Family Day

07 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by Little Sumo Girl in Bali, Beach, Cool Stuff, Fun Facts, Fun Spots, Restos & Food, Travel Tags: , , ,

Family day today….Yeah! I know it sounds silly, cuz I get to see my parents Every single day, but family day is a dedicated day each week, where it’s just us – no appointments, no meetings, no house-cleaning people, no Nanny (even though I love Ami, and sometimes I do miss her on family days too when mom and dad are too boring!)

Today was quite eventful!
1- Petitenget Beach – It was a bit cloudy so was not too hot so we could actually run around the beach without burning our toes, like last week. Sand castles and burying our feet in the sand…Ah what a great start to the day!

Building sand castles at Petitenget Beach

Where Is everyone? must be too early!

2- Bike ride to Denpasar – Perfect for a mid-morning nap!

Streets of Denpasar

3- Bird Market – Went once, but should be enough for me…
4- Lunch at Sakanaya/Ramen on Jl. Sunset Road – I was so hungry before we got there, but then I fell asleep when we arrived. It was perfect cuz I continued my nap while mom & dad ordered. Then, the lovely smell of the Ramen Broth gently woke me up. First words out of mouth? Mum-Mum (ie. LET’s EAT!).

Sakanaya & Ramen Restos - Yummy!

Ooh, the Char-Siu ramen in Miso soup was delicious – I am a little sumo afterall! The fish cakes from Sakanaya were also yummy, but the burrito that dad ordered was a little weird. For older folks who actually eat raw fish, I would probably recommend the Sashimi plate (good quality and very reasonably priced), or go for a fried or grilled fish. Although this spot is set on Jl. Sunset Road which is a busy road with quite a bit of traffic, the setting is still quite nice with tables set outside on a deck.

Just look out for the huge Blue sign with “RAMEN” written vertically and the “SAKANAYA” sign is in front. You’ll see it on Jl. Sunset Road heading from Kerobokan towards Kuta.

They supply for “Ryoshi”, a very popular Japanese restaurant here in Bali. Here is the truck loading up before making the rounds to bring the fresh goods to the restos.

Ryoshi Truck Loading Up

5- Pit stop at home for a quick shower to take off the sand from the beach
6- Bike ride to Kuta – Good afternoon nap (Man, the traffic was so bad. Kuta was actually worse than Denpasar, if you can believe it!)
7- Chill out at home for a nice dinner and a cool Bintang!

Bintang anyone?

Ok, I didn’t really drink the Bintang, but I tried to

Did I say I LOVE Family Day! It should be everyday! xx

Look of the day – Hip-Hop Cool

04 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by Little Sumo Girl in Bali, Beach, Fashion, Travel Tags: , , , , ,

I’m not so much into the girly-girl look, but on occasion I like to dress up and make myself feel ‘Nice’…

Today was NOT one of those days…I felt like being comfy to run around, and not worry about dirtying my clothes. Well I don’t really worry about that cuz I don’t do my own laundry! Besides, I normally change my look about 3 times a day, not just cuz I feel like it but mainly out of necessity! With all my activities, my clothes just get dirty, and since I still haven’t perfected eating with utensils, well meal time is pretty rough on my outfits. Besides, with the crazy heat, it doesn’t take long before my B.O. becomes absorbed in the clothes…Ok, sorry for the ‘nasty’ info, but that’s just a fact a life when you live in a VERY Hot spot such as Bali…

My everyday look is more tom-boyish, sorta like Ami who helps me pick out my outfits. Today, I added a little hip-hop feel with my accessories, the tie-Cami and the Furr-y sandals! You must be asking why would I wear long-sleeves in this heat, but when you’re riding the motorbike under sun, you do need long sleeves to protect your skin. When we first arrived in Bali, we found it absurd to see all the locals with jackets, long pants, gloves and socks but after 20 mins on the bike, we GOT IT…well, my parents got it, and ever since I’ve been riding with long sleeves. It’s a bit hot, but hey when you have a cute Red Cami with a little bling on the side, it just ups the Glam-factor to your look.

