Karmagali Suites (Bali)

Given that we had visited quite a number of attractions in Bali the previous trip, this time we decided to have a short and relaxing trip, so relaxing that we didn't even plan an itinerary beforehand. 

We booked Karmagali Suites in Sanur, and it proved to be a good decision.

(1) Location 

Karmagali Suites is around a half an hour drive from the international airport. By using Grab, we only paid 50,000 Ruppiah (with an additional toll of 11,000 Ruppiah if you wish to take the quicker route). Karmagali Suites is a little deep in from the main street but that shouldn't be an issue because it takes around 5-10 minutes (really dependent on the weather) to walk out to the main street to get your fix of local food / massage etc. 

Given that we are always on the hunt for good food, we appreciated that one of the maps provided in the room was a food map- where they pointed out the recommendations for food. 

(2) Room

We booked the Frangipani Suite. The room was a good size, the pillows were comfortable and the greenery around was simply therapeutic. There were plenty of TV channels to choose from as well.

Although the room was closest to the street, it didn't really bother me since the noise wasn't loud, but if you are bothered, there are earplugs provided in the toilet

(3) Toilet 

The toilet was nothing like I have seen before- it was spacious and boasts of nature elements. The soap and body gel smelt sweet and refreshing.

For those who love rain showers, you have got it here.

(4) Breakfast

Breakfast was personalised. There is a menu in the room, containing breakfast items, lunch / dinner items, drinks and desserts. Breakfast was part of the room price. We were served breakfast at the area outside our room. Minus the pesky houseflies and the occasional mosquito, it was a delight to be sitting below strips of bamboo and enjoying a delicious breakfast.

You could choose from the French, Continental or Indonesian menu. We opted from the French Menu, which came with a platter of fresh fruits, fresh juice, coffee / tea and a selection of French pastries (coupled with jam / butter). The French pastries included croissant, crepe, brioche and lemon cake (choose any 3). We enjoyed the lemon cake and crepe.

(5) Amenities 

There is a swimming pool shared by the five suites. During the time we were around, we didn't see anyone use the pool but it was indeed inviting. Wifi was strong. They also provide laundry services for an extremely reasonable rate. 

(6) Service 

Service was exceptional. From the owners to the staff, each of them were friendly and helpful. The housekeeping also made the room spick and span.

Karnagali Suites 
Jl. Pungutan No. 24B
Sanur, Denpasar 

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The Mulia (Nusa Dua, Bali)

1. Room

Everything about the room was great. The bed and pillows were very comfortable, the room was well equipped, there were 65 channels on TV, and the most fascinating of all (although not strictly necessary), the toilet seat is automated so that it opens and closes without you lifting a finger! 

I love places with orchids because they just seem to make everything look so elegant.

 2) Location 

Located around an hour away from Seminyak, we spent US$25 to get a hotel car to get the 6 of us to Potato Head at Seminyak.

The hotel is by the beach. There are plenty of seats near the beach so just grab a book and spend your afternoon in the perfect setting.

Besides these, there really isn't anything much in the vicinity.

3) Amenities 

I don't usually talk about pools in a hotel but the number of pools here is just fascinating.

Besides pools, there is a fitness centre, a tennis court, spa etc. What differentiates this fitness centre from others is that they provide free lessons like yoga and have free personal trainers as well. Keeping you healthy before you indulge in a good meal!

4) Restaurants 

The Cafe 

We had a lunch buffet at The Cafe. There were many stations, including Western food, Chinese food, Indian food, Japanese food, Korean food etc. The variety was just massive. But what really seriously took buffets to a whole new level was the Dessert Room. Or rather, dessert roomS. You enter into one dessert room and then this leads to another dessert room. There is just so much excitement a man's heart can take.

The Deli 

The Deli was a convenient place for us to take away some food. Serving cakes, chocolates, salad and sandwiches, this was a good option for those who want something light and quick.

From The Mulia

Table8 

There were mixed reviews about Table8. I liked the breakfast that was served though- an assortment of dim sum, porridge, Chinese desserts etc.

6) Service 
Service here was polite and not intrusive. There were many staff around the compound so when you got lost, you could just ask them how to get around.

Summary 

If you are looking for a quiet place to spend your time and would rather enjoy good facilities, food and service within the hotel compound, this hotel is for you.

The Mulia
Jalan Raya Nusa Dua Selatan
Kawasan Sawangan
Nusa Dua
Bali, Indonesia 

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The Vira Bali Hotel (Bali)

Located at the South Kuta Beach area, I was expecting quite a bit from this place given its excellent reviews on Tripadvisor. 

