INDONESIA - BALI - BALIAN - 30 SEPTEMBER TO 13 OCTOBER 2015

The car ride from Kuta to Balian was just over 2 hours at 400 000R.

We pulled into Gubug Bungalows which we booked through booking.com. We were a bit early so we waited an hour for the rooms to be vacated and cleaned. All settled and happy.

The new infinity pool was cool in temperature and appearance. The rooms were good but Kara's shower didn't work properly and despite numerous attempts to have it fixed, it was defected the whole stay. Avoid room 2. Later, she changed to room 4 and that had shower issues as well. Anyway our room was great.

 

The room's verandah looked out across the gardens, pool and the Balian surf break. Nice to sit, eat cheese and biscuits with a JD and coke.

Breakfast was plentiful and tasty.



So in a nutshell, I surfed, hiked, rode motorbike, ate and slept. Jacinta and Kara sat by the pool, swam, got ridden on a motorbike, ate and slept. Everyone was happy and this trend continued for the next two weeks.

The surf . I had good waves everyday surfing one, two, and even three times a day but one for the two weeks from shoulder height to double overhead waves. Heaps of waves and so much fun!

People - we met lots of people and caught up on some old friends. It is a good place to meet people most of them were nice and normal and some were very different. One guy had exactly the same conversation (dialogue) with me on the three times I spoke with him.

Catching up with friends was great - Mark, Jeff and Marty are nice guys and local people like Ayu were very warm to see me. I wouldn't call it home but I feel very comfortable there.

One morning, I went for a hike north when the tide was super low and the waves very small. I managed to go through three caves and follow the coast line without one incident.

On another day, I drove the bike around looking for fun things to do. I drove along two beaches, a number of coconut groves and some very rough tracks. FUN :)



Twice, I drove to Medewi. The first time the surf was good at head height with only two other guys out. Heaps and heaps of waves. The second time, the waves were very good but it was crowded. Still, there were heaps of waves and some obstacles to maneuver (people) around.

 

 

We all left Balian happy and I was surf exhausted and needed a rest. Nice way to be!

indonesia - Bali - Medewi - Surfing - May 2010

4/05/10 – rain

Arrived at Medewi and had late afternoon surf. The waves were about a metre plus and the wind was cross shore. Definitely, not the best conditions for surfing.

5/05/10 – sunny, cloudy

I had early surf in one metre plus waves. There were long lulls between sets but the walls were long and fun.

6/05/10 – sunny

I had early surf at one metre. The waves were a little slow and sluggish in parts.

Indonesia - Bali - Medewi - May 2010

 

Medewi is on the west coast of Bali.

I stayed at a small losman in a clean fan room for 70 000 rupiah. There were smaller cheaper rooms. There is also a lot of accommodation in Medewi along the beach to the north and along the road leading to the beach.

The walks around Medewi are very interesting. In the course of an hour walk, I wandered pass a river, rice fields, the town, beach, fishing boats, homes, farm animals and restaurants.

The locals are friendly and helpful. A great place to watch the daily life of Balinese people.

Indonesia - Ekas Lombok to Medewi Bali - May 2010

The surf was looking its best this morning. I just didn’t have time as I needed to sort out my bill and drive to the airport at Mataram for my flight to Bali.


I pay my bill, said my farewells and arrived at Mataram half hour earlier than I expected. The drive was great, especially, when we passed through a market in pone town. The traffic slowed and it was very interesting sitting on the inside looking out and the daily market happenings.

The check in at the airport was quick but the plane was delayed, it was well over an hour before it finally left. It was a bit annoying as I really did have time for surf.

Nyoman, my driver in Bali was at the domestic airport waiting. We3 stopped at a bakery and continued our journey though cloud and then rain to Medewi. The ride was relatively free of traffic though just at Medewi we experience delays due to a truck and car colliding.

At Medewi, in the pouring rain, I met up with Ross. We stayed at a no name losman with clean cheap rooms amongst a number of families.

Domestic airport to Medewi 400 000 rupiah

Room Medewi 70 000 rupiah

Indonesia - Bali - Medewi - Medewi Beach Cottages - April 2009

036540029
62 365 40029 - 40030
Garden room air con
504 000 rups breakfast included
Ocean View rooms air con
Fan rooms, which are across the road
120 000 rups no breakfast
40 000 rups non guest use of the pool

www.medewibeachcottages.com
(note tele on site is different to hotel)

Medewi beach cottages are situated about 2 hours drive north from Kuta on the west coast of Bali. It is also about ½ hour drive south of Negara. The hotel is situated on the south point of a long black sand bay.

The room prices range from 500 000 rupiah upwards per room per night. Prices are negotiable.

The hotel has a number of ocean view rooms, garden/pool view rooms and garden rooms. Most rooms are interconnecting. The rooms are reasonably large with television, air conditioning, verandah and an open air bathroom. The more expensive rooms have a small refrigerator.

