Bali

[Khair76]

Just returned from Bali last night....

Sharing what I experience there...

Food
Lots to choose from in Bali... Here's some that I had:

Kuta Square Area
Made's Warung - Traditional indonesian food with western too
Dulang Cafe - Ate the Dulang Special Chicken rice I think... or something to that description... Damn good!!!
A&W @ Centro - Sg no longer have mah...

Seminyak
Warung Ocha - Traditional indonesian food

Jimbaran Bay :thumbsup:
The beach is lined with stalls with tables right smack on the beach itself.
Had 2 dinner & 1 lunch there @ 3 diff stalls, don't think you can go wrong with any of the stalls there. Delicious seafood!!! Price range for 2 ppl approx 175 000 - 250 000. Ala carte or set meal.
Good place see the sunset while having dinner. Almost all the drivers recommended this.

Getting around in Bali
Was advised by a good friend to ALWAYS take the bluebird taxi as they use meter. So far, all my journey in them are using the meter. But there was once at night, can't see the color properly, I took another cab. Asked if he use meter, answered yes. Went in, still never on meter. He then started to drive and said that the ride would cost $-----. Told him to stop the car so we can get out. He immediately turned on the meter.

It's not that we're stingy fellas but I prefer to deal with ppl who earn their living honestly. All the taxi rides that I've taken in Bali, I've always rounded up the fare.

Shopping in Kuta (Jln Legian, Jln Raya Pantai Kuta, Poppies Lane, Jln Pantai Kuta, Kuta Square)
http://mapsbali.com/areas/kuta.php
From the map given to us by the hotel, the shopping area seems managable in 3-4 hrs.
With a 2yr old in tow, me & my wife had a tough time shopping here. The pavement there is not for use with strollers btw... hehe...
Only manage Jln Legian, Jln Pantai Kuta & Kuta Square in the 3-4 hrs.
Bring a hat!!! It's hot!!!
Most of the shops are repetitive; Billabong, Rip Curl, Stussy, Volcom, Quicksilver, souvenier shops, clothes shops, minimart, cafes, warungs...

Shopping in Seminyak
http://www.baliblog.com/travel-tips/maps-of-bali/seminyak-map.html
Learnt our lesson during the Kuta shopping.
Went Jln Seminyak for shopping only. The stretch can be covered within 2hrs with a 2yr old in tow... hehe...
The shops are different to those in Kuta. More local labels here & the shops seems a bit upmarket a bit. If you're someone who likes bermudas, check outa shop name Bad Face. A handfull collection but selling at only 200 000/bermuda. Good material too.

Kintamani :thumbsup:
Had lunch at this Muslim restaurant(100 000/pax - buffet). Perched right at the edge of the cliff. Beautiful sight of Mount Batur. Weather is cool here. Most of the restaurant here have a great view!

Ubud
Lots of artworks here. We only go to the Ubud market. Similar to Chatuchak. Prices here cheaper than Kuta.


Btw, we paid 400 000 for a 9 hrs rental of car with driver(0830-1800). Went for a Barong performance > Batik making shop > Tasted the Bali coffee @ the Bali coffee plantation > Kintamani > Ubud > Hotel. Opted out the Silver & Gold plating factory & the wood carving shop as we had no interest in it. Could have continued with dinner at Jimbaran with the Kecak performance but my kid was too worn out... The driver was very accomodating to our request... :thumbsup:

For me personally, photography opportunity is everywhere in Bali. But my hands are usually full with shopping bags or my daughter. Manage to get some nice ones but would have loved to have more. Overall we had a great time there!!!

Duration stay: 7 days

4 nights @ Holiday Inn Baruna Bali
2 nights @ Intercontinental

Hope some of the info here are useful to you guys. Just ask if you need anymore info.

 

[alantkh]

anyone tried the clubmed in bali before?

I am looking for something that is baby friendly...

 

[gy92gy95]

Just returned from Bali last night....

Sharing what I experience there...

