Happy New Year!!

Wishing all my wonderful readers all the best for 2014. What will the New Year bring you??

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Waroeng Bonita

Last year, I had gone to a restaurant in Seminyak called Waroeng Bonita. What attracted me to this restaurant was the good reviews on Trip Advisor and their Friday night entertainment. Every Friday, Waroeng Bonita has a "Baliwood Extravaganza" show. I had seen it last year and had a great night and decided to take my girlfriends there for our trip last month.

Waroeng Bonita is a gorgeous little place located on Jalan Petitenget. It has a beautiful garden setting that is lit by fairy lights wound through the trees and candles on the top, along with mozzie spray in case you've forgotten your own. They also have an undercover lounge area, which was where we were seated. In my opinion, it's the perfect place for a special night out with a partner, whether you go for the Friday night show or not.

Images from www.bonitabali.com

I made an 8:00pm booking via email as the show doesn't start until 9:00. We had our seats right in front of the stage. We ordered drinks and food before the show started. The show consists of lady-boys, who are incredibly dressed and made-up, lip syncing to songs by the likes of Lady Gaga. They sing and dance along side both male and female Balinese dancers that are dressed up in costumes that make you think you're in Las Vegas. It's a very entertaining show that has you laughing, clapping and singing along. I had organised a special belated birthday surprise with the restaurant for one of my girlfriends. Just before the shows finale, one of the lady-boys came out with a dessert while everyone sung along to "Happy Birthday". My friend was clapping and singing along until the dessert was placed in front of her. At that point, she was mortified. It was a porcelain willy standing tall and proud on her plate, along with fruit filled crepes. We all found it hilarious, except for her. I was so grateful that the management was so willing to organise this for my friend.

The dessert, along with the rest of the food, was simply delicious. All beautifully presented, reasonably sized and priced, everyone loved their meals. They have both Indonesian and Western dishes to suit everyone. So if you're looking for somewhere new to try during your next trip to Bali, somewhere that has a beautiful setting, delicious food and great entertainment, I would whole heartedly reccomend a visit to Waroeng Bonita, especially for their Friday night show.

 

Address: Jl. Petitenget 2000X, Seminyak, Bali

Website: www.bonitabali.com/wp-waroeng/

Email: booking57@bonitabali.com

Phone: + 62 361 4731918

 

 

 

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Bali Stand Up Paddle School

Stand up paddle boarding (or SUP) is something that has gotten very popular lately and for me, it was something that I had wanted to try for quite a while. For my most recent trip to Bali, I had planned it so my friends and I had a different tourist adventure to do in each different area we stayed in and as Sanur is a very tame area, SUP is what I decided on. Being a fairly active person, I was really looking forward to it, including the 7:00am start. My friends were less excited. I had organised it all via email with the company owner, Jankie, who had instructed us to meet him at the company's surf shop located across the road from the Sanur Beach Hotel. From there, we were lead to Villa Puri Ayu where the paddle boards are stored. It looks like a gorgeous little hotel, tucked away between the main road and the beach. We were lead down to the beach where we had a quick lesson on the sand where we were instructed on where to place our feet, how to go from sitting to standing, how to hold and use the paddle and general safety. I always appreciate these kind of intro's before partaking in something new and this one was really thorough and clear.

Before long, we were out on the water. Our clothes were put in a boat that was on stand by to bring us back in if something happened or the winds were too strong. It was reassuring to know that they had a back plan in place if it was needed. We paddled out about 500 metres to where the reef is. The reef acts as a long barrier which keeps the rest of the water in Sanur very calm so paddling out was very easy. The waves on the reef were small, which was perfect for us beginners. Our guide kept instructing us, encouraging us to stand up and catch a wave throughout and when we got a bit lazy, he didn't push us to continue. We happily floated around a bit, enjoying the water and the sun before we decided to head back into shore.

By the time we got back, we were all ready for breakfast. We could have stayed out longer if we chose to, but hunger had gotten the best of us. We all really enjoyed our morning on the waves and it is definitely something I'd do again. Bali Stand Up Paddle School has lessons for beginners available, as well as board hire if you already know what you're doing. It was a fun and refreshing way to start the morning and I look forward to doing it again and hopefully challenging myself with some bigger waves.

Bali Stand Up Paddle School was the first one of its kind in Bali. The boards are all in great condition and the instructors know what they're doing. If you're thinking that it's something you'd like to try but you might not be fit enough, I reassure you that it was not very physically demanding at all. Click here to check out their website and book a lesson for your next Bali trip.