The gardens of the hotel are lush with pebbled, stone and concrete paths meandering all over the place. The pool is medium sized with a toddler’s pool. Towels are available from the pool bar. There is also a playground. The ocean side of the hotel has great views of the surf but you will need to stand on the seats to have a clear view over the poled fence that lines the ocean side of the hotel.

The restaurant is clean and has good food at a reasonable price. The breakfast is either continental, American or Indonesian which is included in the price. This is served at the restaurant.

Service is good and the staff is friendly. Reception can arrange transport, etc.

Across the road from the main hotel are cheaper rooms at 120 000 rupiah per night. The rooms are basic with a table fan and verandah but they are a little exposed to the road. The price includes use of the hotel pool but not breakfast.

The pool is available for non guests at 40 000 rupiah per day.

Worse points: (been there the last four years) increasing the price each year by 50 000 to 150 000 rupiah but no improvements have been made to the hotel.

Best points: closeness to waves, nice pool and best accommodation for family in area.

Indonesia - Bali - Medewi - Surf - 2009

 

Medewi Left- A 200 – 400m long left hand point break, best on a high tide and breaking over slimy boulders.

PK’s River mouth- A fast relatively short hollow right-hand hander, best on a high tide and breaking over slimy boulders, always uncrowded and lots of fun.

PK’s Bombora- Surfed only a hand full of times, this adrenaline racing wave is perfect for tow ins but can also be paddled into, surfable on all tides breaking left and right and needing a decent swell, this wave is the big wave spot of West Bali.

Pk’s Reef- also rarely surfed; this reef/rock ledge has some very sucky peaks. Guaranteed to be un-crowded.

Yala’s Peak – Rarely surfed, an A- Frame peak breaking over a rock ledge. Picks up good swell.

Yala’s Rights- Located to the right of Yala’s Peak, the rights offer good quality fast barreling rides.

You can also hire Surfboards and surf guides

Indonesia - Bali - Medewi - where to stay - 2009

There are a number of places to stay in Medewi and the surrounding area. They range in price from budget to evrything included packages.

Medewi Beach Cottages 2009
036540029
62 365 40029 - 40030
Garden room air con
504 000 rups breakfast included
Ocean View rooms air con
Fan rooms, which are across the road
120 000 rups no breakfast
40 000 rups non guest use of the pool includes pool towel and shower
restaurant

www.medewibeachcottages.com
(note tele on site is different to hotel)

Mai Malu
036543897
90 000 rups (2009)
good chaep food

Warung & Homestay Gede 08123976668
Situated by walking a short distance along the beach towards the north.
cheap food. good for snacks but too much coconut oil for my liking

Medewi Bay Retreat - expensive - can't seem to find exact location
www.medewibayretreat.com

Puri Dajuma Cottages
www.dajuma.com
Located on headland south of Medewi
Rooms start at 1 500 000 rups

There are lots of budget accommodations along the road leading to the beach.

If you get stuck for a place to stay, just ask one of the local surf guys at the end of the road. They will find something for you.

Indonesia - Bali - Medewi - things to do - 2009

Medewi is situated on the west coast of Bali about 2 hours drive of Kuta. It is a small, quiet village.

The beach at Medewi is a long sweep of black sand to the north. The point is made up of volcanic rock and boulders and the water is murky. On the rocks are barnacles so foot protection is needed to get in and out of the water. A number of rivers cross the beach at various points.

Walking towards the south is a reef which ends at the river mouth. After this, there is a black and grey sandy beach that is suitable for swimming though the water is murky.

Turning off the main road at Medewi are a few restaurants and guest houses. The guesthouses have clean basic fan rooms for about 80 000 to 100 000 rupiah breakfast included. The Medewi Beach Cottages have air conditioned rooms for 500 000 rupiah and upwards. It also has a pool that is available to non-guests for 40 000 rupiah.

There are restaurants at the corner of the turnoff to Medewi, the Medewi Beach Cottages and along the beach to the north.

THINGS TO DO TO THE SOUTH

Visit Balian – a surfing spot

Explore the beaches – white and black sand – all empty.

THINGS TO DO AT MEDEWI

Walk around village. Walk along the beaches – cross a river, watch the locals in their daily life

Talk with local surfers – they are friendly and will provide anything you need.

Sit around the pool at Medewi Beach Cottages

Sit and watch the surfing at medewi point

THINGS TO DO NORTH AND WEST OF MEDEWI

Visit Pura Rambut Siwi – a coastal temple on cliffs – visit nearby caves - get a blessing

Follow the coast road to Pura Perancak

Swim at Renning or Candi Kusama

Watch buffalo races

Visit Christian villages in mountains - Belimbingsari and Palasari.

Watch a local dance

Trek at Taman Nasional Bali Barat