Bali: A Flashpacker Seeks Your Tips
Feb 8th, 2017, 11:34 PM
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Bali: A Flashpacker Seeks Your Tips
Hello to the Best Travel Forum on Earth!
I am traveling solo to Bali for my first time during the last week of February! This trip is coming up fast and I would like some advice from seasoned travelers on where to go & what to do. My objective for the trip is to have as much interaction with the culture, art, and landscape as possible. Generally I rent a motorbike and zoom around a region to explore its roads. I'd like to be more organized this time around!
PS: I have lived/traveled in southeast Asia for years so I am an experienced, confident traveler. I even visited Java before for 2 weeks so Indonesian culture is not entirely foreign either.
1) Are there any unique and unmissable experiences, temples, events or people you would recommend I visit?
2) What is the best local market to buy crafts, clothes, perhaps even art?
3) I am not sure what part of the island to stay in. I have 6 days/7 nights. I am very much on a budget - think about $30-$40/night if not less.
4) I was hoping to visit Lombok and I am wondering if I have enough time to do so within my week's time-frame. Is it worthwhile? I do desperately need some R&R and Lombok seems very relaxed!
Any + all leads would be intensely appreciated!
Thank you!
I am traveling solo to Bali for my first time during the last week of February! This trip is coming up fast and I would like some advice from seasoned travelers on where to go & what to do. My objective for the trip is to have as much interaction with the culture, art, and landscape as possible. Generally I rent a motorbike and zoom around a region to explore its roads. I'd like to be more organized this time around!
PS: I have lived/traveled in southeast Asia for years so I am an experienced, confident traveler. I even visited Java before for 2 weeks so Indonesian culture is not entirely foreign either.
1) Are there any unique and unmissable experiences, temples, events or people you would recommend I visit?
2) What is the best local market to buy crafts, clothes, perhaps even art?
3) I am not sure what part of the island to stay in. I have 6 days/7 nights. I am very much on a budget - think about $30-$40/night if not less.
4) I was hoping to visit Lombok and I am wondering if I have enough time to do so within my week's time-frame. Is it worthwhile? I do desperately need some R&R and Lombok seems very relaxed!
Any + all leads would be intensely appreciated!
Thank you!
Feb 8th, 2017, 11:34 PM
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Sorry for having so many questions by the way. I only realized how long this was after I posted. I don't mean to be so demanding! But if you have any thoughts/tips for any of those points, I would love to see them. And if you ever visit San Francisco or Bangkok, I will be happy to return the favor with all of my insider knowledge. Thanks!
Feb 9th, 2017, 10:51 AM
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With just 6 full days, spend all of it on Bali. Bali's culture is unique, being the only Hindu Island in Indonesia. There is no one market to shop at, no one temple to visit. The various villages have traditional arts, one village for stone carving, another for silver work, another for painting. Definitely do shop for arts while you are there. The best places to shop for art are in the workshops of the artists rather than in markets. Do you have a copy of the Lonely Planet Guide? It is great for helping you understand the artistic traditions of various villages. There will be temple ceremonies while you are there, for this reason you might be better of (for at least one day) hiring a car and driver specifically to take you to temples having ceremonies that day, as these are not advertised anywhere, you would need a local to tell you where they are and likely, to take you there. Signage on Bali is cryptic where it exists.
As to where to stay, given your interests, you'd be best off in Ubud and the surrounding area. Ubud is the cultural center of Bali. You should be able to find places to stay well within your price range.
I love Lombok, but you just don't have time for it.
Watch for Marmot to post a reply, as she lives on Bali.
As to where to stay, given your interests, you'd be best off in Ubud and the surrounding area. Ubud is the cultural center of Bali. You should be able to find places to stay well within your price range.
I love Lombok, but you just don't have time for it.
Watch for Marmot to post a reply, as she lives on Bali.
Feb 9th, 2017, 05:09 PM
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You might find some helpful information in my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...a-and-bali.cfm
Bali was the last part of my trip; you can use the search function to find relevant sections.
2) I strongly recommend <i>Threads of Life</i> in Ubud. Excellent quality; worth cause (IMO).
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...a-and-bali.cfm
Bali was the last part of my trip; you can use the search function to find relevant sections.
2) I strongly recommend <i>Threads of Life</i> in Ubud. Excellent quality; worth cause (IMO).
Feb 9th, 2017, 06:54 PM
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I would agree with Kathie (as usual) with only 6 days you might want to concentrate on Bali instead of adding in Lombok.
End of February will still be the rainy season. The seas are rough (in fact some of the Lombok/Gili boats are not operating) and unfortunately when the storms blow in they can bring trash to the beach as well. You may get lucky and have a run of sunny days -- like today, brilliant! -- but you may also get several rainy days in a row. So if relaxation means beach-time to you, then Bali/Lombok may not be your best choice at this time of year.
Having said that, it sounds like you might like the Canggu area, even though the beaches won't be at their best, especially the Brawa and Batu Bolong neighborhoods. It's a young, hip area with plenty of wonderful cheap restaurants, shops, spas, clubs, yoga and surfing. It's a laid-back and happy. I can't recommend any specific place in your price range, but there are plenty of homestays, bed & breakfasts and Airbnb rentals in the area.
