Today’s exchange rate (AUS $): 9,800 per AUS $ at the airport, 10,000 + on the streets
We, myself, my sister Sam and our mum and dad, had our alarms set for 3:00am. Our flight was at 7:15am with Garuda. Many have said it before and I will say it again, once you’ve flown with Garuda, it’s hard to fly budget again. In saying that though, my mum had managed to snag these flights for $238 per person. This is cheaper than what I’ve paid to fly with Jetstar. Got to love living in Perth. We were all up and ready to go by 4:00am and waited outside for our taxi. Check-in was open when we arrived and best of all, there was no line!! So it was straight through check-in, upstairs for a snack and coffee and through immigration. Once again, no line!! We were having a good run. Soon enough we were being called to board. It was about 10 minutes late, but took off right on time.
Mum and Dad tired from the early start
Our good luck continued as we took our seats on the plane; it was not a full flight. We had been seated separately to save us from being seated at the back of the plane, which was fine with us. Mum noticed an empty row not far from us and just a row behind my dad and sister, and was quick to ask a flight attendant if we could move to be closer together. As soon as the seat belt sign went off, we were up and moving. The empty row was unfortunately one of the ones in front of the exit row which meant they didn’t decline but being able to spread out a bit more made up for that.Within the hour, breakfast was being served. Mum, being gluten-intolerant, got served a good 10 minutes before the rest of us. She was pleasantly surprised with what she was given. Her last gluten free meal on Garuda was very disappointing, so not knowing what to expect this time around, she had brought her own stash of nibblies, but in the end they weren’t needed. She was given an omelette with spinach and roasted tomato along with corn crackers and the usual accompaniment of fruit. It wasn’t long before the rest of us were being served, with a choice of an omelette or fried rice with chicken. The flight attendants on Garuda are always very efficient, drinks being offered on a regular basis and what not.
In-flight entertainment was good, with a decent range of new movies. I tried a couple before I settled on Taken 2, but found that my screen would freeze up and restart the movie. That is my only complaint about the flight.
Mum's gluten-free breakfast
My breakfast
We landed right on time at 10:30 and as soon as I stepped over the threshold of plane to airport, I could feel the humidity. It took us exactly half an hour from the time the plane touched down to get through the airport. Yes, I did time it. Visa and immigration were easy and quick, getting our luggage took the longest and getting through customs was also easy as anything. The guys sitting at the x-ray machines weren’t even watching the screen as our bags went through and the customs officer took our form without a second look.
Coming down to land
Our guide, Gusman, and driver, Made (who doesn’t speak very good English hence having a guide as well) were waiting for us with big smiles. It was very, very humid when we step out of the airport, within minutes we all had sweaty upper lips, but soon enough we were in the comfortable air conditioner of the car to take us to the Griya Santrian. We arrived by 11:50.The Griya Santrian lobby, as beautifully as it has been done up, is hot. Very hot. But we were given cold face clothes and a welcome drink, which was delicious, and this made the heat more manageable. We were told that only 1 of our 2 rooms is ready, but hey, it was 2 hours before the allocated check-in time, so 1 out of 2 isn’t bad at all. We were taken to our room, which is me and my sisters room, and we were very impressed. The room is quite spacious, plenty of space for the two of us, and a recently refurbished bathroom which has enough counter space for all our girly junk. Our rooms are in the Garden Wing of the hotel, which are the standard rooms, but are surrounding a beautiful pool; 1 of the hotels 3. At that time, the pool was being hogged by some people staying in the opposite rooms so Sam and I instead head to the hotels 2nd pool and we had it all to ourselves. I know, tough life, hey. The pool was just the perfect temperature. We enjoyed it for a little while before heading back to our rooms and enticing Mum and Dad to go to lunch; we were both starving by this point. During these family trips we generally take turns choosing places to eat and I take it upon myself to choose first. My choice is Warung Pregina, which is virtually across the road from the Griya. But first thing’s first; we needed some money to buy lunch. We walked right from the Griya Santrian to the money changer across the road from the Respati Hotel and get a good exchange rate of 10,050 RP per AUS $. We had spotted higher exchange rates along the walk but I wasn’t willing to risk losing money to a scammer.