Food
Lots to choose from in Bali... Here's some that I had:

Kuta Square Area
Made's Warung - Traditional indonesian food with western too
Dulang Cafe - Ate the Dulang Special Chicken rice I think... or something to that description... Damn good!!!
A&W @ Centro - Sg no longer have mah...

Seminyak
Warung Ocha - Traditional indonesian food

Jimbaran Bay :thumbsup:
The beach is lined with stalls with tables right smack on the beach itself.
Had 2 dinner & 1 lunch there @ 3 diff stalls, don't think you can go wrong with any of the stalls there. Delicious seafood!!! Price range for 2 ppl approx 175 000 - 250 000. Ala carte or set meal.
Good place see the sunset while having dinner. Almost all the drivers recommended this.

Getting around in Bali
Was advised by a good friend to ALWAYS take the bluebird taxi as they use meter. So far, all my journey in them are using the meter. But there was once at night, can't see the color properly, I took another cab. Asked if he use meter, answered yes. Went in, still never on meter. He then started to drive and said that the ride would cost $-----. Told him to stop the car so we can get out. He immediately turned on the meter.

It's not that we're stingy fellas but I prefer to deal with ppl who earn their living honestly. All the taxi rides that I've taken in Bali, I've always rounded up the fare.

Shopping in Kuta (Jln Legian, Jln Raya Pantai Kuta, Poppies Lane, Jln Pantai Kuta, Kuta Square)
http://mapsbali.com/areas/kuta.php
From the map given to us by the hotel, the shopping area seems managable in 3-4 hrs.
With a 2yr old in tow, me & my wife had a tough time shopping here. The pavement there is not for use with strollers btw... hehe...
Only manage Jln Legian, Jln Pantai Kuta & Kuta Square in the 3-4 hrs.
Bring a hat!!! It's hot!!!
Most of the shops are repetitive; Billabong, Rip Curl, Stussy, Volcom, Quicksilver, souvenier shops, clothes shops, minimart, cafes, warungs...

Shopping in Seminyak
http://www.baliblog.com/travel-tips/maps-of-bali/seminyak-map.html
Learnt our lesson during the Kuta shopping.
Went Jln Seminyak for shopping only. The stretch can be covered within 2hrs with a 2yr old in tow... hehe...
The shops are different to those in Kuta. More local labels here & the shops seems a bit upmarket a bit. If you're someone who likes bermudas, check outa shop name Bad Face. A handfull collection but selling at only 200 000/bermuda. Good material too.

Kintamani :thumbsup:
Had lunch at this Muslim restaurant(100 000/pax - buffet). Perched right at the edge of the cliff. Beautiful sight of Mount Batur. Weather is cool here. Most of the restaurant here have a great view!

Ubud
Lots of artworks here. We only go to the Ubud market. Similar to Chatuchak. Prices here cheaper than Kuta.


Btw, we paid 400 000 for a 9 hrs rental of car with driver(0830-1800). Went for a Barong performance > Batik making shop > Tasted the Bali coffee @ the Bali coffee plantation > Kintamani > Ubud > Hotel. Opted out the Silver & Gold plating factory & the wood carving shop as we had no interest in it. Could have continued with dinner at Jimbaran with the Kecak performance but my kid was too worn out... The driver was very accomodating to our request... :thumbsup:

For me personally, photography opportunity is everywhere in Bali. But my hands are usually full with shopping bags or my daughter. Manage to get some nice ones but would have loved to have more. Overall we had a great time there!!!

Duration stay: 7 days

4 nights @ Holiday Inn Baruna Bali
2 nights @ Intercontinental

Hope some of the info here are useful to you guys. Just ask if you need anymore info.

Very comprehensive outline of the trip.:thumbsup:

I too planning to go to Bali soon. Thanks for the very usual tips.

 

[xhui]

Hi guys,

woah, did a search and found the information here so far to be really informative! would like some advices on hotels and places to visit (TS, hope it's ok to tag along here since will be going Bali also - let me know if you prefer not).

