The Onion Layers: Bali Trip September 2012, Day 1

I always have a special feeling about Bali since the second time I went there (the first time is when I was 2 yo, so I don’t remember a thing) and I have been going back almost every year. Like most of the first timer in Bali, I started my Bali trip mostly in Kuta area and gets further and further ever since. I think I could never get enough of Bali. I always ended my trip with thoughts like “sheesh, I haven’t got the chance to see Tanah Lot” or “ok, next time I will visit this and that and this and that”. So every time I went back to Bali, I always add a new destination.

Well, I might not like most of the tourist who spend holiday in Bali. Many local tourists might have been visited Tanah Lot, Kintamani, Pura Besakih, etc. I haven’t. I spent most of my holiday searching new beaches or sunset spot. Do I surf? No. I just love to sit on the sand and looking at the sea. A bit weird, I know.

I must admit my latest trip to Bali wasn’t include so many beaches like last year (I’ve been to 16 beaches in 9 days if I’m not mistaken), but it’s a great new experience too as I got the chance to see my favorite things in one place (more on that later). Turns out spending thirteen days in Bali was STILL NOT ENOUGH for me.

Okay here we go..

I’ve bought AirAsia’s first flight, departs from CGK before 6 am which means I had to be ready super early to catch the first damri bus at 2.40 am from Bogor. I’m one of the people who have problem sleeping the night before something exciting will happen the next day, so I didn’t sleep at all. Nothing special happened during my time on the bus, or the airport, or the plane. But I got really excited and grinned all the time as my feet landed in Ngurah Rai International Airport. Such a familiar feeling and it reminded me of how much I love this island.

Took the airport cab, I went straight to the hotel. I stayed at Kuta A1 apartments in Kubu Anyar. I always take the airport cab considering I ALWAYS bring a giant luggage every time I go to Bali for holiday, so it was impossible for me dragging my luggage all the way outside the airport to find a cab. No, thank you. Ok back to the hotel. I found the hotel from tripadvisor, was looking for another hotel but found this hotel instead. Got the room for about IDR 320.000 per night via agoda and stayed there for 5 nights.

Here’s my review of Kuta A1 Apartment

Location: a bit far from the beach, close to the airport, pretty strategic.
Lobby: I would describe it as half outdoor, since it has no doors. Simply designed, clean, and not intimidating.
Staff at the reception: very helpful and friendly. I asked them if I can get a double bed room instead of twin and check in early days before my arrival and they give me what I want. Great!
Room: spacious, clean, tidy. The bed looks comfy and seem to me didn’t contain bed bugs. LCD TV completed with cable channel (though I have problem with the remote). A lot of space for your luggage in the closet. Don’t have refrigerator in the room. Oh, I hate the mirror. It made me look fatter than I already am and I have a square head. Zzz.
Bathroom: Clean. Hot and cold shower available. Clean toilet, tissue and towel provided, changed everyday.
Hotel facilities: They don’t serve breakfast, but you can order and pay IDR 30.000. I suggest you find warung outside the hotel, it’s cheaper. They have a pool which looks greenish but it’s pretty clean than it looks. You can make coffee or tea behind the reception area, it’s complimentary.
Where to eat: across the street you will find warung padang and the food tasted good. You will find many warung to eat outside the hotel and my favorite was Warung Muslim Banyuwangi, I only pay IDR 5.000 and had a full and happy stomach
Overall: it’s a pleasant stay. The staffs mostly still young and are tourism high school fresh graduates so they are really friendly. I would love to stay there again.
Note: check room rates via agoda, it’s cheaper than direct booking to the hotel.

Double Bed Room

LCD TV

Bathroom

Pool

After checking in, I decided to have a tattoo on my back so I went to Kuta Beach. The weather was so hot I swear the sand feels like fire on my bare feet. I sat on a plastic chair and waiting for the tattoo painter (I wouldn't call them tattoo artist, it’s just a temporary tattoo hahah) to come to me. Remember to bargain everything that sell at the beach except for drinks. I got a full back wing shaped tattoo for IDR 175.000, a bit pricey for a temporary tattoo but looking at the size of it I think it’s still reasonable. Just one problem, I wasn't wearing any sunscreen that day and just like that I got sunburn on my first day. Zzz.

Wing shaped tattoo

Sitting by the beach, no sunscreen

After getting my temp tattoo done, I went Nasi Pedes Bu Andika for lunch. It’s like a must do when I’m in Bali, the food still taste good but the price…omg it gets more expensive each year. Then I went to Legian Beach, doing nothing but looking at the sea for 5 min and head back to Kuta to visit the new mall, Beachwalk.

Hmm.. what I can say about Beachwalk is that THIS IS ROBBERY! It’s like one of the malls in Jakarta had been moved to Bali. Normally I don’t shop much when in Bali except for gifts and a few cheap dresses but that was because nothing’s good in Bali dept store, but finding Pull & Bear, Aldo, Stardivarius in Bali….. MYGOD. I have to slap myself so that I don’t buy anything in there. Well after a quick look at my bank account, I know I should stay strong. Anw you can find a branded store here from clothing, shoes, bags and accessories, electronics, etc. Beachwalk is the perfect place to eat too, there are Burger King, Domino’s Pizza, Luna Negra, etc and if you’re not feeling eating in a restaurant then you can go upstairs and eat in Eat n Eat food court. I think if there’s a theater in Beachwalk, it would be the best mall in Bali.

Beachwalk

A bit depressed cos I can’t buy the cute blazer at Pull & Bear, I decided to wander around Seminyak. I stopped at Deus, found a canvas travel bag which was very good looking but too expensive (IDR 2.000.000 man.. I prefer saving more then I can buy a Spade). It was around sunset time so I was out trying to find Canggu Beach, aaaand.. couldn't find it but arrived at Berawa Beach instead.

Deus

The Bag

If you want to go to Berawa Beach, head to Oberoi area then you go pass Hu'u Bar, Potato Head, Petitenget Beach, after that I don't really remember hehe.. but you can try searching Legong Keraton Beach Hotel, for it is located in front of Berawa Beach.

google maps direction from Kuta to Berawa Beach

Arrived at Berawa Beach, you will find yourself surrounded by foreigner or expats and just a few locals. Berawa Beach is perfect for dog walking and horse riding. A beautiful sunset spot too. Perfect time to visit the beach are in the morning - you can surf here - and at sunset time when you can just chill out, holding beers, and watch sunset.