Jetstar to SE Asia - our experience
 

We've just got back from 2 weeks in Bali, flying Jetstar because that was the deal when we redeemed Qantas FF points.

Although we were ticketed by Qantas, and the flight carried a codeshare QF number (0343/0344), our "freeloader" status meant that we were treated as ordinary Jetstar pax and so required to shell out for meals, drinks, a personal video entertainment unit and even a "comfort pack" (small blanket and inflatable pillow). This despite the fact that our e-ticket stipulated that a meal was included.

We declined all options except the drinks, but from what I could see the hot meals looked reasonable. However, we felt that in view of the prohibition on taking liquids on board, Jetstar could have handed us a bottle of water on boarding.

Other than that, the flight had a Qantas feel about it (probably due to the friendly cabin crew) and we couldn't fault Jetstar's overall efficiency and service. In fact when I had a grumble about not getting a meal gratis the hostie shut me up with a free drink and the offer of more if I wanted it. (That's the idea - send the buggers to sleep.)

The seats on the Airbus A330 seemed to have a better pitch (i.e. more legroom) that on a Qantas 747, and the seat coverings felt classier.

Overall, as a relatively low-cost way of getting to Asian destinations (even allowing for shelling out for the above items) Jetstar strikes me as a quite reasonable option.

The only major improvement I could suggest would be a ban on passengers under say 5 years old. I couldn't believe how many people are so desperate for an overseas holiday, or so masochistic (and sadistic?) that they'll take their babies and ankle-biters along. I also observed many European (mainly Dutch) visitors to Bali doing the same thing, despite the much longer flight time.

The flight home was much better in this regard and also, being downhill, a good deal quicker.

NeilOZ - thats the price we have to pay, when we fly on discount airlines.
We are flying with Pacific Blue to Christchurch, NZ in November, and I know they don't offer meals, but when I look at our departure/arrival times, I would finished breakfast before taking off, and after 3 hrs flight, I should be arriving for lunch in Christchurch.

More importantly, Neil, how was the weather? Good time to escape; its been bloody cold here, even in the tropics.

Pat, the weather was great - range about 25-30, verging on cool in the hills in the north of the island, and a little unseasonal rain. Actually, a hell of a lot of rain on one day. Canberra is pretty bitter at the moment - max of 9 today combined with wind and spitting rain. I can't see the mountains to the south, but I'm pretty sure it's been snowing up there.

We really enjoyed the food, did a half-day cooking course in Ubud and I've been at the markets today buying ingredients for Balinese spice pastes. Unfortunately I couldn't find fresh kencur (pronounced ken-choor), which I thought might be grown up your way - does it make an appearance at Rusty's markets? It looks similar to fresh turmeric, though pale in colour, might be related to galangal.

The Balinese people have now won our prize as the nicest we've encountered anywhere.

Hi Neil, did you do the CasaLuna cooking course?
Don't know about Canberra, but if you're in Sydney, you might pick up some kencur in the market at Cabramatta.
Maeve O'Mara ("Gourmet Safaris") does what looks like a fantastic tour of the Asian specialty markets here.

It's been on my "must do" list far too long - I came home armed with all the dry spices, but could do with a lesson in what's what with the greens.

Glad you enjoyed Bali, I'd swap my umpteen layers for a sarong today! :)

Bokhara, yes, it was the Casa Luna course, although I wondered if we shouldn't have done the Bumbu Bali course, at half the price, instead. Casa Luna's price had shot up from Rp150,000 to 250,000 since our Lonely Planet was printed, and I wasn't 100%convinced that the difference was warranted. (FYI, the Bumbu Bali chef has a good collection of recipes at www.baliguide.com/
balifood/basic_recipes.html)

Thanks for the tip re Cabramatta - makes sense. Canberra does have a sizeable SE Asian population, so I haven't given up hope yet.