I'll be in Bali from 24 Jan (arrive at night 930pm) till 27 Jan (230pm flight out). It's a bit short though these are the only days i could afford. Will be going down with either 1 or 2 more of my friends.

Some suggestions/advices for :

Hotel stay:

Was initially looking to stay at Sanur, but was advised otherwise by some friends that these places might be too far off central and might not be too accessible or convenient. was suggested to just stay at Kuta instead? Am also a bit confused on the prices/payments of the hotels, usually the fees stated are by per night per person or per night per room charge? It kind of makes a difference cuz sharing with 1 or 2 more friend would definitely be good if its by per room charge.

Any nice suggestions for say a $60+per night stay at Kuta? Am checking tripadvisor and asiarooms also.. quite some to choose from. Hmm, any personal experience recommendations are welcome!

Am considering Hyatt, Tropical bali hotel, if it's at Sanur (again, not sure if prices are per room or per person?)..

With these days available,

Day 1: 930pm reach bali, check in, sleep
Day 2:
Day 3:
Day 4 : Morning till check out, home sweet home.

Need some suggestions for places to visit, think other then cutting down on some of those temple places (maybe just do 1 or 2). Also think to not wear ourselves out and not enjoying the trip also, not sure how feasible to visit all these places and striking a balance of taking time to enjoy Bali.

Jatiluwih
Tanah Lot
Uluwatu
Batur lake (or should i choose Lake Bratan?)
Pura Ulun Danu (or should mengwi taman ayun?)

Also not sure if i'll have time to do kintamani, ubud?

Am travelling with 1 or 2 more gals.. so that's like 3 or 2 gals attempting to take some photos (yah, this should be more shooting kind of trip though relaxing/unwinding is also good).

Thanks for reading the long post. Appreciate any kind of advices on the above. :sweat:

 

[Big Kahuna]

I am going to Bali next Saturday....KLM airline is having good deal now ($250/pax with tax)....however the arrival and dept timing sucks...well that's the price you pay for cheap deal :lovegrin: Anyhow I guess Taxi shouldn't be an issue to/from Bali airport :think:

Will be staying at Ayodya at Nusa Dua for 1 week.....mainly for relax and sleep(It sounds adsurb but yeah....to recharge....I get very little sleep at home in SG...thanks to internet, computer and cable tv).....initially thinking of moving to Legian on the fourth day for shopping....but got a good deal at Ayodya....so stay put throughout....will book private car to move around the island for sight seeing etc....haven't finalised my to do list yet :lovegrin:

 

[Big Kahuna]

To Xhui:

I use mainly asiarooms.com, Agoda.com and expedia.com for reseach and price comparison...they are pretty close.

My hotel cost USD120+ per night with tax (the hotel tax is 21% in Bali)....it's per room, it's not too bad if you share among your company..

As some bros above suggested, renting a car with driver would be a better choice if you intend to move around the island :thumbsup:

 

[xhui]

To Xhui:

I use mainly asiarooms.com, Agoda.com and expedia.com for reseach and price comparison...they are pretty close.

My hotel cost USD120+ per night with tax (the hotel tax is 21% in Bali)....it's per room, it's not too bad if you share among your company..

As some bros above suggested, renting a car with driver would be a better choice if you intend to move around the island :thumbsup:

Woah! Enjoy your trip!! I'm looking forward too, now is the hard work of sourcing for all the details! USD$120 per night is definitely nice when i share with my friends. Hmm, will continue to do some checking, searching around! Am going to just book a driver+transport to bring us to those places we wanna go.

Thanks Big Kahuna!

More suggestions welcome (on the places of interest?) :embrass:

 

[Big Kahuna]

Woah! Enjoy your trip!! I'm looking forward too, now is the hard work of sourcing for all the details! USD$120 per night is definitely nice when i share with my friends. Hmm, will continue to do some checking, searching around! Am going to just book a driver+transport to bring us to those places we wanna go.

Thanks Big Kahuna!