 

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Poppies Cottages: A Tranquil Oasis in the Middle of Crazy Kuta

I had a one night stay at the end of my most recent trip at Poppies Cottages. How I wish it was longer. I've always been apprehensive about staying in Kuta simply because it's not my scene; I'm not a party person, I like my quietness when relaxing at a hotel and being able to cross a road without too much trouble. After reading lots of reviews of Trip Advisor and getting recommendations from fellow travellers, I settled on the hotel for the last night of my holiday. Getting to the hotel wasn't the easiest. As it's located down a laneway (Poppies Lane 1) and we were coming from Legian/Seminyak area, the taxi driver stopped on Legian Road and we had to wheel our luggage down the laneway, trying to keep out of the way of scooters while also going around other people that had stopped to look in the market stalls along the way. As soon as we walked through the gates of the hotel, the craziness of Kuta fell away behind us. The property was beautiful. The cottages were scattered throughout the grounds, which are surprisingly big and spacious for the location, and the gardens were beautiful. At reception, check-in was quick and even though we arrived a little while before the designated check-in time, we were able to get straight into our room. Poppies Cottages, being an older establishment, certainly has the Old Bali Charm, but it's oh so welcoming. We followed a winding footpath to our room: Cottage 21. The room, although dark, was gorgeous. 2 comfy beds, a TV, DVD player and stero system. From the comfort of our room, the noise from any traffic could not be heard. It felt so serenely quiet.

The lovely semi-outdoor bathroom was the perfect size, with a sunken shower/bathtub and a nice little garden to admire while doing your business. My friend and I were both so happy with the cottage.

The pool was also just perfect; a lovely lagoon style with plenty of pool lounges scattered around. It was a beautiful spot to lay and relax.

I would definitely stay at Poppies Cottages again and reccomend it to anyone looking for a great little boutique hotel with everything on the doorstep, but feels like miles away. Have a look at their website here and possibly make a booking for your next Bali holiday.

 

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Quad Biking With Aussie Bali Adventures

During my most recent trip to Bali, I had a lot of adventures planned for my friends and I. One of them was quad biking. I only organised this a few weeks prior to the trip after we decided to do this instead of going to Waterbom Park. My email response from the company owner, Shifty, was prompt and we were booked in. We were booked in for the morning session which meant a bright and early 7:00 pick up.
When we arrived, we were introduced to the company owner, Shifty, before reading the safety instructions and signing a waiver. What I liked about the company was the big emphasis on safety and fun. Shifty made it clear: this was not a place to be stupid with the quad bikes unless you wanted 400 kilos rolling on top of you. After a quick instruction of how to use the bikes, we were off. We rode down to the beach first, which of course meant no traffic. This gave us a good chance to get comfortable with the bikes and slowly start to pick up speed. Along the beach was the only place we actually got up to a considerable speed, because we had the space to spread out and zoom along at whatever speed we were comfortable with. The rest of the ride took place along rice fields and through a local village. Because we were either going along a not so wide dirt track or on the road with other traffic, we went quite slow. The scenery throughout the ride was just beautiful; the endless green of the ricefields, the dark sand of the beach with the waves crashing on the shore and the quiet roads of the village.

A couple of small things that I thought the company could address and adjust were, firstly, the introduction of the guides. Shifty introduced himself as soon as we stepped out of the car, but the guides that were with us on the ride didn't introduce themselves until half way through. Not everyone will feel the same, but I like to get to know the guides, whether it be with stand up paddle boarding, white water rafting or riding an elephant, but being on quad bikes doesn't exactly give you the opportunity to chat. Secondly, I felt there was a bit of an inconsistency with how we were all shown how to use the bikes. For example, I was shown by Shifty and as I had ridden quad bikes before, I was comfortable with it. A couple of my friends, who hadn't ridden quad bikes before, were shown by the guides and didn't feel nearly as comfortable with them. With the big emphasis on safety at the beginning, I think this could have been better followed through with clearer instructions on how to use them. Apart from these very small things, my friends and I loved the quad biking. It was a great way to have a bit of fun and admire some of the beautiful Bali scenery.
I've been asked a few questions about the quad biking and I'll do my best to answer them.

• Would it be suitable for children?

Yes. The tour allows you to always go at a speed that you're comfortable with, and as previously mentioned, the only time we actually had an opportunity to speed up was along the beach. Tandem bikes are available so mum or dad can do the driving while the kids sit behind and enjoy the ride. 1 hour rides are also available.

• Did you think it was good value for money?

Whenever someone asks me if I think something was good value for money, I always consider how much it would cost to do the same thing in Australia. For hotel pick-up and drop-off, about a 2 hour ride on the bikes, drinks and an Aussie Bali Adventures singlet, the price was $85 per person. Do I think this was good value for money? Definitely.

• Which time slot would you recommend booking in for?

