10 days in Thailand & Bali NEXT MONTH!
 

OK so I didn't plan ahead, but I really want to go...

I am a single woman on a budget with a fairly flexible schedule. I was thinking to go to Thailand and Bali (both - is that doable?) for ~ 10 days at the end of June.

I need ideas about what to see & where to stay and how to get around. I am coming from Honolulu and so don't feel compelled to spend all of my time on the beaches there, although some of that would be good too. I am interested in cultural activities, beautiful/interesting places, and want to find some inexpensive & pretty things to buy to bring home. I want to feel like I've been there - not in the Americana hotel that happens to have Thai food, if you know what I mean.

I've been having trouble finding any airfares or vacation packages that originate in Honolulu (why only air from the West Coast??) and that don't assume two travellers. I am happy to do the resort thing if I can afford it, but also ok with a private room in a youth hostel where I might meet people to travel around with. Cheaper is always better, but clean and safe are necessities.

Does anyone have a suggestion about how to plan this trip? I am feeling a little overwhelmed with all the unknowns. Some advice on airlines, places to stay, things to see & do, and whatever else would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

In my experience, packages are not generally cheaper. So I'd suggest you shop for an airfare alone, then decide on lodging.

Ten days is not lot. I'd recommend that you choose either Bali or Thailand. There is plenty to keep you busy at either place. If you opt for Thailand, I'd suggest Bangkok and Northern Thailand since you aren't so interested in a beach. If you opt for Bali, spend at least half of your time inland. There are lots of reasonably priced lodgings in both placces.

Do a search on this board to give you ideas about what there is that interests you at each location. Once you've decided which one, we can be more helpful. If you opt to do both, you'll only catch of glimpse of each place, and you'll lose one whole day in going from Thailand to Bali. By the way, I'm assuming that you have a full 10 days on the ground in SE Asia.

With only 10 days, I really think you should just pick one or the other. With your interest in cultural activities, Bali might be more suitable. In Bali, you can see Balinese dance, lots of painting styles, small villages (and tourist traps, like anywhere), textiles, farming...lots to see. You can DO and experience so much...last trip to Bali, we learned to do batik, studied painting in a small studio in a village, learned dance and how to play the traditional instruments (not that we were any good :) ), had a guided village tour complete with home visit and fruit freshly picked from the trees for a snack, took a cooking class. We're already planning our next trip...more of the same, but adding traditional natural medicine, silversmithing, pottery to our list of activities. A few small hotels offer activities like this for a very small cost...Alam Sari, Tegal Sari, Bali Spirit, Puri Lumbung to name a few. These places are around $50.00/night. At Alam Sari last Christmas, our family of 3 spent 9 nights, ate all but 3 meals there, and paid just over $1000.00 total for room, all meals and plenty of cocktails, all classes, all transport, all performances, daily massages...we paid for everything we did through the hotel...and it was all great and very easy on the budget.

Bali is also quite stunning. Rice fields, river gorges, temples...the beaches aren't so great as the Thai beaches, but if that doesn't matter to you then it won't bother you at all. There is really so much to see and do that 10 days will easily be filled.

We also have been to Thailand 3 times, and loved it in a different way. Bangkok is one of my favorite cities...it's maybe a love it or hate it kind of place...but I just love hot, steamy, smelly, interesting places. There are lots of top class hotels that you could afford in Bangkok that you couldn't dream of affording in the states. The food is a reason to go in and of itself. I could spend 10 days in Bangkok no problem. Plenty of sightseeing...temples, palaces, rivers...lots. Plenty of shopping...lots of shopping. We also went to Koh Samui and loved it...that was all about the beach and relaxing for us...spent 2 weeks each time and loved it. Koh Samui isn't really "cultural" in the way Bali is though.