1) Location 

Conveniently located opposite Lippo Mall (which was very empty and has a hypermart), this was a good location because it was at the quieter section of the road. There was plenty of food options in this area- Western, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Indian- they have it all. There was also Discovery Mall. Besides the hypermart where we got some snacks and water, the shopping malls didn't have anything that appealed to us. 

We walked to everywhere with the hotel as a base. Waterbom Bali, which is featured as a top attraction on Tripadvisor, is around a 10 minute walk away. Tuban Beach takes around the same amount of time- just ask the receptionists and they will tell you to take a shortcut. There weren't many people at Tuban beach when we were there, probably because it wasn't really one of the more "happening" beaches. It is also a 25-minute walk to Kuta Square, a shopping area with brands such as Ripcurl, Adidas etc. 

2) Room
The room was decent, although the bedsheets were a little stained. Cable channels available.

Toilet was clean, although dated. 

The rooms all had a swimming pool view.

3) Breakfast 
Breakfast was slightly below average to average- some local fare with Western food. Their local fare did better than the Western food here. The best food here? My travelling partner and I agreed- the omelette made to order. Variety was lacking.

4) Service 
Service is polite and accommodating.

5) How to get here
Free airport shuttle is provided to and fro the hotel. The hotel is about a 5-10 minutes drive to the Airport.

6) Miscellaneous 
If you are looking at taking a real break from work, this place is perfect. Connection to wifi is bad and you can just give up trying to connect to your work emails after a while.

The Vira Bali Hotel
Jalan Kartika Plaza No 127
Tuban, Bali
Indonesia 

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Bebek Bengil (Ubud, Bali)

Bebek Bengil means dirty duck. Why dirty duck? One morning, a bunch of ducks waddled into the restaurant, complete with muddy footprints. That was how they came up with the name. 

Once we reached the restaurant, we knew that this was a place that was raking in the tourist dollars- beautiful and spacious, a reception area etc. The prices were definitely tourist prices too. 

The Bebek Bengil (around Sin$12-Sin$13) came with half a duck which was steamed in Indonesian spices and then deep fried. You could choose whether to have the duck served with sauteed potatoes and side salad or rice and Balinese vegetables. Sure, the duck was crispy. However, there was very little meat and whatever spices that were used completely masked the taste of the duck. The duck meat was also dry. I initially liked the potatoes because they were soft and tasted of herbs. However, the oil that they sauteed the potatoes in started to get a little overwhelming after a while.

Anyone who goes to Ubud will definitely want to make a trip here, despite any negative reviews. It's a case of seeing is believing. Once of this is enough. Nice ambience, average service and overpriced / overrated food.

Bebek Bengil
Jalan Hanoman, Padang Tegal
Ubud, Bali
Tel No: + 62 361 975489 

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Guide: Mount Batur (Bali Eco Cycling Tour)

I am not an adventurous person. But sometimes, the desire to take in some breathtaking moments just dominates the extremely rational side of me. Questions such as, what if the volcano erupts, what if I slip and fall over the edge etc take a backseat when I booked this tour- these questions come back when the actual trek starts though. 

1) Tour 

We signed up for a tour with Bali Eco Cycling Tour. We got picked up punctually at 2:30 a.m. and the group size was 7. After enduring a bumpy ride, we reached the car park at around 4 a.m. Each person was then given a torchlight and water. Test your torchlight because you would want your path to be lit well when trekking. I also suggest that you go to the toilet before leaving your accomodation because I heard that the toilets are real bad here.

I know some reviews say that this is a relatively easy trek. I don't trek at all but I have a decent level of fitness. I didn't find this an easy trek. It isn't the lack of stamina that you should be wary of but rather the steep slopes at some points and loose gravel that you have to be careful of. 

Our group consisted of young people and we reached the sunrise point in good time (5+ a.m.). There would be a few stops in between so that you can catch your breath for a couple of minutes. There was still some distance up to the summit but our tour guides didn't bring us there. One of our group members was not too pleased about that. 

2) What to wear

It may feel a little chilly before starting the trek such that you would want to start piling on your jacket. But trust me, this trek will get you perspiring in no time and there is not much point in putting on your sweater. It is only after you reach the sunrise point where it starts to get chilly and you should have a sweater with you. It can really be quite cold so be ready to wear several layers. 

3) Expectations 

Just to manage expectations a little, just because it's a sunrise trek, doesn't mean that you will definitely get to see the sunrise. We almost thought that we wouldn't be able to catch the sunrise because it suddenly became very foggy. Thankfully, the fog cleared and we were left with a beautiful sunrise. 

