I'm seriously considering Bali for this October. My travels have been to Europe and Mexico. This would be my first trip to the other side of the world. I think Bali is 12 hours ahead of NY (is that right?) I was wondering how other travelers handled the jet lag once they arrived in Bali. Were you comatose for three days? I know the flight will be very long - did you just adjust with little discombobulation? I can handle the jet lag to Europe fairly well now. Any thoughts/comments would be greatly appreciated.

I haven't been to Bali, but I have had zero jet lag upon arrival on two trips to Sydney. Coming back was a different story-- for me, it takes a long time to get back on schedule when flying East!

Flying longhaul to Asia, I usually find the first afternoon to be most tiring. Regardless whether you have a daytime or midnight departure from the US. Not too different than flying a red-eye to Europe.

Schedule light for your first full day in Asia, and you'll be (mostly) fine.

Like Tim_and_Liz say, coming back is tough. I came back from Hong Kong the previous Tuesday, and it took me until Monday to finally get over the jetlag.

Bali is an excellent place to recover from jetlag. When you get that late afternoon slump you can always take a nap or get a massage. You just have to remember to slow down and drink a lot of water, as it's very hot and humid and this contributes to physical exhaustion.

I agree that adjusting once you're back home is far more difficult. The new non-stops from Asia to NY have really helped speed up the process as, for me, every additional layover just adds more physical and psychological strain.

It's best to force yourself to get back on your regular schedule, but in any case, it takes a few days to be fully adjusted so you just have to accept some sleepless nights.

I agree, it's always easier to adjust when you are on vacation. No work demands, and your big decisions will be whether to have a massage or go for a swim. Coming home is ofte harder just becayuse you have more scheduling demands and more cognitive demands.

But everyone is different. If you are a melatonin responder. you may find that helpful. I have to say that since the advent of melatonin, I may experience late afternoon/early evening tiredness in Asia for a day or two, and I need a bit more sleep for a few days when I get home, but I've often gone back to work the day after returning from Asia without difficulty, although I prefer to schedule a day in bewteen just to catch up on things at home.

Whenever I've flown to SE Asia from NY, I've stayed up the first day until early evening and that definitely makes the jet lag going there less bothersome. The adrenaline of being in a new, incredibly foreign and very relaxed place definitely helps. We actually planned a "see how we go" second day with our driver this year in Bali and were still fine as the sun was setting. The humidity is definitely something to be reckoned with.

One thing I would do when going is pre-arrange for airport to hotel transfer, so you have someone meeting you and don't have to deal with the hassles of saying no to all the other people who will want to help you.

I've always flown Singapore Air from NY -- their service is excellent, food is really good, amazing inflight entertainment systems even in coach. JFK is cheaper and goes through Frankfurt, Newark has a non-stop to Singapore with executive economy seating for a bit more $$.

I'd agree with the others that it's coming back that is more difficult. The first week back, I tend to just run out of energy around as early as 5 at night and that's it -- not even something I can power through.

Definitely go -- Bali is unbelievable.

thanks for all the input. Hammering out the specific dates and should have everything in place in a week or two. Once again - thanks.

My travel tip that I have been using for years to combat jet lag is over the counter sleeping pills. When I arrive at my destination that evening I take a sleeping pill, and also for the next 2 nights (and this is key I think). When I get home, I also take sleeping pills for 3 nights. I have never had jet lag and I just got back from Thailand (16 hour time difference) and didn't have jet lag either way.

Maybe it will work for you. Good luck!

I'm a little confused about the time zone changes. If I go NYC-Frankfurt-Singapore-Denpasar, leaving NYC on Oct 19th, I arrive in Bali on Oct. 21st. However Bali is only 12 hours ahead. (Is this sounding like some horrible SAT algebra problem?) Is flying west (NYC-LA -???-Denpasar) better? I know the flight is going to be long - I understand I'm going around the world and below the equator and I'll surrender to being in travelers limbo for 24 hours. From NYC - which direction is the best way to go to Bali?

I wouldn't go via LA as it adds a possible connection issue -- you're smack dab in the middle with a 12 hour time change either way. And you're leaving late at night, so even though it seems like two days, it's really not.
Going you lose a day as you're flying west. The Newark option would shave a bit of time off as that's direct to Singapore. When Sing Air stops in Frankfurt, they're just refueling, changing crew and food, not the plane you're on, so you're not dealing with a connection issue there.
The first time I flew to SE Asia my company booked the flights on Singapore Air -- figured they knew the best route as getting us there the fastest way possible was important to them.

Carta, East or West the travel distance is about the same. Where you lose time is in the airports so you want to make as few stops as possible.

