Room with a temple attached...
So, here I am stomping up the high street with a total stranger leading the way and spinning the line about how good his place is, emphasising a hot water supply as the 30 degrees of heat begins to take its toll. The traffic is relentless, again a continuous line of cars and scooters, but at least here its moving! Eventually, right down a narrow lane, room only for a moped and of course a backpacker. Left at the end into another narrow lane and within a few metres, the Warini Homestay. Into the courtyard and up a marbled staircase to what I didn't expect to see - a marbled veranda, ornate pillars and then the doors to the room, an intricately decorated piece of artwork is how I would describe the entrance to what, I think, is about to become home for the next 2 weeks. A giant bed, big enough to sleep at least 4 and constructed from bamboo poles. Pretty clean, running water, not that hot actually but at ￡7 per night and with the temperature outside at 30 degrees then I ain't complaining! Wifi is hit and miss here, just strong enough to handle text and occasionally a picture to Facebook.
A 100,000 Rupiah view looking across the courtyard and onto the temple, again intricately detailed with gold painted carvings, statues in stone and ornate roof work. The place is several metres back from the high street with only the faintest of background hums from that traffic, relatively quiet then, yes quite peaceful, should be a pleasant stay. That puts a smile on the face of this man, who so far has shown little emotion. Not sure if he's just a tout on commission or actually lives here, but either way I obtain my receipt - 1/2 million rupiah initially, more later, keeping options open.
As always a quick and rough look at the local area, taking in a few random streets. First real impression as I traverse the rest of the high street, this is a tourist town - as blatant as a could be. Coffee shops, boutique cafes, classy restaurants and some not so classy all trying to portray some Balinese connection, and where there isn't a restaurant its massage time and of course tacky souvenir shops line the pavements inbetween the art shops. Western pandering at its worst!
Having hiked the entire length of this traffic filled high street it looks like I shall have to succumb to a rather pricey westernised restaurant for tonight's dinner, but you never know, the portions might be decent! Oh, what's this as I investigate a cabinet piled high with food. It's a cafe, just a single westerner and the rest are locals tucking into what is definitely local food - bingo! 90p for a plate of rice and I can help myself to the rest of it, marvellous. But it's the only local place here on the high street, Sanak and its actually it's on Hanoman Road.
So, here I am stomping up the high street with a total stranger leading the way and spinning the line about how good his place is, emphasising a hot water supply as the 30 degrees of heat begins to take its toll. The traffic is relentless, again a continuous line of cars and scooters, but at least here its moving! Eventually, right down a narrow lane, room only for a moped and of course a backpacker. Left at the end into another narrow lane and within a few metres, the Warini Homestay. Into the courtyard and up a marbled staircase to what I didn't expect to see - a marbled veranda, ornate pillars and then the doors to the room, an intricately decorated piece of artwork is how I would describe the entrance to what, I think, is about to become home for the next 2 weeks. A giant bed, big enough to sleep at least 4 and constructed from bamboo poles. Pretty clean, running water, not that hot actually but at ￡7 per night and with the temperature outside at 30 degrees then I ain't complaining! Wifi is hit and miss here, just strong enough to handle text and occasionally a picture to Facebook.
A 100,000 Rupiah view looking across the courtyard and onto the temple, again intricately detailed with gold painted carvings, statues in stone and ornate roof work. The place is several metres back from the high street with only the faintest of background hums from that traffic, relatively quiet then, yes quite peaceful, should be a pleasant stay. That puts a smile on the face of this man, who so far has shown little emotion. Not sure if he's just a tout on commission or actually lives here, but either way I obtain my receipt - 1/2 million rupiah initially, more later, keeping options open.
As always a quick and rough look at the local area, taking in a few random streets. First real impression as I traverse the rest of the high street, this is a tourist town - as blatant as a could be. Coffee shops, boutique cafes, classy restaurants and some not so classy all trying to portray some Balinese connection, and where there isn't a restaurant its massage time and of course tacky souvenir shops line the pavements inbetween the art shops. Western pandering at its worst!
Having hiked the entire length of this traffic filled high street it looks like I shall have to succumb to a rather pricey westernised restaurant for tonight's dinner, but you never know, the portions might be decent! Oh, what's this as I investigate a cabinet piled high with food. It's a cafe, just a single westerner and the rest are locals tucking into what is definitely local food - bingo! 90p for a plate of rice and I can help myself to the rest of it, marvellous. But it's the only local place here on the high street, Sanak and its actually it's on Hanoman Road.
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