. This is his mobile number, give him a call: + 62 81 238 45054. I along with other HK guest have used him.

Enjoy your stay in Bali !