Bali basic questions for Bali experts
Jun 9th, 2010, 07:10 AM
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Bali basic questions for Bali experts
Hi, We are 2 couples (young 60's) who want to go to Bali on our own for 2-3 weeks. We don't want a wild beach area. I've done some research, but would love your opinions. We're interested in culture, easy walking or hiking, nice beaches. I never plan any trip without consulting here first, and have always been happy with the results.
What month to go?
3 different areas to stay? How long in each? In what order?
Villa recommendations (2 bedrooms)?
Driver recommendations?
Must sees?
Any other ideas or comments?
Thanks in advance.
Joan
What month to go?
3 different areas to stay? How long in each? In what order?
Villa recommendations (2 bedrooms)?
Driver recommendations?
Must sees?
Any other ideas or comments?
Thanks in advance.
Joan
Jun 9th, 2010, 08:01 AM
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The best weather is mid-May through August. The last two weeks of may are perfect because it is shoulder season and the prices are not yet at their highest.
For two weeks, you should go to Ubud and a beach. I recommend Sanur. It is a nice beach that is quiet. If three weeks, you could add Lombok, a short flight from Denpassar.
Putu is a great guide. Really great. If you arrabge three days with him while you're in Ubud, you will see the major sites. He will give you an irinerary and you can compare it to info from a guide book to see if there's anything you want to see that's not included.
For two weeks, you should go to Ubud and a beach. I recommend Sanur. It is a nice beach that is quiet. If three weeks, you could add Lombok, a short flight from Denpassar.
Putu is a great guide. Really great. If you arrabge three days with him while you're in Ubud, you will see the major sites. He will give you an irinerary and you can compare it to info from a guide book to see if there's anything you want to see that's not included.
Jun 9th, 2010, 03:55 PM
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What month to go?
I like Bali all year, but I agree that it's best to avoid the High Season which is roughly July-August, December-January. I'm less concerned about the rainy season because it actually does rain all year -- it just rains more during the rainy season.
3 different areas to stay? How long in each? In what order?
I'd choose a lively beach, a quiet beach and an inland spot. If you go to Lombok (the quiet beach) try to go at the beginning or end of your trip so you can cut down on airport time. Or take the ferry.
I like Seminyak for the lively beach because it has excellent choices in restaurants, spas, shops and a long sandy beach for walking. Big surf and beautiful sunsets.
I would note that by lively I mean populated by tourists and locals doing whatever people do on the beach -- swimming, surfing, playing soccer, walking their dogs, building sandcastles, staring out to sea. No where in Bali do you get deserted, pristine, white sand beaches. If you go to the north or northeast coasts you get quiet, but not such nice beaches.
Villa recommendations (2 bedrooms)?
First pick your area then do some research. The rental agencies are your best bet because they take care of all the details. There are zillions of choices in Seminyak, near but not directly on the beach. The immediate environment is quite variable so do try to get photos and personal recommendations.
I like the Petitenget location (Northern Seminyak) and would recommend the Laksmana complex, though I've never actually stayed there.
If you want to actually stay on the beach with a view of the ocean you need to go with a resort, not a private villa. I'm very fond of the Legian in Seminyak. There are several new resorts going up in the area which should be operational early in 2011.
I like Bali all year, but I agree that it's best to avoid the High Season which is roughly July-August, December-January. I'm less concerned about the rainy season because it actually does rain all year -- it just rains more during the rainy season.
3 different areas to stay? How long in each? In what order?
I'd choose a lively beach, a quiet beach and an inland spot. If you go to Lombok (the quiet beach) try to go at the beginning or end of your trip so you can cut down on airport time. Or take the ferry.
I like Seminyak for the lively beach because it has excellent choices in restaurants, spas, shops and a long sandy beach for walking. Big surf and beautiful sunsets.
I would note that by lively I mean populated by tourists and locals doing whatever people do on the beach -- swimming, surfing, playing soccer, walking their dogs, building sandcastles, staring out to sea. No where in Bali do you get deserted, pristine, white sand beaches. If you go to the north or northeast coasts you get quiet, but not such nice beaches.
Villa recommendations (2 bedrooms)?
First pick your area then do some research. The rental agencies are your best bet because they take care of all the details. There are zillions of choices in Seminyak, near but not directly on the beach. The immediate environment is quite variable so do try to get photos and personal recommendations.
I like the Petitenget location (Northern Seminyak) and would recommend the Laksmana complex, though I've never actually stayed there.
If you want to actually stay on the beach with a view of the ocean you need to go with a resort, not a private villa. I'm very fond of the Legian in Seminyak. There are several new resorts going up in the area which should be operational early in 2011.
