Category Archives: Asia

Legian and Kuta Hotels in Bali – Indonesia

27 October 2016Asiabali, Kuta, LegianGrace

Along the beach front from Seminyak to Legian and Kuta it’s walkable and some might think Seminyak is somewhat more upmarket, however it certainly seemed to have ‘grown up’ since I was last there.

A stay at the Jayakarta Hotel is situated in lush gardens and located right on Legian Beach.

This Bali hotel is also within walking distance to shopping and entertainment areas.

While offering peace and tranquillity, the grounds are perfectly manicured.

Even though the beach is at the ‘back gate’, it’s always handy to have a clean safe pool for families with small youngsters.

Beach area is a lot cleaner and seems to have a greater presence of security these days.

Undoubtedly, Frank is ready and willing to show us non surfers how it’s done … Have a drink while you’re having your dreadlocks done too?

Beach areas are never short on snacks!

Bali has no shortage of temples, monasteries, monuments and historical landmarks, all of which are dotted around the island.

Kuta Paradiso Hotel is also few minutes walking distance from Kuta Beach, the local arts market, restaurants, night clubs, shops and close to the famous Waterbom Bali Water Park, Discovery Shopping Mall, Matahari and Kuta-Square shopping centres.

Secluded with your own bathing area, the accommodation is fantastic for couples wanting their own privacy. A separate kitchenette with a dining and lounge area is totally separate to the bedroom and its outlook is over the pool.

Quiet accommodation in the heart of Kuta, who’d have thought …

Breakfast, my favourite meal of the day starts off with some local delicacies including rice parcels.

Yum, healthy and tasty – can’t ask for any more than these to be added into a meal during the day.

And with a rooftop view just adds to the tranquil setting of the area.

Well Kuta and Legian have been interesting to visit after so many years, but next stop is Labuan Bajo in the Flores region of Indonesia.

Benoa, Bali – Indonesia

17 October 2016Asiabali, BenoaGrace

It’s never been easier for Australians to visit Bali, Indonesia as the visa fee of about USD35.00 has been made exempt by the government until further notice for tourists within a 30 day stay and single entry. As it’s airport specific for international travellers please check www.visalink.com.au for updated information. At the time of writing this Denpasar Ngurah Rai Airport was also exempt.

So life’s a beach and I’m heading off to one of the best areas in Bali and that’s Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua.

A little quieter than some other areas of Bali, but that suits me these days …

If going to Tanjung Benoa it’s located 15 kilometres from (Ngurah Rai) Denpasar International Airport and about A$10-20 taxi ride.

The new Mandara Toll Road if coming in from the main areas of Bali helps significantly in easing of the traffic conditions and makes a faster trip. IDR11,000 is equivalent to AUD1.11 on today’s exchange rate.

Freeway heading to Tanjung Benoa; like so many other beachside destinations in Bali, it used to be a fishing village and an old dock. The development of the peninsula has been momentous over the years as most of the shore-side properties are now hotels, resorts and water sports operators.

Romantic entry into the Sol Beach House Benoa’s reception area, an all-inclusive property with three various packages (starting with Blue, Silver and Gold) which offer guests a rate suitable for their budget. Free WiFi is offered to all who stay with a fabulous daily buffet breakfast.

Rooms are chic and classy with a cool aqua-blue setting which conveys a sense of space and simplicity. All room types have a balcony.

Fine dining at The Amarta Italian Restaurant cannot be bypassed and a real treat – especially if you love pizza!

Beautiful grounds of the resort resemble a lush tropical paradise. Birdlife is abundant here as it’s a newish resort area with pristine white beaches.

Tanjung Beach, even on an overcast windy day, is still relatively calm and seems a safer area for families with youngsters. Fishing takes place when tides are low and it’s relaxing to watch others do some the work …

Service with a smile on Tanjung beach’s private area – for full relaxation and rest, grab a cocktail and snack while admiring the view.

Walk along the beach to see local handicrafts being made first hand.

