Sanur is a quieter beach town than the more famous Kuta. Most of the village seems to be about 1mile long. The local Hyatt hotel is under renovation when it’s completed this will bring a much needed spark to the village. It is a nice beach village. It has a 2.5mile promenade along the beach. There are many sun beds with umbrellas. Many places to rent water sports equipment. It would be a good place where families with children would go.
Our guest house, Kembali Lagi, has eight rooms. It’s owned by an American couple, Camille and John, built it several years ago. They have family that are Indonesian so purchasing is easier. It’s really nice. Our room was the “budget”. Yes, small but adequate. Great simple breakfast every morning. Swimming pool.
We hired a driver from the guest house and went out for the day. Our first stop was Puja Mandala (a unique landmark in Nusa Dua, Bali) It is serving as a perfect example of how five of Indonesia’s major religions can live harmoniously side by side, despite their differences in beliefs and worshiping. First is a Hindu temple. It is very serene. It has the preeminent position on the plot of land. Next came the Chinese Buddhist church. We couldn’t enter but were able to see it from outside the gate. Then there was a Protestant church. Open, simple, welcoming. Next was a Catholic church. It was fine just a bit sterile. They did have a pretty awesome stained glass. Last was a Mosque. Missy was surprised that there was no separation by gender. Typical, large open floor area for communal prayer. Next to the Mosque is a school.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tF50A45bA1E1HkXP2
Next we went to the famous Kuta beach. We can understand why people from all over the world come here for rest, water and fun. It’s a busy and exciting area. It seems to us that it is really for adults and maybe older children. Nice long beach with plenty of sun beds. Lots or restaurants and shops. Need a foot or shoulder massage? No problem, one of the many masseuses will give you a massage, right on the beach. We made quick stop at another nice, surfing, beach called Dreamland, designed for tourists.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/WHRJOvo4IdwEcbC92
https://photos.app.goo.gl/scCMAil8tHDUI4hV2
The main reason to do this touring was to watch a sunset from Bali. The best place to go is reportedly Pura Luhur Hindu Temple and holy site in Ula Watu. This means that legs must be covered so guests are lent a wrap. The temple area is pretty interesting. It is on a cliff over looking the beach looking out to the ocean. The thing about this site is the monkeys, hundreds of monkeys. They are bold and scary little beasts. We were cautioned to be careful with glasses, bags, jewelry, etc. Reluctantly I put my glasses in my zipper pocket. We staked out a spot to watch the sunset along a walkway on the cliff that has a nice stone fence designed to keep people back from the cliff. Hundreds of monkeys hang out on the other side of the fence. Earlier we had laughed on how the monkeys grabbed people’s belongings, sun glasses, etc. Missy had taken picture of a monkey, sitting on the high rooftop, playing with and dismantling some poor tourist’s sunglasses. As the sun was setting, I wanted to get ONE selfie with my glasses on. I turned, took my glasses out of my pocket, with my back to the fence, lifted my camera for the selfie and felt my glasses coming off so fast I could not respond in any way but shouting, SH.. he got my glasses. Yep I was the next fool who lost his glasses. Due to some double vision issues my glasses are very special and very expensive so replacing them is not simple. I chased the monkey that had taken the glasses. He would stay about 10 feet away. As I got closer he would move. Then he went over the fence and sat near the cliff pulling at my glasses. Fortunately, there was a guard close by. I got his attention, he threw some fruit, distracted the monkey, the guard jumped the fence and retrieved my now damaged glasses. One arm had broken and lens scratched BUT I was grateful to have them back. I made a donation for fruit and moved back to the prime sunset spot to watch it. We both agreed that the sunset was nice but not worth battling with the monkeys.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/e9FRRIiyNLnYOsPl2
We invited out driver to dinner along the was and made back to our homestay in time to pack and get ready for our early pick-up and departure from Sanur, the next day.
Here are all of the photos we took in Sanur and Southern Bali:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SUY82VGBBEcOXiaG2
Our next destination is a small island called Gili Meno off the coast of the island Lombok. To get to GIli Meno requires what here they refer to as a “fast boat”. A fast boat vs a slow ferry. I waited too long to book the fast boat. Many of these companies have REALLY bad reviews. One is worse than the next. In the end our guest house helped us find a company called Patagonia Express. Big, modern, air conditioned, fast boat. We were expecting to pay about $85 each. Anita at the guest house called, there was some sort of a promotion going on. $26 EACH. Once again, we really scored. The fast boat was great. Helpful crew, comfortable seats, a video presentation on safety and off we went. First stop was Gili Trawanga or Gili T. The boat lands right on the shore with stairs lowered to the beach, we got off, our luggage was unloaded and we were immediately approached by people wanting to help us. The guy who latched on to us ended up doing pretty well. There are not cars on this or Gili Meno islands. The most common mode of transport is horse buggy, bicycle and in Gili Meno, foot.
We got a private boat directly to the beach of our hotel for less than the cost of a public boat and a long walk. We got off the boat right at the beach for Avia Resort and checked in. Finding Avia was pretty fortuitous. We met these two guys a week before in line at a grocery store in Ubud. They raved about Avia. We agree it’s awesome. More on that and the absolutely dream of an island for those seeking to unplug in paradise, the Gili Meno, later.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/w124xLtmovGwzASI2
“The earth is but one country” 