Fio

<BR>Hi, <BR> <BR>We're considering spending our honeymoon at the Ritz Carlton in Bali this coming September....has anyone out there either stayed in or visited this hotel. Opinions re facilities etc...? We'd also appreciate any travel tips re Bali in general. <BR>Thanks ! <BR>Fio

Christy

Hey, <BR> Bali is a great place for a honeymoon or any other time! My boyfriend and I travelled to this beautiful island last Dec. We rented a jeep, drove the island, stopped wherever we wanted, and stayed in the more modest cottages. My suggestion is meet the people-they are great. Also, go empty-suitcased! Everything is so cheap, but shipping is outrageous. Have a great time and congratulations! Christy! <BR>

Fiona

<BR>Thanks for the response Christy ! We're going to Bali !!!!! Booked and all.....just over 4.5 months to wait ! <BR> <BR>Fiona

Tony Celino

My wife and I just returned from a trip to the Far East. We spent 4 nights in Bali and I had previously arranged to have a driver take us around to see sights that most tourist do not see (the real Bali). I found a great driver that had his own air conditioned van and charged a very reasonable amount for full day services- 10 hours a day. <BR>His name is Wayan Purya and his e mail address is <BR> <BR>[email protected] <BR> <BR>You may wish to write him and arrange <BR>a tour or whatever you have in mind. <BR> <BR>Tony Celino <BR>

Fiona

<BR>Thanks Tony ! <BR> <BR>A little advice goes a long way ! <BR>

lh

dear fiona, <BR> <BR>my husband and i spent a few nights at the ritz in bali and found it amazing. we used to live in asia and have stayed at many amazing asian resorts, and found this one to be our second favorite (after the chedi hotel in bandung.) but the service can't be beat- EVERYONE knew our names and greeted us by name everywhere we went. we usually ate outside the hotel, but we did do the dinner with balinese dancing at the hotel and loved it. have a great time.

Fio

Hi lh ! <BR> <BR>This is our first trip to Asia and I'm terribly excited. It's long been on my "Must See" list and I've finally managed to coax my fiance to go "East"....he'll be much reassured by your recommendation ! We're going for two weeks so we'll definitely fit in the dinner with Balinese dancing ! Many thanks for your kind response ! <BR>Happy Travels, <BR>Fiona <BR>

Fiona

Ooops, forgot to ask - are mosquitos a problem in Bali....recommendations re Insepct Repellant etc. <BR>Thanks <BR>Fi <BR>

lh

dear fiona, <BR> <BR>mosquito repellant is a huge must anywhere in asia. esp on a tropical island like bali. i get very bad reactions to mosquito bites, and always wear tons of repellant at night. also take along antihistamine cream and pills if you have any bad reactions to them. remember, mosquitos in asia are very different than in the states, and their poison is much stronger. same goes for the sun- i'm from california, but the sun in the tropics is very very strong so wear a higher sunscreen too. <BR> <BR>have a great time. i'm jealous.

Les

For what it's worth, we were in Bali in October 1977. We stayed at Nusa Dua (on the coast), took day trips inland, and we experienced no problems with flying biting insects. It's probably sensible advice to carry insect repellant, but I wouldn't raid a pharmacy to outfit this trip.

Fiona

<BR>Hi Guys <BR> <BR>Thanks for the advice.....again ! I'm one of those people for whom Mosquitos make a beeline ( no pun intended ! ) so I think better prepared than not ! My experience of them has been limited to my annual trips to Southern Europe - the french Riviera, Southern Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal..... <BR>If the travel bug "bites" again and you decide to take a trip to Europe don't hesitate to drop me a line. I live in the south of Ireland and have travelled throughout Europe since I was a child....I'll be only too glad to reciprocate with travel advice etc ..... .....needless to say we don't have mosquitos or tropical heat in Ireland ! <BR>Happy Travels ! <BR> <BR>Fiona <BR>

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Teresa

Hi Fiona, <BR> <BR>My family and I went to Bali last march for 3 weeks and spent a few days in Ubud. Because of this, we were advised to take anti-malarial tablets, which we all did, except for my daughter, as she was too young (6). Usually, if there is a mosquito around, it finds her. She didn't get one bite. Only mosquito repellents which contain DEET are any use in Asian countries. There is also a vitamin (I think it's A, but I can check) which is proven to be a good mosquito repellent. <BR> <BR>A day-trip cruise to Lembongan Island is excellent, but I would advise only doing it with Bali Hai Cruises. My Aunt did a cheaper version and was very dissapointed, it wasn't a patch on the Bali Hai cruise - you can choose sailing or large motor boats. We did the latter. Another must is Waterbom Park (as long as you like water that is). <BR> <BR>Hope this helps. Teresa.

jenny

Our family was there in '97 for 6 nights, and we loved it, My husband received a body massage by the pool, in one of the open huts, their pools are great and the best part of the hotel was eating outdoors in a fantastic seascape during the sunset while they played live soothing ethnic music during our whole leisurely meal.(this was unparellel, and we are used to staying at fancy hotels) I hear Four Seasons down the street is even better, but is in the league for the rich and famous. We did visit there for after dinner drinks and dessert for 2 nights, their grounds are comparable, so it must be the rooms, which we did not get to check out, although their food must be definitely better, judging from the desserts and the prices alone. I did regret not spending at least 1 night in the mountains (there are fantastic hotels there also check out the forum on balivillas website) because the rice paddy and what I call the rainforest/jungle is the highlight in Bali and not the beaches, which were very dissappointing. Good luck.

carol

Bali is great and I would suggest that you consider as well any of the AMAN hotels on the Island (Amandari is amazing). They are more international than the Ritz Carlton, where I can imagine you will have mainly american-type of visitors. We were in the Four seasons Jimaran bay as well and found it really good, but with start-up problems. My money is on the Amandari near Ubud. Take autan or raid for the moukies and take your own film. What we bought there was no good. Avoid Nusa Dua. Rent a jeep and drive all over the north areas. It's safe and beautiful.

Madeline

Hi Fiona, <BR>Returned from 7 days in Bali at the end of March....Just loved it....for some great information go to Bali Forum at: <BR>www.balivillas.com...........loads of help......we stayed in Tuban and Ubud.....for fantastic luxury the Amandari near Ubud was fantastic.....We stopped by and they showed us around....by all means hire a car and driver.....many recommendations on Bali Forum...Wayan Purya(?) is highly recommended....try to get out of Nusa Dua to see the real Bali and meet the people and not just the tourists...Have a wonderful time..... <BR>

nev

<BR>also travelling to this area in late September and would much appreciate any information / recommendations from people who have travelled there - particularly concerning restaurants etc.

Topper

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