So it’s time to say bye to Tanjung Benoa and like many others I’m ‘on my bike’ and wishing I could stay longer at the Sol House Benoa …

You can contact me for further information or directly at www.melia.com and look for Sol Hotels and Resorts.

Seminyak, Bali – Indonesia

11 October 2016Asiabali, seminyakGrace

Off to Bali, I’ve travelled on Garuda Indonesia on a number of occasions and Business Class has taken a new style of its own – even going back years ago there was ample room but take a look below at the new Business Class seating.

Business Class seats in the Airbus A330 can be fully reclined up to 180 degrees.

24 spacious “Super Diamond” seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration giving all guests direct aisle access
• 24.4” width seat reclining into a fully flat bed
• 16” LCD touchscreen in-flight entertainment system
• Restaurant style service with sumptuous meals and a selection of premium beverages
• Personal storage
• USB & power outlet
• 40kg checked baggage allowance
• Priority check in and lounge access

Photo courtesy of Garuda Indonesia.

Before departure at the SkyTeam Lounge, there’s the ability to relax after Immigration and duty free shopping. Here you can just sit and watch over the apron all the airlines coming and going about their routine.

Located on the Terminal 1 departure level at Pier B, the Sydney Lounge offers everything you need to unwind in comfort, do some work or grab a bite before your flight.

Surf boards are permitted, however check with the airline their policy on weight and dimensions for carriage as Bali is a mecca for surfers.

Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak Resort’s double bedroom.

When was the last time you stayed at a Courtyard Marriott? Bet it wasn’t a resort … This property in Seminyak is one of two resorts in Bali and it’s just two years old (the other is located at Nusa Dua).

Incredibly impressed with the very modern, contempory and stylish rooms – mainly two types – Deluxe room (city/street view) and Deluxe Pool View room of which faces in towards the swim-up bar and inffinity pool spilling over into another lower level pool which is quieter and a little less celebratory – all within the complex.

A swim-up bar is all that Aussies want at times without having to leave the property, and just simply enjoy what’s in front of them. It’s all here …

Breakfast at this hotel is somewhat a wowser! Anyone who orders the usual obligatory eggs and bacon are missing out. I travel to eat the local cuisine, doesn’t matter what time in the day it is …

Change money at your hotel wherever possible – even if it’s a slightly lower rate. There’s a myriad of Money Changers all over Bali, however you may think the exchange rate given is better, but when you receive back the difference between IDR70,000 and IDR7,000 it’s about A$6.50 on today’s exchange rate. You may not pick up the difference in currency at first sight and it’s easily missed, but at least the major hotels will give you the correct amount owing to you … It’s about the cost of two bottles of beer!

Seminyak Village, not too far away from anything – it’s a modern and fashionable outlet with lots of commercial goodies for sale.

The Junction, not to be missed as it’s one of the busiest cross roads and a fabulous bar.

Before I die … Bit of street art to check out while walking around.

Shopping for signs? Bali’s a treasure trove of fine art, handicrafts, antique and semi-antique furniture, paintings, delicately carved jewellery, wood and stone carvings, masks, woven and dyed fabrics.

Self explanatory …

Can’t say I’ve seen too many black cats in Bali, but this one’s staying close to its owner.

The Library Café in Seminyak is one of my favourites and with my new drink of choice – Affogato to cool down while people watching.

A beach buggy or a short walk from my hotel to the beach area is easily accessible.

And, everyone loves having their favourite seat with a few bevvies waiting for the sun set.

End of the day having a swim and cooling off ready for the next day’s swimming, eating and shopping – generally having a good time with lots of bargains on offer. Make sure you travel over lightly with your luggage because you’ll go home with more than you hoped for, and stall holders are often open till about 11:00 pm at night.

Vietnam Highlights and Stopovers En Route.

13 July 2015AsiaHong Kong, SingaporeGrace

Time for questions and answers with Hue Tourism and the media. Interesting to note, Australians came in third place for visitor numbers to Vietnam.

A big ‘thank you’ to Hue and Central Vietnam for hosting and showing us all the delights this region has to offer.

Farewell to our lovely sales representative at Tam Giang Resort and Spa – here with Ty.

