@ Paule / progol -- Thanks! I remember that you had to change your plans this year, but you are going to Sicily soon, right? I'm sure you will love it!

I re-arranged my plans for Bali -- 6 nights in Ubud, followed by one night along the Amed coast (with stops to and fro), and then a couple of last nights in Ubud. I think this new plan will let me take fuller advantage of Ubud's many options while better meeting my particular interests. Thanks to all who helped me see the problems with my original itinerary and then identify much better options!

Sounds like a good plan. Bali has many layers and it's hard to unpeel them all on your first visit. I have a feeling you'll be back.

@ marmot: I'm sure I will leave with pleasant fantasies of a return. And I suspect one could spend a lifetime happily peeling Bali's layers!

This week's Bali Advertiser (which is everyone's favorite info source in Bali) offered an excellent overview on what to expect when visiting Besakih.
http://baliadvertiser.biz/besakih-ba...mother-temple/

@ marmot: What an incredibly informative article! Thank you very much for bringing it to my attention.

Just a quick note to say that I have returned from a stunningly memorable trip to Singapore, Java, and Bali that was made even more special than it would otherwise have been by the advice I received from my fellow Fodorites – thanks one and all! I plan to post more, and to offer specific words of appreciation, when I have time. Until then, know that I benefitted greatly from your input and thoroughly enjoyed my time in this special part of the world.

I think you probably all know, but just in case, and for the benefit of any who come upon this thread later, I have now begun adding posts about my time in Bali to my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...a-and-bali.cfm