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Finally Going To Bali! Please Help With Flight and Alam Shanti Question

Finally Going To Bali! Please Help With Flight and Alam Shanti Question

Old Apr 22nd, 2014, 07:18 AM
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Finally Going To Bali! Please Help With Flight and Alam Shanti Question

We are disembarking a cruise in Singapore in October. I was going to book an Air Asia flight from there to Bali and decided to do a bit more research. I found a flight on KLM that was actually cheaper and the schedule works for us. The KLM return flight arrives Singapore at midnight, which is perfect for us since our departing flight to the US is at 7 am (on a differnt airline). Given those 2 choices, which would you advise?

Regarding Alam Shanti, we would like to book either the Indus or Narmada room. I would appreciate advice on pros/cons of upper and lower level choice in that unit.
Also, the hotel recommends using them for transportation from the airport. Is that the best choice?

Thanks in advance,
Les
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Old Apr 22nd, 2014, 08:47 AM
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We have booked the Indus (upper level) room in September as we did not want to hear the sounds of people living above us. I have heard that the views are better also. If you can't live without an outdoor bath, then go for the lower level as the upper level's is indoors...

The fee for transfer from the airport seems quite reasonable. The reason that the hotel recommends that you use them for transport is that the hotel can be difficult to find.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2014, 04:23 AM
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I appreciate your comments, Craig.

I hope some others will share their experience and also comment on KLM vs Air Asia.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2014, 05:14 AM
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Bob has stayed there a number of times, but since he's on a ship mid-Atlantic, I don't expect we will hear from him any time soon.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2014, 06:07 AM
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OK, thanks Kathie. I read many of Bob's comments on Alam Shanti and was hoping he'd chime in.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2014, 03:54 PM
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I can't think of any negative on KLM -- major airline, full service (e.g., bags checked at no charge), the times work for you. To me, Air Asia's overwhelming advantage is price. If the price is more or less the same, I'd go with KLM.

I don't have any insider information on Alam Shanti, but as a general statement I'd take advantage of their airport pick up offer, even if it turns out to be somewhat more than a taxi. Save yourself the aggravation of the schlepping your bags, standing in the taxi queue, finding the place once you're in the Ubud area.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2014, 04:28 PM
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Thanks, Marmot for your reply. My reservation request at Alam Shanti has been sent. I will definitely use their transport.

I'm beyond excited to be going to Bali...our cruise ending in Singapore made it a no brainer! It's been on my "bucket list" for too long.
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Old May 14th, 2014, 12:38 PM
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Hi iamles. We stayed at Alam Shanti last year July - what a wonderful spot!! We stayed in Gayatri & Perwati which are 'a rice paddy' away from the main complex. We absolutely loved it there - it felt like we were living in a villa on our own estate. Breakfast was delivered to us every morning - super yummy freshly squeezed fruit juice, great coffee (can't live without my shot of caffeine in the morning), awesome pancakes, etc etc
It was so peaceful and spiritual as we ate our breakfast and watched (respectfully) the staff going about laying their offerings. The monkeys seem to have less respect for the offerings as they would come and eat what they could from the offering.
(BTW - we booked at Alam Shanti based on recommendations from rhkkmk.)

During the day (never at night) we were able to take the short cut / back route into Ubud - you walk down the driveway to Gayatri & Perwati but instead of turning towards the rooms you carry on along the path. A few minutes later you reach the back of the Monkey Forest and from there you walk along the motorbike track into town (it's really quick but you do have to watch the bikes). If you do walk this route make sure that absolutely anything you purchase is stowed away in a back pack and do not carry any carrier bags in your hands. The monkeys see carrier bags as fair pickings no matter the contents.

To take a car into town takes much longer because of the route they have to drive to get there. All of the Alam group offer free transport into town when you go for dinner in the evenings. When paying for your dinner you can ask the restaurant to phone Alam Shanti and they will then send someone to collect you (allow about 15-20 mins for this).

You will probably be pleased to hear that we took advantage of their airport pickup - it wasn't that much more than a taxi but was very convenient. (We did not pay the driver - it had already been added to our bill.) The chap who fetched us actually lives 2 doors down from Alam Shanti so he definitely knows his way there

We were at Alam Shanti for 5 nights with 2 teenage boys and we all loved every moment of our time there. In fact - we all loved Bali (except for Nusa Dua - I could easily have skipped that). When we left Bali, my 16 year old posted the following on his Facebook page
"So sad to be leaving Bali. It has been the most amazing place to visit. The locals are incredibly welcoming and everybody here is always happy regardless of whether they are rich or poor. The rest of the world (especially South Africa) could certainly learn a lesson from this small island "
This really summed up our Bali experience (btw we are South African hence the reference thereto)

I hope you have as wonderful a time there as we did.
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Old May 14th, 2014, 11:51 PM
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Hello from krakow, Poland, a far cry from Bali...

KLM would be my choice if for no other reason than the free luggage allowance, and the fact that it is a major carrier... Nothing wrong with AA. We have often flown with them.

AS: We stayed in the lower level of that building and were quite pleased... Large front open air porch, fully furnished. We ate our breakfasts out there. It overlooks a lovely front yard with bushes and gardens and an entry wall. Not sure what the upstairs unit has... It must have a large furnished porch/deck in the rear overlooking the green spaces and stream.

We will be next door in Ganga in September for 5 days and look forward to our return, the private pool and the fantastic fresh breakfasts brought to your room.

Any additional questions, please ask.
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Old May 14th, 2014, 11:52 PM
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Consider hiring putu to take you around... See other post here
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Old May 16th, 2014, 06:47 AM
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Thanks marmot, Kaapie and kmkrnn for your input.

I booked the KLM flight at a great price, $182 roundtrip. I have a Chase Sapphire Preferred cc and the price was lower going through their booking department.

In a previuos post I mistakenly said we were going to Bali in July. Actually, we will be there in late October after a 17 day cruise from Beijing to Singapore. We booked the Indus room at Alam Shanti. I couldn't decide whether to take the upper or lower level but decided on Indus for no particular reason.

I hope you enjoyed Kraow, kmkrnn. I almost went there on my upcoming trip to the Baltic states in June as a substitute for my original plan to go to Kiev, but decided on Berlin instead.
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Old May 16th, 2014, 07:08 AM
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Good move.. We just left Berlin 10 days ago... Hop on hop off bus gives you a good over view even for people like us who have been there many times.

Currently in Wroclaw as our last stop in Poland... Best city of all, FYI.
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