Bali Sights
Jul 8th, 2009, 12:26 PM
#1
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Bali Sights
Bali Sights ...
We will be a group of 10 to 14 people ranging in age from late 20's to early 70's (all healthy and active) and plan on getting a vehicle (with a guide) that can handle all of us for 2 full days; and therefore, should be able to plan our own itinerary or at least have some flexibility with a tour operator's itinerary.
Day 1 -- arrive and spend the afternoon on our own --beach and/or shopping.
Day 2 -- full day of sight seeing.
Day 3 -- full day of sight seeing.
Day 4 -- on our own -- beach and/or shopping.
Day 5 -- depart in the am.
Sights Day 1:
- Taman Ayun Temple
- Alas Kedaton (monkey forest)
- Bedugal (Ulun Danu Temple and Lake Beratan)
- Tegalalang (rice terraces)
- Tanah Lot (sea temple at sunset)
Sights Day 2:
- Batubulan (Barong Dance)
- Mas (Handcraft center)
- Ubud (Art market and Royal Palace)
- Bedulu (Elephant Cave)
- Kintamini (Mt Batur (active volcano) and Lake Batur)
- Besakih Temple
- Batu Bulun Village
Most of us have never been to Bali and, in all likelihood, it will be our only trip to Bali. Should we be considering different sights? Are there must see sights or must do things that we should be looking into? We have a day and a half that can be converted from shopping/beach to heading off to see more sights or ....... ?
We welcome any and all suggestions.
We will be a group of 10 to 14 people ranging in age from late 20's to early 70's (all healthy and active) and plan on getting a vehicle (with a guide) that can handle all of us for 2 full days; and therefore, should be able to plan our own itinerary or at least have some flexibility with a tour operator's itinerary.
Day 1 -- arrive and spend the afternoon on our own --beach and/or shopping.
Day 2 -- full day of sight seeing.
Day 3 -- full day of sight seeing.
Day 4 -- on our own -- beach and/or shopping.
Day 5 -- depart in the am.
Sights Day 1:
- Taman Ayun Temple
- Alas Kedaton (monkey forest)
- Bedugal (Ulun Danu Temple and Lake Beratan)
- Tegalalang (rice terraces)
- Tanah Lot (sea temple at sunset)
Sights Day 2:
- Batubulan (Barong Dance)
- Mas (Handcraft center)
- Ubud (Art market and Royal Palace)
- Bedulu (Elephant Cave)
- Kintamini (Mt Batur (active volcano) and Lake Batur)
- Besakih Temple
- Batu Bulun Village
Most of us have never been to Bali and, in all likelihood, it will be our only trip to Bali. Should we be considering different sights? Are there must see sights or must do things that we should be looking into? We have a day and a half that can be converted from shopping/beach to heading off to see more sights or ....... ?
We welcome any and all suggestions.
Jul 9th, 2009, 05:12 AM
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I agree with Bob. I did a day trip to Goa Lawah (bat cave) and Besaki, and that was a pretty full day from the Kuta area. I would do that one day, and a trip to Ubud (art market, monkey forest, Goa Gajah) on the other.
Jul 9th, 2009, 02:26 PM
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Day 1, I'd do items 2 and 3 for sure. Tanah Lot is far west, lots of driving. Day 2 I'd do the first 3 items, although you'd have to check when the Barong Dance will be performed. There are many venues for good classical dancing and even though Batubulan is famous for its dancers, I would not plan my time and activities around the dance. Food is also part of the Bali experience so leave plenty of time to sample local places. Personally, I'd pass on the monkeys and elephants. You will see monkeys everywhere and elephants are not indigenous to Bali. I've just posted about my recent trip to Bali and mention some unhappy info on visiting Besakih Temple, do some research to see if you think its worth the hassles.
Jul 9th, 2009, 04:18 PM
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Endoh, these are all interesting places but the itinerary involves a fair amount of driving. I've heard about similar tours (but have never actually joined) for groups that wanted to see a little bit of everything in a short period of time. So if the "sampler" approach is what you have in mind then that's what you'll get.
You have a rather large group and surely everyone will have different objectives. In Bali it's sometimes better to get out and walk around rather than drive by, but that may not be possible under the circumstances.
I'd talk to the participants and decide how many temples, caves and religious/historical sites they want to see. What do they want to shop for? What are the interested in photographing -- people or scenery.
Basically, climbing in and out of the bus can be numbing even though the stops themselves have merit. I'd pick four destinations for each day.
Personally, I like the Barong dance in Batabulan and find Bedulu an interesting archeological stop. (The elephants are stone.) I'd say trying to do Kintamini, Besakih and Batu Bulun in an afternoon would be way, way too much. Spend some time with a guidebook or on the internet and see what appeals.
You have a rather large group and surely everyone will have different objectives. In Bali it's sometimes better to get out and walk around rather than drive by, but that may not be possible under the circumstances.
