We checked into Mutiara Bali Boutique Resort & Villas late last night (2200 hrs). After having KFC (it tastes different from Malaysia KFC) for dinner cum supper, I spent 1 hour to remove make up, wash hair, take shower and unpack the luggages.
Mutiara Bali Boutique Resort & Villas (http://www.mutiarabali.com/) is situated in Seminyak district. It is centrally surrounded by high fashion boutiques, art galleries, world class dining venues and night life entertainment.
I woke up at 0900 hrs and had a tour around the resort. These are some of the photos taken.
Both: Our Room at Mutiara Bali Boutique Resort & Villas
Both: The Pool, Mutiara Bali Boutique Resort & Villas
Both: Mutiara Spa
Both: Mutiara Restaurant
I had to wake Colin up as I was starving already! The breakfast finishes at 1000 hrs so we had to rush to the Mutiara Restaurant. Fortunate enough, we made it on time and enjoyed a tasty breakfast.
Both: Statues at Mutiara Restaurant
Both: The Breakfast Menu of Mutiara Restaurant. Tried Full Irish Breakfast once and had American Breakfast thrice :)
They have a wide variety in the breakfast menu. I had American Breakfast on the 1st morning (in Mutiara Bali) and tried Full Irish Breakfast on the next. But subsequently on the 3rd & 4th morning, I sticked to the American Breakfast as I LOVE it soooo much! I crave for beef sausages every time I see these photos...Wish I can go back there soon for the American Breakfast :P
Both: Love the American Breakfast! I had it for 3 out of my 4 breakfasts in Mutiara Bali!
Left: Deep Fried Soya Bean Cake Right: Fruits
Same as yesterday, we booked a driver to bring us around Bali (charges: Rp50k per hour). Hiring of driver cum guide is a recommended alternative to using taxis. They provide greater flexibility and local connection. They recommend places of interest and help to bargain on prices too!
The driver (Pak Rai) picked us up at 1130 hrs. Our itinerary for the day is to visit Ubud district for Ubud Traditional Art Market (pasar seni) and Bebek Tepi Sawah Restaurant (recommended by yesterday's driver, Pak Ari) and to visit Kuta district for souvenirs store and the Bombing Memorial.
Bebek Tepi Sawah Restaurant, Ubud
It is situated at Jalan Raya Goa Gajah in the East of Ubud district. They serve a variety of Indonesian dishes. Due to the heavy traffic, we arrived at 1300 hrs. These are some photos taken from the restaurant. We had a long lunch while enjoying the exquisite landscape of the restaurant.
Both: Beautiful surround view in the restaurant
Left: Paddy field Right: A pond with water feature (both are inside the restaurant's compound)
We ordered 2 of their signature dishes - Grilled Pork Rib and Tepi Sawah Crispy Duck. The pork rib is fabulous! It's the best pork rib I ever had!
Grilled Pork Ribs (Rp78k) - highly recommended!
Tepi Sawah Crispy Duck (Rp68k) - portion is small and the duck is dry...not recommended
Rempah - minced chilli, red onion with chilli padi & chilli padi with soya sauce
Our next stop...Ubud Traditional Art Market.
Ubud Traditional Art Market
We arrived at 1445 hrs. The entire area around was packed. We took a while to find a parking lot for Pak Rai's Kijang.
Left: Puri Saren (Ubud Palace) Right: Ubud Traditional Art Market
Puri Saren is an Ubud King Palace which was being used as a governance center during the empire era. The Palace is located in the heart of Ubud Village and opposite Ubud Traditional Art Market. We spent about 2 hours walking around in the art market and along Jalan Monkey Forest & Jalan Hanoman.
Pak Rai suggested a souvenir store at Jalan Sunset Road in the West of Kuta district. We arrived at Pusat Oleh-Oleh Krisna (http://www.krisnabali.co.id/) after a 1.5 hour drive from Ubud district. And...we were stucked there for over an hour. Colin had to drag me out from the souvenir store for our next destination before it gets dark.
Kuta Square
Left: The Memorial Right: A pub opposite the Memorial
The Bombing Memorial is built on the site of the destroyed Paddy's Pub on Jalan Legian in Kuta district. The bombing incidents on 12 October 2002 have killed 202 and injured 240 people. The memorial is made of intricately carved stone, set with a large marble plaque, which bears the names and nationalities of each of those killed.