Biggest surprises in the spice department were black chillies - hadn't seen them before - and cheap fresh vanilla beans (I think Rp50,000 or $6-7 for a packet of 10 at a village market, compared to $5 for ONE here, last time I bought.)

Neil, don't know that have seen fresh kencur at Rusty's although there's plenty of fresh turmeric (which grows like a weed here) and galangal. Will find out when I go later today - most of the Asian stallholders there are Laotian with very little English so it could be interesting.

Very interesting thanks Neil . When they first announced flights to Bali and I missed out on the super cheap fares I investigated them , admittedly in the Xmas period and found that they were not , I concluded , really good value . My recollection was about $900 return incl . taxes etc plus food and beverages . At that time fares had been around that mark on Qantas with food etc and the use of the Qantas Club lounges . When you added accomodation to it it was not a cheap holiday . I must look again .

Did you have any trouble with

1. flights departing on time ? Various friends have complained that they are often late because of the tight turnaround times and use of the same crews in and out of Bali on the same day

2. Any problems with baggage weight limits ? I know that if you are even 1 kilo overweight you will pay excess .That applies domestically or internationally as I know those hit with it in both circumstances .

Last I am thrilled you liked Bali and its people .It was the first place I travelled overseas in 1982 and have been back 12 or 13 times and it is always excellent in all respects .What hotels did you stay in and how did you rate them please ?

John

NeilOZ, you might be able to give me some advice on Bali. My wife & I haven't visited Bali yet, but would like to, but we hear or strange stories about, heaps of bars, lots of tourists etc (you know like rent a crowd). If I was to visit Bali, where abouts would recommend staying, for scenery, less people, close to beach.
When I speak to my travel agent, they seem gloss up most locations, so I find it better to ask members on this chat board, for the truth.
My travel agent mentioned a place called Nusa Dui.
Love to get your ideas on Bali.

I'm grappling with some of the same issues about Bali that tropo is - I too, would appreciate your sage advice, Neil.

(NB - this should probably be on the Asia forum but I'll weigh in anyway - tropo, if you or MelnQ8 want to repost there, I'll just copy this reply to the new thread and other more experienced Bali travellers can add their comments.)

tropo, the stories you've heard about Bali relate to Kuta, which we stayed clear of for that very reason. We figured that if we wanted to watch backpackers and Australian sporting teams getting drunk we could stay home. A young American I spoke to called it a "zoo".

We didn't visit Nusa Dua, but everything I've read suggests it's a pretty sterile and now underpatronised stretch of luxury hotels, with little or no connection to Balinese life. Has your TA been to Bali?

For orientation purposes, if you look at a map of Bali you'll see a bump on the bottom that's the Bukit Peninsula. Kuta, with Legian and Seminyak further north, are to the NW of that peninsula. To the NE you'll see Sanur. Nusa Dua is on the east side of the peninsula.

We stayed in Sanur for the first 4 days and we were very happy with the choice, especially happy with La Taverna Hotel, which fronts the main shopping street and backs onto the beach. Sanur is 20 minutes or so from the main airport, Ngurah Rai International (Denpasar).

We then moved to Ubud, about an hour's drive north, for a week, and enjoyed it greatly. It's the cultural centre of Bali, has a village feel and has many options for traditional dance performances, restaurants, cooking schools and shopping. Also within short drives of many villages specialising in various handicrafts. We were also very happy with the centrally-located Ubud Village Hotel.

We spent our last two days in Seminyak, at the Resor Seminyak (if you consider this mid-priced option over the adjoining upmarket Legian and Oberoi hotels let me know - I have a tip! There's little to do except veg out around the pool and beach, and take the shuttle into Legian to shop and eat. Lots of persistent shopkeepers, but although next door to Kuta not too bad.

That's a thumbnail sketch in advance of the trip report I plan to do. Personally I see little value in using a travel agent unless you find one who can add real value through extensive local knowledge. Booking flights, accommodation and guides on line is very straightforward, and Bali is an easy place to get around, inexpensively. With a guidebook and a bit of research on the Asia forum you can hardly go wrong.