The rain won't slow you down in Ubud, which is where you will want to spend most of your time. Again, there are many, many inexpensive places to choose from both in the town of Ubud -- and the suburbs like Nyuh Kuning and Penestanan -- and in the surrounding countryside. Bali will be very quiet at that time, so expect good rates.
About 20 minutes outside of Ubud, I like Alam Sari. It's nicely situated in the countryside and they offer a wonderful range of activities like cooking classes, village walks etc. Actually any place that you stay in in Bali will be able to arrange activities for you.
You might also look at the northeast area around the town of Amed. A pretty low key beach area, about 2 hours from Ubud. The areas around Munduk and Sidemen are also very scenic and culturally rich.
Temples are absolutely everywhere -- big and important like Besakih and Tanah Lot -- and small and humble in every family compound. Shopping too, is widespread. Personally, I would avoid Ubud market, but it's full of bargains. Beachwear and Indonesian arts and crafts are made and sold everywhere.
Art is more subjective. You can find collector quality masks, carvings, textiles, jewelry, paintings and you can find whimsical inexpensive souvenirs. Everywhere.
The night of February 26 there will be a new moon and a solar eclipse (but not visible from Bali) so there will be many temple ceremonies, again all over Bali, in the Ubud area and on the beaches. As mentioned, you are best off enlisting the services of a guide who will know what's going on where.
There are performing arts venues in Ubud and in the surrounding areas. Ubud Palace stages excellent dance performances most every night. Most temple ceremonies will include a gamelan orchestra and a dance or two.
I have mixed feelings about getting around by motor bike. It's the best way to get from nearby place to place, but the accident rate (among expats and locals) is horrific. Wear a helmut and don't drink and drive! Arranging for a car and driver is not terribly expensive and not only will you get to relax and enjoy the view the driver will be able to propose an itinerary for you.
End of February will still be the rainy season. The seas are rough (in fact some of the Lombok/Gili boats are not operating) and unfortunately when the storms blow in they can bring trash to the beach as well. You may get lucky and have a run of sunny days -- like today, brilliant! -- but you may also get several rainy days in a row. So if relaxation means beach-time to you, then Bali/Lombok may not be your best choice at this time of year.
Having said that, it sounds like you might like the Canggu area, even though the beaches won't be at their best, especially the Brawa and Batu Bolong neighborhoods. It's a young, hip area with plenty of wonderful cheap restaurants, shops, spas, clubs, yoga and surfing. It's a laid-back and happy. I can't recommend any specific place in your price range, but there are plenty of homestays, bed & breakfasts and Airbnb rentals in the area.
The rain won't slow you down in Ubud, which is where you will want to spend most of your time. Again, there are many, many inexpensive places to choose from both in the town of Ubud -- and the suburbs like Nyuh Kuning and Penestanan -- and in the surrounding countryside. Bali will be very quiet at that time, so expect good rates.
About 20 minutes outside of Ubud, I like Alam Sari. It's nicely situated in the countryside and they offer a wonderful range of activities like cooking classes, village walks etc. Actually any place that you stay in in Bali will be able to arrange activities for you.
You might also look at the northeast area around the town of Amed. A pretty low key beach area, about 2 hours from Ubud. The areas around Munduk and Sidemen are also very scenic and culturally rich.
Temples are absolutely everywhere -- big and important like Besakih and Tanah Lot -- and small and humble in every family compound. Shopping too, is widespread. Personally, I would avoid Ubud market, but it's full of bargains. Beachwear and Indonesian arts and crafts are made and sold everywhere.
Art is more subjective. You can find collector quality masks, carvings, textiles, jewelry, paintings and you can find whimsical inexpensive souvenirs. Everywhere.
The night of February 26 there will be a new moon and a solar eclipse (but not visible from Bali) so there will be many temple ceremonies, again all over Bali, in the Ubud area and on the beaches. As mentioned, you are best off enlisting the services of a guide who will know what's going on where.
There are performing arts venues in Ubud and in the surrounding areas. Ubud Palace stages excellent dance performances most every night. Most temple ceremonies will include a gamelan orchestra and a dance or two.
I have mixed feelings about getting around by motor bike. It's the best way to get from nearby place to place, but the accident rate (among expats and locals) is horrific. Wear a helmut and don't drink and drive! Arranging for a car and driver is not terribly expensive and not only will you get to relax and enjoy the view the driver will be able to propose an itinerary for you.
Feb 10th, 2017, 08:46 AM
#6
For clothes I suggest you have some things made, rather than hunt around for ready-made. Some of my favorite things I had made in a couple of days at AA Rai Pasti on Monkey Forest Rd in Ubud. If they're no longer there there will be others. Take favorites to be copied, in my case a shirt I love bought in Chiang Mai and had several done in great cotton fabrics. Go when you first arrive to get them before you leave.
Feb 10th, 2017, 02:17 PM
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I will only suggest not to travel to kuta region of Bali with circumstances you mentioned. My assessment is that locals, security guards and even local police have understanding to loot ,snatch vallets, purses and mobile phones from any alone person.You will never see police on the most busiest,hub of pubs and clubs,Legian street during peak hours.Additionally, no o e will help you in to.e of any mishap.I am witness/victim of at least three incidents a day in kuta region.