More suggestions welcome (on the places of interest?) :embrass:

Another useful tool is Google Earth, you can have a glimps on all the locations and what to expect on your hotel landscape :lovegrin:

 

[xhui]

Another useful tool is Google Earth, you can have a glimps on all the locations and what to expect on your hotel landscape :lovegrin:

yeah! thankss!! was looking at where and where and how to and if far, near. :sweat:

 

[Pauche]

Just came back from Bali with a KLM airfare deal of $140/nett (inclusive of taxes).

Day 1: Arrived at 8pm, check in Balisani hotel (US$31) and walk around Legian. Hotel is basic and ok.
Day 2: Rented a motorbike (Rp50,000 + Rp11,000 petrol) and went to Denpasar, Sanur, Ulu Watu, and dinner at Jimbaran Beach.
Day 3: Hired a driver for 12 hours from 0830-2030hrs for Rp450,000 to go to Tegallalang rice terrace, Kintamani, Tirta Empul, Gunung Kawi, Ubud, Taman Ayun, Tanah Lot.
Day 4: Home sweet home

 

[Big Kahuna]

Just came back from Bali with a KLM airfare deal of $140/nett (inclusive of taxes).

Day 1: Arrived at 8pm, check in Balisani hotel (US$31) and walk around Legian. Hotel is basic and ok.
Day 2: Rented a motorbike (Rp50,000 + Rp11,000 petrol) and went to Denpasar, Sanur, Ulu Watu, and dinner at Jimbaran Beach.
Day 3: Hired a driver for 12 hours from 0830-2030hrs for Rp450,000 to go to Tegallalang rice terrace, Kintamani, Tirta Empul, Gunung Kawi, Ubud, Taman Ayun, Tanah Lot.
Day 4: Home sweet home

Wow....Show us some pictures leh :lovegrin:

Good price on the KLM flight....it seems like you managed to get the early bird price...how was the plane and service? I am taking the same one next sat....but at $250 :heart:

Where did you get the private car driver? Any hidden cost like petrol, tips etc?

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

With these days available,

Day 1: 930pm reach bali, check in, sleep
Day 2:
Day 3:
Day 4 : Morning till check out, home sweet home.

Need some suggestions for places to visit, think other then cutting down on some of those temple places (maybe just do 1 or 2). Also think to not wear ourselves out and not enjoying the trip also, not sure how feasible to visit all these places and striking a balance of taking time to enjoy Bali.

Jatiluwih
Tanah Lot
Uluwatu
Batur lake (or should i choose Lake Bratan?)
Pura Ulun Danu (or should mengwi taman ayun?)

Also not sure if i'll have time to do kintamani, ubud?

Am travelling with 1 or 2 more gals.. so that's like 3 or 2 gals attempting to take some photos (yah, this should be more shooting kind of trip though relaxing/unwinding is also good).

Thanks for reading the long post. Appreciate any kind of advices on the above. :sweat:

You basically have 2 full days, so it's not a lot you can take in during that trip. You gotta choose between shopping, photography, spa, beach, etc.
There can be a combination of all, though you have to manage your time.

I didn't like Sanur. Won't recommend it. The sand at the beach is very coarse and painful.
Kuta is too commercialized to me, but it may be interesting to you.

Hotels are plentiful around Kuta area, but they seem to be pricier. Shop around for a good deal.
I stayed at J Boutique Hotel in Tuban on the 1st night, which is only 5 mins from the airport. Like you, I arrived late in the evening (Jetstar). i think the rate was about S$90 per night, incl buffet breakfast (so-so only, not very tasty).

Car rental was 330,000 IDR w driver, for 10 hours per day. It was a Toyota Avanza, which can comfortably sit 4 (excl driver) with all the barang-barang.

Temples:
- Pura Tanah Lot
- Pura Taman Ayun (Mengwi)
* Pura Ulun Danu Bratan (featured on the 50,000IDR note) is rather too far.

Food:
- Ubud's Babi Guling Ibu Oka
- Jimbaran's beachside seafood (can catch sunset too if you're lucky)

Spa:
- Ubud. Numerous spas around there.

