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For the wanderers
Bali High…lights
Hiya lovelies! As the last of the gang make it home tonight, I’ve gathered a few highlights for those considering a visit to Bali (or not) and for those who have already been, a chance to reflect on their own special memories…
Our Speedy Visa Man – who for a small fee, whisked us through the arrival mayhem and into the warm night air and our Villa-driver within mere minutes.
Body Works – for the best manicures, pedicures, facials, body and hot stone massages and waxing gurus…No! Strike the last, she had a mean glint in her eye and a sadistic laugh!
The tiny offering – little woven baskets on doorsteps and in the arms of the many shrines, their content so intriguing, from rice cakes and cigarettes to money and Oreo cookies; and the orange kitten who climbed Ku De Ta’s shrine daily to feast from said offerings.
Surprise and Enthrallment – the expressions on a young Balinese girl’s face when she looked through Binoculars for the first time, thank you Bret for making her day so memorable.
Xmas Wrapping Compromises – creative pressies artfully hand decorated housing hours worth of giggles, thank you guys!
Blow up floating devices – kept us pool cool and made for great gifts for the Balinese kids post return flight.
Sunsets – now fully appreciate why it was Telly’s favourite time of day…a toast to you on the high seas my boy.
Nusa Dua – and our Komodian boat driver for calmly negotiating through an ocean thick with every conceivable water sport operating simultaneously within a 2 kilometer radius. A preference for airspace with 9 other Para-sailors or water space with multiple jet skis, banana boats, long boats, fly fish and the jet boats towing the Para-sailors?
Turtle Island – for the dear Hijab adorned tourists who insisted on having their photo taken with Bret and Steve who, for just a very small moment, fancied themselves rock stars.
Luwak coffee – hmmmmm. Kopi luwak or civet coffee that includes part-digested coffee cherries eaten and pooped out by the Asian palm civet. Jury still out on this one
The Balinese – so humble, kind, friendly, gentle…simply beautiful people.
Dewa and Putu – our intrepid drivers who educated us on Caste differences and the significance of the many cultural ceremonies; and for their patience, humor and warmth.
Palm fruit – a new taste sensation, interesting!
Rock Bar – the perfect spot to admire the country’s magnificent sunsets, sipping cocktails while casually hanging off a cliff face. Or maybe wallowing in the cliff edge infinity pool just below. Ayana resort itself rather splendid too. Next time. And finally…
Our travel buds – Miss Rynnie ‘n Mr Stephan, for being able to hang out sans makeup in our jammies, commiserate with one another over the state of our tums as well as explore the temples, the streets, the odd volcano, ocean floor and the bestest nosheries, all off the back of a daily gym workout! … love you both and thank you for your friendship and companionship.
Girl’s gotta eat!
Well my lovely readers, as the Balinese holiday winds down, how could I not talk food? Seminyak plays host to an amazing array of nosheries and the gang, keen to let their taste buds do the talking, went exploring. Here are our highlights…
Sarong. A blend of complex yet pure Asian fusion flavours served in ambient Balinese luxe. Chilli, lime and honey Margheritas, tender oysters bathed in a coriander and chilli lime dressing, soft shell crab with green mango and tamarind chilli dressing…note a theme here? Cucumber sticks nesting in ice, coupled with an intriguing coconut tapioca dessert, provided a welcomed ‘chilli’ reprieve before taste buds deserted the building. BJ…Chef of few words thought this place was the ‘mut’s nuts’ and the gang concurred…hot ‘n spicy lovers rejoice!
Le Lucciola. Thatch-roofed, bi-level, bumping up against a palm studded beachfront, the Frangipani lounge the perfect place to sip an Appletini and graze on mud crab and lime sorbet while watching yet another spectacular Balinese sunset.
Starfish Bloo at the W for sheer splendor, the suspended birdcage seating alone enticing one to climb in and sway to the gentle breezes with cocktail in a tippy cup. The clean, sensational flavors of my sashimi, miso prawn soup and lime sorbet were on point. You’ll also love the simple touches including a pump pack of ‘Bugger Off’ spray, magnifying glasses and torches to read the extensive menu as the sun sinks below the horizon. And what about those snazzy bathrooms!
Ku De Ta, trusty fave for long leisurely breakfasts on sprawling lounges while watching the beach venders ply their wares to the unwary (look for the ever present black pirate kite). Pumping chill out music vibes and a damn fine luncheon menu too, not to mention our fun and funky celebratory Xmas nosh. Oh! And another lux bathroom, and yes I’m clearly fixated on bathrooms!
Samaya’s ‘Breeze’ for late afternoon cocktails, corn fritters and mini burgers, munched water’s edge whilst basking in yet another glorious sunset. The overwhelmingly friendly service, a mighty fine evening menu. New Year’s eve a mix of quirky horns, random fireworks and a mighty countdown leading to one hell of a blast as we saw the New Year in.
Sea Circus, for splendid coffee, tastebud heaven chilli prawn quesadillas and divine avocado corn fritters and it’s just around the corner from Body works – THE one stop body maintenance shop. A huge bunch of staff with no apparent strategy and ready to argue that you DID order the random coffee they’ve just delivered to your table. Bless ’em!
Potato Head, currently the most uber cool place to hang, brilliant conical structure composed of recycled shutters housing a groovy bar, several restaurants and again, splendid beach front sunsets. The place bordering on overrated and under-friendly and we really would have liked to dispel that initial impression had we not been forced to cancel much coveted dinner booking due to unhappy tummies. THE place to be seen NYE, a number of spiked drink reports saying otherwise.
Grocer and Grind robust coffee and breakfasts, just don’t order a takeaway bacon ‘n egg muffin …runny yolk and white t-shirts don’t mix but hey! Wet wipes! Perfect for post seafood sticky fingers, food and drink spill stain removal. Stock up on them. Lots ‘n lots of ’em.
I’m sure you have many more yum spots to share, please do.
