Gpanda's Bali trip Report
May 22nd, 2008, 08:59 PM
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Gpanda's Bali trip Report
Left Boston on a United flight to San Francisco at 6:00 p.m.. WStuffed into a packed economy seat. No food except for purchase snacks. We outsmarted then with sandwiches from Formaggio's, a Cambridge italian delicatessen. An old-fashioned movie was shown on driop down screens.
Four hour layover in SFO, then onto a Singapore Air flight to Siongapore with a stop in Hong Kong. Much more room in economy. Food was decent. In seat video was also decent. Almost everyone else on the plane was Asian.
After short stop in HK, an easy hop to singapore.
Now using free internet access in Terminal 3. We took showers at the Ambassador transit loung for $8S. Very refreshing.
Will check in later in trip.
Four hour layover in SFO, then onto a Singapore Air flight to Siongapore with a stop in Hong Kong. Much more room in economy. Food was decent. In seat video was also decent. Almost everyone else on the plane was Asian.
After short stop in HK, an easy hop to singapore.
Now using free internet access in Terminal 3. We took showers at the Ambassador transit loung for $8S. Very refreshing.
Will check in later in trip.
May 22nd, 2008, 10:32 PM
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WELCOME TO ASIA... its a fantastic day here in lombok....we just love it here...
our flight back to bali now leaves here at 4 so we should be at the hotel before 6, if all goes well...our flight was 2 hours late coming here...
our flight back to bali now leaves here at 4 so we should be at the hotel before 6, if all goes well...our flight was 2 hours late coming here...
May 22nd, 2008, 11:05 PM
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Hey Gpanda, hope you enjoy Bali even if you do have to put up with Bob - I can see the thought has already started to affect your spelling!
Anyway enjoy, Bali, particularly the hills is lovely - just on our back door.
Regards,
Mary
Anyway enjoy, Bali, particularly the hills is lovely - just on our back door.
Regards,
Mary
May 23rd, 2008, 05:55 AM
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Andy, I don't know if you and Beth have been though Changi before. It gets my vote for best airport in the world. Free internet was very nice... we had a few hours there once and discovered a place that does foot massage and pedicures. We flew off to wherever we were going with happy feet!
May 23rd, 2008, 04:23 PM
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Greetings 'panda',
... so glad to see you flew a certain Singaporean airline, all the way, from the Bay, to sweet SIN ... (dearly beloved, SQ1, one of my all-time business - and occasional pleasure - travel favourites) ... and one of mrs. m's best friends' special sectors -- (and beyond) ...
... have fun in Bali ... will always remember the 'in-villa' massage treatments at the Four Seasons Sayan ... (completely legitimate and professional, mind you -- was with the better half) ...
... don't know if you're eventually flying home out of Changi via SQ2, but if you do, well, you arrive nice and early (preferably from one of our favourites, the SIN FS), and should you be flying Y, and don't have the SQ PPS / various airline status to get into those fine SQ Silver Kris Lounges (and just between us: the SQ ICN SKL F is my current SQ SKL favourite, but even it doesn't hold a candle to the TG Royal First Lounge and Spa at BKK - please don't tell my SQ-forever wife), well, there is something even better : you and your loved one simply, slowly, walk around Changi, and take in one of our planet's most precious creations : Singapore Girls, thrusting out their chests, sucking in their tiny tummies, and sashaying away throughout charming Changi ... (never fails to melt my heart) ...
... savour your tender Asian times -- (with exquisite women) ...
macintosh (robert)
... The Romance of Travel Lives On ...
(Singapore Airlines)
... so glad to see you flew a certain Singaporean airline, all the way, from the Bay, to sweet SIN ... (dearly beloved, SQ1, one of my all-time business - and occasional pleasure - travel favourites) ... and one of mrs. m's best friends' special sectors -- (and beyond) ...
... have fun in Bali ... will always remember the 'in-villa' massage treatments at the Four Seasons Sayan ... (completely legitimate and professional, mind you -- was with the better half) ...
... don't know if you're eventually flying home out of Changi via SQ2, but if you do, well, you arrive nice and early (preferably from one of our favourites, the SIN FS), and should you be flying Y, and don't have the SQ PPS / various airline status to get into those fine SQ Silver Kris Lounges (and just between us: the SQ ICN SKL F is my current SQ SKL favourite, but even it doesn't hold a candle to the TG Royal First Lounge and Spa at BKK - please don't tell my SQ-forever wife), well, there is something even better : you and your loved one simply, slowly, walk around Changi, and take in one of our planet's most precious creations : Singapore Girls, thrusting out their chests, sucking in their tiny tummies, and sashaying away throughout charming Changi ... (never fails to melt my heart) ...