Should go for a longer trip next time!

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

Contact for Bali Car Rental:

Name: Arif Haliman
Email: carbooking@balicarrent.com
Alt. Email: haliman2003@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.balicarrent.com

BIMA SAKTI RENT CAR, CV
POPPIES LANE I
Kuta Bali - Indonesia
Phone: + 62 361 3131 411
Mobile: + 62 81 933 017 722 (24 Hours)
Company Licence #: 99/SK/XI/2008. NPWP #: 1.672.139.1-901

 

[Big Kahuna]

Contact for Bali Car Rental:

Name: Arif Haliman
Email: carbooking@balicarrent.com
Alt. Email: haliman2003@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.balicarrent.com

BIMA SAKTI RENT CAR, CV
POPPIES LANE I
Kuta Bali - Indonesia
Phone: + 62 361 3131 411
Mobile: + 62 81 933 017 722 (24 Hours)
Company Licence #: 99/SK/XI/2008. NPWP #: 1.672.139.1-901

Strange...I send an enquiry about a week ago...no reply yet :sweat:

 

[gsv13]

i think u stay for few more days ...bali is a real treat.

sunsets are simply awsome ..which ever location u view it from ...Tana lot or Jimbran beach or seeing Kechak Dance n sunset from the cliff .

i think bali has one of the best beaches

if u have less time i think u can skip kintamani..i didn't find it that gr8 a destination.

stay away from kuta ..ubud is a good place to be in ..lots of midsize decent cottages cost around 600000 try http://www.tegalsari-ubud.com/enhanced/rooms.php

ubud also is more traditional place..not that commercial.

taxi guys are many just google..i got a deal of 333333 Rupiah with all inclusive for 10 hrs a day + 3days extra .which includes free pickup and drop.call Nyoman +628179708118.the price varies on season i went 2 weeks back.make ur itenary as per the direction EAST/WEST/NORTH/SOUTH/CENTRAL else u will find urself lost and endup travelling more.

Nyoman was good and very prompt .he has suzuki apv good for 6-7 people.and avanza too but i find it little small .

also this is peak season for them so better call the taxi guys as they drive whole day and evening they read their emails .

another must try is Grill fish ..u can choose the fish from small fish pound ..and its very cheap just 20-30k .and real tasty ..yes very hot dressing.u made me hungry

Cheers
Sudhir

 

[Pauche]

Wow....Show us some pictures leh :lovegrin:

Good price on the KLM flight....it seems like you managed to get the early bird price...how was the plane and service? I am taking the same one next sat....but at $250 :heart:

Where did you get the private car driver? Any hidden cost like petrol, tips etc?

pictures not ready yet.... :bsmilie:

for the private car, i got it at one of the travel agents in legian. there is at least one travel agent every 30m, you can enquire there. some offer package tours, but i prefer not to, because package tours brings you to spice gardens, silver shops, etc to purchase things. I'm not a fan of purchasing stuffs, so I hired a driver for Rp450,000 for 12hrs (inclusive of petrol, driver, car) and directed him to where I want to visit. tips is up to you, its not compulsory. I paid deposit of Rp100,000 upfront, and the remaining at the end of the trip.

 

[Pauche]

Food:
- Ubud's Babi Guling Ibu Oka

I had the Babi Guling Ibu Oka in Ubud and fell seriously ill that night. Kena diarrhoea non stop for the next 2 days.

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

poor thing.
I guess their hygiene levels aren't up to Singapore standards.
I wouldn't be surprised that people would get tummy upset from eating there.
I'm thankful that I survived

 

[xhui]

You basically have 2 full days, so it's not a lot you can take in during that trip. You gotta choose between shopping. photography, spa, beach, etc.
There can be a combination of all, though you have to manage your time.

I didn't like Sanur. Won't recommend it. The sand at the beach is very coarse and painful.
Kuta is too commercialized to me, but it may be interesting to you.

