Bali trip - Places to visit outside of Bali / SE Asia
Apr 16th, 2014, 06:13 AM
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Bali trip - Places to visit outside of Bali / SE Asia
Hello! My husband and I are planning a trip for late Sept / Oct, and our top destination choice is Bali. We have a few requirements though:
#1 - Unique experience - We want an experience that is unique for both of us. I have been to SE Asia as part of an MBA class, but we did not travel to Indonesia.
#2 - Adventure and beach - We want romance and beach, but we also do not want a repeat honeymoon.... we want somewhere that has adventure (hiking, exploring, boats, culture) and some time to relax on the beach and enjoy beautiful scenery.
That being said, are there any destinations that would be recommended in the Bali vicinity that we could do while we are over there? When I was in SE Asia before, I stopped in Hong Kong for a few days and really enjoyed that. Are there any other cities or countries that would be convenient to stop by on our way there (we are planning to fly into Singapore).
Thank you!
Sara
#1 - Unique experience - We want an experience that is unique for both of us. I have been to SE Asia as part of an MBA class, but we did not travel to Indonesia.
#2 - Adventure and beach - We want romance and beach, but we also do not want a repeat honeymoon.... we want somewhere that has adventure (hiking, exploring, boats, culture) and some time to relax on the beach and enjoy beautiful scenery.
That being said, are there any destinations that would be recommended in the Bali vicinity that we could do while we are over there? When I was in SE Asia before, I stopped in Hong Kong for a few days and really enjoyed that. Are there any other cities or countries that would be convenient to stop by on our way there (we are planning to fly into Singapore).
Thank you!
Sara
Apr 16th, 2014, 07:48 AM
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Bali is certainly different from anywhere else in SE Asia. It is Hindu in the midst of predominantly Muslim Indonesia. You would want to spend some time staying near Ubud (the cultural center of Bali) as well as a beach location.
Where were you in SE Asia for you MBA class? That will help us suggest places that are different.
Where were you in SE Asia for you MBA class? That will help us suggest places that are different.
Apr 16th, 2014, 07:52 AM
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Oops - I hit post too soon. Singapore is good for a stopover. Another stop you could make would be on Java, particularly to see the spectacular Borobudor and Prambanam. I have a trip report here from a Java trip http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...n-to-jogja.cfm
Photos are at www.marlandc.com
Photos are at www.marlandc.com
Apr 16th, 2014, 12:43 PM
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Kathie, Thank you so much for the information! Java looks amazing!
When I was with my MBA class, we were in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City), Cambodia (Siem Reap), and Thailalnd (Bangkok and Phuket). SE Asia was one of my favorite parts of the world, so I don't mind some similarities, but I don't want to feel like I'm on the exact same trip.
Also, how do you get from place to place in Indonesia? And what would you think of flying from the US to Tokyo, spending a few days there, then to Singapore for a few days, then the rest of the time in Bali? Or is that entirely too much for 16 days?
I really like the recommendations of starting in Singapore, some time near Ubud, some beach time in Bali, and possibly Java? Have you heard anything about the Gili Islands?
Thank you so much, I really appreciate all the good advice!
Sara
When I was with my MBA class, we were in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City), Cambodia (Siem Reap), and Thailalnd (Bangkok and Phuket). SE Asia was one of my favorite parts of the world, so I don't mind some similarities, but I don't want to feel like I'm on the exact same trip.
Also, how do you get from place to place in Indonesia? And what would you think of flying from the US to Tokyo, spending a few days there, then to Singapore for a few days, then the rest of the time in Bali? Or is that entirely too much for 16 days?
I really like the recommendations of starting in Singapore, some time near Ubud, some beach time in Bali, and possibly Java? Have you heard anything about the Gili Islands?
Thank you so much, I really appreciate all the good advice!
Sara
Apr 16th, 2014, 02:27 PM
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Believe me, you won't feel like Bali is the same as the places you visited. With 16 days - is that 16 days on the ground in Asia or does that include travel time - I'd suggest a maximum of three locations. If it were me - and it isn't - I'd choose two locations on Bali, some time in Central Java and a few day stop-over in Singapore.
I haven't been to the Gilis, but they are very quiet, nothing at all do do there but the water.
I haven't been to the Gilis, but they are very quiet, nothing at all do do there but the water.
Apr 16th, 2014, 07:01 PM
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With 16 days you want to minimize your airport time and the number of flights. Stopovers in Tokyo or in Central Java both sound good, but they are obviously very different experiences. You can also fly non-stop from Tokyo to Denpasar, though I think the flights are pricey.
I agree that Singapore-Java-Bali makes a good combination.
To visit Central Java you can fly from Singapore to Yogyakara and then from Yogyakarta to Bali/Denpasar. Look at Garuda and AirAsia.
Both the city of Yogya and the temples of Prambanan and Borobudur are the main draws of Central Java. Another possibility would be to travel to East Java and spend some time in the Mt.Bromo area.
For Bromo the nearest airport is Surabaya which has good connections to Singapore, Yogya and Bali.
There's been a lot of development lately in the Gilis -- some good, some not so. For the most part they have lovely quiet beaches and simple accommodations. I would also look at Lombok (which the Gilis are part of) for low-key beach resorts. Bear in mind, though, that getting to the Gilis or Lombok from Bali takes up most of a day.
You'll want to split your time between the Ubud area (for nature and culture) and one of the Southern beaches (for sun,sand and sea). September/October is terrific beach weather. I like Seminyak beach for upscale beach culture and access to restaurants shopping spas clubs etc.
I think you'll find Bali can provide everything on your wishlist.
I agree that Singapore-Java-Bali makes a good combination.
To visit Central Java you can fly from Singapore to Yogyakara and then from Yogyakarta to Bali/Denpasar. Look at Garuda and AirAsia.
Both the city of Yogya and the temples of Prambanan and Borobudur are the main draws of Central Java. Another possibility would be to travel to East Java and spend some time in the Mt.Bromo area.
For Bromo the nearest airport is Surabaya which has good connections to Singapore, Yogya and Bali.
There's been a lot of development lately in the Gilis -- some good, some not so. For the most part they have lovely quiet beaches and simple accommodations. I would also look at Lombok (which the Gilis are part of) for low-key beach resorts. Bear in mind, though, that getting to the Gilis or Lombok from Bali takes up most of a day.
You'll want to split your time between the Ubud area (for nature and culture) and one of the Southern beaches (for sun,sand and sea). September/October is terrific beach weather. I like Seminyak beach for upscale beach culture and access to restaurants shopping spas clubs etc.
I think you'll find Bali can provide everything on your wishlist.
