Holiday in Bali

[Amanda]

This is going to be our first time to BALI. Does anyone can provide good tips on the following

1) Accomodation in Kuta
2) Motorbike rental
3) Nice food/restaurant
4) Places of interest (MUST SEE)

:)

[chewie]

i plan to go there somewhere in june or july next year...would it be the best time to travel there ?

[USJ27Resident]

This is going to be our first time to BALI. Does anyone can provide good tips on the following... :)


1) Accomodation in Kuta
... are you in the hospitality/hotel or aviation industry - write to[email] HardRock Hotel Bali, they give VERY good discounts.
... almost ALL accomodations are priced in USD and paid in Rupiah.. not sure now that the USD is sliding lower, they might just stick to IDR.

2) Motorbike rental,
... cheap, pick one moped up near Kuta Square for about [haggle for] USD 10 a day!.. BUT whatever u do, must have an Int'l Drivers License in Bali - them cops over there are always on the lookout for Malaysians with JPJ issued lesen [pak, lesen msia tak boleh dipakai di Bali... ikut ka kantor Polisi ! :eek: ]

3) Nice food/restaurant
... there is this neat little cafe called "Kopi Pot" in the middle of Legian Road, try the banana pancakes... [yum!]
... beside/left off - Bali Intan Cottages, [cannot remember the name] a seafood rest that does the best seafood dishes...

4) Places of interest (MUST SEE)
- the famous Tanah Lot temple (sunset/high tide visits a must!)
- Kecak Dance/show in Sanur ( sometimes oso got at Tanah Lot!)
- Barong Dance/show in Ubud
- Kintamani - volcanic scenery
- Bedugul - Mountain Lakes 1400 metres high [ very cold in the mornings]
- Mount Agung (mother of all walks to the temples!)* stay away from touts!!
- Sanggeh monkey forest... [keep loose objects/bags/cameras very close! or say goodbye to it...]
- almost forget, Tirta Empul - the "Holy Spring Temple" in the village of Tampaksiring. It's one of the most beautiful temples we've seen, ...

[SookYee]

well, if you like shopping, one of the cheapest markets to go to is Sukawati. It's approx 45 mins drive from kuta.

[GreyShadow]

1) Accomodation in Kuta
... are you in the hospitality/hotel or aviation industry - write to[email] HardRock Hotel Bali, they give VERY good discounts.
... almost ALL accomodations are priced in USD and paid in Rupiah.. not sure now that the USD is sliding lower, they might just stick to IDR.

2) Motorbike rental,
... cheap, pick one moped up near Kuta Square for about [haggle for] USD 10 a day!.. BUT whatever u do, must have an Int'l Drivers License in Bali - them cops over there are always on the lookout for Malaysians with JPJ issued lesen [pak, lesen msia tak boleh dipakai di Bali... ikut ka kantor Polisi ! :eek: ]

3) Nice food/restaurant
... there is this neat little cafe called "Kopi Pot" in the middle of Legian Road, try the banana pancakes... [yum!]
... beside/left off - Bali Intan Cottages, [cannot remember the name] a seafood rest that does the best seafood dishes...

4) Places of interest (MUST SEE)
- the famous Tanah Lot temple (sunset/high tide visits a must!)
- Kecak Dance/show in Sanur ( sometimes oso got at Tanah Lot!)
- Barong Dance/show in Ubud
- Kintamani - volcanic scenery
- Bedugul - Mountain Lakes 1400 metres high [ very cold in the mornings]
- Mount Agung (mother of all walks to the temples!)* stay away from touts!!
- Sanggeh monkey forest... [keep loose objects/bags/cameras very close! or say goodbye to it...]
- almost forget, Tirta Empul - the "Holy Spring Temple" in the village of Tampaksiring. It's one of the most beautiful temples we've seen, ...
Watch at Kecak dance at Uluwatu, they have one daily during the sunset starts at 6:00pm.

the magnificent view of the sunset and the cliff there are really a must!!

but watch out for the monkeys there, keep all of your lose items including your spec and hairband, they are super first class snatch thief!! My wife almost lost her spec to those monkeys, luckily one of the locals there manage to bribe it back with some nuts.

[SookYee]

oh yeah, at Ubud, remember to try the babi guling. it's opposite the temple. Not cheap though, i recall paying 20000 rupiah for it, about RM8.