Wherever we go, I do the research and bookings myself, directly with the hotels and airlines. From Japan, where we live, the packages are 4 or 5 or 7 days, and that's not long enough for us, and the places they have for hotels are generally the big international hotels which aren't really our style. What I do is browse around various booking sites for hotels, make a list of the ones that look good to me, find the hotel's own website, if they have one, see if it still looks good. From my short list, I e-mail the hotels directly about availability, what kind of place I'm looking for, any questions I have, and their best price (ask them what it includes). So far, in 5 years of doing it this way, I've always gotten the best total price from the hotel...once I found a price lower on a booking site, and asked the hotel to match it for direct booking, and they beat it by a 10% margin. For airfare, I also shop around that way, get a feel for the fares, then find the best deal for me...which includes earning miles. With the airlines, though, you can't bargain like with a hotel. You could price packages, then price it out yourself independently, and see which is better for you.

Please do yourself a favor, pick one or the other. We tend to move at pretty fast pace (faster than most on this board) and have done Thailand and Bali in two 2-week trips. Even after 2 weeks in Thailand, we are going back because we didn't cover as much as we wanted.

WOW - thanks for your insights. My travel time is very flexible - I was aiming for 10 days but could spend 2 weeks, which is why I thought I'd try to go to both places. Judging from your feedback I may choose only one - probably Bali.

I've found a TON of info on this site and others. Can you tell me your top place to stay and how do I make sure I can do all the cool things everyone mentions? (Classes, shopping, ancient sites, etc.) Is that stuff always through the hotel or are there separate companies that handle that?
It looks like the best bet is to spend some time in Ubud and some elsewhere. Where would that be?

I'll plan on booking my own air and lodging and skip the packages.

You will love Bali. You're doing the right thing doing your homework before you go.

If you can tell us your budget for your hotel, I'm sure you'll get plenty of recommendations. There are places for every budget and every style of traveller in Bali.

We arranged our classes and sightseeing through our hotel...or rather they had friends who had friends who had friends...we got very personal treatment and made friends who I'm keeping in touch with. Some hotels arrange this type of thing, some don't. If it's something you want, it's worth asking about before booking. Sightseeing...get a driver. There are some well-liked drivers some here have used...we chose to leave that aspect of our trip unplanned as we had no idea how we'd be feeling on any given day. We had no trouble at all arranging through the hotel for a driver on a moment's notice for short or long trips...and the cost was minimal...190,000 rupiah for about 6 hours once, another full day it appears we got for free (I'm actually looking at our bill right now, and I don't see a charge for that day at all...hmmm...I think the price was supposed to be 250,000). Short trips around the Ubud area for gamelon class or supermarket were 30,000 (or free if we could manage to be ready at the right time for the scheduled shuttle...but for $3.00 we didn't really care if it was free or not).

If you could spend two weeks in Bali it would be great. We spent 9 days in Ubud, and 7 days in Lovina this trip. 10 years ago we spent 5 days in Sanur, 4 days in Ubud, 4 days in Lovina and 3 more days in Sanur. Next Christmas we are spending 13 days in Ubud with 3 days yet to be decided...leaning toward Nusa Lembongan at this point.

If you can be specific about what you want to do, what style holiday you want, what kind of places you like to stay and so on you'll get plenty more advice!

I put a few pictures on a website...I was experimenting really with my new mac.com service I paid for, so it's not anything great, but the pictures might be helpful for you in envisioning what Bali is like. http://homepage.mac.com/teaghanmackenzie/

Basically, decide what you want to do and you can arrange everything once you get there. I say stay away from the tours. Hire a car and driver, and you tell them where you want to go. Most things in Bali are done the way Kim describes (a friend of a friend on someone who works at the hotel). Several people on this board like Putu, a driver in Bali. If you'd like you can write to him and see if he has space in his schedule for you. Utilize the people at your hotel -they will be very knowledgable about what is availble.

Buy yourself a good guidebook to Bali and decide which temples, etc, you'd like to see.

