Have you ever had a post that’s been in your draft box for over a year, waiting to be publish?
I just found one (this post). hpmf… I forgot why I haven’t published it, such a waste. But rather that I deleted it, I better just publish it. Enjoy!
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“ I feel like I haven’t visited this island for years that I decided to have a visit, just a short one
So here I am again, writing a journal of my short visit to Bali.”
[ Sunset from The Stone beach club, Kuta Beach ]
After long absence, I was back in Bali for the weekend. Somehow it felt wrong for not visiting this Island of God for 8 months. You may wonder why, but I am still wondering myself why… So I went there for a short visit, as usual, because of my limited leave days from work. Plus this time, I made a plan to dive with a friend.
BRIEF JOURNAL
It is a year late journal so I tried to make it simple and emphasize on place-to-eat/hangout/sleep.
For brief expense list, please go to the bottom of this post.
April 2012
Day 1
– Arrived in Bali Airport around noon. Apparently the airport was under renovation that I couldn’t go directly to parking lot. Instead, I walked to International terminal, to the parking lot, then to the exit gate to take Blue Bird to Poppies Lane 2, Kuta. It was a very long walk, 500m I guess. But rather than I pay double taxi fare, I prefer walking this far.
– Check in at Bounty Hotel, Poppies Lane 2. I was asked for deposit about usd100 while I had paid the room in fuul through Agoda. I just complained ant they settled for USD50 deposit.
– Had my lunch at my fave Warung Indonesia in Gg. Ronta, Poppies lane 2.
– Met up with some coworkers late afternoon. They were in Bali to attend a workshop and I joined their afternoon party at The Stone Beachclub in Kuta beach. The sunset view from the rooftop was beautiful that afternoon.
Day 2
– I took a day trip dive to Tulamben with my former diving school, Bali Scuba. They pick me up around 7am and brought me to their office in Sanur for settling the administration. Afterwards we were off to Tulamben, one of the best dive site in northeast part of Bali. It took about 3 hours to reach the site. I think it took longer than my previous trip there.
[ saw this cool underwater camera at bali scuba shop. i want one!! ]
– My friend joined me in Tulamben and we had 2 awesome dives. First dive was near the wreck and second one near the artificial underwater garden. Then back to Kuta which journey was about the same 3 hours ride, so loooooong.
– Had dinner with my friend at Sushi Tei in Sunset Road, about 15-20min ride by taxi.
– At nite, we spent it exploring the nitelife in Legian (bounty, paddy’s, sky garden) and Double Six (la vida loca). Shockingly my friend lost her camera in La Vida Loca. D**n!! I’ve heard those stories about pick-pocket in Bali clubs but that was the first time happened to the group I went with. Awesome nite soon became a bad one. Hm.. those cute pics or ours were gone 🙁
Be careful when you partying there guys!
Day 3
– I woke up late that I missed to taste Bounty Hotel’s breakfast. I didn’t have it the day before due to my early dive. Hm.. will I be able to go back and taste it?? I don’t think I wannna stay there again. The room rate is just too expensive for that kind of old facilities.
– At noon, I check out from Bounty Hotel and moved to Baleka Resort in Legian, the same hotel as my friend.
– I had my lunch at Mozzarella Restaurant in Jalan Padma. It’s near the hotel and one of my fave restaurant. I had a meet-up with Bali couchsurfing members there and spent the rest of the day with them, hanging out in Legian beach watching sunset, check-out La Barca beachcafe in Batubelig and ended the day enjoying clubs in Legian and Double Six. Awesome!
Day 4
– I managed to wake up early and tried Baleka Resort’s breakfast. It tasted good. They served variety of bakery. There were also Indonesian food and my fave breakfast menu, sausage + omelet. That morning was my friend last day in Bali so I said goodbye to her. Sad one. After breakfast, I continued my sleep ^^. So tired…
– I check out Cocoon Beachclub for a friend who was looking a place for her wedding reception and spent my afternoon in Legian beach till sunset time. The place is nice.
– From Legian beach, I walked to Melasti Street to buy souvenir.
– Had my dinner in my fave Warung Indonesia with a friend
– Had a massage in Angelina Spa, Legian street
– Spent the rest of the nite at Legian clubs (surfer bar, expresso bar)
Day 5
– Took the first flight back to Jakarta and straight to work. It was a long but awesome weekend ^^/
ACCOMMODATION
Bounty Hotel
It’s located in Poppies Lane 2, 5min walks from Kuta beach. This hotel is suitable for party lover. so if you are not this group, I recommend you to find other place. They have DJ in the main pool, playing club music till night. They also provide free entrance for local guess to Legian clubs (bounty, paddy’s). I booked a double room through Agoda.com and got USD60/nite include breakfast. For further story, please go to my review “My Stay at Bounty Hotel” in my other blog mystayinbudgethotel.wordpress.com.
Baleka Resort
It’s located in Werkudara street, near Double Six area, a 15min walk to Legian beach. I chose this hotel cause I was curious with their swimming pool that looked great on the web. For further story, please go to my review “My Stay at Baleka Resort”in my other blog mystayinbudgethotel.wordpress.com.
VISITED PLACES
Warung Indonesia,located in Gang Ronta, Poppies Lane, Kuta. Cannot miss eating at this cheap local restaurant with a good taste of Indonesian food.
Mozzarella Restaurant, Jl. Padma, Legian. I luv this restaurant. They serve good foods.
La Barca, in Batubelig. A nice bar in a boat shape. Unfortunately it has closed down now.
The Stones beach club, Kuta beach. Fancy one, food is not really good but they offer a nice sunset view.
Expresso Bar, in Legian clubs strip. You can sing here if you have the talent.
Other places:
- Sushi Tei Restaurant, a bit fancy one, located in Sunset Road. I like the restaurant, all white. It has different decor than the one in Jakarta and bigger for sure.
- Sky Garden Club, Legian
- Bounty Club, Legian
- Surfer Bar, Legian
EXPENSES
(USD 1 = Rp10k)
<this expense might be different now due to 30% increment of fuel charge last year>
- Blue Bird Taxi
> Denpasar Airport to Poppies Lane 2, Kuta: Rp.25,000
> Legian street to Sunset Road (Sushi Tei): Rp.30,000 - Kuta-Sanur-Tulamben-Sanur-Kuta : free transfer from Bali Scuba dive center
- There supposed to be more transportation expense but my friend gave me a ride to some of the places.
- Bounty Hotel: USD 60 through Agoda
- Baleka Resort: USD 60 through Agoda
- Warung Indonesia, lunch: for
- Mozzarella Restaurant, lunch: for
- Sky garden, summer berries cocktail: Rp.75k before 12pm
- La Vida Loca, draftbeer: Rp.30,000
- 2 dives in Tulamben with Bali Scuba dive center : USD 93.5 for local diver incl equipment
- Angeline spa : Rp. 75,000 for 1.5hours massage
MAP