Jun 10th, 2010, 01:30 AM
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we liked the two bedroom "family" bungalow at tanjung sari at sanur... perfect for two couples..
we just stayed at the newly renamed pan pacific and it was very nice, near tanah lot... good place to end your trip... a bit issolated however..
get a res in early for alam shanti at ubud... ask for gangga and yumma rooms or maybe one of the less expensive rooms, but the first two are fabulous and with your own huge pool which is a plus, plus free shuttle to and from center of town...
have putu for a couple of days... suggest 6-8 hour days, no longer--$40-50
we just stayed at the newly renamed pan pacific and it was very nice, near tanah lot... good place to end your trip... a bit issolated however..
get a res in early for alam shanti at ubud... ask for gangga and yumma rooms or maybe one of the less expensive rooms, but the first two are fabulous and with your own huge pool which is a plus, plus free shuttle to and from center of town...
have putu for a couple of days... suggest 6-8 hour days, no longer--$40-50
Jun 12th, 2010, 07:48 AM
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I agree Ubad is the ceter of culture based upon 3 visits the last just this past March. but do not be deluded into thinking it is laid back culture with artist studios on a small retreat-like location for you will find maybe 2 or 3 of them. Unfortunately we were quite duiscouraged with how commercialized Ubad town area was with shops one right after the other in clusters around town. The few art studios did not have the works of noted Indonesian artists such as Sony Santosa, etc. Do not get me wrong it is worth visiting and a few days is probably worth while. If you really want a more total Indonesian experience you might consider 2 weeks in Bali and one (1) week in Central Java only a one hour flight ($120) away and go to Joyjakarta. There you can visit Borbodudur Temple (8th Century) simply magnificant, have a guide-driver take you to Dieng Plateau(as spectacular scenery as you will see in Bali but different, and if you time it on a weekend a wonderful puttet show on sat. at 11 and on Sunday a ballet at 11 both at the Sultan's Palace included in the palace tour for $4-$5/person.
For a reference of a driver in Bali the firm I used for our touring mostly in Central and East java and this last time just a day in Bali was great. they can set you up with the highest quality guides at a price I found out that is $15-420 above the going daily rate but what professionalism and considering we spend $10k++ on thr trip an extra few dollars is a " drop in the bucket". you can reach them by: [email protected] Do not hesitate to use my name and also negotiate. In Bali they charge $85+/- for a 8-9 hour day including gas/cold towels etc. In central Java it is maybe $5/day less but for 9-10 hr. day.
For a reference of a driver in Bali the firm I used for our touring mostly in Central and East java and this last time just a day in Bali was great. they can set you up with the highest quality guides at a price I found out that is $15-420 above the going daily rate but what professionalism and considering we spend $10k++ on thr trip an extra few dollars is a " drop in the bucket". you can reach them by: [email protected] Do not hesitate to use my name and also negotiate. In Bali they charge $85+/- for a 8-9 hour day including gas/cold towels etc. In central Java it is maybe $5/day less but for 9-10 hr. day.
Jun 12th, 2010, 08:42 PM
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If you stay in a hotel in the central "downtown" area of Ubud on one of the 2 main streets you might feel it's a crowded busy place with shops and restaurants galore. But if you go one or two kilometers out of town you will find many wonderful laid back, traditional villages and resorts. Alam Shanti is but one of perhaps a hundred wonderful places with bungalow rooms, a nice pool, tropical gardens and lovely service. My favorite spots to recommend are those overlooking the Wos or Ayung River. You can do a search and find many that are not listed in trip advisor or any of the large travel sites, esp because they are so small.
Jun 13th, 2010, 05:57 AM
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If you'd like to be a little bit outside of the town of Ubud, I can highly recommend this 2 bedroom villa: http://www.balivillaparadise.com
I stayed there last year, and it was gorgeous, and also a great deal as well. Would be perfect for 2 couples....plenty of communal space (living room, dining room, kitchen for making sunset cocktails, etc) but also 2 separate large bedrooms.
I stayed there last year, and it was gorgeous, and also a great deal as well. Would be perfect for 2 couples....plenty of communal space (living room, dining room, kitchen for making sunset cocktails, etc) but also 2 separate large bedrooms.
Jun 13th, 2010, 06:37 AM
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kuluk is IMO almost correct. By that I mean I felt you needed to be 3-4 miles or 5+km out to get away from the commercial signs and. Cruisininred's suggestion sounds great. But in amnd arounf Ubud I do not think you will get some of your requisites of "real" hiking and culture and obviously you are 40km from beach areas. I fiound Ubud a very..very special place 8+ years ago but now I recommend to friends that 3-4 days is sufficient to spend in that area.
Jun 30th, 2010, 04:46 PM
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Dewa Marco was the guide we used in May and he was excellent and reasonable (500,000 Rupiah). Other people think so too: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/asia/...l#post13877338
Not only check out my comment, but all those before mine in that same thread.
His web site: http://www.dewamarco-tour.blogspot.com/
Email: [email protected]
If you email him, don't be surprised if he answers you the same day.
_______________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie
Not only check out my comment, but all those before mine in that same thread.
His web site: http://www.dewamarco-tour.blogspot.com/
Email: [email protected]
If you email him, don't be surprised if he answers you the same day.
_______________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie
