A convex ampitheatre, tiered back and totally surrounded by glass. All you can see is ocean, hundreds of miles of it!

The complex that is the Emerald Tulamben Beach Hotel, is situated on the far north-eastern corner of the island of Bali. It is half way between the old capital, Singaraja, and Candi Dasa. It is reached by a pleasant, slow drive around the island?s coastline. Built as a diving complex, the Panorama restaurant is their main, 24 hour, dining habitat. Just inside the hotel?s gates and high up above the buildings on your left, it provides an ocean view that is unparalleled.

The grounds are so extensive that a small sky train transports you from one part to another and then right down to the seafront.

A pleasant breakfast stop for simple Nasi Gorengs, that are better than most. The rest of the rather extensive menu covers Seafood, Indonesian, Indonesian-Chinese, Japanese and a general International section.

The Seafood starts off with Shrimp Cocktail & Avocado, a Demi Pineapple Boat stuffed with seafood, or Seafood Crepes. A Poisson Fillet Merquary is a poached fillet of snapper, topped with a lobster bisque, mushrooms and fried potatoes and onions. Fish [or Lobsters] can also be had grilled or there is a Seafood Brochette, served with lemon butter and a garlic sauce.

Apart from the normal Nasi Goreng, Nasi Campur, spring rolls and variety of sates, there are a few interesting Indonesian dishes. Gurami Asam Manis is deep-fried Carp in a sweet & sour sauce. The Frog?s Legs are first sauteed and then served with a chilli sauce. The Chicken in Soya is an old favourite as is the Ayuam Goreng Suna Cekuh [fried chicken with that spicy Balinese sauce].

Amongst the Indonesian-Chinese dishes are the old reliable Fu Yung Hai [very thick meat and vegetable omelette], a Braised Beef in Black Mushrooms, and Ang Shiouhi [whole deep-fried fish in a sweet and sour sauce].

Japanese dishes include Tsukimi Udon, a large bowl of Japanese noodles in a hot soy, flavoured with egg. Both the Beef and Chicken can be ordered Teriyaki style.

Other suggestions include a Green Bean, Crab and Corn Soup, as well as the normal Minestrone [this one contains tomato, vegetables and noodles]. What could be more different? A mid-European Beef Stroganoff or an Australian-style Chicken-in-the-Basket; pieces of chicken, banana and pineapple, all bread-crumbed, then deep fried. Finger-licking good!

To finish; Crepes Georgette [with cubes of fruit in an orange sauce] or a Banana Flambee [done with an orange sauce and rum].

Unfortunately everything at this hotel is priced in $US, an annoying habit that should be made illegal! However the Panorama at Emerald Tulamben Beach Hotel is a bit like an oasis in the desert. The food is nothing special, but reasonable value, and way ahead of anything else that is available in the immediate area!

Worth a stop, just for the view alone!