I think you better to choose one of them Bali or Bangkok. 10 days not long to holiday and to do some activities. I preffer Bali as you can find every think you want to see. Ubud is best choise for it. You can spend your time in one of the hotel in Ubud like: Alila Ubud, Ubud Village, Tegal Sari Ubud,or Tjampuan Ubud or other hotels it's depending of your budget. you also can do some activities like: Spa, shopping, sightseeing tour, adventure etc.. you can see the balinese industry like gold and silver, painting, wood carving,painting, stone carving,dances and so on.I can assist you to find some competitive rate hotel and for your activities also. Pls click my web http://www.balitraveling.com or email me at [email protected] or contact me at mobile:+ 62 81338509758. I will feel free to assist you 24 hours.

In Ubud take a look at www.threadsoflife.org - amazing classes on the history of batik - if you get in touch with them maybe you can join one of their trips to a weaving village.Combine Ubud which is the mountains with the beach eg Sanur. Advise budget and sure people will have loads of hotel suggestions.

Once again, thanks to all. I will check on the web sites and hotels you named. I have gotten the apropriate travel guides from the public library, so that's helped some.

Since it seems I need to be more specific, here's my ideal trip...

I want to stay someplace comfortable (air conditioner? quiet? lovely? local charm?) but also friendly and inexpensive. Since I'm going alone, I want to be able to meet folks easily, as one can in a youth hostel for example. I will likely have to pay for a whole room, rather than split it with a travel partner, and that may up the cost. I don't know what's reasonable to expect in terms of price, but cheaper is definitely better. I'm hoping to do this whole trip including air for $1500. Is that possible?

I agree that splitting my time between Ubud and a beach spot would be good.

I definitely want to see the sights, go to local villages to see ceremonies, dance, and crafting (silver, batik, wood carving, etc.) learn something neat, and buy some pretty things. I'd like to ride an elepbant, get daily massage, and have guided tours - or at least meet other travellers who would like to traipse around together.

So, basically I want to stay in a 5-star youth hostel that offers drivers, spa services, and day trips. Is this impossible?

I have some experience finding airfares online and feel pretty secure doing that. What I really need are the names of a few places to stay. If anyone has their trip itinerery I could see as a sample, that'd be nice too.

All your advice and instghts are greatly appreciated!
:)

What you want is definitely possible. There are lots and lots of places in the $50.00 price range. In Ubud, Tegal Sari might suit you very well, or the Honeymoon Guest House. Nick's Pension....honestly, there are just heaps and heaps of places that would be perfect for you. Start out by checking balibagus.com for their listings....they are pretty comprehensive and have good pictures. Then try to find the hotel's own website, and negotiate your rate directly with the hotel...it's always been cheaper for us direct than through an agent.

Drivers, day trips, sightseeing...they will be offering their services to you whenever possible. Just about everyone you meet will either be a driver, a guide, both, or have a brother or friend who is. You can feel free to choose whoever you like and negotiate the price.

Our trip itinerary was like this.
Dec 24 arrive at hotel at dinner time - Alam Sari Christmas eve dinner...invited immediately by other guests to join them...we did.
Dec 25 - AM Goddess of Education day...went to the village school to watch the children and to the Priest's compound to observe festival meal preperation and Brahmin life. PM batik class, PM Christmas dinner with almost all other hotel guests...great fun. Our daughter went to painting class in the village with some other kids, I had a massage.
Dec 26 - Batik Day 2. Jegog Dance performance evening.
Dec 27 - Ubud shopping. Threads of Life. Indus dinner, with 4 other families from the hotel. Great fun, with live Latin music and dancing.
Dec 28 - Keliki Village walk...learned all about life, farming, burial and cremation rituals, local craft industry, saw several family compounds as well as wood carving home, and 2 painter's homes.
Dec 28 - Car to Elephant cave, supermarket, bank, a bit of shopping. Wood carving class. Dinner at Naughty Nuri's with friends from outside Alam Sari.
Dec 30 - Casa Luna market tour and cooking class, massage. While we cooked, our daughter did another painting session and played with the other kids.
Dec 31 AM Batik Day 3. PM Music Day 1. Jegog Dance performance again. Indus for dinner with friends from Alam Sari.
Jan 1 - Shopping in Ubud again AM. PM music lessons again.
Jan 2 - go to Rambutan Cottages in Lovina.
Relax...walk on the beach, meet locals, help paint the boats...relax. One day we went out in the AM to see the dolphins (there were soooo many) and for snorkeling...great.
Leave Bali Jan 8 late night.

