Thanks, I will consider contacting him! My boyfriend would like to consider booking a car/guide once we reach there rather than in advance. Would that be cheaper? Can we set up a guide through our hotel? I realize that the guide may not be as good, but has any one have any really bad experiences with finding a guide this way?

My only experience with setting up a guide thru my hotel was in Quito, Ecuador and I wasn't happy with it. I've had better luck relying on other Fodorites recommendations. My only concern waiting until you get there is that it is high season and good guides book up quickly. If all you want is a driver, you probably can get that easily thru your hotel. I liked that Putu was both a driver and a guide.

Ok, I'll email Putu and maybe I can convince my boyfriend then :) Thanks!

goingtoitaly....you won't be sorry! I also liked that he had a comfortable new car and drove safely...which is saying something in Bali!

so I emailed Putu and he responded saying he himself is not available but his partner is. Does anyone have experience with his partner? Do you think it would still be worthwhile?

i have never heard that he has a partner, but i do not think he would pass you to someone who is not 1st class

Hi,
Although I posted the Bali photos that accompany this trip report separately, I thought I should add the link to view them at the bottom of this report for future reference.

http://barefootbeach.smugmug.com/pho...AlbumKey=TkGh6

Barefootbeach ... I really enjoyed reading your report of Bali. My husband and I are thinking of going to Bali either Feb. or March 2011 and are trying to gather as much info as possible before we start making arrangements. We have 3 weeks and were hoping to spend 2 weeks on Bali and one week on Java (mainly Yogy and Solo). I'm concerned that this will be too much time in one place. Do you have any recommendations in splitting up the 2 week time frame as to where to stay on the island?

ghisl....you are so lucky to be able to spend that much time...Two weeks is definitely not overkill in Bali. I think others on this site are better equipped to answer you since they've been to more places, but based on what I've read or experienced, I'd say spend 4-5 nights in the beach area ( I wish we'd stayed in Sanur area (more authentic...or maybe split the beach time with Seminyak and Sanur)...We did love The Legian and there are some excellent restaurants to try in the Seminyak area. I'd spend a few days out on eastern Bali, and the bulk of the time in the Ubud area since there's so much to see/do & just relax.

I think March would be better than Feb. to visit for less rain. Hope this helps!

Thanks so much for posting the photos - they are beautiful!!!

Junejuly, thanks for looking at them!

wowww....so impress with the photos

I totally enjoyed reading your report...We are doing a similiar Bali trip in January...I wish i could open your pic's but my server does not allow if for some reason.

We were in Bali in 1996.. This trip we decided to make a combo trip..9 days in Bali and 10 days in Goa, India, to visit friends.

I booked the Komenaka at Monkey Forest, Ubud with a plunge pool for the first 5 nights, as we wanted a location close to town and this looked like a great choice at a reasonable price. I am not sure what we are doing yet, but one of the things i really want to do that we didn't do last time, is ride a bike along the rice paddies, but i don't want to be on a day tour.

For the next 3 nights i booked a Pool Villa at the Dusun Villas in Seminyak...Last time we stayed in Legian at the Bali Mandira, and this time thought we would try out something different...The property looks beautiful..This is the first time we are going to have rooms with private pools and i am looking forward to it.

It didn't sound like u liked Seminyak much, i am hoping that for 3 nights with will like it, it is nice to try out something different.

If you have any recommondations what we should do i would love to hear them..or any other info other than what u have already posted...Thanks.

Tracy

Tracy, Sorry this took so long to reply, but I've been on vacation in Oregon.
I also wish we had done more along the rice paddies..our hotel offered a walking tour through them that i heard was great. Bike riding would be fun.
I shouldn't say that I didn't like Seminyak...It just wasn't very pristine, but when you're on the beach it's lovely. Three nights will be perfect....we just had two nights and it was rushed.
I'm sorry I can't think of anything else to recommend other than what was in the trip report. I should have allowed more time at Ubud's Neki art museum....it was quite charming. And, I heard that the Mask museum is well worthwhile. We really enjoyed the white river rafting trip down the Ayung river. But, I would limit the number of temples you see...it's so charming and beautiful at first, but I did get templed out. Hope this helps and you have a wonderful trip!

Was the Ayung River with Sobek? Is it a full day trip?

rivet,
yes, we went with Sobek and thought they did a great job. It's a half day trip. I think about 2 to 2 1/2 hours of actual rafting.

TracyB the Dusun is a lovely property. I stayed near it in July this year. There are several wonderful villas all in that location . Bodyworks is walking distance around the corner and that makes it nice for a massage and then home for a nap etc . Sea Circus Restaurant is nearby - try it - lovely tapas type food .All up it is well situated and quiet .

I like staying in Monkey Forest Rd as well because you are able to walk out the door to cafes and shops .

This is a wonderful report -- we are planning to go back to Bali this winter and I was wondering what to do that we had not in 2007 -- thank you SO much for the details.

You're welcome, jenskar2. Glad someone still got some use out of it!