Well after all this planning (and waiting...and waiting) we're finally almost there. One week from tonight we'll be boarding our plane for Bangkok and then on to Bali.

I'd say I'm more excited than ever for this trip, but I feel like I've said that to you all before on all our other trips.

Suffice it to say, though, this trip has been something we've tried planning multiple times and it's awesome to finally be going! Albeit, a bit sad that we won't be able to partake in the originally-planned-for May GTG in Bali, but I have a feeling Bali will need a break before his Bobness and the Panda come parading into town.

Definitely going through the last week crazies: can't focus on work, starting to pack (the DH thinks I'm nuts) and double and triple checking our to-do list. It's a mix of adrenaline, anxiety, excitement and panic. In some sort of neurotic way, I do love this feeling. It's one of my favorite parts of traveling.

Thanks to all for your help planning!

Have a great trip Will. Looking forward to hearing all about it.

Here's a thought that you will ignore. The weather will be so perfect in Bali that you will only need a few clothes. Some shirts, some shorts, some pants and some shoes. You and David will have a great time and justice will have been restored to the NCAA tournament.

Oh, you guys are going to have a great time in Bali! (she says with just a wee bit of jealousy....)
And I agree that planning, packing and angst-ing just heighten the anticipation.

What does your final itinerary look like? What do you decide with your Ubud hotel options?

Oops, I never did post a final itinerary, did I?

We pretty much have stuck to the original plan with a few deviations.

We fly from LA to Bangkok to Denpasar (this is the longest amount of travel we've ever done at once; previously flown to Bangkok direct but never connected on for another 4 1/2 hours--should be interesting!)

Then we're in Seminyak/Canggu for 2 nights (staying @ Tugu Bali) to decompress and get our bearings.

Then we head to Borobudur for 2 nights (@ Saraswati Borobudur, on the temple grounds.)

Then we head back to Yogyakarta for 1 night (@ The Phoenix.)

Then we fly back to Bali and spend a week there, exploring the entire island with Ubud as our base. We stay 4 nights @ Kajane Mua and then change hotels and spend out last 3 nights at Bambu Indah (which is the hotel I'm MOST excited about!) We'll be touring with Putu for 3 of these days.

Finally, we fly to Kuala Lumpur for 2 nights (staying at The Traders Hotel) so we can get back into "city mode" before heading back to Los Angeles.

Should definitely be one of the memory books!

Sounds like an awesome trip. I'll look forward to your review of Bambu Indah. I stayed someplace similiar in Canggu, near the Tugu. If you like restored/old Balinese style places, you might want to check it out for lunch or a cocktail, when you're staying at the Tugu. www.desaseni.com

sounds fantastic...

Will, sounds like a great trip overall - can't wait to hear all about it. It will be an ordeal to get there but not as bad as what we had to do from the east coast: BDL-ORD-NRT-BKK-DPS. No matter what, it will be worth it.

I'll be interested to see if you like the Tugu - it was one of our favorites.

Have a great time! I look forward to your report.

I'm sure you'll have a great time! Enjoy...

There's nothing like the anticipation of going to a "new" place. No matter how much research we do it's always those serendipitous moments that make the trip special. Travel safe.

Have a good trip Billy and I'll keep the Bangkok airport open until you guys leave, 555.

Safe & happy travels!!

I fully expect to see you there dressed in your undercover airport uniform, Pooke: as a King Power Duty Free lady.

laartista, if our paths happen to cross, I hope we can try and catch up during our time in Ubud. Have no idea how to reach you, but you can email me @ [email protected]

FW enjoy that first (of many!!) G & T's at the airport, look forward to hearing all about your trip
X

Billy - I will be at the airport from 9.00 pm untill 11.30 pm this Friday, on our way to either S. Korea or Japan. Returning on Tues 6 April so the BKK airprt GTG is a real possibility!

A potential Fodorite airport criss-cross. Pulling that off would be quite a feat. Or is that fete?

You've never read "Airport 2010" by Peter Benchley?

I am so envious... you have less than a week until Bali. We still have 6 weeks to wait, and wait and wait etc. We also need the Panda to get his treatments over in a timely and orderly fashion with no detours. It won't be the same trip if they can't go. Enjoy, and some time when you are having a sunset drink think of us waiting and waiting.....