joanw

Hi, Thanks to your advice, we've come up with the following itinerary.
We will be staying in Sanur -Peneeda View-3 nights, -half day temple and village tour included, also Putu 1 day
Seminyak - Desamuda Village 2 nights, in a pool villa,
Ubud -Champlung Sari -3 nights- includes half day biking tour, half day white water rafting and massage.
Alam Shanti 3 nights- Putu 1 day
Alam Sari 3 nights - Putu 1 or 2 days?
Where would you go with Putu?
Which activities or classes at the hotels do you like?
Favorite restaurants in each area? Stores? Thanks again., I love your input.
Joan

marmot

I don't know Desamuda Village, but from their website it looks a little too close to Sunset Road and a little too far from the beach.

My favorite restaurants in Seminyak are (in no special order) Sardine, La Lucciola, Sarong, Mamasan. Metis is a bit fancy but very good. KuDeTa is a "must go" but maybe better for sunset before dinner or late after dinner drinks. There's a new Mosaic on the beach in Batubelig, but I haven't been there yet.

The only one your hotel list that I'm familiar with is Alam Sari -- which is very nice, low key and charming. I'd talk to them about things to do in the area. They're the experts. The walk from Alam Sari to Ubud is brilliant if you're up for it.

Restaurants I like in Ubud are The Three Monkeys, Lemak, the restaurant at the Alila (beautiful but pricy) and the restaurant at Uma Ubud.

Definitely get a list of dance performances and attend one or two. Those at Ubud Palace are always good and I'm especially fond of the Kecak at Junjugnan Village.

If you're interested in architecture I'd suggest a visit to the Green School (they have tours)and Como Shambhala. The Setia Darma Mask and Puppet Museum outside of Ubud.

StanKase

Joan you sure do not mind packing and unpacking. My wife and I woulf go bonkers. Good luck. As for where to go I wpould go to the volcano region and stop at the little towm of Sidman, the lake region and if you want to make a 10 hour day they say the Pupuan Rice Fields are simple magnificant. We are going the first week of Dec.. not ideal weather but even then they are supoose to be awesome. Those three destinations are 7-10 hour days with a stop our two.I woukld avoid the monkey forest it is said with creey people hawking for money along with the monkies. The Modern Museum in Ubud was worth a 45 minute stop.We eat at Warong and had a very good meal and splurged and really enjoyed the Mozaic. Yes it's worth the $100USD+ for two without wine.

joanw

Thank you for such thoughtful answers. We will be there for our 25th anniversary(of dating!), so the restaurant recommendations will be very helpful.
Yes, Stan, I would have preferred less unpacking, but 2 of the hotels are part of the tour and we couldn't get some others for the whole time, so...

KimJapan

We stayed at Peneeda View 16 years ago on our first trip to Bali. At the time it suited us perfectly. Very inexpensive, right on the beach and near to lots of restaurants for dinner. Staff was really kind and friendly. We were given what they called the honeymoon suite, as big cottage closest of all of the rooms to the beach. We enjoyed it.

Alan Sari, we stayed in 2004. It was fantastic. I'm sure Dewa is still there, and I'd have him take you to his village and do cooking with his wife. He can also introduce you to a local painter who is charming and at least in 2004 was happy to both sell paintings and have guests paint alongside his students. Alam Sari can arrange a whole variety of cultural activities for the asking. We did 10 days worth and loved every one.

I hope the places are still as enjoyable as in my memory! Have a great time.

kmkrnn

Putu has several very scenic drives out thru the rice paddies. Always lovely and good photo ops if you are into that. He also takes guest to the pupet museum. At first I was not interested, but once I got there it was great. John Hardy (the jewler) has a fabulous shop made of bamboo. Email them ahead and they will give you a tour and lunch with the excutives(a very casual afair) that was very interesting. Putu also seems to know here there is a festival, or a visit to his family compound, the kite factory are interesting. He will give you a list of thing. Have fun

StanKase

Joan; You know I recommended Putu but I also think he has his "preferred" shops so make certain you get value. I learned that when we went to a great place for reproductions and carvings with him, Bali Gong, but overpaid ($700) for a wood and brass sculpture.I learned in later visits I should have paid about $500-$550. But his family compound was one of the most interesting stops we made. He only soometimes does that for guests. When are you going exactly and I can ask him if he he does not mind to make that park of one of the tour one day? You will be there 15-20 minutes. You had asked for restaurants and over the past few years besides Mozaic as best but expensive ,for a very special night, the Melting Pot,, Bridges, Breeze, Bali Asli are some much more reasonable ($15-$30/person) and I think you would enjoy.I must admit I forgot just where some are I just had noted them in my file. In Dec. we will try Mozaic again the Melting Pot and since we are staying at The Chedi Club, just outside Ubud, we will eat there the food is also first rate ($3-$40/persom).

bombayteddy

For batik, go to the BEST: "Popiler Batik 2". INCREDIBLE collection, in ready-to-wear plus bales of one-of-a-kind prints, which you can have cut and made-to-order by their in-house tailor.

joanw

Hi again, Sorry, I've been visiting Ireland (wonderful with really friendly people). Thanks again for all the advice and comments.
Kim, I chose Alam Sari because of your comments way back.

Stan, the dates I gave Putu are in Sanur Nov.8, and in Ubud - Nov. 15,17 and possibly 19th. Have you done his Forgotten south Bali tour? Would that be best done from Sanur?
Joan

StanKase

Joan; I have not done spefic named tours with Putu. My request to him is nature, non-commercial, cultural but not places with labels on it. We went to the volcano regin including Sidiman, amd this upcoming trip we are devoying 9 hours to get to the Pipuan Rice Terraces in West Bali that some friends who have traveleled more than our 3 trips a year and though it is 2.5 getting there and 3 hours returning because of truck traffic the trice fiels the are said the be spectacular. Best to leave at 7:30 AM and with spending 1-1.5 hrs in the rice fields you will be back in Siminak or Unad by 5PM. Yes, it. it's a long trip but said to be beatiful. We have told Putu to plan on stopping at a large local market in the morning for 20-30 minutes for my wife enjoys browsing those type of places.