4) Breakfast
Breakfast was provided in this tour package as well- consisting for bread with banana in between, hot chocolate/coffee/tea, a packet of juice and a hard boiled egg. There was a little hut where they prepared breakfast. I would suggest hiding in the hut when having your breakfast because right after the sun rises, a whole bunch of monkeys start coming out and apparently, they can be pretty aggressive.

5) Crater 
After the sun had risen, we were led to see the crater. Some explanation was given about the volcano- when it last erupted etc. There were also a few vents where steam was coming out from. Some good photo opportunities here as well.

6) Descent 
The descent doesn't get any easier and it will be good to find some good grip on the rocks etc.

7) Safety 
Always remember, safety is the most important! One girl broke her ankle and had to be carried down on a stretcher. You can take your time when climbing, let the faster ones go first, steady yourself with every step- safety comes first! 

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Junjungan Ubud Hotel and Spa (Ubud, Bali)

One should never stay at Junjungan Hotel and Spa for this most obvious reason: Once you stay there, you will feel like the rest of the hotels that you stay at in future pale in comparison. Your conversations will always revolve around "Remember those days we spent at Junjungan..."

1) Location 

This place isn't located in Central Ubud. It's quite a distance from there. But no worries, because there is a free shuttle service anytime you want it (from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.). The shuttle service can drop you anywhere in Ubud- they provide a map and as long as the place you want to go to falls within that area, they can drop you there. Whatever time you want to get back, just let them know and they will pick you up at three convenient locations. The shuttle service takes around 10-15 minutes to reach central Ubud to the hotel, so it doesn't take much of your time away from exploring Ubud. 

2) Room 
There were only a few rooms located in this beautiful property.

The rooms were spacious, lighting was a little dark though. Bed was comfortable.

They have this area where you can use to enjoy your afternoon tea. Free afternoon tea from 3-6 p.m.

There was a big bathtub, towels etc. provided.

You wake up to rice fields- now that is something you can't find everywhere. We spent mornings watching some ducks waddle across the fields and spent the nights looking up at stars in the night sky and fireflies darting across the dark rice fields. Complete with the faint croaking of frogs as it accompanies you into dreamland.

Cable channels available. There was also a range of blu-rays for you to choose from- Eat, Pray, Love was there on the list given that Elizabeth Gilbert spent some time in Ubud.

3) Food 
The first day we arrived here, we were served free tea time which consisted of banana coated with a deep fried batter. It was then drizzled with chocolate sauce.

We spent our first night having dinner in the hotel restaurant because we were too tired to venture out. When we first arrived at the restaurant for dinner, we were the only diners and wondered, "Oops, is the food here bad such that no one's here?" Our worries were unfounded because the food here was decent. We had this entire place to ourself for quite some time and it felt like we had a private dining experience.

The Nasi Goreng Seafood (around Sin$4) was decent- distinct rice grains, not too oily with some prawns and fish.

For breakfast, you have to order a day in advance so that they can prepare it and serve it when you want it. Breakfast comes with a variety of fruits, hot chocolate/coffee/tea and a main course. 

Food was okay, they probably don't do their Western fare as well as their local fare. But it was good enough in any case.

4) Amenities
They have a small swimming pool, not big enough for you to swim but probably for you to spend your afternoon lazing around.

The thing I like about this place is that they provide bicycles for free and the bicycles are in pretty good condition. We took the bicycles to ride around the place in the morning and it was a good way to start the day. Some slopes around so it can be a little tiring to pedal up these slopes.

Only downside was that wifi was a little spotty.

5) Service
Finally, the part I want to rave about.

Their service has spoilt me rotten and I give full them full marks for their service. Everyone here is polite and friendly. They even remember your name and greet you when they see you. But above that, they go out of their way to make your stay a memorable one.

When we reached this place, it was past 6 p.m. That means that tea time was over. But in any case, one of them arranged for the banana fritters to be served to us even though they didn't need to.

When we were going to trek Mount Batur the next morning and told them we weren't having breakfast, they offered to pack breakfast consisting of assorted bread just so that we wouldn't be hungry. We had to leave the hotel at 2:30 a.m. Guess what they said, with a smile, "No problem." And indeed before we left, their staff were standing there, ready with our packed boxes.

Two thumbs up for the wonderful staff here!

6) Price
For all that wonderful things above, how much did we spend a night? Sin$130 a night. Now, how's that for a fantastic deal?

Junjungan Ubud Hotel and Spa 
Junjungan Ubud
Jl Tirta Tawar
Junjungan, Ubud, Bali 

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