Bali: Day 5

Hey peeps!

Last full day in Bali! Day 4 was a spectacular beach day that we got so tanned. Though we just visited Bali in a nutshell, we all agree that Bali opened our mind to its people and culture. I really admire how the locals being religious, friendly and not influenced by foreign cultures despite catering tourist demands.

Be extra careful here at the cliffs of Uluwatu. Our thoughtful guide informed that the soil is soggy and unstable on this spot.

Like all previous days, we woke up at 7:30am and breakfast at 8am today.

Last breakfast at Kutabex.

Love their omelette.

Check out at 9am and say goodbye to Kutabex Beach Front Hotel. If you are looking for budget and comfort right at the heart of happening Kuta and exactly across the beach, Kutabex is the best choice for you.

Paddy's Pub which is still operating today brings lots of memories for locals and tourists. We did pass by the 2002 bombing memorial but failed to take photo.

We crossed the Bali Mandara Toll Road again. I kinda explained to you about this awesome multi layered bridge on Day 4.

The roof of gas stations and many other buildings displays a traditional feature of Balinese architecture.

We arrived Uluwatu at 10am. Tickets to Uluwatu costs 30,000 rupiah per pax. Opening hours from 9am till 6pm daily. Oh one more thing you must beware of ...Uluwatu is inhabited by notorious monkeys that will snatch anything. Agus advised us to not wear hats and glasses if possible.

A fountain somewhere after the entrance.

So here's the iconic view. There weren't much tourists in the morning but it can be very crowded in the evenings where everyone just visit Uluwatu for sunset.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu is situated at the rear end. The name Uluwatu comes from ulu meaning land's end and watu meaning rock. In Malay, ulu means remote.

On the way to the temple.

 Visitors are not allowed to enter unless you are a local performing rituals.

The Balinese sea temple is regarded as one of the sad kahyangan (six sanctuaries of the world) and is dedicated to Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa in his manifestation as Rudra.

It is built at the edge of a 70 meter high cliff or rock projecting into the sea. In folklore, this rock is said to be part of Dewi Danu's petrified barque. Though a small temple was claimed to have existed earlier, the structure was significantly expanded by a Javanese sage, Empu Kuturan in the 11th Century.

Next we spent about an hour walking along the trail and taking vain shots.

Love this shot the most thanks to Agus.

Very peaceful when you come in the mornings where its litterally empty.

Don't forget a jump shot!

Strolled through a forest.

We sneaked into a no entry zone. Not advisable but the view is dope!

I wanted an insta worthy pose sitting at the edge of the cliff but life is worth more than this.

We left Uluwatu at 11am or so. Whoa would you look at the gigantic Garuda in the middle of the road.

Balinese style Pizza Hut.

More structures along the road.

We arrived Bali Bidadari Batik for a little shopping at 12:10pm.

Batik is a technique of wax-resist dyeing o a cloth. It is made either by drawing dots and lines of the resist with a spouted tool called a canting or by printing the resist with a copper stamp called cap. The applied wax resists dyes and therefore allows the artisan to colour selectively by soaking the cloth in one colour, removing the wax with boiling water, and repeating if multiple colours are desired.

Patterns are drawn with pencil and later redrawn using hot wax usually made from a mixture of paraffin or bees wax and sometimes mixed with plant resins which functions as a dye-resist. The wax can be applied with a variety of tools.

After the cloth is dry, the resist is removed by boiling or scraping the cloth. The areas treated with resist keep their original colour when the resist is removed the contrast between the dyed and undyed areas forms the pattern. This process is repeated as many times as the number of colours desired.

Next we headed to UC Silver at 12:30pm where it is a gallery that displays and sell jewelries and ornaments made not only from silver but also gold, white gold and precious stones.

The façade of the building is exquisitely presented by white carvings and mannequins.

You are not permitted to take pictures inside.

Personally I feel this place is a rip off and not recommended unless you are here to see the architecture. The designs and the way they display their jewelries are so cheapskate like those faux accessories you see at pasar malam. You will know what I'm talking about once you go there. 

After UC Silver we were brought to Polo Ralph Lauren store which we went in for just 2 minutes then quickly headed to Galleria Mall for lunch at 2pm.

A wide space at the center court. The shops here are quite luxurious.

There's a train for kids at the outdoor court.

We went into NCC Resto for a simple lunch.

I ordered nasi goreng seafood while hubby ordered a scrumptious nasi campur. Very delicious! You can refer to my budget post on the pricing.

We crossed the bridge again to Tanjung Benoa to check into our posh beach resort.

Yippee! Finally arrived at Novotel Bali Benoa. There's a security check at the entrance just like Ayana. Feel so atas leh!

We were seated at the Accor member's desk and served with welcome drinks and hot towels.

Free phto coupon that we didn't use coz only can be redeemed from 8am till 11:30am. If we go for the photo session tomorrow morning we won't be able to get the photo coz we were leaving by then.

Entrance to our garden terrace room. I'm so glad my tourmates like my choice of hotel for this extra fre & easy day.

There's an outdoor shower and patio at the garden.

For more photos and info, view my review on Novotel Bali Benoa.

Satisfied with the room although they forgot the deco for our anniversary that I had requested in January.

Lol this looks so lame af.

I wasn't very excited about the beach tho. It was very muddy during low tide and full of seaweed. Certainly not a place for you to swim and far from snorkeling here. No waves at all too.

Novotel reclaimed this man made beach and recently launched it's grand opening on 26th October 2015.

Plenty of chairs for you to relax. You can order drinks and snacks from the bar too.

Since we can't swim at the disappointing beach, Novotel's pool is the only option.

We had the jacuzzi all to ourselves.

I kinda dislike the pool coz 2 meter is too deep for me. If you have read my previous entries about Koh Lipe and Redang you would know I am not fond of deep water or anywhere that my feet can't touch the ground.

WTF??? 

I really can't pose for ice underwater shots.

Instavain...

We wanted to book the room behind us which is the Beach Cabana but the only difference is more garden space and an outdoor tub that I disliked. The interior looks a lot more Balinese than our room too.

 Epic jump fail. What the hell was I thinking?

 Entrance to one of the pool villas.

 At the lounge area waiting for our friends to hunt for dinner.

View of the entrance to lobby in the evening.

We crossed the road and surveyed some restaurants. You might come across lots of classy restaurants with chandeliers and whitewashed interior along the street but they are so pricey. So all of us agreed on this down to earth beach vibe restaurant called Luna Bonita as the waiter offered us a package we couldn't resist.

3 Bintang beers for us.

Tomyam soup and homemade cream of mushroom came next. Both are very yummy. The waiting time is moderate.

660,000 rupiah for a package that includes a seafood platter for 4, a bowl of tomyam soup and cream of mushroom, 4 plates of rice, fruit platter, banana boat dessert, 4 iced tea and 3 bottles of Bintang beer is totally worth it.

Last but not least are the desserts.

Satisfied with our dinner therefore I highly recommend you to Luna Bonita. 

We went back to our resort around 9:40pm and spent the evening star gazing on the quiet beach.

We look silly but creative, kan?

Having supper at the pantry which is inside the bathroom lol. See you on the last day tomorrow where we will spend the morning at the resort then fly back home.

 
For full details on itinerary and budget of this trip, please click HERE.