I must admit that the furry sandals were a bit hot today, but somtimes you gotta pay to look good and they’re just so fun and cozy!

Please observe the Camouflage shorts – These are a MUST-HAVE in Bali, well if you want to look like a local. They ALL have a pair, young, old, boy or girl – you gotta have a pair. Mine stand out a bit cuz they’re pink.

My Beep-beep Tank top is just nice and comfy, and great for muggy days cuz it’s so light.

Finally, to bring a little feminine touch to this look, my hair was tied in two little side buns…and it helps keep me fresh so that my hair doesn’t stick to my sticky neck. Now, as I practice my dance moves, I’m just about ready to perform to a NappyTab’s choreography on “So You Think You Can Dance”….If only were taller so I could dance with Twitch, I wish!

Hip Hop Look!

Please don't stop the music!

On Location: Dancing to Lady Ga Ga Tunes at home – Rah Rah Ah Ah Ah

How to get the Look:
Beep-Beep Tank Top: Local Brand (Hypermart – Galleria Mall)
Camo Shorts: Zacasha (Jl. Kunti, Seminyak)
Tie-Camisole: Guess (Batik Boutique in Denpasar)
Sandals: Unknown brand bought at Local market (Negara)
Hair: Two side buns à la princess Leia

Look of the day – Wrap dress

25 Nov 2011 Leave a comment

by Little Sumo Girl in Bali, Beach, Fashion, Travel Tags:

When packing for a nice beach vacation, be sure to include a simple Wrap Dress. Ideally, opt for wrinkle-free fabric and vibrant colors to celebrate the sunny days. For a more feminine hour glass silhouette, tie the belt ribbon a little tighter and for a more dressed-up look, add a nice glittery belt. I went for a looser look to keep my Sumo belly well hidden…

Wrap Dress for easy summer days

Hassle-free in the morning as you get ready to head to the beach, and easily removed to hit the waves. If you want to minimize the water marks from your wet bikini after playing in the waves, then choose a fast-drying material and darker fabric!

Getting ready to hit the waves

On Location: Legian Beach, Bali

How to get the Look:
Pink Wrap Dress: Mexx (Imported from Canada)
Sandals: Unknown brand bought at Local market (Pasar Taman Sari – Kerobokan)
Hair: Wind swept at the beach!

What do I wanna be when I grow up? Segment 1 – Beach Bum

03 Sep 2011 Leave a comment

by Little Sumo Girl in Bali, Beach, Fun Spots, Travel Tags: , , , ,

I know it may seem like I’m too young to start thinking about my future, but times are moving along faster and faster. Mom has already started telling me how important it is for me to learn to be an independent woman and be prepared to tackle the world…Apparently, this is something that grandma had taught her when she was young.

I’m planning to get a head start and have begun to reflect on what I wanna be when I grow up. Gotta start to see where my talents are, what my likes/dislikes are, etc…

Recently, I’ve been taken with the idea of becoming a Professional Beach Bum! I must say that Bali is the ideal spot to start training for this, and the great thing is that you can start at pretty much any age!

I love playing in the water, I don’t mind getting sand in my feet, hair, clothes, diapers, or even in my mouth! I truly love picking up sea shells in the sand, but most of all I enjoy having mom and dad chase me all around the beach. For some tall folks, they can’t seem to keep up with little me….Oh, and I also like running after balls at the beach, but this is not strictly a beach activity.

In my training to becoming the best Beach Bum, I’ve of course had the pleasure of checking out quite a few beaches here in Bali. Here’s a brief review of the recent spots I’ve been to (besides my usual spots at Seminyak Beach and Petitenget Beach)

Note that I might have to re-define my title as a Beach Bum….Bum does not quite seem appropriate for me considering I don’t actually like chilling at the beach – I like to move around, even if it means missing my naptime…There’s always too much happening to go to sleep!

Balangan Beach
This beach is on the Bukit Peninsula in the South of Bali. Stop by when heading towards Uluwatu, access through Dreamland. This is one of the many cool surfer spots that can be found along the South Coast, but it is still ‘tranquil’ enough if you plan to bring ‘little people’, like me. Unfortunately we went when it was the low tide so no swimming and barely any surfers there:( It was still a gorgeous day and the sand was nice and soft to play in. Must remember to come back and check this spot out at high tide.

