1st Trip to Bali

Old Apr 22nd, 2014, 03:29 AM
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1st Trip to Bali

Hi, we would like to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary followed by my wife's birthday in Nov'14. Would like to stay, 3 days in Legian and 3 days in Ubud. Would like to experience the culture, cuisine, heritage, natural beauty and shopping. Just to add, I would like to make it special for our 25th Aniv. We are in our late 50's and on a budget (approx 160USD per day). Any recommendations please. Thanks Kersy
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Old Apr 25th, 2014, 11:38 PM
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Is there a reason that you've chosen to stay in Legian? That wouldn't be one of my top choices. Legian has plenty of places to stay and lots of shops and restaurants, but it's quite congested and, to me, kind of past its prime. The beach at Double6 is a good surfing beach, but can be crowded and not so clean.

Personally I like the Petitenget area, which is the north end of Seminyak -- about 30 minutes walking from Legian. This area is also full of restaurants, shops, spas but is not so frantic, especially at night.

The Colony is a lovely boutique resort just across the road from Petitenget beach and temple. November is slow season everywhere in Bali so you should be able to find options in your price range.

There are many good restaurants to celebrate your 25th nearby. I'd suggest La Lucciola or Sardine. Have drinks at KuDeTa. Breakfast at Watercress. Lunch at Baobab.

In Ubud I like Alam Sari resort which is about half an hour outside of town. You'll find lots of other options as well. Clear Cafe in Ubud is very good.
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Old Apr 26th, 2014, 01:56 AM
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Hi Marmot,
Thanks for your feedback, appreciate you taking the time off to write and advise. Honestly I am sea (no pun intended) trying to pick and choose from the net through various forums, sites etc. I initially thought of Seminayak, but was told its a bit expensive and Kuta was very crowded, so Legian was recommended.
Well we plan to do 2 full day sight seeing trips thru a recommended tour operator Johnbaliman. Do dinner at Jimran beach.. we'll everything is so "touristy" its quite putting off. Just hope am on the right track. I must check out your recommendations for the anniversary.
Am really looking forward to the Ubud stay. Well I hope I can manage to get everything in place and get this jigsaw completed.
Cheers and thanks again.
Kersy
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Old Apr 26th, 2014, 06:57 AM
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Are these two days of sight-seeing in a tour group? If so, don't do it!

It is easy and pretty inexpensive to hire your own driver/guide. No need for a tour operator. You can go to Bali and see nothing but other tourists or you can go to Bali and see a good variety of places without the hoards of visitors.

marmot is our Bali expert, as she now lives there.
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Old Apr 26th, 2014, 04:09 PM
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I don't know Johnbaliman, but I agree: unless you like the idea of being part of a group, go with a private guide instead. There are several that have been recommended by Fodors' posters.

The southwest beaches of Kuta/Legian/Seminyak/Petitenget/Batu Belig are all contiguous so it's hard to know where one starts and another ends. Generally speaking, they get less developed and less frantic as you move away from Kuta and north toward Batu Belig.

You'll find a range of rates from -- luxury to budget -- in all locations. Seminyak does have some $$$$$ luxury properties, but it also has some good values, both in resorts and in villas. You should be able to negotiate a good rate in early November. As I mentioned The Colony is a gem.
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Old May 3rd, 2014, 02:13 AM
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Hey Marmot & Kathie,
Thank you so much.

Your views are very encouraging & helpful.

No tour no group just my wife & me, Its a special occasion to bring in 25yread of our marriage. Thought of doing church, seabed walk in the morning... lunch & dinner are yet to decide. Would like to spend 3 nights near the beach ... and 3 nights in Ubud.
So a full day sight seeing in each of these places, post which we are open to explore anything.

Heard we could do..

Garuda Wishnu Kencana Cultural Park (GWK) , Uluwatu Temple, Jimbaran Beach (sunset & barbque) while in Legian or Seminiyak

Mt Kintamani (active volcano) North Bali, Batur - street shopping ,Kecak Dance - Uluwatu ,Taman Ayun Temple,Bali Botanical Garden, Ulun Danu Temple - Bedgul Tanah Lot Sea Temple. Just pray we are on the right track. Mas villagewhile in Ubud.

It works out to about 44 USD per trip(full day)

In-between maybe a spa, shopping ....

Just want to really get the feel of the place, its culture, cuisine, natural beauty, etc.. would be grateful if you could suggest , recommend, we are open to anything ...age permiting

Would like to budget $150 a day for stay, meals, sighting, I guess will have to work the best in this amount... thanks again.
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Old May 3rd, 2014, 08:29 AM
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What you outline is a pretty standard tour. Do that if you'd like or read a bit about these places and choose which ones you want to visit with your own car and driver.
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Old May 3rd, 2014, 03:57 PM
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As Kathie said read up on these stops and see which ones sound appealing. My comments would be
1) Avoid GWK. It has nothing to do with Balinese culture.
2) Beware of "empty temple fatigue." Balinese temples are interesting but what makes them wonderful are the celebrations and ceremonies. Ask your guide to find a ceremony for you to attend. There's one going on every day.
3) Get out and walk around. There are plenty of gentle, non-demanding hikes you can take -- through the rice paddies, visiting village markets, along the highland ridges.
4) Take a sunset walk up (north) the beach from Legian to Batu Belig -- hopefully at low tide. Have a drink at the Batu Belig Warung. It's right on the beach just north of the W Hotel, no loud music, sunset with surfers is free.
In Ubud:
5) Attend a dance performance at Ubud Temple. You don't need a guide. You can buy a ticket at the door, but go early to get a good seat.
6) Visit the Setia Darma Mask and Puppet Museum in Tegal Bingin just outside of Ubud. Drivers should know this place.
7) Take a tour of the Green School. Fantastical bamboo architecture.
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Old May 3rd, 2014, 05:30 PM
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Last night we had dinner at La Playa beach club right on the sand at Sanur. Excellent food, beautiful presentation, live music, just wonderful. We are here for our 20 year anniversary, so you have 5 years on us. Whatever you decide, Bali is such a perfect place to just relax and do very little.
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Old May 4th, 2014, 07:50 AM
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Guys .. this is great and very encouraging... can't wait to get there. Lots of people told me the Bali beaches and Goa are very similar ... how some of us people abuse natural beauty. Thanks again
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Old May 4th, 2014, 07:52 AM
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BTW congratulations Sartoric on your 20th !!! Do a houseboat in Kerala for your 25th !!
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Old May 4th, 2014, 12:07 PM
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hi all ....

although I am an Indonesian, not an expert in explaining about all bali. I will be very good in explaining Bromo Volcano & Ijen Crater (East Java).

but I know very quiet place in Bali is UBUD and PEMUTERAN. the only

Kersy .. congratulations for your wedding celebration in 25 years
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Old May 4th, 2014, 06:07 PM
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Thanks for the wishes Kersy. I'm aiming for the houseboat in Kerala way before 25 ! We just love India and all things connected to water and boats. Perfect fit really, just need the time (and money).....
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Old Jun 24th, 2014, 05:06 AM
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we are doing a home stay in ubud. about 20 minutes from the town center. the photos and reviews look fabulous. all for an unbelievable $38 for 3 days for the 2 of us. http://www.booking.com/hotel/id/made...ail_hotel_name

seems like staying at an ultra $$$$$ resort would be like being in cancun or some other tourist centered location and seeing a lot of tourists who dress to impress.
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Old Jun 24th, 2014, 05:07 AM
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on 2nd thought, our place might not be the place for a 25th anniversary
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