The Singapore non-stop from Newark connecting to Bali in Singapore is by far the fastest and least weary-ing route. You leave Saturday night which is Sunday morning in Bali. You arrive Monday morning in Bali so your total travel time is about 24 hours.

The SQ connection through Frankfurt is also good but you have to de-plane in what would be for you the middle of the night. Made even more surreal by all those Germans drinking beer with their danish at 6:00 a.m.

DO NOT go through LA. There are no non-stops from LA to Singapore so you'd be adding two more airports.

The best route through the westcoast is Cathay from New York to Vancouver to Hong Kong, then a connection to Denpasar. But the SQ flights are far, far better, in my opinion.

marmot -
I checked Singapore's website - pretty sure I'm going to do Newark-Singapore-Denpasar route - sounds/feels right.


Anyone familar with these places in Ubud:
http://www.balisecretgarden.com/
http://www.vacationsinbali.com/

Yee-haw! My ticket for Bali is purchased (Newark - Singapore - Denaspar) and the hotel, Alila Ubud, (http://chedi-ubud.com) reservations are made (just waiting for confirmation).

Has anyone stayed at the Alila Ubud? Has anyone stayed at Taman Rahasia (http://www.balisecretgarden.com)?

Congrats on getting your tickets! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.

I don't know the places you mention, though others on the board might well. Do seach on the names on this board and you may well find reviews.

thanks Kathie.

this is my first Asia trip.

My one concern is I'm more use to an urban setting when on vacation - be it the city, town or even a village - everything is just out the door and around the corner. I know there's lots to do in Bali besides sitting by the pool- not that I'm not going to do that one day. But - a few years ago I was in Huatulco, Mexico and stayed at a resort - the town wasn't much of anything and there really wasn't much else to except sit by the gorgeous pool and drink margaritas - not that that's bad - but after 4 days I was drinking way too many margaritas.

The hotel offers free shuttle service till 7 pm - there are taxis - I'm going to hire a guide for a few dayto see other parts of the island. I suppose it's those 'is this the right hotel' jitters.

Carta, I've stayed at the Alila Ubud off and on since it opened 12 years ago. It's had its ups and down and certainly isn't perfect (what is?) but for me it's always been a top choice in the Ubud area. The aesthetic is clean and modern but still maintains that wonderful Balinese feeling. There's a high level of attention to detail.

The location at the end of a long and lovely road overlooking the Ayung River valley is one of the best in Bali. The public areas, especially the pool and restaurant, are stunning. The food is very good, though on the pricy side for Bali. The service, though always friendly and well intended, can be inconsistent, but again I'd say that about just about every resort in Bali. I think the current management team is solid.

The resort offers a wide menu of nature related and cultural activities. I'm especially fond of the country village walks. You can tailor them to your level of physical fitness. Beware of the verticality; I've had guides literally DRAG me up the hillside after the river plunge.

If Sanputu is still there make sure you go out for an excursion with him. He is one of the most knowledgeable guides that I've ever had in Bali. He'll take you to his village compound, to allnight festivals, to hidden spots of incomparable natural beauty and all the while carry on a fascinating commentary on Balinese culture, flora and fauna.

Some don't like the architecture at the Alila and I admit it's not entirely successful. The rooms are in two story blocks. They are well designed, but on the smallish side. The downstairs rooms have little verandas; the upstairs rooms have balconies and better views.

If your budget allows pop for what they call a "suite" which is a large room with a wraparound balcony overlooking the river valley. In my book one of the best rooms anywhere -- even better than the Aman.

As far as the isolation factor goes -- I'd have to say it depends on what you're looking for. I like the Alila BECAUSE of the serenity and natural beauty it affords.

We've always enjoyed meeting people at the manager's cocktail parties, on the group trekking excursions, rafting, at cultural events or just striking up conversations at the pool or in the restaurant. I'd consider it a fairly friendly place, but if you're traveling alone you might find it too remote.

Carta
Your stay outside Ubud won't be remotely like the Huatulco experience - the village life in and around Ubud is amazingly varied, their are tons of restaurants and things to do. If you miss the shuttle or want to stay in town past the time it runs, taxis are easy to get and not that expensive (we paid $5 for a ride to Sayan/4Seasons one night). I think if you picked one of the tourist-enclave type Nusa Dua beach resorts, that would approximate what you experienced in Mexico -- as all that was built up for tourists. The "near" Ubud resorts are just not as remote. I was surprised at how close other satellite villages were to our hotel outside Ubud.
You'll have an amazing time !!

Marmot + Jenskar - thank you the feedback and insights.

Marmot -
Which website did you go through to make reservations ar Alila?

http://chedi-ubud.com

http://www.alilahotels.com

The first one seems to direct me through Access Bali Online.

Carta, Sorry, I've never used the on-line booking.