Day of touring Lombok tomorrow...

Promise to catch up next day....

Fabulous dinner in the Asian restaurant tonight.. Is it bad that our pre- dinner happy hour (at 2 for 1) cost more than our dinner?

Bob, when I went to Luang Prabang with K a few years ago, due to a hotel mix up ( their fault) the 3 Nagas offered us a FREE set loation dinner..... It ended up being our most expensive meal of the trip!!! The cocktails did us in!! LOL ;)

Yes Nicky but our normal drink is not champagne out of a golden slipper

I've seen photos of the new villas at Qunci - I'd love to go back and stay there. Enjoy your time on Lombok!

Kathie, it is truly fabulous

Ok, so we got to the airport and the car tried to drop us at international, until we pointed out the mistake and he took us nearer to the domestic terminal, but could have driven right to the front door... Oh well then we would have missed our Burger King lunch (60,000rp for a #1). Garuda check-in was a bit slow--inefficient, but we had plenty of time. about an hour late leaving cause waiting for 3 late arrivals. 18 minute flt on a 737. New Lombok airport is quite nice but 1.5 hours drive to Qunci Villas, right thru the middle of Mattaran.

Even in the dark we could see the new section is simply fabulous. I should note also before moving on that Lombok is now a built up place. QV is no longer in an isolated area.

But once you are inside it is a real oasis. The wind has been housing since our arrival which makes it quite pleasant and allows for a nice breeze.

Our double unit, 2 bedrooms, 2 bath with a private enclosed pool (20X15) is lovely... There are 3 water waterfalls into the pool from a stone wall creating an enchanting noise. Inside the wall are many 30' bamboo trees and outside many tall coconut/palm trees. Our unit is called QIMA II. It is one of only 2 , 2 bedroom units. We are 75 feet to the lounge/med. restaurant and largest pool which is next to the sea front. There is a narrow beach. Lots of surfers out front. $265++ incl huge breakfast for 4.

THIS IS NOW OUR PRIME SUGGESTION AS A HONEYMOON DESTINATION !!!! Lots of flts from outside Indonesia directly, but not BKK...

We went to the Med rest. For dinner ... Really good... Most entrees $8-12, with steak and seafood combo at $23. Apps about $4-8, desserts mostly $6.50 and all are amazing... Think chocolate or strawberry Pavlova . Drinks $6-11 ( 2 for 1. 5-7PM--no wine or beer incl... Beers $2.50, local wine $6.50...

Early to bed..... Great bed... Huge rain shower head in huge room with a sculpture.

Original art everywhere in unit incl at pool.

Just lost another whole sect. Later.

There was a wedding on when we went a couple of years ago in September, agree idyllic location at a great hotel. Sounds like you are all having a super time.

the next day was a leisure day hanging around the pool... Meals are fab, mostly western, but with a nice mix of local... Staff is exceptional. Enjoyed happy hour daily 5-7... Drinks $$2.50-11.00.

The pool is right next to the beach with huge waves and surfers... Also enjoying our own pool.

We are having so much fun with the Gomes and miss Craig and jeane.

The following day we had a driver and guide... Quite disappointing starting with the price of about $220 ($55 each). Guide was only so so. Not really a lot to see here.. Should have stayed at QV instead... Did enjoy visit to weaving village, skipped indiginous people village.. L bought some pearl jewelry.... Lots of Lombok pearls...

Next day was a leisure day around QV... Massages for all at 2--- I had my first foot massage for 1 hour.
exceptional weather day and evening and sunsets were fabulous... Great dinner again.

We really love Qunci Villas... May come back another time and just stay here.. Hope a direct flt from BKK will open up.

another beautiful AM with breakfast in the Med. Rest.--- omlettes, scrambled eggs, fruit, fresh squeezed juices, hot chocolate, capuchino, best ever warm baguettes, croissants and jams.

We return to Bali this PM with a flt at 5:30. we will try the Marriott, The Stones Hotel on the Legian/Kuta border across from the beach. we will have 5 nights there before flying on to Bangkok.

While there we will have the treat of meeting Marmot. We are really looking forward to that. Her Bali info is always so perfect and welcomed.

No pork served here btw. Muslim island 90%.

Thanks for the hat tip, Bob. Actually visitors like you are my best source of information.

Plenty of pork in Bali, though.

Have you had your Babi-guling yet?

http://www.baliguide.com/babi-guling.html

Have not had it yet...

Lovely lunch at Qunci before we left at 2:30.... Only an hour to the airport... Very disorganized at Garuda... The woman in front of us had 25 pieces of checked luggage. 25 min. Flt this time back to bali.

Approached by young guy in airport offering a van ride for $20... I never take these but this time I did and it was fine.

Marriott, the Stones Hotel is a glitzy place, not far from main st Kuta. Dinner was disappointing and service was horrid. Hope tomorrow will be better. We have been so spoiled thus far that perhaps this is just normal. we were upgraded and have a decent room overlooking the pool. Large soaking tub on our balcony, shielded by a sliding curtain...

