Jimbaran Bay, Bali

Seafood and sea lovers don't miss this place on a visit to Bali! In fact, it cannot be missed since it is very much in the tourist circuit and everyone comes here for a fun evening by the sea, to bite into freshly grilled crab, oysters, prawns and other fish while listening to local bands or watching occasional Balinese dance performances on a makeshift stage.

As you approach Jimabaran Bay by road (just South of the airport), you are greeted by rows of seafood restaurants and a strong waft of grilled seafood. (So strict vegetarians who cannot stand the yumm fragrance of fish being cooked/grilled, could opt out of the fun!) You enter a restaurant after being greeted by a pretty Balinese girl with a headgear made of frangipani flowers, and she gracefully takes a flower from her basket and pins one in your hair above your ear. 

Walk in and the restaurant opens into the beach where a few hundred tables are laid out, and lit with candles (by evening). Reach by sunset, watch the sun and the sky mate with the sea. It's a "wow" sight to behold.

Settle down with a few drinks...

... as you are entertained by dancers swaying to local music.

An infectiously enthusiastic local band comes to every table, and sings you a cheerful song, and sometimes in your regional language. We for instance, were sung 'Tum paas aaye' with a Balinese accent, to our surprise and delight :-)

Then came the seafood, which is well done and worth a try. Needless to say, it will be better if one goes without any expectations of getting a masala fry or a tamarind gravy. Bland is the word, but that's the way it should be!

After this, a walk on the beach through the water makes a perfect ending to the night!