"We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack. We continue to receive reports indicating that terrorists are planning attacks against Western interests against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners. If you are in Indonesia, including Bali, and are concerned for your safety you should consider departing. If you do decide to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, you should exercise extreme caution."
Alarming? I agree. Wanna know what's more alarming? Not having travel insurance! So, even though we've enjoyed the past week reading, watching cheap DVDs, swimming and sleeping in, I'm ready to get back to the safety net of our policy.
We're staying at Bumi Ayu (B+, older property, friendly staff), a quaint little bungalow styled place set in impossibly green gardens. We're paying ~40USD a night, more than our goal of $30.00 a night, but we were determined to have a pool. It's a bit off the beach, which actually turned out to be OK since we're not blown away by the beaches here anyway. Don't get me wrong, they're nice (MUCH better than most American beaches), but nothing compared to Palolem Beach in Goa or Aruba's white sandy beaches. I guess we're just spoiled. In fact, Kuta, Bali's tourist hotspot and main beach is downright trashed. We had to watch each step carefully. Lee found a syringe. Not Sexy!
Kuta is located on the western side of the island, so we took a Perama Shuttle there a couple of days ago. Lee wanted to see the place that attracts bombs and surfers alike. It's almost the exact opposite of Sanur, where we're staying. It's very built-up, loud, lots of traffic, Baywatch quality girls and more expensive. We had hoped to see some 'real' surfing and swim on the beach, but the winds were too high for swimming (Check out the skull and bones below) and the only people riding waves were the ones taking lessons.
So, thankfully we returned to Sanur, on the opposite coast of Bali. It's a more laid-back, clean, and less built-up beach. I suspect that may explain why the average age group of tourists here is 50+. If you're retired and Dutch or Australian, this is the place for you! But we still like it!
Although it's rainy season, it's been sunny and warm, and the nightly storms that we do get are pleasant to watch from our private balcony. This has been a nice break for us. It's also been relatively easy on the wallet. Bali, although getting more expensive daily, is still cheap. And to keep it that way, we still prefer eating at the local stands on the streets or at the local market. We've been enjoying Gado Gado, Mee Goreng, Baso, and Pork and Beef Satay. I think our stomachs have adjusted over time 'cause we haven't had any Delhi belly for a while.
Tonight, we fly to Papeete via Sydney. Somehow, this allows us to leave and land at the same time on the same day, even though we'll be traveling for 17+ hours! It blows my mind!
Alarming? I agree. Wanna know what's more alarming? Not having travel insurance! So, even though we've enjoyed the past week reading, watching cheap DVDs, swimming and sleeping in, I'm ready to get back to the safety net of our policy.
We're staying at Bumi Ayu (B+, older property, friendly staff), a quaint little bungalow styled place set in impossibly green gardens. We're paying ~40USD a night, more than our goal of $30.00 a night, but we were determined to have a pool. It's a bit off the beach, which actually turned out to be OK since we're not blown away by the beaches here anyway. Don't get me wrong, they're nice (MUCH better than most American beaches), but nothing compared to Palolem Beach in Goa or Aruba's white sandy beaches. I guess we're just spoiled. In fact, Kuta, Bali's tourist hotspot and main beach is downright trashed. We had to watch each step carefully. Lee found a syringe. Not Sexy!
Kuta is located on the western side of the island, so we took a Perama Shuttle there a couple of days ago. Lee wanted to see the place that attracts bombs and surfers alike. It's almost the exact opposite of Sanur, where we're staying. It's very built-up, loud, lots of traffic, Baywatch quality girls and more expensive. We had hoped to see some 'real' surfing and swim on the beach, but the winds were too high for swimming (Check out the skull and bones below) and the only people riding waves were the ones taking lessons.
So, thankfully we returned to Sanur, on the opposite coast of Bali. It's a more laid-back, clean, and less built-up beach. I suspect that may explain why the average age group of tourists here is 50+. If you're retired and Dutch or Australian, this is the place for you! But we still like it!
Although it's rainy season, it's been sunny and warm, and the nightly storms that we do get are pleasant to watch from our private balcony. This has been a nice break for us. It's also been relatively easy on the wallet. Bali, although getting more expensive daily, is still cheap. And to keep it that way, we still prefer eating at the local stands on the streets or at the local market. We've been enjoying Gado Gado, Mee Goreng, Baso, and Pork and Beef Satay. I think our stomachs have adjusted over time 'cause we haven't had any Delhi belly for a while.
Tonight, we fly to Papeete via Sydney. Somehow, this allows us to leave and land at the same time on the same day, even though we'll be traveling for 17+ hours! It blows my mind!
2 comments:
We love you and trust you will be very careful. The sun, lounging at the pool and strolling the streets eating cart food sounds like an escape to relaxation I would really appreciate right now.
Honey Brook in February sucks!
Hey there, your umbrella picture reminded me that a popular Top 40 song by Rihanna goes by that title. She may not be one of your favorites, but I think the lyrics might be kind or apropos for you two!
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
BobO
http://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/rihanna/umbrella-lyrics-1038286.html
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