We have moved again – to Sanur, which is about 40 minutes drive away from Ubud on the South coast. Instead of staying in a homestay, we’ve got our own house which we rented through Airbnb. It’s a traditional Javanese style house known as a ‘Limason’. It’s constructed with reclaimed teak wood, which is over 100 years old, and has a stylish open plan living area and two bedrooms. ‘Why two bedrooms?’ I hear you ask? Because Oscar, our eldest son has come to stay! He’s teaching English as a foreign language in Tokyo. Tokyo’s not too far from Bali so we invited him to join us. I haven’t seen him for a year, so it’s a real treat to spend some time with him.

I wanted to come to Sanur, which has a reputation for being popular with the English. It was one of the first places on the island to be settled by Western tourists. It is well located, near to the main attractions but away from the crowds, and has a reputation of being ‘just right’ ie not too overdeveloped and not too quiet. I knew it had a nice beach with a five kilometre long beach promenade. However, my travel guide warns that it is sometimes referred to as ‘Snore’ –  because it’s a little bit dull.

Our house is on a little lane in a quiet – or quietish  – residential area. Where ever you are in Bali, there’s always the sound of cockerels crowing and scooters zipping by.  From here it’s a ten minute walk down a lane, across a busy high street, and then down a narrow alley to the beach.

The beach is the main attraction.  It’s a really pretty beach, with clean golden sand and lovely views across the sea to the island of Nusa Lembongen. To the left we can see the Eastern end of the island, and in the distance the foothills of Mount Agung. So far the mountain has been shrouded in cloud and we haven’t been able to see if it’s smoking.

The beach promenade is a real asset to the town, allowing people to walk or cycle from one end of the town  to the other away from the traffic. Some sections have been left natural and wild, other sections have been filled in by upscale hotels and restaurants. The restaurants are great and the views are lovely. The only downside is the prices, which are the highest we’ve seen.

Away from the restaurants and hotels, which tend to have security guards, there are quite a few hawkers about, trying to sell you stuff. David and Oscar are good at walking away, but I seem to struggle. It’s not that I want to buy anything, I just find it hard to say no.  I now have a sarong, a batik dressing gown and a beach dress. I wonder if I can get a T-shirt printed with the words, ‘No taxi, no lunch, no sarong’ !?

Yesterday afternoon, Oscar and I went for a swim and a snorkel. The sea bed is shallow and sandy and covered in sea grass. We didn’t see a single fish, but we did see a black and white sea snake, a green sea snake and a couple of star fish. Further out to sea, there’s a coral reef. The reef means the water in the bay is as flat as a mill pond. During the season, it’s a hot spot for kitesurfing and paddle boarding. Surfers come to surf off the reef.

This morning, the tide was right out and the sun was beating down. We found a table in the shade and ordered breakfast. There were several locals standing in the bay or even on the reef to fish. I watched them idly as I sipped my coffee. Swifts swooped overhead, catching the numerous bright green dragon flies which flit over the beach.

I don’t think Sanur is a ‘snore’ – I think it’s ‘just right’.