... savour your tender Asian times -- (with exquisite women) ...
macintosh (robert)
... The Romance of Travel Lives On ...
(Singapore Airlines)
May 27th, 2008, 11:32 AM
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Gloria , both islands have changed a lot since 1989. I first went to Lombok in 1982 and accomodation was quite basic -I think it was the Hotel Sasaka Beach and the Hotel Suranadi we stayed at .The former was built in the 70's and the latter had been a retreat for the Dutch and was built on the site of a natural spring which fed the swimming pool .Now of course there are some remakably lovely hotels and unhappily there has been racial unrest / religious intolerance in the not too distant past.But I remember the locals as lovely then and on the 3 subsequent trips .
As for Bali it was my first overseas trip and I fell in love with it and that " affair " has never ended .
I am looking forward to Gpandas trip report especially as I am going back on 8 June and it is always good to read reliable reports from all of you extremely knowledgable Asia experts .
As for Bali it was my first overseas trip and I fell in love with it and that " affair " has never ended .
I am looking forward to Gpandas trip report especially as I am going back on 8 June and it is always good to read reliable reports from all of you extremely knowledgable Asia experts .
May 27th, 2008, 01:18 PM
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John-- when I went to Lombok there was one new "luxury" hotel. I think it was an Oberoi. But there were still very few tourists and certainly not many americans (I figured that out when I got off the plane and saw that the name of the tourist agency was swastika tours_. Yes, I know it's a hindu symbol but it ain't the best name for marketing purposes if you want americans or english or french. 
. Very little English was spoken but, yes, the people were lovely. But I had already left my heart in Bali and,frankly, couldn't wait to get back!
. Very little English was spoken but, yes, the people were lovely. But I had already left my heart in Bali and,frankly, couldn't wait to get back!
May 28th, 2008, 07:10 PM
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My first trip to Bali was in 1988 and it was magical! I've been back since and I've been to Lombok as well. The two cultures are very different. But Lombok is so much less visited than Bali it retains a very rural, untouched feel to it. We stayed at Qunci Villas right after they opened (maybe 2002) and recommended them to Bob and Karen. Our stay there was idyllic with nearly empty beaches (better beaches than Bali), the slow pace and the lovely people. I'll be interested to hear what they have to say about their stay.
May 28th, 2008, 07:12 PM
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I feel like we need to keep responding the this thread to keep it near the top... Andy and Bob where are you? The excuse of being so charmed by Bali that you didn't have time to post won't keep the penalties at bay forever.
May 28th, 2008, 07:33 PM
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If they don't respond soon we will have to start a new thread: Where are Bob and Andy?
If anyone is artistic, we can even draw a map, a la "Where is Waldo?" and see if we can pinpoint them......
My guess is: at a beach, under a palm tree, near a massage hut and arguing over that evening's dinner spot.
If anyone is artistic, we can even draw a map, a la "Where is Waldo?" and see if we can pinpoint them......
My guess is: at a beach, under a palm tree, near a massage hut and arguing over that evening's dinner spot.
May 29th, 2008, 01:55 AM
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Don't pay the ransom, I've escaped from my captors. I scribbled a few notes into my skin, so I can continue the report.
The flight from Singapore to Bali was an easy jump. Remembering Craig's issue, I used the ATM by the baggage carosel. Of course, I was so tired, I couldn't properly do the math the first several times, but eventually i got 3,000,000 Rupiah.
The hotel driver, Alam Shanti, was waiting for us and off we went. The ride took about an hour. Check in was easy. We had Gaanga for the first two nights. The room is unbelievable, huge gorgeous, well-appointed with a view of the rice fields.
When we finally collapsed into bed, 40 hours after leaving out house, a funny thing happened. As repoprted by Beth the next morning, I fell asleep immediately. However, we apparently continued to have a conversation. She said I responded really slowly and made no sense whatsoever. She thought I was having a stroke. This worried her so much, she stayed awake for another 15 minutes. I have no memory.
The flight from Singapore to Bali was an easy jump. Remembering Craig's issue, I used the ATM by the baggage carosel. Of course, I was so tired, I couldn't properly do the math the first several times, but eventually i got 3,000,000 Rupiah.
The hotel driver, Alam Shanti, was waiting for us and off we went. The ride took about an hour. Check in was easy. We had Gaanga for the first two nights. The room is unbelievable, huge gorgeous, well-appointed with a view of the rice fields.
