Bali - take 2

An early start was needed for our return to Bali. A morning flight saw us up and out to the airport by 7.30am for our next big adventure. All smooth sailing at the airport and just 20 mins late leaving but we made that time up and arrived in Bali on schedule at 1.30pm. Everything was so quiet that we were almost first in line to clear customs and had to wait for the people to take up their places in their little boxes. There is a first time for everything. Once outside it was just a matter of finding our man with his little sign among the many others and then we were on our way to Sanur to begin a well earned week of fun in the sun.

Having never been to Sanur before we had no idea of what it was like or how long it would take but enjoyed our ride over, about 40 Min's, and on arrival at our hotel were very impressed by what we saw. We stayed at the Puri Santrian and it was beautiful, so very well maintained and such a tranquil setting. Our adventures were to start from that moment and all could have gone very bad from the start. We had booked on the Internet and had chosen a 'garden bungalow' for the very reason that it was in the garden giving us maximum interaction with nature and the birds. During the checking in process we were advised that we had been upgraded to the brand new Premier rooms. Bill asked if these were 'bungalows' like the others and we were told yes. Of course when we arrived at the room it was just a hotel room, albeit a very luxurious one, in a block. Facing a concrete wall and a service path in front. Hmm, Not happy Jan. Bill straight away voiced his displeasure and after a half an hour they decided that we could have our bungalow and they would 'upgrade' the next guests. Happy at last and it really was quite amusing to see them so totally confused as to why we did not want the luxury new room. The bungalow was very nice as well, typical Bali suite with the outdoor bathroom but it was just what we wanted. As Bill says, he can stay in, and does, a hotel room almost every week, we did not want to do it here. So after our very minor hiccup the rest of the week was just amazing and really all you could wish for in a tropical holiday.

Staying in Sanur is a very different experience than staying anywhere near Kuta & Legian. Those areas have always been very busy but as I mentioned last year they had become to my mind, a madhouse. Between the traffic, the constant roadworks, the continual building and rebuilding, then add to that the yobbo elements at the many bars & nightclubs and it was not a place that I ever wanted to return too. In June, when after a chat with Nolan, Bill suggested going back I really did not want to go. Even as we boarded the plane I was really apprehensive, one - that it would be no different in Sanur and two - how could I eat for the week now needing to be a little bit careful with what I ingest. Needless to say I had packed my pills! I am so happy to be able to tell you that all my worries were groundless. Sanur is quiet, peaceful & beautiful, the people were just lovely and never hassled you. Sure they would ask if you needed transport or sarongs or t-shirts but once you said no that was it. One main street with shops, markets & restaurants with another street running off to the left a little further down the road and along the beach at the back of the hotel was a path that linked the many other hotel restaurants, bars and local warungs. It was lovely to walk along there in the early morning or later to watch sunset or take a stroll after dark. Very safe and very quiet.

And as far as food and drink went I had no problems at all. Obviously my choices were not too out there but I never had a moments worry and was able to eat & drink many different things. Even tried a Nasi Campur one night and survived the tasty Bali fish curry. How good was that.

Once we had settled into our room that first afternoon we thought we would just take a wander to get our bearings and to find a shop to get some water. Also to buy the one thing I had forgotten to bring - sunsceen. I still can't believe I did that. We looked around the extensive hotel grounds first and were suitably impressed, then off to the beach where we found the beach club sun lounges, beach bar and restaurant. Again all very impressive. We then headed out the front gate for our first walk along the street, found our shop much later and on our way home decided that perhaps it was a good idea to have dinner first and an early night. We were meeting Josie & Nolan for breakfast the next morning at their Hotel - Griya Santrian, the sister hotel to ours. We found a place just across the road from our hotel and had a nice dinner for our first night. Also our first Watermelon juice for the trip. Yum. Once home we went back to the beach and took a walk along the path for about 20 mins and then came back and two weary travellers hit the sack.

So with our first day in Bali deemed to be a resounding success, I'll continue with tomorrows adventures another time.......