[kokomo]

I enjoyed most is Bedugul, Tanah Lot & Ulu Wati area. Shopping is heaven there. Anyhow, the last time I went Bali was around Jan or Feb there. Weather good, clear sky & hot hot temperature (both weather and the babes) ;) YES! Babi guling there is very nice MUST try.

If you're staying in Kuta, the beach in front of the resorts there is a small stall where people eat like having their economi rice - everyone said is nice there but I didn't get to try the last time I went there. Looking fwd to there again.

I didn't enjoy much on the Kecak & Barong dance but it was an interesting show anyway. :)

In Kuta, there is a monument setup there middle of the street where the bomb was and the names of those misfortune that was there from all over. You'll notice that there isn't a single name that come from M'sia. Anyway, go there must must bargain with them when you want to buy something.

[SookYee]

if you're into oil paintings - Bali is a haven - try getting them from Sukawati, the cheapest. The best quality ones though come from Ubud, which are more expensive.

[kokomo]

Oil painting and their craft work are very nice but then to buy and bring back to M'sia a bit susah'lah. Need to do some necessary arrangements.

Yea, every house the main entrance looks like a temple only.

[Amanda]

if you're into oil paintings - Bali is a haven - try getting them from Sukawati, the cheapest. The best quality ones though come from Ubud, which are more expensive.

Oil painting is cool. We went to Cambodia last month and bought some oil painting. It cost us about USD 20 for a 3X2 feet suze. We also thought of buying wood crafting but in Cambodia is quite expensive tho. Anyway, we are very much interested in wooden decoration where you can hang in on the wall... make it look more balinese... :D

Anyway, do you know how much woodcrafted deco & oil painting (3X2) would cost us in Bali?

Sometimes to think about it, we should thank our friend tony who made travelling so affordable for many people.... "Everyone Can Fly" makes a lot of sense

[Amanda]

2) Motorbike rental,
... cheap, pick one moped up near Kuta Square for about [haggle for] USD 10 a day!.. BUT whatever u do, must have an Int'l Drivers License in Bali - them cops over there are always on the lookout for Malaysians with JPJ issued lesen [pak, lesen msia tak boleh dipakai di Bali... ikut ka kantor Polisi ! :eek: ]


USJ27,

how do i get international license. The last time i did, that was 10 years ago. I just paid about RM 60. What this JPJ people did was just convert my license to Intl license. As simple as that. Then they gave me this small card written in english and it valid for 3 years... that's the enternational license. Is it still the same?

tot of getting motorcycle. it's fun and adventurous. You can go to anywhere you want. hehhe ... can explore all the lolong lolong... you'll never know .. we may find MUST SEE lorong .. hehehe.. we did that in Phuket... so COOL... been to almost all the places in Phuket, all the dead end also we explore... kekeke...

Anyway, is it dangerous to take a motorcycle in Bali. In Cambodia, we are not allowed. So we rented a bycycle... hehhe.. after 30 mins we return the bike... :D it's sooooo hot and the roads are all terbalik (left hand)... not used to it and it was really dangerous.

[Rocky19]

oh yeah, at Ubud, remember to try the babi guling. it's opposite the temple. Not cheap though, i recall paying 20000 rupiah for it, about RM8.
they have moved further in, same road.

int license, can get one at AAM or JPJ.

[usjhomer]

Am planning for a 5d4n stay and have booked for 2nites in Ubud and have yet to decide on the last 2 nites whether both @ legian/seminyak or 1each at legian and sanur. Any must sees and advice on good places to stay, good food and must dos, any advice is most appreciated.

[chanelt]

motorbike?? is kind of tough. The island is quite big, lack of sign boards & highways & majority lorong/ back lanes. We took about 1 hour from hotel to famous places (or places to places)
Unless u are very familiar or don't mind wasting time on map, or else I would suggest to get a private driver (7 seaters vehicle) at RM140 daily (as early as 8am to 9pm). U can visit most of interest places in 2 full days.
The driver is even smart enough to bring u to local famous food & markets (eg. babi guling)

[USJ27Resident]

Unless u are very familiar or don't mind wasting time on map, or else I would suggest to get a private driver (7 seaters vehicle) at RM140 daily (as early as 8am to 9pm). U can visit most of interest places in 2 full days.

this thread is 4 years old ~ but what the heck... :p update it lorr...