Warning: As with most beaches along this coast in Bukit, you’ll have some steep steps to go down, so wear solid sandles…Mom’s flip flop broke as she was carrying me down to this beach. Luckily no one got hurt, we got to enjoy our afternoon in the sun…

Balangan Beach (Bali)

Batu Belig Beach
Along the southern coast of Bali, moving North-West starting from Kuta, you’ll hit Legian, Seminyak, Petitenget, Batu Belig before getting to Berawa and Echo Beach in Canggu. Batu Belig is smack in the middle of this ‘strip’ and is quickly becoming a hot spot to see and be seen, for the non-tourist folks…The popularity of the spot is marked by the new warungs that keep opening, the cool African parties and the recent opening beach party of La Barca!

Here are a few pics of Batu Belig, while it’s still quiet, and not too over-crowded!

Quiet spot to chill at Batu Belig Beach

Warung at Batu Belig Beach with little bridge (Max 3 people at a time!)

New development on the rise at Batu Belig Beach

Blue Point Beach
This beach is also on the Bukit Peninsula, on the way to Uluwatu and has some killer stairs to go down to access the beach. This spot is more ‘cozy’ and perhaps more ‘romantic’ for those who are into that kinda stuff…As you make it down the steps, you feel like you’re walking in a deep cave, à la Indiana Jones, and you then see your treasure at the end – Beautiful clear water waiting for you to dip your toes into!

Warning: There’s this little wooden staircase that leads you up to a lovely terrace with an amazing view – just remember to duck, otherwise you’ll bump your head like mom did ~ just as she was telling us to be careful, not to bump OUR heads on the rock!!

Blue Point Beach Cave

Blue Point Beach Crystal Clear waters

Geger Beach
I’d heard many great things about this beach situated in Nusa Dua and was really dying to head out to see for myself. The waters are supposed to be really clear and the currents ‘gentle’ enough for a good time to be had by the entire family. I finally got a chance to go with my second-cousins when they came to visit us in Bali – and they LOVE the beach as well….Hmmm, my first competition to becoming the best Beach Bum around…

It was indeed a really nice spot and perfect for tiny-tots to hang out without stressing out the parents. The water was really clear and the sand was nice and soft and perfect for burying your feet, making sand castles, etc. Unfortunately, it is starting to lose its charm due to HUGE construction sites all around it. The locals are already saying how it doesn’t have the same ‘feel’ as it used to… 😦

Kids can safely play at Geger Beach

Sunset at Geger Beach

Chairs at Geger Beach at sunset

Nusa Dua Beach
Although this beach is also on the Northern coast of the Bukit Peninsula, it is nowhere as relaxing and stress-free as Geger Beach. When you want to chill out, you go to Geger beach, and if you want the complete opposite, you head to Nusa Dua Beach. When we arrived with mom and dad’s friends, it was like a mad frenzy to park the car and then get the group ready for their snorkeling expedition. This is the spot to get an ‘adrenaline’ rush’! If you haven’t planned out your day and are looking for some kind of adventure, then come here and you’ll be presented with numerous ‘life-threatening’ possibilities (such as, jet-skiing, parasailing, banana boat, rolling donut!)

I had a blast sun-bathing and splashing at the pool of the Ramada Resort, while mom and dad’s friends went snorkeling, in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the Mola-Mola (ie. Sunfish) – Unfotunately, it didn’t happen 😦

Gutsy people getting onto boat for a snorkeling expedition at Nusa Dua

Adventures at Nusa Dua Beach

Sanur Beach
We headed to this beach which is situated on the North-East coast just north of Kuta, hoping to find an equivalent to Geger Beach. When we arrived, we noticed many tourists there. However, they were not chilling on the beach, they were all waiting to get onto the many boats ready to take them out to Nusa Lembongan, Lombok and Gili Island…We were almost tempted to get onto a boat to Nusa Lembongan, but by the time the adults managed to negotiate an acceptable fare for our group, it was already late and the boat was full…The rep for the boat tours started really pushing us to go on a tour in a glass bottom boat to Turtle Island…we kindly declined…

