Last Minute Bali Honeymoon
 

Hi all,

I know I haven't been on here as much as I used to- I quit my job and going back to school has left me much less time to post!

My now-husband and I had a 2 week honeymoon to Bali planned directly after our wedding in October. About 8 hours after landing we found out my Dad had fallen and was in the ICU, and we flew home on the first flight. He passed away a week later, and we lost my first dog that week as well.
We had planned on returning to Bali, but my husband's work schedule is a bit crazy. Last week, we lost our other dog, at age 3, due to what the vets can only determine to be a genetic issue as it was quick (he was 100% fine 24 hours before he passed away). He passed away 6 months to the day after my old guy.
Needless to say, it's been a rough few months. And my husband's boss has pretty much insisted he take time off, so we're going back to Bali, in a month!

We'll be in Ubud for 8 nights, Nusa Dua for 4. We ended up being able to get credit at both hotels we'd originally booked, which made that a bunch easier. But now planning! I had a great big list of temples I wanted to visit, but in the rush, left that in Bali I believe.

As we're getting short on time, I was hoping I could use some of y'alls expertise to get booking!
Any recommended tour guides? We would book through our hotels, but their rates are 2-3x higher than anything else I'm seeing that's equivalent.
Can't miss temples? Tanah Lot and Ulun Danu Beradan are on my list!

We have reservations at a few places in Ubud for dinner, as well as one night in Nusa Dua, but we're always open to recommendations!

Sorry this is so long, I appreciate all of your help!

My sincere sympathies for the many losses and stresses that have marked the start of your path together. Best of wishes for many years of delight in and with each other, which I hope will hold fewer tragic events to mark the time.

FWIW, I skipped Tanah Lot -- from what I could tell, it would take me MUCH too long to get there and back, particularly if one's goal was to see sunset. My understanding was that I would need to be there HOURS in advance, just to claim a place, and then spend HOURS getting through both the foot and car traffic afterwards. I can't swear to the accuracy of that information, but you might want to give it some thought.

In contrast, I thought Pura Ulun Danu an absolute delight. :-)

I'm sure Fodor's experts on Bali will soon chime in, but you might want to take a glance at my long, but searchable trip report -- I spent a chunk of time on fascinating Bali less than a year ago:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...a-and-bali.cfm

Hope that helps!

Oh, you have been through so much - I'm glad you are finally getting the honeymoon!

As far as temples are concerned, Tanah Lot is better from a distance than close ego, as it is so crowded. There are zillions of temples on Bali, few strike me as must-see (and I've seen lot of them!). Uluwatu is lovely as is Ulun Danu Beratan.

I don't have a drijver in Bali, but Bob (rhkkmk) has a driver named Putu that he loves. You could tell Putu what you are interested in and let him make the choices. Do a search here.

Have a wonderful honeymoon.

I wholeheartedly recommend my driver for Bali, Amik:
[email protected]

Thank you both so much! I will definitely take heed of your advice on Tanah Lot, hubby isn't big into crowds :)

Kja- I will for sure look into your trip report and contact your driver as needed!

On the contrary, we liked Tanah Lot and didn't have any problems with the crowds at all when we visited in the morning. The setting truly is lovely.

We found our Ubud driver in town on our own, and he knew all of the best routes and time to visit various places. I think you will discover that finding a driver is no problem at all, and many will be seeking out your business; in fact, even the driver supplied by our hotel for short distances and for airport pickup were constantly asking us if we needed a driver.

Have you considered a bike trip out of Ubud? They are in reality much more a sightseeing opportunity than serious biking. We liked the one we took a lot, and it ended up in the family complex of the owner where we were served an eight course homemade Balinese meal.

You have had a very rough year; I'm sorry.

Julie- the biking might be a fun thing- hubby likes to mountain bike, but I'm not a super strong biker- are there lots of hills? Are helmets provided?

We'll keep Tanah Lot on the short list, with a note to head there in the morning!

This is the cycling company we used, and I'd recommend them. They picked us up at our hotel in Ubud and also picked up another family of three at their hotel. There were two guides for the five of us, and they really knew a lot about the culture and were very good at describing things to us. As far as hills, there were only three, and they weren't hard at all. Helmets were provided and the bikes were decent. In reality it was not a serious cycling day (maybe 1.5 to 2 hours of biking) but more of a cultural sightseeing day. I think we were probably back at our hotel by 2:00 or so. Do it!

http://www.jegegbalicycling.com/

That sounds right up our alley!! Thank you! :)

Greetings from japan.

Putu is fabulous-- a one man shop-- he will take you to every important site for about $50 per day in his comfortable SUV.

[email protected]

Or Google him

TAnana lot is very attractive froma distance.

Eat fish on the beach

Read my trip reports for restaurants and other info by clicking on my name

I'm glad your Bali honeymoon is back on track! Will you be in Bali during the Ubud Food Festival, May 12-14? It's a worthwhile event.

You will have no problem arranging drivers in Bali. For short trips where you don't need a guide, you can take a metered taxi from Nusa Dua. In Ubud there are no meters, but transport is readily available. You just need to set the price, either by destination or by hour with the driver before you start off. Both taxis and transport drivers are usually more than willing to wait for you while you while you have a meal, shop or sightsee. Again, just set the payment terms in advance.

My favorite restaurants in Ubud are Locavore (reservations essential) and Hujan Locale (upstairs). In Seminyak (Petitenget) I like Sardine, La Lucciola and Sarong. There are also quite a few small, but very good, cafes in the Canggu area (north of Seminyak) as well as lively beach clubs like Finns. Seminyak is about an hour from Nusa Dua.

I have mixed feelings about Tanah Lot. It can be spectacular at sunset, especially if there's a low tide, but the crush of people can be dispiriting. I feel the same way about the mother temple at Besikih. It's a wonderful experience but better with a good guide to run interference.

Basically, temples -- large and small -- are everywhere in Bali and you will see ceremonies and processions wherever you are, especially around the full and new moons.

While I fully believe all the stories of troubles at Besikih, I had very little difficulty. Because of all the horror stories I had read / heard, I went into some detail about my experience in my trip report.

kja, That's progress! needmorevacation, If you're a temple lover, you should add Besikih to your list.

@ marmot: So many people -- not just you -- warned me against it, but I'm very glad I went to Besikih! Of course, my experience could be unusual....

Thank you all so much! We will be on the ground June 11th thru the 24th, I believe there is an arts festival in Denpasar during that time?

Bob- thanks for the tip, off to read your trip reports! Enjoy Japan!

Marmot- Locavore was on my list, will need to make a reservation! I am a temple lover, not sure about hubby we shall see! (Thinking no, so I'll need to get in a bunch before he has a chance to say 'no more'!)

I really appreciate all of your help!

The arts festival offers some wonderful performances but I much prefer to see dances in venues around Ubud or at temple ceremonies. Your hotel or guide will be able to tell you what's on.

Thanks Marmot, staying in Ubud versus heading into Denpasar is a welcome relief! :)

Make an appointment and visit the John Hardy factory... interesting and fun