Try to go there in a shoulder season, away from the July-August period (which apparently has lots of domestic tourism) and the Christmas-New Year period, but in the dry season if possible.

MelnQ8, I'm sure you've picked up some Bahasa Indonesia in your time, which will stand you in good stead, although most people you encounter in Bali speak English, often very well. Among themselves the Balinese speak their own language, which varies depending on the respective castes of the speakers. That aside, a "matur suksma" in lieu of "terimah kasih" will be well regarded!

troppo - years ago I took a group of saleswomen to Nusa Dua; it was pretty much as Neil described it even then - could have been anywhere. Its about 8 years since I've been to Bali, last time stayed at Ubud and Candi Dasa a very quiet and scenic spot about a 2 hour drive from Denpasar on Bali's east coast. Weather there in May was perfect and very few tourists about then.

Neil - no kencur at Rusty's in Cairns, the Laotian ladies looked mystified when I asked, but one gave me half a wong bok as consolation.

Wow, that sounds like a great holiday. Welcome back.

Pursuing the elusive Kencur, I found it dried at Herbies in Rozelle (Sydney).

They do mail orders:
http://www.ozevillage.com.au/herbies...tment_id=67SBS

Neil , if you can be bothered please do a trip report on the Asian thread as I am sure you will have good advice / insights for everyone as such an experienced traveller .

John

Terima kasih banyak Neil. Still pondering Bali - have received some help on the Asia forum, but I don't quite have a handle on it yet. Kuta is definitely out. Have you ever visited Lombok? Look forward to your full report.

Neil Oz, many thanks for your advice, already printed out a copy. We have wanted to visit Bali, but we heard about the drunks (zoo) element, etc, and without good advice, I thought all the areas near Kuta, all had the same problem.
We have always wanted to experience the real Balinese culture, but didn't want the sleazy bar type atmosphere.
I like the idea of Ubud.
The travel agent who recommended Nusa Dui, was an older lady, who pointed out these upmarket hotels, I'm not sure if she been there herself.
I generally quiz the staff as to who has been to a certain destination, and what did they like or didn't like. I will check out the Asia postings, and definitely book direct.
Pat, thanks for advice, are you getting these cool SW winds?

Thanks all. Pat, I tried 3 Asian groceries yesterday (one Vietnamese, two Chinese) and got the same reaction - then my daughter reminded me that her best friend at work is Indonesian and a serious foodie. She has to know. What I did establish is that pickled Thai krachai is somewhat related, but not the same thing.

tropo, if you want to get closer to Balinese life than the beach resorts allow, definitely spend a few days in Ubud, and I suggest hire a guide. We used Drivers with Distinction, recommended on the Asia forum (they have a website). Our guide, Wayan Herry, was good value, but if you book well ahead I suspect that booking the senior guy, Dean, would be worthwhile. We paid Rp400,000 a day (+ lunch), about AU$50 - Dean costs a little more.

NB: most oldest sons in Bali are named Wayan, so don't call out the name in the middle of the street.

Neil OZ, appreciate your advice. I have noted everything you said.

Oh, I might have forgotten the obvious advice - pick up and study a guidebook. We used Lonely Planet, which contained more than enough information, but our copy turned out to be superssded.

Maybe that accounts for the fact that Resor Seminyak, which I booked by phone, initially consigned us to a pokey room which we immediately christened "Bill and Muriel's Highway Motel" in a sort of touristic leper's village over the road, well away from the main complex. After I whinged to the guest relations manager, a really nice and efficient young lady named Luka, we negotiated an upgrade to a much better room for an extra US$10, so all was well.

JohnFitz, sorry - you asked about baggage weight limits? No problem, as we've never exceeded the 20 kg pp limit anyway - I think we had only 35 kg of checked baggage between us on the return trip.