BALI - JIMBARAN

Located on the isthmus south of Ngurah Rai airport and a continuation of the white sands of Kuta Beach, Jimbaran bay is one of Bali's most recently developed resort area. Tranquil compared to Kuta, it retains much of its fishing village charm. With its shallow water and lack of sharp corals, Jimbaran is ideal for families. The area also remains free from aggressive vendors.

Taxis can be booked at the airport taxi counter, Rp25,000 to Jimbaran and Rp45,000 to the Bali Cliff Resort. The blue bemo from Denpasar's Tegal station costs Rp2,000. Bemos to and from Kuta are Rpl,500 and require a walk from the end of the airport road. To Sanur, via Tegal and Kereneng stations, Rp2,000 to the Central terminal in Nusa Dua, Rp2,000.

An ojek motorcycle taxi can be taken from Jimbaran market. Bargain first based on the distance you want to cover. You must wear a helmet.

Eating in Jimbaran

: Cafe Latino JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai, is well known to Kuta regulars. Open from 7 pm. With Italian seafood restaurant.

PJ's at Four Seasons Resort has the best pizza on Bali. Open 11 am-10 pm.

La Indonesia, JI. Uluwatu 108, offers garden dining and dishes from around the archipelago.

Next door is Depot Windy, serving Chinese food.

Down the street, Puri Lombok Bar and Restaurant, JI. Uluwatu 8A, offers Chinese, seafood, Indonesian, European and pasta.

'M'Mam, JI. Uluwatu 39B, has Indonesian, Chinese, barbecue, grilled fish and steak.

If you wish to "go native," try the stalls near Jimbaran Market, Sari Bundo, or Gong Minang, JI. Uluwatu, good Padang restaurants with spicy Sumatran food for around $3 a dish.

On JI. Bukit Permai, the road to Four Seasons, you will find Kakul Kafe serving Indonesian and Western fare beachside.

Nearby and stretching right along Jimbaran beach is a succession of simple beachside seafood restaurants. Coming alive after sunset, the restaurants grill the choicest prawns, squid, snapper, and lobster over coconut husk fires. The setting is unbeatable with the tables right on the water's edge. Choose your fish from the ice boxes, pick a table and enjoy. This is definitely a must-do while in Bali.

Shopping in Jimbaran

There is a range of small shops and the village market has plenty of color. Apotik Darma, near the market, has pharmacy essentials, as does Swastika Drugstore on JI. Uluwatu.

Jatis Art Shop has paintings and the Art Shop next to Avis has a variety of souvenirs. Both are on JI. Uluwatu.

YG Collection tailors export quality leather clothing in 24 hours, JI. Uluwatu 39A.

Anniso Tailor is south of the intersection of JI. Uluwatu and JI. Tukad Badung. Also on JI. Tukad Badung is Dewi Kini House of Beauty and Traditional Treatments. Also try Sol reflexology on JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai.

Medical and When youre Sick

Activities in Jimbaran

: If you are a hiker, there's a path running along most of the cliff, passable during the dry season: don't miss the caves of the Balangan area.
For water sports, contact your hotel or a company such as Baruna, JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai 300B. Hire fishing boats in the harbor for $12 an hour.
The Bukit area south of Jimbaran is sacred to the world's surfers. For tips on the best spots, contact the surf shops in Kuta orjust inquire on the beach. (http://www.baliforyou.com/bali/bali_travel/jimbaran.htm )