Tag Archives: fauna

Kuta Puri Bungalows, Bali

1 D11 Kuta Puri Bungalows and Spa, 1.9.13

The Kuta Puri Bungalows is a jewel of a resort in Kuta, Bali that is quietly tucked away in the fast-paced streets of the city.  I had been booked in the nearby Hard Rock Hotel, but they had overbooked and my friend, Wayan found this amazing place.

2 D11 Front Desk at Puri Kuta, 1.9.13

The front desk is an open air structure where the attendants are super friendly and helpful in arranging tours and drivers for the day.

3 D11 Beautiful Hotel Grounds, 1.9.13

The paved pathways are perfect for exploring the grounds and taking a leisurely stroll.

4 D11 Additional Rooms at Hotel, 1.9.13

Towards the front of the resort are the smaller rooms that are perfect for an economical stay.

5 D11 My Hotel at Kuta Puri, 1.9.13

I opted for the bungalow which included a sunken in living room, raised bedroom and an upscale outdoor bathroom set up in a garden style environment.

6 D11 Entrance to my hotel room, 1.9.13

The outdoor bench was the perfect location for watching the thunderstorms.  The bungalow was set towards the back of the resort where it was very private and quiet.

7 D11 Door to Outside Room, 1.9.13

A small back porch of flowers and fauna was located off of the living quarters of the bungalow.

8 D11 Bungalow Pool, 1.9.13

Two swimming pools are one of the few wonderful amenities provided by the hotel.

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An attendant provides guests with pool towels each day.

10 D11 Massage Area at Hotel, 1.9.13

Kuta Puri offers daily massages in a simple secluded area of the hotel’s property.

11 D11 Temple at the Hotel, 1.9.13

A Hindu temple is located towards the back of the hotel.

12 D11 Cat Guarding the Temple, 1.9.13

The resident cat stands guard at the Hindu temple.

13 D11 Hotel Restaurant, Puri Kuta, 1.9.13

A complimentary breakfast is served each morning at the resort’s restaurant.  Lunch and dinner can be purchased here throughout the day.

14 D11 Looking towards Pool, 1.9.13

The grounds are impeccable which makes for a nice morning, afternoon or evening walk.

Thank you for exploring the grounds of the Kuta Puri Bungalows with me.  It is a resort that I highly recommend during your stay in the Kuta area of Bali. The hotel is reasonably priced with great accommodations and is close to the beach.

Have you been pleasantly surprised by a hotel or accommodation that you booked?  I would love to hear about your experience in the comments below!  Happy Travels!

Where to Stay:

Kuta Puri Bungalows
Jalan Pantai Kuta
Poppies Lane 1
Kuta, Bali 80361 Indonesia
Telephone:  +62 361 751903

A Sunday Along the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Michigan

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The 7.4-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is a part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, located off of M-109.   The road was built by Pierce Stocking, a local lumberman who spent his childhood exploring the area.  Great for driving or biking, the scenic route’s first stop is the Covered Bridge, which was also constructed by Stocking,  adding additional charm to the drive.

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Along the route are designated numbers that coordinate with the guided tour.

Stop number two is the scenic overlook of Glen Lake.  The lake, divided in half by the M-22 bridge, is known as Little Glen to the south and Big Glen Lake to the north.  The ridge that runs along the north side of Little Glen is appropriately named Alligator Hill as the outline of the alligator’s long snout can be seen near the bridge, to the right.  Can you see it?

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The Dune Overlook is our next stop and we exited the car to enjoy the scenic view.  Stepping onto the platform, we were surrounded by water and sand.   The beautiful blue of Lake Michigan could be mistaken for a Caribbean shoreline endlessly disappearing out into the horizon.

The nearby Cottonwood Trail is a 1.5 mile loop through the sand.

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Checkpoint five explains the ecological traits of the dunes including the flora and fauna, the effect of the weather and its soil.

Leaving the sand dunes, we entered the Beech-Maple Forest and an amazing panoramic view greeted us at marker number eight.

The landscape was created by glaciers carving their way through the land, leaving behind scenic inlets and incredible coves.

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As our scenic drive was coming to an end, we approached our ninth stop and exited the car.  Heading towards the platform, we learned that we were approximately 450 feet above Lake Michigan.  Excellent visibility allowed us a gorgeous panoramic view of  Sleeping Bear Dune.

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive was a great way to spend our Sunday afternoon.  In addition to exploring our surroundings, we learned so much about Sleeping Bear Dunes and its beautiful lakeshore.

Have you visited Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore?  What activities did you enjoy?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my experience on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Sleeping Bear Dunes
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
Empire, MI 49630
Telephone:  231 326 4700

Where to Eat:

Joe’s Friendly Tavern
11015 W. Front Street
Empire, MI  49630
Telephone:  231 326 5506

Michigan is known for its cherries, and this restaurant offered Empire wings sweetened with dark sweet cherries, so I had to try them!

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Trailhead for the Cottonwood Trail

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Nolan in the sand