When we finally collapsed into bed, 40 hours after leaving out house, a funny thing happened. As repoprted by Beth the next morning, I fell asleep immediately. However, we apparently continued to have a conversation. She said I responded really slowly and made no sense whatsoever. She thought I was having a stroke. This worried her so much, she stayed awake for another 15 minutes. I have no memory.
May 29th, 2008, 02:16 AM
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Up early and went for a run through the Monkey Forest and into downtown Ubud. There were just a few people up and about.
Breakfast was fruit salad with yogurt and honey, a cinamon crepe, juice, tea and toast. Very good.
Putu, our guide, picked us up at 10:00 a.m.. Craig found him. He is a great guide. Very knowledgable, very bright, great English and very relaxed. I highly recommend him. He will pick you up from any hotel in Bali, it does not have to be in Ubud. If you're going to Bali, you should definitely use his services.
We were first taken to Putu's family compound. This was a perfect introduction to the communal aspects of Balinese life. There are twenty people living there. We saw the family temple, living quarters, kitchen and living area. Putu patiently explained everything. We met a few of his aunties carrying out their daily chores.
Right around the corner, we popped in and saw how grass roofs are made. The tying of each bunch of grass and the fastening to each bamboo pole. This was really interesting when we saw so may of these roofs later on.
We then wandered north east to a great view of the terraces rice fields. This is the quintessential landscape of Bali. It is picture-perfect.
WE ate lunch at a restaurant on a lake. It reminded me of Lake Taqhoe, surrounded by mountains and crisp, clean air. No casinos.
Off to look at a lava field at the foot of a volcano. Putu explained the significance of the use of the volcanic rock for construction in Bali.
We then went to a Water temple. This is an impressive place. Many Balinese bathe in the waters. There were busloads of Balinese. Putu discovered that these were students studying to be guides.
As an aside, many Balinese go to university to study tourism. Putu went for four years. One manager of a restaurant, Terrazo, went for two years. Afterwards, he worked on a cruise ship out of the Us for 15 years. Apparently, the cruise lines recruit many people from Bali. Putu's brother works on a cruise ship. Tourism is a huge industry in Bali and it is much studied.
After the water temple, we went to another close-by temple that was down in a gorge. To get there, you walk down steps for a very long time. At the bottom are many large images carved into the rock. Very impressive.
Returned to the hotel. Walked to Laka Leke, a restaurant owned by the hotel's owner abou 1/4 of a mile away. We had Indonesian food that was decent, but not great. We snuck out during the Frog dance that was performed in a central stage. Collapsed into bed.
Breakfast was fruit salad with yogurt and honey, a cinamon crepe, juice, tea and toast. Very good.
Putu, our guide, picked us up at 10:00 a.m.. Craig found him. He is a great guide. Very knowledgable, very bright, great English and very relaxed. I highly recommend him. He will pick you up from any hotel in Bali, it does not have to be in Ubud. If you're going to Bali, you should definitely use his services.
We were first taken to Putu's family compound. This was a perfect introduction to the communal aspects of Balinese life. There are twenty people living there. We saw the family temple, living quarters, kitchen and living area. Putu patiently explained everything. We met a few of his aunties carrying out their daily chores.
Right around the corner, we popped in and saw how grass roofs are made. The tying of each bunch of grass and the fastening to each bamboo pole. This was really interesting when we saw so may of these roofs later on.
We then wandered north east to a great view of the terraces rice fields. This is the quintessential landscape of Bali. It is picture-perfect.
WE ate lunch at a restaurant on a lake. It reminded me of Lake Taqhoe, surrounded by mountains and crisp, clean air. No casinos.
Off to look at a lava field at the foot of a volcano. Putu explained the significance of the use of the volcanic rock for construction in Bali.
We then went to a Water temple. This is an impressive place. Many Balinese bathe in the waters. There were busloads of Balinese. Putu discovered that these were students studying to be guides.
As an aside, many Balinese go to university to study tourism. Putu went for four years. One manager of a restaurant, Terrazo, went for two years. Afterwards, he worked on a cruise ship out of the Us for 15 years. Apparently, the cruise lines recruit many people from Bali. Putu's brother works on a cruise ship. Tourism is a huge industry in Bali and it is much studied.
After the water temple, we went to another close-by temple that was down in a gorge. To get there, you walk down steps for a very long time. At the bottom are many large images carved into the rock. Very impressive.
Returned to the hotel. Walked to Laka Leke, a restaurant owned by the hotel's owner abou 1/4 of a mile away. We had Indonesian food that was decent, but not great. We snuck out during the Frog dance that was performed in a central stage. Collapsed into bed.