Given the great number of boat rides that initiate from this beach, there are alot of people and the water is not so clean – not great conditions for swimming 😦 Also, as you get closer to the shore, the sand is covered with big pieces of broken seashells, and just accumulated debris which makes it hard to get into the water without having your feet poked every which way…Alot of ‘Oooohs-Aaaahs-Ouch’ as we slowly tried to make our way to the water. We still had a nice afternoon playing in the sand, and we finished the day by watching my second cousin learn to fly a kite.

BTW, for those who want to learn to Kite Surf, this is the spot to be. There is a kite-surfing school and windy season is at its peak in July-August! During this period, you’ll see many people flying their kites at the beach, or the locals putting up their kites over their rice fields every day. And you won’t want to miss the annual Kite Festival in Sanur held at the end of July.

Boat heading to Nusa Lembongan from Sanur Beach

Trying to fly a kite at Sanur Beach (NB: those 3 guys were sleeping there all afternoon!)

Up in the Air - Kite flying at Sanur Beach

Powdery Sand = White Feet at Sanur Beach

For more Bali beach info, check out my other post at: Day Trip – Canggu & Uluwatu

Stay tuned for my next ‘What Do I Wanna Be When I Grow Up Segment’.

Let me know what you think about my ‘Beach Bum’ idea…!
I have a feeling mom and dad won’t like this too much – they’re already complaining about how much it’s already costing them to feed me, as my tummy keeps expanding…

Learning to Surf…with QuickSilver!

12 Aug 2011 1 Comment

by Little Sumo Girl in Bali, Beach, Cool Stuff, Fun Spots, Travel

Now that we’ve been living in Bali for 6 months, we’ve had time to get used to : the food (Spicy), the weather (nice and warm), the people (super friendly), the motorbikes (crazy in traffic), the mosquitoes (who love me) and the beaches (for the amazing sunsets)

It was now time to move onto the next step, we had to hit the waves and TRY to learn to surf…key word in that sentence was “TRY”!! It looks so easy when you watch the pros paddling away and popping onto their boards to catch the gorgeous waves on the beaches close to Uluwatu or at Echo Beach in Canggu…Nothing to it all!

We decided to register from some Surfing lessons with the QuickSilver Surf school at Double Six beach. The waves are not so killer and the boyz who give the lessons are cool and friendly, and do know what they’re talking about – and you have time while trying to get vertical onto your board…Oh, by the way, when I say ‘WE’, I mean mom, dad, their friend, took lessons while I chilled out playing in the sand at the beach…Don’t worry, my turn will come soon enough…If I could only get the paddle-paddle, kick-kick-kick thing that my swimming instructor keeps repeating to me…Once I get the swimming thing down, I’m definitely going to hit the waves – I already have the surfer dudette’s haircut (all natural, of course)

In 2.5 hours, the wannabe surfers learned the basic techniques on how to carry the board (in and out of the water), get onto the board, and then finally how to stand on the board. Easy 1-2-3 Steps, and Hop! You’re ‘Surfing’ by the end of the class 🙂 You may not look like the cool surfers doing barrels, but you are actually standing on the board and ‘catching’ a wave.

The class is safe and fun, and suitable for almost ‘all’ ages – there were entire families doing the class together (even kids about 6-7 years old taking the class!) They were actually the cooler ones cuz they didn’t have that ‘FEAR’ in their eyes…And trust me, if my mom took the class, anybody can – she just learned to swim! If you threw her into a pool 3 months ago, she would’ve drowned…

And they have a photographer on hand to take pictures of you, which you can purchase at the end of the class for a very reasonable price (they can even give you a CD with your pics!)…Check out these cool pics of my folks and their friend in action…

 

 

 

Note: The guy with the inverted Quicksilver jersey standing the surfer is actually the instructor giving the student a push… 🙂