I just remembered another place that might be a good fit...Ketut's Place. It's really nice, and really easy on the budget.

And I wanted to give you some encouragement about how easy it is to meet other travellers in Bali. Honestly, we had instant friends at Alam Sari. We had instant friends from the cooking class, too. You will definitely meet people, lots of people.

You will certainly be able to stay within your budget as well, AND have a fabulous time. You certainly don't need to pay a lot to have a great place to stay.

It looks like I'll be in Bali from ~ June 22nd to ~ July 4th. I want to spend about half that time in or near Ubud (and do some shopping) and the other half in the beach town Senur (sp?).

Can anyone recommend the best, most authentically Balinese, air-conditioned hotels in these towns? I do want massage, quiet, and for the hotel to help me arrange tours & treks, and breakfast would be nice. I'm also hoping to spend as little as possible (is $20 - $25 a night unreasonable?).


There seem to be a million hotels available - how does one choose?

I think you can find what you are looking for. Try the Honeymoon Guesthouse http://www.casalunabali.com We saw these in January when we did their cooking class and they were very nice, and for the price, excellent.

Nick's pension is supposed to be good, as is Ketut's Place. The Ubud Village Hotel is well liked by an acquaintance of mine. There are just so many places. You could arrive there and just have a look around and see what suits you. Massages are easy to come by, either in your hotel or in one of the many spas around.

stacy, I'd second Kim's vote for the Alam Sari. It's quite remote but it's as "real" as you can get and still have AC and a pool. It's owned by NZ educators who are lovely people and devoted to providing an authentic experience with ample creature comforts.

In the town of Ubud, Ketut's is also a good cheap choice for a single person. It's not fancy but it has a lot of charm and the family who own it live on site and run a very tight ship. It's within easy walking distance of all the Ubud sights. A lot of the resturants in Ubud town have movie nights and it's fairly easy to meet fellow travelers.

At the beach, you should just relax and be at the beach. It's fun too but in a different sort of way. I'd recommend the Bali Padma as a friendly family sort of place. It's big but safe and located in the middle of things. You might also check out the Sofitel in Seminyak for special deals.

Seminyak is the best area for shopping, clubs and restaurants. I'd recommend La Lucciola restaurant (after you've had enough Balinese cuisine :) ).

I'd also suggest that you get in touch with Judy Slattum of Danu Tours.
http://www.danutours.com/
Judy is an American college professor who is a specialist in Balinese (and other) masked drama. Her husband is a Balinese dancer. See if you can hook up with one of her Bali tours while you're there; it will be an unforgettable experience.

stacy, another thought: you might see if you could combine Bali with a side trip to Yogyakarta, which is about 45 minutes away from Bali by air on Java island. Yogya is the ancient Javanese royal court and the home of Borobudur, the world's largest and, I think, most spectacular Buddhist temple. The area is overflowing with archaelogical and cultural sites -- architecture, dance, batik, shadow puppets, gamelan, you name it. It's also a fascinating view of the overlays of religion in Southeast Asia-- Buddhist followed by Hindu followed by Islam.

Airfare, accomdation and food are very cheap and the shopping is wonderful. All the knickknacks in the markets in Bali are actually made in Central Java!

I'd recommend the Hyatt. It's not especially authentic but it's cheap and a wonderful respite from the heat and overpopulation.