LaoTa Restaurant, Kuta
As instructed by Pak Ari, Pak Rai brought us to LaoTa Restaurant at Jalan Raya Kuta 530. It is one of the best Chinese cuisine offered on the island. The food is fantastic! I love the Bubur Pelangi!
Left: LaoTa's Menu & Bintang Beer Right: Bebek Panggang (Rp68k)
Left: Bubur Pelangi (Rp28k) Right: Sup Bakso Sapi (Rp18k)
After dinner we dropped by at a Circle K (one of the chain convenience stores in Bali, opens 24/7) to get some bottled mineral water and soft drinks before we travel back to Mutiara Bali and call it a day.
Day 5 - 27 March 2010 (Sat)
At 1000 hrs, we took the Mutiara Bali shuttle to Seminyak. We found Mannekepis Jazz & Blues Bistro (http://www.mannekepis-bistro.com/) from the Lonely Planet. It is located at Jalan Raya Seminyak No.2 offering Belgian specialties and international dishes.
Left: Mannekepis' Menu Right: Mennekepis' boss (in yellow shirt)
Left: Coke Cola + Bintang Beer = ? Right: I love the butter!
Ceasar Salad - Colin's favourite!
Left: Pate - Colin's favourite too! Right: Escargo - Also Colin's favourite :p
Medium Rare Sirloin Steak = 200% Satisfaction!
We fell in love with these food! We were already planning to go back there on the next day before even paying the bill. Sadly, we didn't managed to revisit Mannekepis. We did some shopping along Jalan Raya Seminyak while walking back to Mutiara Bali.
In the late afternoon, we pampered ourselves with a 180-minute Traditional Balinese Massage (1630 - 1800 hrs) at the Mutiara Spa (Rp150k per pax).
We had gado-gado, black pepper beef, tahu telur and rice at The Braga Cafe, an Indonesian restaurant at Seminyak Square, for dinner. We then visited Casa Gourmet Supermarket at Seminyak Square before walking back to Mutiara Bali.
Day 6 - 28 March 2010 (Sun)
We enjoyed soaking in the sun and pool until 1300 hrs before taking a 5-minute walk to Seminyak Square to hunt for food.
Seminyak Square
Left: Seminyak Square Right: Weekend Market at Seminyak Square
We had lunch at Bali Bakery Brasserie & Lounge. They serve international cuisine and varied exotic flavours of Indonesia.
Both: Bali Bakery Brasserie & Lounge
Left: Nasi Campur (Rp35k) Right: BB Club Sandwich (Rp50k)
We went back to Mutiara Bali and continued soaking in the pool until late afternoon. At around 1830 hrs, we left Mutiara Bali to fill our stomachs.
Ultimo Italian Restaurant
We found this restaurant by luck when we were walking along Jalan Laksamana/Oberoi. They are one of the best restaurants in Seminyak district. They serve excellent Italian cuisine at value for money prices.
Left: Romantic atmosphere Right: Bread with green tea butter
Left: Candle light & decorated frangipani Right: Wine
Both: Funghi Scotatti (set menu - Rp125k)
Left: Taglierini Neri Al Salmone Affumicato (set menu) Right: Tagliata De Cannellini - Wagyu Beef (set menu)
Pera Caramella Alla Cannela (set menu)
Left: Lasagne Al Forno (Rp43k) Right: Contro Filetto Al Gorgonzola (Rp43,500)
Left: Creme Brule Right: Fondentte
The restaurant was packed all night long. We love the romantic atmosphere and the scrumptious food & wine. We had an unforgettable fine dining experience and left the restaurant with full satisfaction! ♥
The restaurant was packed all night long. We love the romantic atmosphere and the scrumptious food & wine. We had an unforgettable fine dining experience and left the restaurant with full satisfaction! ♥
We walked around Jalan Laksamana /Oberoi and Jalan Seminyak before heading back to Mutiara Bali. These are some of the night shots taken in Mutiara Bali.
Mutiara Bali is a serene resort with captivating surrounding and relaxing atmosphere at just 5-min walk from Seminyak Square. It's an ideal place for a getaway holiday!
Please stay with me for the continuation of this wonderful vacation in Part 3.