Our cold towels and welcome drinks
Griya Santrian's 3rd pool outside our rooms
The very inviting 2nd pool
With our bags somewhat heavier from the burden of being a Bali Millionaire, we headed to the restaurant. Warung Pregina is in a great location and is quite a lot bigger than what you think it’s going to be. We choose a table and get stuck into the menu. It has a huge range of Balinese and Indonesian cuisine; exactly what I felt like on my first day. Sam and I ordered entrees of Vegetable Lumpia and Crispy Wantons and mains of Nasi Goreng and Mi Goreng. Mum, who couldn’t be bothered asking about gluten-free dishes, ordered rice paper rolls and fries for her main and Dad also orders Nasi Goreng. Service was very quick, but that could be because we were the only ones there, and we all thoroughly enjoyed our food. Now that Mum had some food in her stomach, she passed her gluten-intolerance card which had been translated into Indonesian, to our waitress, who had a quick read and said “Yes, we have this and this…” which included Nasi Goreng. Mum was very happy.
Lumpia and wantons
Mum's rice paper rolls
Bakmi goreng
Nasi goreng
Griya Santrian's main pool
Sam and I enjoying our first cocktails
So many to choose from...
After our much needed swim, I headed down to the beach to take photos. The water is clearer than I’ve ever seen it and no sign of seaweed. I put my toes in the water, and it’s just the perfect temperature. I’ve made a vow to swim in the ocean this time, which I haven’t yet done in Bali. Well except for the time we went Banana Boating, but that wasn’t on purpose. Sam and I then headed back to our room to swim in the 3rd pool, which has now been vacated by the earlier pool hogs. Another beautiful pool at the perfect temperature. By this time, Mum and Dad’s room is ready and it is MASSIVE! If you’re looking for a hotel in Sanur that appropriate for a young family, this one would do the trick (with the exception of the lack of a Kid’s Club). It would easily fit a spare bed and cot in the room, and if they’re a bit too old for that, our rooms are interconnecting. We’re all very happy.
Griya Santrian's beachfront
After some much needed lazing around the pool, we all got dressed and headed back to the main pool for another 3 for 2 cocktail deal. The Griya sure does good cocktails, and at reasonable prices. The 3 for 2 cocktails are only 50,000 RP each plus service tax. After our cocktails, it’s off to Mona Lisa for dinner, a family favourite. I ordered my usual and favourite beef rendang, as does Dad, Mum orders ginger and honey chicken with rice (not before checking with the waitress that it’s gluten-free) and Sam gets boring old chicken parmigiana, but to each their own. After ordering, we are given complimentary bruschetta. Well, it’s more of a DIY bruschetta. The tomato comes out on a little plate and the bread on a cute little bread board. Very nice presentation.
DIY bruschetta
Mum's chicken
My favourite beef rendang
We were all very happy with our meals. Before we left, mum checked with the waitress if it would be ok for her to bring her own gluten-free bread for breakfast so they can make her French Toast. All ok, so mum is happy. Sam decided to just head back to the room for an early night, and left myself, Mum and Dad to go for a little stroll. We walk North along the main drag as far as the Tamukami Hotel. Mum and I are booked in to stay here at the end of July and wanted to get a little sneak peak. The hotel is down a gorgeous little laneway and it’s very quiet at the end. The staff are happy for us to have a little wander around. I think we will be very happy here in July.
Laneway to the Tamukami
The very inviting pool
I then left Mum and Dad to continue wandering (they walk too slow for me) and headed back to the hotel. Looking forward to a shower, an early night and a beautiful day tomorrow.
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