Day 7: Travelling to Seminyak via Giligetaway, staying at the Seminyak Resort & Spa.
It was our last morning at the Gili Eco Villas and after breakfast we sadly started to pack our bags ready to start a new adventure back in Bali. We booked a horse and cart to get to us to the port and the 20min (approx.) journey cost around 75K rupia which is around £4. The staff at the Eco villas have been nothing but friendly and helpful at all times making sure we were comfortable and happy during our stay.
After a bumpy journey we finally arrived at the port where we checked in. With an hour before the speed boats sets off, we decided to grab a banana and honey smoothie at a nearby bar. This part of Gilly T is so much more busier than where we stayed for the last few days. It kind of reminded me a little of Phi Phi Islands in Thailand and Carl said it reminded him of Borocay in the Philippines. Lots of tourists and locals milling around, as were there horse and carts passing by, picking up and dropping off passengers and their luggage.
We boarded a busier boat this time. All 20 seats were preoccupied inside and there were even a few passengers on the top deck making full use of the sunshine and the endless views of the sea. Once we arrived in Seminyak, Giligetaway had organised our taxis to our next hotel- the Seminak Resort and Spa. When we arrived, Carl decided we should upgrade to a beach view room because annoyingly our garden view room was in another building away from main hotel. We weren’t made aware of this at the time of booking. If you should stay here, it is worth the extra $50 per night if you can afford it to get a sea view room.
Whilst they sorted out our room change, we decided to have lunch at the resort restaurant. I tucked into the best Pad Thai I have ever had (normally I find them too sweet for my liking but this one was just perfect) whilst Carl thoroughly enjoyed his poppy seed Tuna. After a quick change in our hotel room (which we were really impressed with) we headed out to the kabanas by the poolside. There’s a definite breeze in Semiyak unlike in Gili T making it feel much more bearable in the sun.
Being situated in a much busier location compared to the last place, we decided to venture out to have dinner. We turned to our ever trusted Trip Advisor App to search for the best place in town. Unfortunately we got a little lost along the way (and a little surprised that no one at the hotel had heard of the restaurant we were headed to despite it being ranked no.1 in Seminyak) and I totally blame google maps for it. We end up stopping at Ginger Moon to have dinner. I had high hopes as the menu looked different but I was slightly let down. I had ordered a salad of prawn and roast pork with papaya but it was far too salty, and while Carl did enjoy his beef rendang pizza, he found it a bit too rich so really struggled to finish it all (and that rarely happens). I probably wouldn’t recommend this place particularly as there are quite a few restaurants along that strip that looked quite nice (although you can’t judge a book by it’s cover).
Day 8: Seminyak-dinner at the Urchin Grill & Raw Bar
We woke to breakfast in bed or rather in the daybed outside on our terrace. We ordered the America Breakast; coffee+ juice+ granola with yogurt,a fruit platter and scrambled egg, bacon, mushroom, hash brown, toast (annoyingly with the crust removed) and mixed pastries. There is a lot of food and you are spoilt for choice, the only complaint was that the scrambled eggs were quite rubbery. We spent the day lounging in the comfy kabana by the pool. The stronger breeze compared to Gili which was definately welcomed!
We ordered lunch and being in a 5 star hotel, there is a notable difference in the prices. I opted for a smoked salmon and asparagus salad whilst Carl had a ham and emmental cheese toasted baguette. This in no way compared to the food we had yesterday upon arrival. However, we did share a side of crab croquettes which was delicious. We lounged in our kabana for pretty much the rest of the afternoon.
Around 5pm, when things started to get cooler, we decided to take a stroll down the beach and take some photos. We watched the sunset before going back to our room to shower and head out to dinner. This time we made sure we got the right directions to the restaurant we tried to get to the night before. The restaurant in question was the Urchin Grill & Raw Bar. We were both expecting something pretencious and poncy but far from it. It’s pretty casual and laid back with an open kicthen that you have a full view of. Having craved sushi for the past few days, I’d say we slightly over did it by ordering two sushi starters (who knew raw fish could be so filling). The sashimi platter and raw fish seaweed salad were divine. For my main, I had ordered the crispy skinned red snapper, carrot puree with almonds and a sherry vinegar, whilst Carl went for the confit suckling pig. I had major food envy despite my main being very, very good. My only disappointment was dessert. Maybe it was my fault for ordering something I didn’t really know what it was, (anyone else know what buttermilk chiboust is? ). Carl’s dessert wasn’t too bad, considering there’s always room for error when you order a souffle (or at least that’s what I’m lead to believe on Master Chef). Overall, I can see why the restaurant is ranked no.1 on Trip Advisor in Seminyak. It’s definately worth a visit.
Being stuffed to the brim after our 3 course meal, we took a slow stroll back to the hotel before chilling in bed to Total Recall ( film fail).
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