For more information on the various surfing lesson packages, you can check out The Quicksilver Surf School site below. Or you can simply show up at their office at Double Six Beach the day before to register. They have classes at 9:30am and 2pm everyday…

http://www.quiksilversurfschoolbali.com/lesson.php

Sunset in Bali

04 May 2011 Leave a comment

by Little Sumo Girl in Bali, Beach, Travel

Don’t really have much to say, except wish you could be here with me to enjoy the beautiful sunsets in Bali…

Sunset at Potato Head in Bali

Resto Review: Tekor Bali

07 Mar 2011 Leave a comment

by Little Sumo Girl in Bali, Beach, Restos & Food, Travel Tags:

March 6th, 2011 – The day after Nyepi (day of rest & silence on Bali), I was invited out for lunch with 2 other girlfriends and their parents, who are also here in Bali for a visit.

We head out about 12:30pm and it’s already steaming hot. We couldn’t figure out where to go so we headed out towards the beach, where the breeze should be good.

Dad had heard of a place called Tekor Bali which was a fave spot of a girl who wrote in the Bali Gazette. We were able to get a seat in the back of the resto, given we were a large group. Luckily there were fans, cuz it was hot day! It was nice to be in the back cuz we almost had the entire back way to ourselves, which was particularly nice for my girlfriend who is actually walking (and is in her exploring phase…) Occasionally, she had to watch out for the waitresses who were coming out back, trays in-hand, and weren’t expecting to see tiny people like us down there!

After ordering, they served us complementary bread with Aioli while we waited. Unfortunately, the service was EXTREMELY slow on this day. The adults’ drinks arrived at 10-15 minute intervals and finally the food arrived approximately 1-hour later. Luckily, mom had brought my lunch with her, otherwise I would’ve been starving to death! Thank god there were sufficient fans blowing to keep us cool. Waiting so long in this scorching heat would have been unbearable!!

Eventually, the guacamole appetizer with tortilla chips arrived! The guacamole was quite tasty, but I think they could’ve been a bit more generous on the chips…

Mom and one friend ordered Gado Gado – a traditional indonesian dish with lots of veggies, fried tempe and fried tofu. It came with a bowl of steamed rice and a peanut-dressing sauce. Mom’s friend had ordered it here previously and was quite disappointed with today’s servings. The presentation and the food were simply not to the same standards as the last time he came. In addition, the peanut sauce was much too watery so he asked them to change it. They did so without hesitation and the non-diluted version of the sauce was quite yummy.

Dad shared the Indonesian Rijstaffel with two other friends (60 000 Rp/person – minimum 2 person order) – A sample of 20 different Indonesians dishes, including:

  • Sate (Tuna & shrimp) – Best of the lot
  • Tempe Manis
  • Corn Patties
  • Fried Tofu
  • Vegetables
  • Beef Rendang
  • Pulled Chicken
  • Chicken curry
  • Quail eggs

The platter looks quite impressive and overall was quite good. This is a good way to get a sample of all the traditional Indo dishes. One day, when I’ll be able to eat more spicy foods and when my hand coordination will be better, I’ll be able to pick at the different plates on this buffet platter.

Mom’s other friend seemed to have enjoyed her shrimp salad dish, but it didn’t look out-of-this-world…

It was the day after Nyepi, so that would probably explain the slow service and the below-average taste/presentation of the food. People were still in the ‘No-Work’, ‘relaxing’ mood…

We were in good company and still had an enjoyable time, but Tekor wasn’t all it was decked out to be…this time around!

Food: **1/2
Deco/setting: ***
Service: **
(out of 5 stars)

Jalan Double Six (Arjuna) St.
Legian Village, Kuta

+62 361 735 268

Daily 7:30am – 12pm

Resto Review – Kumala Pantai Ristorante Italia

06 Mar 2011 Leave a comment

by Little Sumo Girl in Bali, Beach, Restos & Food, Travel Tags:

March 4th – It was the day before Nyepi and we were out checking out the Ogoh-Ogoh and hoping to catch a bit of the parade. Unfortunately, it was starting to get rather late and mom was worried that I would get too hungry. I was so happy to be walking the streets and seeing the crowds that I didn’t really feel hungry at all….Ah moms, they always worry too much for nothing!!

