Our first vacation to Bali was back in 2002 and during the three weeks, my partner and I went to TJ’s twice. We really loved that place. Tourism figures dropped enormously that year, so we were practically the only ones there. In the menu we had to read the sad fact that they had to cut out more then half of the dishes, to guarantee fresh ingredients for the clients.

Now, six years later, TJ’s is fully back in business and it’s packed! We would not expect anything less because TJ’s has been around for what feels like forever, so they managed to cope with the bad years and Kuta wouldn’t be Kuta without TJ’s.
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One of the restaurants located on Jalan Legian is the old time favorite Café Sendok (sendok = spoon). Whenever we walk or drive by this place it is always lively. Happy tourists are sitting at the bar, enjoying a cold Bintang beer or sitting at the tables, chatting and laughing about their adventures. Though this place is German oriented, the tourists are from every corner of the world. I guess this is because the restaurant looks inviting.

So this time I get to be that happy tourist (again). Though living in Bali feels like a permanent holiday, somehow you just don’t hang around in the tourist areas that often anymore.
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Mannekepis is the famous statue of Brussels, Belgium. This statue, a naked little boy doing the number one, can also be found at the entrance of the Mannekpis Bistro in Seminyak. “Great name”, we all said to each other. And soon after that; “I hope they are going to serve Belgian fries!”

Mannekepis opened its doors on the 21st of December. And a few days after, we we’re invited to grab a bite over there.
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The know-how and skill of creating Balinese art is gained from inside the families and is passed on through many generations. This way, specialized villages were formed with an expertise on a specific form of art. One of these villages is named Batubulan, which means “Moon Stone” and is located in the district of Gianyar. Batubulan is famous for it’s stone carvings.
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Like my other visits to Mykonos, I just cannot begin my dinner without a good appetizer. The usual pita bread dish with Tzatziki (yoghurt with cucumber, dill, garlic and olive oil) and Humus (chick beans with tahini, yoghurt, lemon, dill, garlic and olive oil) was immediately ordered, so the dipping could begin. I started arguing with my friends that they were taking too much Tzatziki to put on their bread; at the rate they were on there wouldn’t be enough left for me! Just kidding…we just ordered another plate.
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“Massaaage??” You hear it every five minutes on the beach. Bali is of course the island for relaxation. So while you’re here, it’s easy to take good care of your mind and body.

In the tourist areas, you find spas on every corner. One of the better places to go is the Prana Spa in Seminyak. It’s a luxurious place and the treatments are well known and, believe me, there are many to choose from.

Do you want to get healthier or more spiritual? The Bali Balance, also located in Seminyak, is your health spot. Here they offer you treatments like; Herbal Remedies, Massages, Acupuncture and many more.

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It was already dark, but the nice security guy of the place showed us around the stables with a flashlight (I guess the horses can be a little cranky when you disturb them while resting) and he guided us to the restaurant. Basically we just had to follow the path and head for the many tiny lights in the back of the place.
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Indonesian law recognizes a marriage of same belief holders only. Bali being an Indonesian city, it has the same laws as the rest of the Indonesia. Only if both of the marriage partners have the same religion, they can get married in Bali. Otherwise one of the wedding partners has to give a change of religion’s declaration in writing. (more…)

We were directed upstairs and sat down at a table directly next to the window, enjoying a view of the ever-busy Jl. Raya Seminyak. When the manager came to our table to take our drink order he asked what we would like to have as a drink to start our lunch. I was thinking, “would it be a beer or something really typical Indian?”. I might get beer anywhere else (although due to the recent alcohol importing problems in Bali, beer will probably run out in a few moments), but something Indian is a different story. (more…)

A welcome drink is always a good idea, especially when it’s a frozen margarita. So Yut’z Place got that part right for sure!

Looking through the menu we were almost overwhelmed by the choices, so we asked what was recommended. We decided to take a salad first and some garlic bread, and as a main we took the recommended Fillet Steak, a German sausage and a Hungarian goulash. As you can read, Yut’z place is Swiss / German orientated restaurant. And not only the food, also the interior has some cozy European influences mixed with lots of candle lights and modern art.

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