Cindy

Any comments about this guesthouse, positive or negative, would be most welcome. Thank you.

Kristina

I stayed there in 1998 and loved it. The owners are an Australian woman and her Balanese husband. They also own 2 restaurants in town and she gives cooking classes at the guesthouse. I took two of her classes and they were excellent.<BR>You can see it on my website at <BR>http://www.wired2theworld.com/bali.htm<BR>I would stay there again. I think they have a website, have you seen it?

Cindy

Kristina, great journal entries! I look forward to the time when I can read more of it. I pretty much honed in on the guesthouse & cooking.<BR><BR>I have seen thier website, yet am curious for more information.<BR><BR>I've heard there's been lots of construction there in recent weeks. Anyone know the status? I also heard, on another website, that the rooms are dark, filled with mozzies, and it's a dark, long walk back to the guesthouse at night. <BR><BR>Kristina, can you or anyone else verify any of these comments for me? Many thanks!<BR>

Kristina

Well, yes, it's not on the main road through town. It's off a smaller, dirt road, maybe 1/4 mile down if I remember correctly. But that makes it quieter. Bring a flashlight when you go out at night.<BR>Don't know of any recent construction, although I do think they have expanded since I was there. Why don't you email them and ask about it?<BR>As for the mozzies, they are everywhere, regardless of where you stay, unless you get an A/C room at a big resort like the 4 Seasons, and even then it's hard to keep them out. I think their rooms have mosquito nets. Bring a good repellant.<BR>Do you have to book and pay in advance? If not, just stay there and if you don't like it, move to another guesthouse.<BR>Still, I'd recommend the cooking classes if you're into that.<BR>

Cindy

Hi Kristina! Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Yes, I did email them, so we'll see. I didn't have to prepay, but did email them a credit card number. They book quickly so I'm glad I have a reservation . You're right they do have nets. The Tegal Sari has A/C rooms for just a little more $, but they are so far, way past the Monkey Forest!<BR><BR>Yikes, a 1/4 mile is nothing! The post I read on the other website was so negative it concerned me; yet I don't know why I bought into it. <BR><BR>Yes, I plan on taking lots of cooking classes, wherever and whenever I can! Is the one at Cas Luna hands on, as I read a message that it was basically just a demo. I took a fabulous one in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and when I return I want to take his one week course.<BR><BR>OK, flashlight-check, citronella oil-check......I am so ready to go!<BR><BR>Thank you so much Kristina, you've been quite helpful.

Kristina

Don't hold me to that 1/4 mile-it's been a few years<BR>I think the cooking class was as hands on as you want it to be. You can particpate or watch (look at the photos on my website). I teach cooking classes and prefer to teach demos, but like to take hand-on classes myself!<BR>As for the mozzies and citronella-take something stronger with DEET in it!<BR>Have fun!<BR>BTW, if you're going to Bangkok, check my post a bit further down about photos.

Cindy

Hi Kristina. I've used DEet on other trips, but my last few Asia trips I've used only the mozzie stuff with citronella oil that I pick up there. I just can no longer get past the idea of puttin poison on my skin, letting seep into my skin. I was reluctant at first about the citronella, yet have since read several affirming reports.<BR><BR>Do you remember what kind of room you had at the Honeymoon? Krisna? Dewi? Do you remember it's proximity to shpos/restaurants/market? I read on a board that it was a 15 minute walk on a bumpy road to get to Casa Luna restaurant???<BR><BR>This trip is just Indonesia. Hope to make it back to Thailand soon tho.<BR><BR>I really like your black & white photots! In the class, do people take turns using one the cooking appliances, or does each person have his/her own little cooking stand?<BR><BR>That's what it was like in the school in Chiang Mai. I loved doing everything from start to finish. Guess that's what I'm hoping to find.<BR><BR>Thanks again!! Bye!

Kristina

Sorry, I don't remember the specific room. It was on the ground floor in the courtyard and at the time cost about $15 a night. I think they've added quite a few since I was there. It was fairly basic, but did have a beautiful hand carved balinese bed in it. Unless you stay at the 4 Seasons, don't expect luxury, it's still a 3rd world country. That said, it was nicer than the other guesthouses we stayed in.<BR>The guesthouse is down the road off one of the main streets in Ubud. Once you get to the main street it's not that far to everything. If you get a guidebook to Bali, you should be able to find it all on a map.<BR>As for the class, not everyone had their own setup, but it didn't seem to matter. There were only about 10 people per class total. If you're going to be there for a few days, you might be able to check one out before you take it.<BR>Have fun!