Big farewell to Bob and Mary from Colorado, USA.

Yes all good things come to an end, and it’s time to bid goodbye Ty our tireless guide all throughout the journey.

There’s numerous reasons to do a stop over in Hong Kong, here watching Dragon Boat racing.

Chi Lin Nunnery is a complex which includes temple halls, Chinese gardens, visitor’s hostels and a vegetarian restaurant. It’s located at Diamond Hill, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Hong Kong’s also known for its love of art installation and Rubber Duck which was one of several giant floating sculptures designed by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman.

Hong Kong, renown for spectacular sunsets, especially if you’ve taken a cable car ride up to Victoria Peak.

Qantas Business Lounge in Hong Kong is world class without doubt.

And for the Qantas Singapore Lounge, just look at the cuisine! I don’t believe you’d find a better Business Class lounge anywhere else …

For those I was telling you about sago, this is what it looks like and made to perfection. Yum!

As for me, I’m heading in all directions soon, however this has been a fabulous trip and sorry to see it’s over.

I always say with international airfares there’s usually excellent alternatives to travelling directly (or point to point) to your final destination. On this journey I had a stopover in both Hong Kong and Singapore and it’s possible to do as a round trip using Qantas Airways for the long-haul sectors. With affiliated carriers, travel was included between these two cities. Various airlines have interline agreements and you can pack much more into your trip if you so desire.

Bye

Cai Be, Mekong Delta Region – Part Nine

12 July 2015AsiaCai Be, Mekong DeltaGrace

Time to say Goodbye at the Gala Dinner given by to us by Sun Spa Resort, Quang Binh.

Food here has been amazingly delicious and superbly presented.

Bob and Ty were the token traditional helpers on the night, with Bob singing Careless Whispers at the end of the night’s Karaoke – which also happens to be extremely popular in Vietnam. What a star performer! Not only that, our driver was a ‘dark horse’ too, singing in perfect English he took off some the best contemporary and modern-day singers.

After a quick flight from Dong Hoi airport we arrive in Ho Chi Minh City to find ourselves back on the road heading to Cai Be Floating Markets for the day.

Arriving at the Cai Be wharf we waited for a boat to take us to a luncheon feast. Yes, another one …

Pumpkins galore and not something I’d expect to see here. Cai Be is a charming small town, which is not very far away from Ho Chi Minh (approximately 2 hours by car). There’s endless rows of colourful fruit and vegetable gardens with hand-made crafts.

Doesn’t come much fresher than this and tastes sensational.

Trying the region’s snails – after all there’s a French influence in Vietnamese cooking … Bon appetite!

After lunch, we’re heading to soak up the atmosphere of the Mekong River and its inhabitants.

The French church from 1935 which can be seen from almost any direction.

Pulled up at this covered market for an interesting insight into how many of the locals produce their goods.

Ready-made coffins for easy shipment and loading on as cargo for someone’s final resting place.

There are numerous small canals in the area of Cai Be and the Mekong, with twists and turns which are easy to negotiate by sampan.

Stopping off at a local marketplace for afternoon tea and a chat.

We’re been shown how the experts mix the ingredients for rice paper and other produce.

Our host for the day showing how fresh and readily available fruit and vegetables in the area and no mention of pesticides!

We’ll all miss the organic vegetables and fruit Vietnam had to offer …

But not the durian known as ‘stinky fruit’. Some people regard the durian as having a pleasantly sweet fragrance; others find the aroma overpowering and revolting. The persistence of its odour has led to the fruit’s banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in Southeast Asia.

Mary’s come along for the day and testing out the goods for sale on one of the numerous boats which are set up to sell as well as live in.

At the end of the day it’s been an incredible experience and we all feel we’ve learned so much more about the local’s culture, language and history. Tomorrow heading back to the real world via Singapore.

If you asked me what my last meal would be in Vietnam – without doubt Pho Soup.

Nice end to a fantastic trip, take home some Vietnamese coffee from the duty-free shop with those last remanning Dong.

Travel Gracefully

May Grace be with you …