brusselschap

Have confirmed with Putu Arnawa for two days (he's already booked most of the time we're on Bali). He's been very courteous and helpful in his messages and, for info, his current rate is 500,000 Rupiah for a 10h day.

Will now contact Wayan as suggested by Robbietravels for a couple of days more touring out of Ubud. If not I might ask Putu Arnawa for a suggestion as I trust he has many friends/colleagues in the business.

I'd say four days with a guide/driver is enough for us over the week period.

Also looking into some mountainbiking out of Ubud.

Happy Sunday...

brusselschap

just had an email from a friend who lived in Singapore for four years and recommends (among other things) going for the Curry Buffet at the Tiffin Room (raffles hotel).... am hungry already

AskOkssana

We stayed at the Conrad on the south coast it was fabulous. Their spa is something to behold

had nasty experience with Putu so wouldn't recommend to be honest. There are many other guides

Watch out for them pesky monekys!

AskOkssana

Incidentally, I would do away with your time on the east coast of Bali and swap it with somewhere south (such as the Conrad)

Never ehard of the spavillage place but it's so isolated i suspect there'll be plenty of bugs

brusselschap

Thank you... we're not keen on Conrad-size hotels on Bali (in cities yes, on Bali no

But I am worried about your comments on Putu as have booked him for two days. What exactly was your problem?

rhkkmk

i can not imagine anyone having a problem with putu....he is fantastic and a real nice guy....please explain... in 5 or more years this is the first negetive report i have seen on him.....
a 10 hour day with him will tire you out, believe me....
i would head for 8 hour days...

putu knows tons of back roads which are very interesting and is always willing to stop for pictures, etc...

our first time with him we were staying at sanur and we got all around the island from there...

brusselschap

Thanks Bob, that is what I'd read in your trip report and in other reviews... I suspect the comment above is a troll and will keep our reservation with Putu. We'll be with him for two days out of Alila Manggis.

thanks

tengohambre

We liked a lot strolling around Seminyak for shops and restaurants. For dinner make a visit to Sarong. It was terrific, now mentioned by Traveler as one of the new "hot" restaurants in the world. Absolutely make a reservation. There are a few Italian spots in Seminyak where, believe it or not, the Italian food was great. They are run by Italian ex-pats and last August half of each restaurant, likely more than half, was filled with well dressed Italian and French tourists air kissing each other and diving into plates of well made pasta and pizza at lunch. One restaurant is Osteria Telese, near the Oberoi and the other is a well known pizza spot on the main drag a couple of blocks away, Trattoria. Great pizzas etc. For lunch visit La Lucicola, nest to the Samaya. Great spot for a leisurely meal looking out to the ocean.

Also, make a visit to Prapen for silver and to another spot for a well made beautiful kite. They are like works of art. Have fun.

brusselschap

Thanks Tengo but in fact we're not staying at Seminyak or anywhere south of Ubud or Manggis!

tengohambre

People drive from Ubud to Seminyak, and vice versa, easily. Even for dinner. An hour or a bit more each way likely. If you have an extra evening or day you may want to head down there. While it is no doubt open to debate, we ate better in Seminyak than in Ubud. Have fun.

brusselschap

with Kathie in mind I changed our hotel booking in Singapore from FS to the Fairmont with club access.

programme is now as follows

3-6 August, three nights in Singapore at the Farimont

6-11 August five nights, full board, at Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali on the north coast
11-16 August five nights b&b at Royal Pita Maha in Ubud
16-20 August four nights b&b at the Alila Manggis on the east coast

20-22 August, two nights in Singapore at the IC

We have Putu for two full days (he's booked most of the time we're there) and he'll suggest (i hope) someone else for a few days out of Ubud

Thanks again for all suggestions

brusselschap

Putu wrote to cancel (says his brother is getting married). But offered to put us in touch with his associate.

brusselschap

we're out of here on friday so no more changes allowed

3-6 August, three nights in Singapore at the Four Seasons

6-11 August five nights, full board, at Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali on the north coast
11-16 August five nights b&b at Chedi Club in Ubud
16-20 August four nights b&b at the Alila Manggis on the east coast

20-22 August, two nights in Singapore at the Four Seasons

Bali Dean's friend Made Kasa will drive us from Tembok to Ubud and then will be with us again two full days in Ubud.

Putu's friend Rai will be be with us for two full days in Manggis.

All set, can't wait!

enjoy august!

Gpanda

When in Singapore, try to eat crabs at Eng Seng. It's over near JuChiat Rd. Get there around 5:30 p.m. to avoid line waiting. Bring lots of napkins.

brusselschap

Thanks Panda, appears that Singapore stores so many foodie delights that 5 lunches and 5 dinners just don't seeem enough!!

scfphoto

Brusselschap We stayed at Alila Manggis several years ago. The cooking class there was great. They have their own spot up in the mountains among the rice paddies it was great fun and good eats, check into it. Also if it is a full moon they will give you a guide to take you to a village full moon ceremony this was very special! Good travels!

Gpanda

bc-you will eat very well in Singapore. I continually praise Eng Seng because they were the best crabs I have ever had in my life. This from a Marylander addicted to the blue crab. We had Black Pepper Crab at another Singapore restaurant and it was not as good. At Eng Seng, we were sucking the shells to get more sauce. Do not miss this. Smeagol is also a big fan.

brusselschap

Just back. Trip report to follow.

Loved Bali. Many temples, vulcanoes and markets visited. Many nasi gorengs and nasi campur eaten! Several stray dogs avoided

The Spa Village in Tembok (north coast) was remote, isolated and TOTALLY relaxing with the nicest infinity pool i've ever seen.

Chedi Club in Ubud was gorgeous. With only 20 villas the place is always quiet and relaxing. Not a mosquito in sight! We ate at the babi guling (roast pork) place across from the Palace, at Siam Sally (decent thai), Batan Waru (terrible indonesian), Ari's Warung (good upmarket indonesian food), and Pizza Bagus -))) as well as a number of random no-name warungs in the surrounding area. Also stopped by the FS, the Alila and the Hanging Gardens to have a look. Bought stunning and huge handwoven rough cotton batik from "threads of life".

Alila Manggis was a little bit of a let down after the first two hotels (older, wear&tear, fully booked and crowded with families) but we enjoyed it nonetheless and the staff were the nicest of our trip.

Trips to Mount Anung, Mount Batur, to Beaskih temple, BatuKau temple, and thousands of ricefields. The driver Putu recommended (Rai) is just great and speaks outstanding english.

Our stops in Singapore on the way in and way out were uneventful (some good food though including Iggy's and Flutes at the Fort) but we were happy we chose to stay at the Four Seasons rather then the MO!

Our flight back via Mumbai was long and exhausting and please remind me next time that spending 5 hours at Mumbai airport in the middle of the night is not worth the $200 saved on airplane tickets...

more to follow

MichaelBKK

Batan Waru used to be quite good, but I decided my lunch there two weeks ago would be my last. Wasn't terrible, just tasteless. It's a terrible thing when a place gets 'famous' and then goes completely down hill.

brusselschap

That's right Michael, maybe I should rephrase, it Batan Waru wasn't terrible (in that nothing awful happened ) but the food was completely flavourless, tasteless (and cold). Wouldn't go back there! But Siam Sally is part of the same group (as is Terazo) and we quite liked it there!