Having arrived in Nusa Dua, Bali, overnight I wake up to find myself surrounded by a tropical jungle paradise. Opening my eyes to the sparkling day my mum and I dress, and make our way down to the spectacular breakfast buffet. What a great start to our Bali adventure.
Westin, Nusa Dua
The buffet is complete with international dishes, and yet still offers many local delights. I sample a fruit smoothie served in a hollowed out coconut and made with fresh fruit, nuts and seeds. Another local selection in this part of the world are the morning juices and tonics, made with turmeric herbs and roots for health and vitality.
It’s hard to believe but the breakfast range isn’t even the highlight of the morning so far. During breakfast, we spot a water dragon out the window. He seems to be enjoying the leafy pond outside the window overlooking the pool. We are surrounded by palm trees in an idyllic setting. What a stunning spot to take in the morning.
I’d say the water dragon is pretty lucky to have taken up residence here, choosing for himself a five star home. However the rest of us have to make the most of our short stay and so after enjoying the sumptuous breakfast with relaxing resort views, we head back to our room.
R & R
A quick change and we’re ready for lounging poolside. The weather is perfect: warm without being hot, the water is cool without being cold. We settle into a sun lounge, shaded by a strategically placed umbrella and open books and menus settling in for some R&R.
I order a young coconut water and mum elects a local Bintang beer. My coconut, complete with water, comes skillfully carved out in its shell. We toast and the R&R is well underway.
After a chapter of my book, whilst still enjoying the tropical warmth and holiday atmosphere, I stroll down to the beach. Sinking my toes into the sand feels like home and I soak in the view across Nusa Dua Beach. It’s low tide and you can wade out almost to the reef in parts. Glass bottom boats lay speckled along the shore, their captains biding their time until high tide. This is when the captains emerge from their snoozing and their boats can clear the reef. This is the when their passengers can peer down through the glass and see the sea life.
For now I stroll back along the sandy stretch and return to the sun lounge by the cool, clear pool to work on my book and young coconut.
Nusa Dua Beach
After a while relaxing by the pool, we feel some action is in order. Mum & I return to our room to change and go for a walk. Itchy to explore the area and stretch our legs, we head off along the beach. We are blessed with a relaxing path through the stunning grounds of various decadently decorated resorts and gardens. The path leads along the beachfront, past a headland and on along another bay filled more resorts.
Temples are dotted along the way. Usually distinguished by small buildings or pergola like structures they are inevitably guarded by many, many statues. Most are made of moulded grey concrete but some are painted and delightfully colorful. Largely unnamed and locked, nevertheless we can peer into the temples to spot offerings left by locals and more statues.
At the Ayodaya Resort, we head in through the hotel grounds and emerge at the front of the resort to an equally impressive entrance.
From here it’s a short stroll to the main street filled with market stalls and restaurants. We browse around for a bit but aren’t ready to buy anything and by the time we have explored the strip along Jl. Pantai Mengiat, known as the ‘main street’, the sun is starting to sink. The smells of grilling food and satay sauce fill the air and this, combined with the idea of a sundowner, is too much to resist.
The Local
We seek somewhere cosy and not too touristy to try some local cuisine. As luck would have it we came across a perfect little strip of food stores along the way. We now return to this spot where we take in a Bintang beer, some black pepper beef and spring rolls as we watch the local crowds walk up and down under many colorful umbrellas.
The little warung (shop) serves excellent food and we dig into our meals with relish, having skipped lunch after the large breakfast offerings.
By now night has fallen. The beach path serves as an equally delightful night time walk as we make our way back along the bays to our hotel.
As we walk we note some more viable spots for future evenings spent taking in this beautiful part of the world.
Good To Know
Nusa Dua is an area of Bali situated on the south east of the island. It is a much quieter area than Kuta or Jimbaran Beaches and offers an idyllic location for families, romantic getaways or those that are less inclined to party all night.
It should be noted that the proximity to local shops and restaurants is somewhat limited as the area is dominated by large scale hotels and resorts.
Would I Return?
Yes.
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