I'd talk to the participants and decide how many temples, caves and religious/historical sites they want to see. What do they want to shop for? What are the interested in photographing -- people or scenery.
Basically, climbing in and out of the bus can be numbing even though the stops themselves have merit. I'd pick four destinations for each day.
Personally, I like the Barong dance in Batabulan and find Bedulu an interesting archeological stop. (The elephants are stone.) I'd say trying to do Kintamini, Besakih and Batu Bulun in an afternoon would be way, way too much. Spend some time with a guidebook or on the internet and see what appeals.
Jul 12th, 2009, 04:36 PM
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One thing that you need to consider is that the roads are often narrow and very windy. It takes longer than you think to get places when you just look on a map.It is also very hot and humid and you will not feel like rushing anywhere. A guide will definately be the best way to do exactly what you want to do. There are lots of good guides in Bali. Just do a search here or on tripadvisor.
Jul 13th, 2009, 12:19 AM
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Wow, I am exhausted just <i>reading</i> the itin, let alone trying to do it and with such a large group. The second day with Mt Batur and all the other stuff, really I don’t know how you will fit it all in. (Just stopping for lunch for 14 people is going to take a bit of time out of your day I would imagine, perhaps a picnic lunch can be arranged.) I would normally do Mt Batur as a day trip <i>on its own</i>; so I can’t imagine trying to fit it in with all the other items on that day’s itin. There is quite a bit to do in the area, including trips on the lake to villages. As noted above, driving can take longer than you think, as roads are not highways and are quite winding.
I was not aware that one can really tour the royal palace in Ubud. I think you can walk around the smallish grounds, but to the best of my knowledge there is no tour of any rooms inside. They do have dances there most every evening, so you might arrange the day so that you end up in Ubud in the late afternoon and then have dinner and go to the dances and head back to your hotel after that. Otherwise, you might arrange to see a dance one evening from somewhere near your hotel. That would free up your sightseeing days.
I would have to agree on skipping any monkey forest, really quite touristy and you have such a limited time and there are so many other actually interesting things. If you really feel the need, then make a quick stop at the one at Ubud as part of a walk in the village.
Sunset in Bali is normally around 6 pm. This means you need to be there before that time to actually see the sunset. The time varies very little during the year, maybe by about 15-30 minutes in summer versus fall/winter (as Bali is just below the equator, and remember that fall/winter is April-September below the equator so days are shorter then). To do all you want to do and also get to Tanah Lot in time for sunset may be pushing it. See http://www.sunrisesunset.com/ for timings. I would also suggest you consider going to Uluwatu temple for sunset one day from your hotel (From you other posts, I see that you are staying down in the Kuta area) as that would free up time on your other days.
I am more of an advocate of seeing Bali on foot or on a bike, as whizzing by in a car will not really give you much of a feel for the place, IMO. Perhaps a day bike trip in the upcountry areas could be organized for some or all of the group, or a walk in the Ubud area. This could include visits to temples, etc. Also, with that many people you may need 2 vans. I am not sure you can get 14 people into a bemo/van. Even 10 IMO will be pushing it.
Finally, as almost all of your selected sightseeing sights are located inland, you might want to consider staying someplace inland like Ubud rather than the beach areas. The beaches in Bali are fine, but nothing really special, and you can get a hotel in Ubud with a pool which will give you access to a cool dip should you want one. (If you live in Hong Kong, then IMO the beaches of Sai Kung and south Lantau are as nice as Bali. Water is cleaner of course, but you would be hard pressed to say Kuta is prettier. If you want azure blue water and powdery white sand go to Phuket or the Maldives.) If you stay in Ubud, you could see Ubud and close environs on your “relaxing” days (esp by bike and walking), go to dances in the evening, and IMO you will be a good deal closer to your other sights from there. For example, the elephant caves are something like 3-4 miles from Ubud. (You can also do things like whitewater rafting in Ubud which may appeal to the younger members of the group.) You can do an afternoon trip to Mas and southern coastal areas to catch sunset at Uluwatu or Tanah Lot if you want.
Your message seems to indicate that some in the group have been to Bali. They might be good sources of suggestions as well.
I was not aware that one can really tour the royal palace in Ubud. I think you can walk around the smallish grounds, but to the best of my knowledge there is no tour of any rooms inside. They do have dances there most every evening, so you might arrange the day so that you end up in Ubud in the late afternoon and then have dinner and go to the dances and head back to your hotel after that. Otherwise, you might arrange to see a dance one evening from somewhere near your hotel. That would free up your sightseeing days.
I would have to agree on skipping any monkey forest, really quite touristy and you have such a limited time and there are so many other actually interesting things. If you really feel the need, then make a quick stop at the one at Ubud as part of a walk in the village.