....was in Bali (again!) last year - and we hired "Drivers with Distinction". The team leader, Dean - is highly sought after and most of the time is NOT available if you book late... but like I said - he has a team of drivers that is trustworthy and reliable. Google "Drivers with Distinction" and book WAYYYY early..

Btw - if you do get him (Dean) as your guide/driver, chances are you would also get him to be your family photographer - fella is damn good with his DSLR!! :D

Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bali-Driver-with-Distinction-Team/143773206072)

http://www.baliwithdean.blogspot.com/


Am planning for a 5d4n stay and have booked for 2nites in Ubud and have yet to decide on the last 2 nites whether both @ legian/seminyak or 1each at legian and sanur. Any must sees and advice on good places to stay, good food and must dos, any advice is most appreciated.

Dude - IMHO - don't waste your ca$h staying in Ubud unless you are on a cultural runaway or on a rural getaway. Half the accomodations there are run down and overpriced... you might as well stay in town (Kuta, Legian or Seminyak, actually these three place are connected in one long stretch) and enjoy the amenities and variety of food and shopping, then getting your driver to drive you up to Ubud (its only +/- 2 hrs away) for sightseeing and temple visits.

Ps: Stay away from the Green and White cabs - only stick to the BlueBird/Bali taxis... and oh, make sure you have lots of Rp 1000 and Rp5000 notes... strangely - they always say - NO CHANGE, when change is due... another thing: if you're planning multiple temple visits - bring a piece of cloth or sarong to tie around your waist or be prepared to "rent" one from every temple you're visiting... ;)

[currymee]

I am thinking of going to Bali for the first time and my family likes to play at beaches - so any idea of a decent hotel with nice beach ? Budget - less than USD100 per night (max) - around USD50- 80 is good :)

[usjhomer]

wow your driver is quite impressive, already booked mine...just checking have u stayed at sanur before, am not really keen on kuta but legian and seminyak seems pretty noisy as well, young kids traveling along, so night life is out

[DarkNite]

I am thinking of going to Bali for the first time and my family likes to play at beaches - so any idea of a decent hotel with nice beach ? Budget - less than USD100 per night (max) - around USD50- 80 is good :)
To me Bali is for young couples especially those on honeymoon.

[currymee]

To me Bali is for young couples especially those on honeymoon.

Alamak .... like that must inform wifey :p

[tupai]

bali is overrated. Its a beach paradise by the Oz standard.

Unless u hv truly enjoyed the local esp east coast beaches/islands and then progressed to LOS, u aint seen nothing yet...

Bali? Nah! Nothing on land can attract me there...its Mola Mola is the only worthwhile catch :D but thats another story.

As for 'no change'...hahahaha...been going on for years lah! If they did gove u change, prep for lotsa dirty, smelly, crumpled small cahnge 1000rupiah notes and also coins! :eek:

Yang Bali Xmahu latotupai :D

p/s Ubud? Hahahha...it attracts all kinda pseudo-artists, artist-wannabes and art-enthusiast-wannabes too! U truly wanna be in a kampong surrounding? Try the Ulu Tanjong Malim...better food there too! :p

pps...agree bali 4/5*spa resort is good for a dirty weekend getaway with wife/wives/gfrens/mistresses/part-time lovers. Stay lock away in the spa-villa with pool & personal valet...there nothing out there more interesting & fun than indoor's. :p

[chanelt]

I am thinking of going to Bali for the first time and my family likes to play at beaches - so any idea of a decent hotel with nice beach ? Budget - less than USD100 per night (max) - around USD50- 80 is good :)

That price is hard to get a hotel with private beach. Maybe a hotel near public beach with shuttle bus.
Who says Bali is for honeymooners only? Tanah lot is magnificent, sooooo good experience to enjoy buffet lunch on hill top with great view of vocano & lake. The cool & windy weather really refreshes. My family enjoyed the trip.

[EricK]

I am thinking of going to Bali for the first time and my family likes to play at beaches - so any idea of a decent hotel with nice beach ? Budget - less than USD100 per night (max) - around USD50- 80 is good :)

as tupai has mentioned.. the beaches in the east coast of Malaysia is way better.. be aware that bali is so commercialised that things are not cheap due to the many gwai los around..