We were booked for the morning session which meant a 7:00am pick up, but in the end, we were very thankful for this, firstly because although we did an early session, it was hot and we all got sunburnt. Doing a later session would have meant it was even hotter. Secondly, it meant we were back by 11:30 and still had the whole afternoon ahead of us. I would definitely advise getting up a bit earlier for the first session of the day.

• Did you feel safe?

Yes, we all felt safe. As an Australian owned and run company, the bikes are all kept in top condition and serviced regularly. This was a big factor in my decision to book with them, because you can never be too careful especially when overseas

• Would you do it again?

Definitely. My friends and I had a great morning and got to see another beautifully scenic area of Bali. Aussie Bali Adventures have some great packages available, including horse riding, dirt biking (experienced riders only) and sunset tours. Having full confidence in the company, I would love to look into one of their packages for the future.
If there's anything else you'd like to know, please feel free to send me a message either via my contact page or on my Facebook page.

Please note that the ATV's of Aussie Bali Adventures has recently been taken over by Bali Island Horse. It is held in the same location and is still owned and run by an Australian. To make a booking, go here. 

 

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Photo of the Week: Tiger-iffic

During my most recent trip to Bali, my friends and I spent a morning at the Bali Safari And Marine Park. I had already been once, but it was something everyone was keen to do. Our driver, Yuda, picked us up from Ubud and took us enroute to Legian. He had advised us to get there early so we could avoid queues. Our first stop was the tiger enclosure, where we would have a photo taken with a real life tiger. Oh my god, what an amazing experience. Yes, it was quick, but I got to pat a real tiger on its beautiful, coarse, striped fur. How absolutely amazing is that?! There are also options to get the photo done with an orangutan, an elephant or a baby lion. My advise for going to the Safari Park is the same as Yuda's; get there early and make your animal photo the first thing you do to avoid long lines later in the day.

 

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Yuda: Bali's Best Driver

Many people that go to Bali on a regular basis have a single driver that they've known for a while and will always call upon when they've booked a trip. In November, I was still looking for that person. Before my trip to Bali in November, I got a recommendation for a driver/guide from a fellow Bali lover. She had indeed known him for years and said they were practically family. She had only good things to say about him and the service he provided so I decided to take the recommendation and email him.

Since the first time I contacted Yuda, he service was a step above the rest. Other drivers I had used in the past didn't even compare. His service doesn't begin when he comes to pick you up, it begins from the moment you contact him to discuss what you need his services for. He gives you a call so you can properly discuss what you're after and gives logical advice and great suggestions or alternatives. And his service doesn't end when he drops you off at your hotel or the airport. I have received countless phone calls, text messages and emails from Yuda to confirm our booking, wishing us a safe flight to Bali or home again, telling us to be careful in the rain, wishing us a good time on one of our tourist activities (whether he organised it for us or not), a get well if someone has been ill or injured even Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Valentines emails. Every time he gets a new client from my recommendation, he emails to say thank you. I have used him many more times since November when I first met him as well as passed on his details to other travellers who have also sung his praises. It's not just his service that makes him special, he himself is special. He has such an amazing zest for life and enthusiasm for what he does that just makes you smile. Along with great English, he is knowledgeable and seems to have a great answer for every question he gets asked, whether it be about Balinese history, religion, education, politics. He knows it all. He's been known to surprise people at the airport (he called me during my trip to find out when my parents were arriving so he could surprise them), sing in the car, give medical advice if someone gets sick and he always has a smile on his face. If I were to run into trouble in Bali, he would be the first person I'd call and I have no doubt that he would come through and do everything he possibly could to help. Since I've started using him, there is no way I could ever use another driver or guide. I truly believe that Yuda is the best and I highly recommend him.

Yuda's services do come at a higher price than other drivers but considering how much more he puts into his work, it's worth every extra penny. With the price, you get him as a guide, a seperate driver (Yuda likes to let them concentrate on the road while he does all the talking), cold towels, drinks, snacks and get to be in the comfort of a new and very clean car.

I think you know you've found your guy when you get excited about going back to Bali just to see them and find excuses to use the services when it's not necessary.

Contact him here:

Email: askyuda@yahoo.com

Phone: M. +62 813 3864 1400

Ph. +62 361 858 1100

 

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Photo of the Week: Another Trip Booked

That's right, the countdown to my next trip has begun. Just today, I booked flights and 3 nights accommodation in January. Yes, just 3 nights. I'm spoiling myself with a long weekend in Bali. How I love living in Perth and being able to get a return airfare for under $300. This trip will be purely about catching up with friends, eating and relaxing. For 3 days, I'm going to take the time to enjoy the hotel, eat and some of my favourite restaurants in the area and celebrate a fellow Bali lovers birthday. No adventures, no shopping (I've only for 10 kilos of carry on luggage) and no hitting the clubs. I can't wait

 

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