Tag Archives: The Rock Bar Bali

New Destination Bali, Indonesia | Emirates Airlines

New Destination Bali, Indonesia | Emirates Airlines

With Emirates Airlines adding Bali on its map in June of this year, it is a new holiday location that is perfect for families.

This Eid holiday Bali is the perfect escape as school holidays around the world are over and Bali is quieter but the weather is still great in Bali in September.

It is hard to choose which area of Bali to stay in, and then to choose either a hotel or villa.  Villas do work out cheaper at about USD250 per room per night vs 5 star hotels on beachfront properties starting at USD500 per room per night. If you are interested in Villas click here and check out our experience at one of the Villa Getaways Seminyak Villas. The most popular destinations include Seminyak, Ubud, Uluwatu, Cagguu, and Nusa Dua.  Although we based ourselves in Seminyak, we did manage day trips to various other destinations like Ubud, Nusa Dua and Sanur.  These are some of our discoveries but we only managed to do probably 10% of activities available in Bali.

Seminyak

Most talked about hotels: The Legian, The Samaya, The Oberoi and The W Retreat and Spa.

#Restaurants & Bars

Bambu – Beautifully designed open air restaurant serving Indonesian food with a twist.  It recently opened and it is now one of the most popular restaurants in the area – if you like your food spicy tell them you want it ‘local spicy’.  You need to book one or two days in advance

Merah Putrih – Modern Indonesian restaurant with a unique setting. The menu is like Zuma meets Indonesia.  Divine service and great cocktails.  Do book.

Sisterfields – Casual restaurant for breakfast and lunch serving their own smoked meats, delicious breakfasts, sandwiches and homemade almond milk.  This cafe is pack all day long with tourists and locals searching for healthy and unique bites.

Mexicola – A tequila shot as a nightcap?  This is a fun open air bar with great atmosphere – it is very casual and relaxed

Cafe Bali – After a full day shopping it is worth popping in for a cup of tea.  It is a blogger’s inspiration to sit there to absorb the uniqueness of the island.

#Beach Clubs

Potato Head –  The most popular beach club with queues starting at 1030am before they open at 11am everyday with a first come first serve basis for the sun loungers.  Not very convenient for families with children because no child will wait 30 minutes in a queue.  The food is great.  The people watching is fantastic, full of young Australians trying to impress each other with drunken antiques around the swimming pool.

Mozaic Beach Club – Our favourite beach club that was tucked away next to the W Hotel.  This is smaller than Potato Head but it is more sophisticated, and more family friendly with sun beds available for booking and the crowds are much more pleasant and easy going.  The Club has a pool that is suitable for children whilst you take shade in the 4 poster sun loungers.  The beach club is owned by famous French chef Chris Salins who owns Mozaic in Ubud that has a 1 month waiting list.

Ku de ta – It is located next to the Oberoi Hote in Seminyak,  It is slightly disappointing as there is no pool at the facility with just access to a beach club.  On Sundays, they offer a brunch lunch which tends to attracts lots of families as they have magic shows, bouncy castles and small craft activities for the children.  The food is great but it is hard to manage the children in the crowds.

Ubud

Most talked about hotels: Maya Resort & Spa, The Hanging Gardens, Elephant Safari Park Lodge, The Samaya and Four Seasons.

#Restaurants

Mozaic By Chris Salins – Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to try this restaurant because you do have to book a month in advance or you can try one of his cooking classes.  We have heard wonderful things but we did try his beach club in Seminyak and his casual dining called Spice in Ubud – see below.

Spice – Fantastic casual dining restaurant by Chris Salins with mind-blowingly creative dishes using the blend of local spices and flavours.  Everything from the vanilla pods were just bursting with aromas and mouthwatering plates that reminded me of my childhood in Asia.

#Activities

There is so much to do here including:

Monkey Forest –  don’t wear sunglasses on your head as the monkeys to snatch them as they are terrors.  Keep an eye on the kids.

Bali Zoo – didn’t make it here but have heard great things about it.  It is something we will save for next time.  There are lions, tigers and bears and ‘night zoo’ adventures too.

Bali Safari and Marine Park – Africa can wait – there are roaming wildlife from zebras and rhinos that is great for the little ones.  Again, we missed it this trip but we are looking forward to going back.

Nusa Dua

The beaches here are tranquil and quiet for families with a row of hotels that line that coast.  It is a resort town that is great for relaxing but if you are looking for flavours of local life you won’t find it here.  It is similar to any resort town in the world, and if you feel safer in the highly secured area, this might be worth a visit.  Nestled here is the beautiful St Regis Bali that is highly sought after as high-end luxury, as well as The Westin if you are looking for affordable and it boasts one of the most luxurious spa more here…, The Sofitel, The Grand Hyatt and The Mulia are some of the favourites.

Jimbaran

The Rock Bar is the best feature for me in the whole of Bali – it is the best to catch it at sunset but go early to avoid the masses of Chinese tourists.  This is located at the Ayana Hotel close to the famous Four Seasons Hotel.

Information on Bali

Currency: Indonesian Rupiah – best to withdraw money from cash machines.  Avoid money changers who will swindle you.

Dry Season: April to October – Peak is July, August and December

Warning: There is rabies on the island so do keep your children away from the wild dogs that roam around.

Surf beaches: Kuta, Seminyak and Uluwatu.  Sea currents are strong so hold onto your little ones, and watch for the red flags.