Mom and Dad were looking for a little warung to eat at, but given that Nyepi is such a big holiday and most people go back to their villages to be with their families. Most restaurants were closed. We finally ended up along the beach front and ate outside enjoying the strong breeze at Hotel Kumala Pantai’s Ristorante Italia.

We weren’t the only ones with this idea, as many tourists were coming to eat at this establishment. There were so many people arriving at the same time, we chose our table on our own. Table #1 – with the most wind…Aaahhhh 🙂 Mom asked for a high-chair but the group of 12 that came in just before us, nabbed the one and only high-chair of this 60-seater resto…Ah well, too bad! I was still able to enjoy my meal on mom’s lap.

In order to avoid a longer wait, mom and dad hurried to order before the big groups! Dad ordered the Gnocchi with Tomato and Basil Sauce which was simple but tasty. There wasn’t too much basil taste to it, but it was alright by my standards – note that my taste buds are not quite as developed as some people…Still need plenty of practice 🙂

Mom ordered the Eggplant Parmigiana, which was a bit dry. In the rush of ordering, I don’t think mom realized that the eggplants would be deep-fried with batter before being placed in between layers of tomato sauce and cheese like a lasagna. She was a little disappointed with having all that batter, especially since she was sharing this meal with me, and I don’t need any more extra ‘filling’, if you get my drift! Anyhow, I still enjoyed my meal, cuz by then I was starting to feel extremely hungry now that the Ogoh-Ogoh excitement was over. And when you’re hungry, just about anything tastes good – I’m sure you know that feeling!

Many tables beside were ordering the famous pizza. From what we could see, they use a traditional crust for their pizzas so knowing dad, we will most likely come back for a taste test!

It was already past my bed time, so after our meal we took a brisk walk home. It was also to avoid the potential storm. During the meal we started seeing lightning a far, and the few drops we felt on our heads was not a comforting feeling to mom & dad, especially considering it’s been pouring rain for the last week or so.

Overall, the dinner at Ristorante Italia was a quick and decent meal at a reasonable price (45 000 Rp/dish + 30 000 Rp for a large Bintang beer) that capped a nice evening out before a quiet day at home for Nyepi…

Food: **1/2
Deco/setting: ***
Service: **
(out of 5 stars)

Hotel Kumala Pantai
Jl. Werkudara, Legian Kaja, Kuta
Bali – Indonesia

Phone: +62 361 755500
Fax: +62 361 755700

Website : www.kumalapantai.com

Day Trip – Canggu & Uluwatu

01 Mar 2011 Leave a comment

by Little Sumo Girl in Bali, Beach, Fun Spots, Travel Tags: , , ,

Another day trip…wooo hooo!! February is starting to become a really fun month…Hope we keep this going!!

We made a quick stop to visit a friend in Canggu, which is approximately 20 minutes from Seminyak. Compared to the hustle and bustle of Seminyak, Canggu is a tranquil area for village life amidst the beautiful rice fields. You wake up and enjoy your cup of coffee (or milk, in my case) while admiring the views of the surrounding rice fields.

You can check out the surfers at Echo Beach and Berawa Beach. We were short on time so only went to Echo Beach. It seemed to be a quiet day as we didn’t see too many surfers. Or perhaps, was it still too early? The surfers may still be catching a few Zzzzz’s after a night of partying? Not quite sure how often I’ll be coming to build sand castles here, cuz the waves look pretty intense for me…

We then headed out towards Uluwatu to see the temple and more beaches. It was a very hot and sunny day so by the time we got to Pura Luhur Uluwatu (Uluwatu Temple), we needed to stop and fill up on liquids. As usual, milk for me, and whole coconuts for the adults…looks yummy! One day, I’ll get to taste one of those…maybe when my head will actually be bigger than the size of the coconut!

When we got to the entrance of the temple, of course we knew the drill by now. Pay the entrance fee, put on the sarong, make sure you meet the conditions for entering the temple (Refer to post ‘Day Trip – Ubud, Jatiluwih & Batukau’ for an example of the temple rules). Again, I had to wait outside, but luckily still got the inside scoop.

