If you’re looking for accommodation in Bali that isn’t a hotel then a villa might be a good option. We can offer a great place to stay in Nusa Dua. Located in the hills of Nusa Dua, the Horizon Villa (partnered with the Horizon Senaru) has a horizon pool and is located in a quiet housing estate.

The villa has four bedrooms and a large living space that opens onto a pool terrace. It is about 10-15 minutes from the airport and Kuta, and about 10 minutes from the beach by car. The villa has its own kitchen with cooking facilities but a cook can be arranged. A car and driver can also be arranged during your stay at the villa.

The villa has air conditioning in the master and second bedroom. The rest of the house is very open and catches the cooling breezes to create a lovely airflow through the lower floor of the building. There is teak furniture in the bedrooms and comfortable beds.

The property is managed by property manager Luki and caretaker Jaini. They are professional and will try to look after your every need.

If you would like more information you can visit the Horizon Nusa Dua website by clicking here or  please contact us via the form below:
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Omah Sendok is the name of a great little place we found in the Sudirman district of central Jakarta. A growing trend in Jakarta is to convert former residences into restaurants along the busier roads, and the environment in these places is really nice.

Simple conversions of houses into restaurants make for a wonderful homely atmosphere when dining. Omah Sendok has a small bookshop attached which is kind of cool, although the range of titles could be broadened somewhat! There is also a batik shop attached.

The food is great and prepared simply. The range of dishes is good. And the price of the food is also reasonable.

Aside from sleeping, relaxing and eating there are plenty of other things to do in Senaru. It’s main tourist attraction is the mountain itself. Senaru serves as a base camp for mountain climbing expeditions. Most climbers stay in the village for a day or two to organise their guide, porters and equipment for the climb. Climbs can take three to five days and you are well advised to make sure you take a guide with you. It’s not an easy climb.

Apart from mountain climbing, there are the local waterfalls Sindang Gila and Tiu Kelep, both worth the morning or afternoon hike to get there. If the mountain climb seems too much like hard work, most guest houses will be able to arrange some ’soft trekking’, which includes the hike to the waterfalls, but can also include a fascinating day walk around the hills and valleys terraced with a myriad of rice paddies, cultivated by the local Sasak people.

A visit to a traditional Sasak village is another way to gain an insight into the local culture of the area. Here you will see how people lived for centuries as well as learn about the development of Islam on the island, including a traditional Lombok mosque.

A 15 minute drive will get you to the coast and a visit to the swimming beach is something that not many people do – if you do find the time it is a wonderful experience to hang with the local fishing communities that live along the coast.

All in all there is plenty to see and do to keep you in Senaru. Don’t be worried that the mountain climb is the only thing to do there. It is also a great place to take some time out, relax and recharge the batteries – well away from the normal Lombok tourist areas.

And finally, the one thing that will make a visit to Senaru special are the locals. A more friendly and welcoming community is hard to find. They are what really makes days spent in Senaru magical.

The second waterfall, Tiu Kelep is higher and the water falls into a large swimming hole. It’s a beautiful spot that is about another 30 minute walk from Sindang Gila. As you approach the waterfall the air fills with a cool mist – it’s quite beautiful.

Take your bathers and go for a swim in the water hole – the water is very cold and refreshing, straight from the mountain springs. It is a really relaxing experience. You can take a picnic through to this waterfall too, although there are not as many places to stretch out and relax.

Both of these trips can be arranged through Ayu at The Horizon restaurant. Her friendly staff will be more than happy to take you on a day trip or afternoon trip to the waterfalls.

Take in the sweeping valley views from the ocean to the peak of the mountain as you dine on Ayu’s delicious food.

Ayu can arrange mountain climbs and provide advice for you on visiting Senaru. If mountain climbing isn’t your thing, there are many other options in Senaru. A marvelous day can be spent ’soft-trekking’, which is what the locals call wandering around the rivers, jungle and rice terraces around the village.

A trip to the famous Sindang Gila and Tiu Kelep waterfalls is also a must while visiting Senaru – this soft-trekking can be done in a morning or afternoon.

Ayu can organise soft-trekking excursions and provide helpful guides who are employed by The Horizon. She can prepare picnic kits and anything else you might need to make your day soft-trekking a memorable adventure.

If you want to get in touch with Ayu please let us know your requirements. Communication into Senaru is mainly via mobile phone and SMS is the most convenient and quickest way to make arrangements. We can provide you with contacts.

Contact Ayu.

The restaurant is clean and the staff friendly. Ayu can also help you with mountain climbing arrangements if you want to take up the challenge and climb Mt Rinjani – Indonesia’s second highest peak.

There will also be accommodation available on site by the end of 2008, but for now Ayu can put you in touch with other accommodation options in Senaru.

For more details on the restaurants development visit senaru.info.

There is a fabulous spa on the property so if massages and beauty treatments are your thing, then you’ll be well catered for.

The restaurant is top notch – it’s the only place you’ll be eating at – with a great selection of local cuisine. Chef will cook up something special for you if you ask nicely.

It’s a great place to stay for a few days and really relax. It’s a place where you really can do nothing if you choose but if that leaves you climbing the walls then there is enough activity to occupy your time.

This is the spectacular Bali Gawana Resort.

He is able to provide you with the best advice on when to book straight through the Internet or by phone. Please be aware that sometimes arrangements that Ozyd might make will be on a cash basis to be paid when you get to Bali.

We recommend getting in touch with Ozyd if you are unsure about where you want to stay or if you want to experience resorts outside of the main tourist areas of Bali. Ozyd’s English is excellent and we have found him to be very helpful.

Contact Ozyd

Komang is very friendly. He is born and bred in Bali and knows the island very well. He is supporting his wife and a new baby so any extra work going his way is most welcome. His English is good and he had a great sense of humour. Around the tourist areas south of Denpasar you can give him a call and he’ll ususally pick you up within 20 minutes of the call, depending on how busy he is.

If he can’t get there he’ll also tell you. He’s honest and direct.

This is Pak Agung. We often ask him to drive for us when we are in Bali. He is Bali born and bred and knows his way around the entire island. Pak Agung is very friendly, can speak English and he is happy to drive you to destinations all over the island.

He is based in western Bali, so if you are heading that way it’s very convenient for him to drop you off at a resort for a few days and then pick you up. But as we’ve mentioned he’s happy to take you all over the island.

His rates are very reasonable, probably not the cheapest you’ll find, but then the service he provides is excellent. With notice he can also hire a very comfortable mini-van for use on a trip too. So get in touch with us and we can see if he is available when you plan to visit.