Our big plan for this day was to rest in a cabana we had rented all day that faced the beach. We slept in and then headed down to the free on-site breakfast. When we checked in, they had asked, ‘Do you want points as your welcome gift, or a free on-site breakfast?’ We picked free on-site breakfast, cautiously optimistic as usually hotel on-site breakfasts have limited selections.
When we got down there, they first sat us at a table that was right by the reflection of a pool. That was too bright for Amy so we moved in a little, still outside under covering, but away from the glare of the pool. No sooner had they sat us at another table, they brought a family with a screaming child next to us. I just looked at Amy, this would be my non-starter for this location. Combined we were like Goldilocks trying to find the perfect spot. I asked if we could be moved inside, they graciously moved us inside.
The breakfast spread was extensive with different styles of breakfast, stations – Western (Eggs, Donuts and Pastries), Eastern (Soups), Middle-Eastern (Steamed veggies, sauce, and rice) and a fruit station for everybody. About zero of it looked appetizing to me. They brought my cappucino, this would be the true test. I can really get by with just one good coffee or cappucino in the morning, forget the food. I bring the cup to my mouth for my first sip. Ugh. Even the milk in the cappucino couldn’t mask the ‘instant’ taste of the coffee inside. Amy brought back a bowl of steamed veggies in sauce and fruit. God Bless her, she can eat a veggie breakfast, not me. She said she had eaten that every morning for breakfast in India and was used to it. I went and had an omelette made for me, and picked up some bacon and fruit. The omelette was good, the bacon was way over cooked, I couldn’t finish it. I was missing the perfect crispness of the Mandapa bacon. We decided we would need to find another breakfast option on the remaining days here. We were in Bali afterall, and we wanted a more Bali experience and less hotel buffet experience.
After breakfast we went back to the room, I blogged a little (no game on today) and then we started to get ready to go down to our cabana for the day. Why does getting ready to go down to the beach for the day always feel like an ordeal for white girls? After you ‘suit up’ there is process of making sure you get sunblock over every square inch of your lily white body so you don’t burn. Then the process of selecting everything you want to take for the day as you camp out in your cabana. What books? What snacks? How much extra water? Do I bring my iPad? This is about as stressful as it gets on a beach cabana day I guess.
We both loaded up our backpacks and headed down. By now it was 12:30pm. On the way down there, Amy announces, ‘I’m hungry.’ I’m thinking, no wonder, all you ate was vegetables. Then I reflected, ‘Am I hungry?’ Actually, I was. So we made the decision to walk into this shopping district that we could access off of the boardwalk a few resorts down. I had found what looked to be a great ‘healthy eats/good coffee’ place online, and we both had wanted to try it out.
The walk down the boardwalk in direct sunlight with our beach daypacks on our back felt SO LONG. The temps were in the mid-80’s with very high humidity. How high? Let’s just say, my hair is about as curly as it gets absorbing every ounce of moisture in the air. I look like I have a perm at times. As we walked along the resorts, we enjoyed the view of the sandy white beaches and clear blue water. The resorts looked mostly empty. It seems surreal to see such a strip of resorts ocean front with such little activity. Their high season is in the summer, so they said this is typical.
We finally made it to the shopping center and they checked all of our bags and we went through a metal detector. There were bomb threats in Bali 10 years ago, so they are very high security in these beach areas and with the resorts. Whenever you pull into a resort, they open the back door and check the rear of the van.
We made it to the True Food Kitchen of Bali. It had lovely ‘Anthropolgie’ feeling decor and open breeze and the most beautiful and healthy menu selections. Even better, then served up a wonderful cappucino. This is what I had been craving since we left Mandapa.
We enjoyed the lunch here so much and it was easily the busiest eating establishment in the shopping center. We could see this place fitting in perfectly in Orange County. After a leisurely lunch we headed back to the resort and found a short cut so that the walk wasn’t so long.
We then parked ourselves in our Cabana for the rest of the afternoon. Alternating between blogging (me), reading, napping, and taking dips in the Indian Ocean. It was glorious. The water was clear as crystal and as warm as bathwater. Absolutely no chill whatsoever.
We hung out like this until about 6pm (the sun sets around 6:15pm this time of year). It also rises over the water and sets behind us. We considered our dinner options as we headed back to the room. We could go out, dine on property, or just order room service. In the end, we felt tired from laying around all day. Imagine that? So we just decided to take showers, not have to get ready, and order room service.
We both picked transitional Balinese dishes from the room service menu and I said yes to Bintang Beer when they suggested we try the beer with our dinner. I wasn’t having much success with good wine in Bali, so figured maybe I should switch to beer.
About 30 minutes later our food arrived, they rolled it in on a cart and set up a table in the dining area of the suite – complete with a little rose in a vase. I had ordered a fish dish with some traditional side dishes and Amy had a Balinese chicken curry. It was outstanding. We loved our dinner so much and I enjoyed the taste of the beer that complimented the dinner. They were right with the beer suggestions.
Day one at the resort was a relaxing success and by now we had detoxed from Mandapa and were enjoying the resort for all of the amenities it offered. Also, the beds were super comfortable and they had big fluffy pillows. A must for a good nights sleep.