Apparently there are so many monkeys inside, when you first enter they have ‘bodyguards’ that offer their protection service. Mom apparently refused Pak Wayan’s offer to ‘scare the monkeys and give explanations of the temple’. She was willing to brave the visit without the ‘bodyguard’. First thing she did was take off all jewelry and sunglasses, put away the camera and all other things likely to provoke the monkeys, just like they recommended at the entrance. The funny thing is they warn you to beware of the fearless monkeys, but at the same time they sell you bananas to offer to them. So of course, if you show them a banana they’re gonna come running at you!! If you showed me a banana, I’d come crawling at you too, and crush it between my fingers right before your eyes (that’s my new Super Power)!

Mom’s friend found a large bamboo stick to scare the monkeys away. Looks like it is the ‘weapon’ of choice, as all the ‘bodyguards’ have a bamboo stick in hand. In the end, they had no incidents with any of the monkeys. The hillside view at the top is simply gorgeous and the water looks crystal clear even from up high.

Boy, it was extremely hot – it was time to hit the beaches!!

Two planned stops at Padang Padang Beach and Bingin Beach. We took the road along the west side to head back north and reached Padang Padang first, not with a little assistance by a Frenchman though! There are only a few signs indicating directions to the beach and often they’re just small hand-written signs, so you may wanna remove your shades and keep your eyes open.

After a small ride on a little dirt road, we arrive at what seemed like a parking to a local Warung (Small Indonesian food joint/stall). But as we got closer, we saw the staircase which led all the way down to the white sandy beach. I was scared to death going down, cuz mom did not feel too steady with her Havaianas flip-flops and the ‘stairs’ were quite narrow. At some point, we thought there was a ‘rope’ to grab onto for support, but it turned out to be a pipe, most likely to bring water down to the beach-front warungs. I was grabbing on tight, but we made it down safe and sound!! There weren’t too many surfers and only a couple of people sunbathing. So we pretty much had the beach to ourselves and took a dip in the clear turquoise water. Aaahhh…it felt good! Time to work on my tan too 🙂 The only thing I haven’t figured out is how to tan between my fold lines…

After a quick dip, we hit the road again to find Bingin Beach. We ask a local for directions and he tells us where to park and indicates that it’s a short walk straight past the parking. It looks kinda dodgy, we’re not sure this is the right spot. We ask another local, who points towards the same direction so we keep walking. Over a small wooden ‘bridge’ we go, past a field of cows, between some villa gardens, then through a narrow alley, then we hit a path with hand-made signs for different warungs and guest houses. We must be close! Going down these sets of stairs is again like a circus act, similar to the Padang Padang Beach. Mid-way down, we stop for a late lunch – mom needed the energy, her legs were getting wobbly! The warung is on the side of the cliff, so you get an amazing view while grabbing a bite to eat.

Then we go down for a dip. The water is clear and beautiful, but unfortunately the beach is not as nice as Padang Padang. This is truly a surfer’s beach. When we were there, the waves weren’t too high so there were no surfers 😦 The beach itself is rocky and not so great for sunbathers or people who can’t even walk yet, like me. I wish we could’ve stayed to watch the sunset, it must be beautiful, but we had to head back in time for me to hit the sheets. I’ve been exhausted lately with all the site-seeing and the days spent in the sun!

On the way back, we saw a whole bunch of tourist buses and mini-vans heading south towards Uluwatu…most likely heading to the Temple to catch the Kecak-Kecak dance at sunset. If you don’t mind the crowds, this might be a worthwhile activity to see at least once at sunset…

Just chillin’ at the beach…

07 Feb 2011 Leave a comment

by Little Sumo Girl in Bali, Beach, Fun Spots, Travel

Lazy Sundays are made for chillin’ at the beach…

Chilling at the Beach

…especially, when you’ve traveled around the world to come to Bali.

Folks back home are all bundled up, trying to stay warm with shovel in hand. So I really can’t complain, but boy how I wish I could walk and be able to dip my feet in the water!