Sunset in Bali is normally around 6 pm. This means you need to be there before that time to actually see the sunset. The time varies very little during the year, maybe by about 15-30 minutes in summer versus fall/winter (as Bali is just below the equator, and remember that fall/winter is April-September below the equator so days are shorter then). To do all you want to do and also get to Tanah Lot in time for sunset may be pushing it. See http://www.sunrisesunset.com/ for timings. I would also suggest you consider going to Uluwatu temple for sunset one day from your hotel (From you other posts, I see that you are staying down in the Kuta area) as that would free up time on your other days.
I am more of an advocate of seeing Bali on foot or on a bike, as whizzing by in a car will not really give you much of a feel for the place, IMO. Perhaps a day bike trip in the upcountry areas could be organized for some or all of the group, or a walk in the Ubud area. This could include visits to temples, etc. Also, with that many people you may need 2 vans. I am not sure you can get 14 people into a bemo/van. Even 10 IMO will be pushing it.
Finally, as almost all of your selected sightseeing sights are located inland, you might want to consider staying someplace inland like Ubud rather than the beach areas. The beaches in Bali are fine, but nothing really special, and you can get a hotel in Ubud with a pool which will give you access to a cool dip should you want one. (If you live in Hong Kong, then IMO the beaches of Sai Kung and south Lantau are as nice as Bali. Water is cleaner of course, but you would be hard pressed to say Kuta is prettier. If you want azure blue water and powdery white sand go to Phuket or the Maldives.) If you stay in Ubud, you could see Ubud and close environs on your “relaxing” days (esp by bike and walking), go to dances in the evening, and IMO you will be a good deal closer to your other sights from there. For example, the elephant caves are something like 3-4 miles from Ubud. (You can also do things like whitewater rafting in Ubud which may appeal to the younger members of the group.) You can do an afternoon trip to Mas and southern coastal areas to catch sunset at Uluwatu or Tanah Lot if you want.
Your message seems to indicate that some in the group have been to Bali. They might be good sources of suggestions as well.
Jul 19th, 2009, 10:18 AM
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We just got back from Bali. Love, love, love it. We were there for 8 days, and we didn't feel like we had enogh time to explore that beautiful island. Your itin looks awfully packed.
Couple suggestions for your big party with limited time:
1. Don't stop by any "factory" "handmade craft/jewelry" centers. You will waste a lot of time there shopping. (The tour guide will strongly recommend you to go because he gets commission.)
2. Less is always better...you will get to enjoy it more instead of rushing in snd out. It does take a while to get from one place to another because many roads are one-lane and traffic is always jam.
3. If I have to drop something from your list, I'd skip the active volcano part. Don't know where are you from, but Mt. Batur looks similar to some of the US mountains.
Couple suggestions for your big party with limited time:
1. Don't stop by any "factory" "handmade craft/jewelry" centers. You will waste a lot of time there shopping. (The tour guide will strongly recommend you to go because he gets commission.)
2. Less is always better...you will get to enjoy it more instead of rushing in snd out. It does take a while to get from one place to another because many roads are one-lane and traffic is always jam.
3. If I have to drop something from your list, I'd skip the active volcano part. Don't know where are you from, but Mt. Batur looks similar to some of the US mountains.
Aug 11th, 2009, 08:23 AM
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Thanks for all of the helpful comments .... we have made a lot of changes to our initial itinerary.
Day 1:
Pura Uluwatu
Dreamland/Klapa Lounge
Day 2
Handicrafts center (Silver, Batik or Statue Craft)
Tegalalang –
Kintamani (Mt. Batur and Lake Batur) –
Pura Tirta Empul (Tampak Siring) –
Pasar Ubud –
Puri Ubud –
Day 3
Tanjung Benoa Water Sport Center - Glass Bottom Boat + Turtle Island –
JOGER
Discovery Mall Kuta /Kuta Square/Kuta Beach
Dance show at dinner
Day 4
Pura Ulundanu
Bedugul -
Tanah Lot -
Aromatherapy Spa
Day 5
Monumen Niti Mandala,
Denpasar –
Titiles –
7pm to airport
This should give us more time for travel and more time to relax.
Any suggestions?
Day 1:
Pura Uluwatu
Dreamland/Klapa Lounge
Day 2
Handicrafts center (Silver, Batik or Statue Craft)
Tegalalang –
Kintamani (Mt. Batur and Lake Batur) –
Pura Tirta Empul (Tampak Siring) –
Pasar Ubud –
Puri Ubud –
Day 3
Tanjung Benoa Water Sport Center - Glass Bottom Boat + Turtle Island –
JOGER
Discovery Mall Kuta /Kuta Square/Kuta Beach
Dance show at dinner
Day 4
Pura Ulundanu
Bedugul -
Tanah Lot -
Aromatherapy Spa
Day 5
Monumen Niti Mandala,
Denpasar –
Titiles –
7pm to airport
This should give us more time for travel and more time to relax.
Any suggestions?