Yes we were spoiled by the service, quality of food and ambiance at Quincy villas that the dinner at Marriott seemed very plain and lackluster. Luckily Bob n Karen were there to soften the blow. We will definitely return to qv one day for a week next time around.

Also wanted to mention our stay at the Grand Hyatt in Nusa Dua. A very picturesque Hyatt akin to the Grand Hyatt on Kauai. Lovely sprawling property with beautiful tropical grounds and decor in the buildings. Putu our Bali driver actually used to work there and reminded us of it's unique building design that replicates the typical Bali family compounds with buildings in the east, west north and south of the complex at different heights according to traditional Bali traditions akin to the Chinese Feng Shuei (sp) methods. We were upgraded here to a lovely ocean view room and would stay here again on a return visit.

Time is flying by on this trip. Can't wait for our return to Bangkok and our gtg with Pook and Dang along with the Kimball's and kuranosuke and wife Jackie. We will also have time this trip to return to SJ jewelers and again use that infamous phrase "Kathie from Seattle sent me" ;)

Aloha!

How can kathie possibly know so many people???

Dinner at stones was disappointing, but the bright side is I did't have to pay because karen won a bet from Peter and the prize was a free dinner-- thanks peter.

Lovely AM, great breakfast buffet... Not a single chaise available at pool at 9:45... Urrr. K going out for a swim.

We will meet up with a lady from TX later for lunch. we have never met her but we both use the same silk tailor in BKK and have contact about that in the past. Should be fun.

Lazy day today.

Dumb me did not remember that the TX lady is "stitchintime" from fodors and her husband Carl. They came for us about 1:15 and putu drove us to a really good a/c restaurant in Legian---Bali Bakery.. Excellent food and great desserts.

we had wonderful conversations which included learning about fabrics they buy in Thailand and Bali.
Is 3 hours for lunch too long... No...

What was the "bet" with Peter? Let me know his weakness as I can use a fee dinner as well!

I am sworn to secrecy

After our fun lunch gale (stitch..) dropped us off at our hotel... We regrouped and got a taxi and headed north to seminyak/legian where P&I were dropped off at the Double-6 Hotel and the girls continued on to spend about 3 hours shopping, many of the shops having been suggested by Marmot.

We spent the entire time in the bar at dbl-6, which overlooks the beach and it's crashing waves. Lots of beach activity.

Dbl-6 is a new lux hotel targeting the 25-40 set. We had a 7:30 res to eat in their acclaimed Seminyak Italian Restaurant. The food was fab. The antipasto, which sadly I did not order, looks like Tuscany.
my pumpkin ravioli in a burnt butter sauce with mustard was outstanding... P&K had mouth watering tender veal dishes and L had seafood spaghetti served in a bag. Huge desserts. Girls shared an Italian bottle of white ($42). Bill was almost 3,000,000 rp because of our bar bill..... All worth it.


Relaxed breakfast this AM, pastry is amazing... The whole buffet is very good.

Putu will come for us at 11 and we will head to east Bali and finish up with a fish dinner on Jimberian (sp) Beach.

wow, i go away for a few days and this thread balloons. just got back to sin after five great days in penang, and now resting up for the big adventure in bangkok with bob, peter, pook, and the rest of the gang.

hope you all will have time to stop by for some cheap wine, and bob's nuts. lol

<<hope you all will have time to stop by for some cheap wine, and bob's nuts.>>

Not sure I want to know about this get together!

Ken, a gtg with you would not be the same w/o my nuts..

I had the great pleasure to be able to meet up with Bob and Karen while we were in Bali, with the extra bonus of having Peter and Linda come along too. For years, I have followed Bob’s travels, mostly in the Asia area, and have used many of his suggestions. I have been one of the guilty ones, not acknowledging the help I have received from him and many of others of you. It stops here-the time and effort it takes all of you is deeply appreciated more than you know. There is something special about sharing your experiences as you see them, and we get to decide how to use them. Any time I see anything that I think may interest me in the future, I cut and paste it in a file that I keep with different places. It’s not surprising that many of those have Bob’s name on them. He continues to share all information -in what I feel is a very fair way. As we were enjoying lunch, it really became apparent how many people, especially in Thailand that we share, and guess where I found those names? Now in Bali, I have the pleasure of having Putu helping me, and what a tremendous help he is to me. I could not conduct business in Bali without him.
Loved, loved, loved our time together, Bob, Karen, Peter, and Linda-it’s been one of the highlights of this trip. Bob, thank you so much again for all the trip reports and advice and please, please, please, never stop! I am so excited that I get to follow the rest of your trip, and I’m am hoping our paths will cross again.

Yipes! I can'r believe Lombok is that built up now. 1.5 hours from Qunci to the airport??

Pook, if the only food I could have when visiting England was English food, I'd starve!

Peter and Linda, enjoy your jewelry shopping. We haven't seen Lily for several years, but please do assure her that we will be back!

Errr guys, I think you'll find "English" food is just fine........

Loving the updates Bob.

lol- Smeagol, just kidding.

Vodka martinis n nuts Ken :)

Love spotted dick smeagol ;)

Aloha!