Hotels are plentiful around Kuta area, but they seem to be pricier. Shop around for a good deal.
I stayed at J Boutique Hotel in Tuban on the 1st night, which is only 5 mins from the airport. Like you, I arrived late in the evening (Jetstar). i think the rate was about S$90 per night, incl buffet breakfast (so-so only, not very tasty).

Car rental was 330,000 IDR w driver, for 10 hours per day. It was a Toyota Avanza, which can comfortably sit 4 (excl driver) with all the barang-barang.

Temples:
- Pura Tanah Lot
- Pura Taman Ayun (Mengwi)
* Pura Ulun Danu Bratan (featured on the 50,000IDR note) is rather too far.

Food:
- Ubud's Babi Guling Ibu Oka
- Jimbaran's beachside seafood (can catch sunset too if you're lucky)

Spa:
- Ubud. Numerous spas around there.

Should go for a longer trip next time!

Thanks ZerocoolAstra for the reply!

I do agree the days i'll be there is quite short (sigh, no choice). Guess have to make do with whatever time i have.. We're definitely doing very minimal shopping and stuffs. Phototaking, and just taking in what Bali has to offer would be priority!

I've booked my tickets for $118 (jetstar taxes incl)! Also booked my accomodation with Ellie's at Nusa Dua (495,000IDR for 3 nights bfast included, sea side view). Hope the place is not too far off though i understand its somewhere down South (away from Kuta).

Now that flight tix and accomo are fixed, to do some selecting of places to visit, am still quite undecided on those temple visits. I've quite a few friends mentioning "all the temples are the same, don't visit so many, just 1 will do". If so, which would you recommend?

I think uluwatu should be nearer to where i'm staying, hope to start with that on my 1st full day touring. Though ubud and kintamani (should go?) is pretty far then. Even Tanah Lot is pretty far north also. Will also hope to visit Jatiluwih for those rice paddies fields after quite a few recommendations here! hmm. Will be engaging a driver to bring us around for the 2 full days too. Too many recommendations on the net and from reviews

Thanks again, for also all the recommendations and suggestions!

 

[xhui]

i think u stay for few more days ...bali is a real treat.

sunsets are simply awsome ..which ever location u view it from ...Tana lot or Jimbran beach or seeing Kechak Dance n sunset from the cliff .

i think bali has one of the best beaches

if u have less time i think u can skip kintamani..i didn't find it that gr8 a destination.

stay away from kuta ..ubud is a good place to be in ..lots of midsize decent cottages cost around 600000 try http://www.tegalsari-ubud.com/enhanced/rooms.php

ubud also is more traditional place..not that commercial.

taxi guys are many just google..i got a deal of 333333 Rupiah with all inclusive for 10 hrs a day + 3days extra .which includes free pickup and drop.call Nyoman +628179708118.the price varies on season i went 2 weeks back.make ur itenary as per the direction EAST/WEST/NORTH/SOUTH/CENTRAL else u will find urself lost and endup travelling more.

Nyoman was good and very prompt .he has suzuki apv good for 6-7 people.and avanza too but i find it little small .

also this is peak season for them so better call the taxi guys as they drive whole day and evening they read their emails .

another must try is Grill fish ..u can choose the fish from small fish pound ..and its very cheap just 20-30k .and real tasty ..yes very hot dressing.u made me hungry

Cheers
Sudhir

ah, Sudhir your post is definitely helpful! sadly can't extend my stay as i've appointments on the next day. might visit Bali again! Think the nearest beach from my guesthouse stay would be Geger beach, hmm, not too sure how is it also, see if i'll be able to capture any sunset/sunrise shots right from my window! :bsmilie:

You suggest giving kintamani a miss? I was thinking of visiting Batur lake.. hmm, I need to start on the DIRECTIONs base planning too.. hopefully the furthest/longest travelling between one place to another won't be too long, else time is wasted on the vehicle!

Will also try to find a dinner or so for some seafood (where for some nice, cheap seafood would you recommend?) Kuta/Legian??