One of Australia's favourite overseas travel destinations is Bali. This relatively small Indonesian island bases its economy on tourism and now, in our post-pandemic world, the tourists are finally returning. For many Aussies, Sanur is their Balinese village of choice. It is just as beautiful as ever and gearing up to welcome us back. Here's a list of what is open and what is not.
Sanur is as beautiful as ever
At the southern end of the beach, the Bamboo Bar is open for business and cocktail specials are still offered each afternoon.
Bamboo Bar, Sanur
The newly refurbished Hyatt hotel has a smart beachside bar as do many of the newer hotels, including Andaz.
Further north along the beach Artotel Beach Club is closed and the formerly sparkling pool has a sad green hue. Almost next door, however, is the brand new Icon Beach Club. It's part of an ambitious complex-in-progress which will incorporate a floating market, a cultural amphitheatre, a butterfly park, a sunset laser-water show and more. It's due to open fully in 2023.
Icon Beach Club
There's a current move, in all tourism centres here, towards replacing the small, ramshackle beach bars with large, sophisticated Beach Clubs. It's very sad for the small entrepreneurs and family businesses. The same is happening to the small beach-side restaurants.
2. Restaurants and Warungs. Tities, at the southern end of the beach, was an icon for many visitors to Sanur over many years.
Tities is no longer
Tities is gone, as has the neighbouring Jack Fish restaurant.
No more Jack Fish
La Playa, Bamboo, Izakaya and Lilla Pantai, however, are still here and bursting with happy, glossy customers.
Lilla Pantai at Sanur
On the main street, The Village Cucina is open and as good as ever.
The Village Cucina
This restaurant serves high quality, authentic-style Italian dishes. Strange right? The head chef is a Balinese woman, Made, and her talent astounds me.
Everything here is quality, from the wine list and service to the live music from the resident pianist. If you haven't yet tried The Village Cucina it's a must-do in Sanur.
Great food and good wine
Also on Sanur's main street is the newly opened
Naga Eight. Here you'll find delicious Cantonese-style food and a beautiful garden setting.
3. Ice Cream. Massimo deserves a category of its own. Sure there are other, similar, outlets in Sanur but this one is ALWAYS noticeable by the crowds of customers lining up for ice-cream.
Massimo, Sanur
I have just spent a week in Sanur and each day I noticed more and more warungs opening up along the beach path. Some are stocked with tired and dusty, pre-Covid dresses. Others proudly display crisp new fashion items.
Mrs Ketut and Jeny are long term shopkeepers favoured by many visiting Aussie shoppers and I'm happy to announce that both are still here, patiently waiting to welcome back their Aussie friends.
Jeny's shop, Sanur
Hardy's supermarket is still here, although it's called Artasedana now, and it's looking tired.
Grand Lucky Supermarket
Close by, on the Bypass road, the sparkling new Grand Lucky supermarket is attracting both the locals and visitors to Sanur. There's a comprehensive selection of groceries, homewares, electrical goods, fresh fish and fresh fruit.
Grand Lucky fruit
More massage beds are appearing along the beach path each day and many of the Day Spas are offering discount as they re-light aromatic candles and prepare to pamper.
The Beach Spa
is a personal favourite. Not only are the treatments divine but the outlook can't be beaten.
Beach path Sanur
The beach path here is being duplicated to allow more space for bike riders and walkers and joggers. No one stays on their correct side, of course, Sanur is a bit random like that.
I've loved my time here. The pace is slow and there's an infectious attitude of calm. The locals are so happy to be welcoming Aussie travellers back and I don't think I'm alone in being glad to return here.