Lancaster lad
Because we enjoy doing it and have the means to do so. I would never limit myself to eating the local food on vacation. Do you just eat local food while you are at home? Didn't think so. To limit yourself to one food during a vacation is a very boring and an extremely boring way to travel IMHO . Enjoy your time in the Bali hostels!

Pook,
My weakness? Belvedere vodka served straight up shaken very hard with a lemon twist ;)
Aloha!

They went all the way to Lombok -- and still no photos.....

Glad to hear and read you are doing well. Have a great time. And you can go a bit more in depth on the food descriptions. We all live vicariously.
Hope to see you both soon.
Tengo

Rob't-- befriend K on Facebook and you will see pics..

I have about reached my limit with nasi goering for this trip, so maybe back to some western foods with some had thai and laab thrown in...

Gale it was our pleasure to have FINALLY met you. Too bad we are missing you in bkk.

Kathie, there is a new airport in Lombok much further away, so that is why it takes so long... Time for a return visit for you guys.

Putu was here before 11... We headed out to east Bali, refining our destinations along the way. first stop was the cloth market ---same town where the "old court of justice" and museum are located. we have been to the court twice before but never knew of the cloth market directly across the street, just behind the parking lot... It is huge. K bought two 2.4 meter pieces of Bali cotton to have made into shirts in bkk (490,000rp for the two--about $45.).... Both are very high quality. Tough bargaining, down from 600,000. One is green tones with geometric design, the other more rust tones. I love the green one, I first spotted it. after an hour there we continued north west to Candidasa Beach where we ate on a terrace above a beautiful beach, with some rock formations offshore to marvel at. Puri Pandan.

from there we headed to the nearby historic town of Tenganan (sp). Small admission donation to enter town where these indigenous people continue an earn earlier lifestyle. They create intricate art work on what I can only describe a miniature Venetian blind structures. I regretted not buying one in the past so bought a medium sized one this time with a very detailed figure on it... It probably is 12" wide and has maybe 8 "blinds" that unfold downward.

We visited an inkat weaving shop but bought nothing... K did buy a number of woven baskets just outside the village... Very nice quality and reasonable for the quality.

Next we had scheduled a stop at Uuwaltu for the temple visit, followed by a fire dance presentation. Putu was concerned we would not make it in time so suggested another fire dance show at Sahadewa (100,000 each). We actually preferred this show to the Uuwaltu show--45. Min. On the way there we stopped at the bat caves at a temple.

after the show we drove to Jimbaran and had two fresh fish grilled over an open flame of coconut husks and served at tables on the beach.... Maybe 20 restaurants line the beach next to the four seasons resort. Fish, rice, spinach plus drinks. One snapper and one firmer white fish whose name I have forgotten. 580,000. We all stunk of smoke after we left there.

Back to the hotel by 10... P&I had some desserts as the fish was not enough for me and P does not eat fish.

Today is a lazy day. Breakfast at 9... Girls have gone shopping for a few hours... P is having a massage and I am doing what I do best--nothing.

Lunch today in the hotel's Japanese restaurant I think.

At 4:30 we are invited to marmot's house for a drink, which we very much look forward to. this means that K&I will have had the pleasure of meeting the 3 most, non-USA, prolific contributors to the Asian forum---Cicerone, Hanuman and Marmot... Lucky us.

It's so good to hear you're having a great time. Lovely Jimbaran with toes in the sand, and no doubt a dodgy mariachi band to entertain you !

Thanks for all the pieces of information, they can enhance the experience for those who follow. We booked Putu on your recommendation, thanks for that too !

I don't know if I know about that cloth market. I will have to put that on my Putu list for next time. If that price is for the 5 yards, I think its a good price. Was it a hand painted fabric?

Putu says you go to that mkt...

Not sure if it is hand painted. I'll ask K.

Very good lunch at the stones today so I am feeling better about the place... Hotel cleared out quite a bit yesterday so it is quieter. I can endorse the hotel now, but honestly the area is just too commercialized. The beach is directly across the street however... In the evening there is wayyyyyy too much traffic and going is slow. I am renting out Australians if you have any need for one. Girls are at the huge pool for an hour.

OMG, another fabulous Fodorite. We spent a couple of hours today with Marmot and her husband at their lovely villa in Bali.

They are both charming and shared with us their experiences as expats in Asia for over 20 years. she served us some delicious goodies and lovely drinks.

It was sad to depart but we had a 7PM res for dinner at Biku, which turned out to be delicious and fun. Put it on your Seminyak list...

Just checked in for our flt on air Asia tomorrow to bangkok.

Putu comes for us today about 10 for a last touring day.. This time some of west bali.

we have had a great time here on Bali and Lombok and very much look forward to almost a month upcoming in Thailand. Our friend Pat and her sister Kathleen will join us tomorrow in bkk, as will Ken and his wife jackie. It should be tons of fun...

Looking forward to seeing all you guys in Thailand! Lots of rain at the moment with some street flooding after a heavy downpour but clears away in a few hours. Might be difficult to BBQ!

Bob, you're slipping! Are you vegging in Bangkok now!? Are you on the river, usual location?