Posted by Jane on Tuesday, 6. October 1998 at 09:30 Bali Time:
We loved Bali..great shopping, great people.. beaches okay a bit dirty..Kinatmani..and Temples great and views of rice fields.. food not that great! this was our first trip ( although I had travelled extensively & 3rd world countries) it was pretty much what I expected .except that everything is much closer and and squashed in Kuta. Although very busy and noisy we loved Kuta however if you are not into shopping don't bother stay somewhere posh and restful
Stayed at Jayakarta which was in good location rooms okay.It had a free shuttle into Kuta and back every 2hrs which was great! Room service was expensive but compared to Aus cheap three teenagers booked everything to the room still only cost us $250aus for ten days! they have massage service, manicure hair platting, and tattoes
We checked out a few others and thought that Santika Beach looked lovely, Padma had a great location right in the shopping area, and good beach views. Hard Rock looked very modern with great views of the beach..good for young people.
Food
we were a bit dissapointed with the quality of food, yes it was so cheap to eat out for 8 persons beer & soft drink about $25Aus. we weren't that adventurous ..mostly too tired very shopping or touring ..we ate at Rum Jungle , Poco Locos,a very cheap Wagung Wina's and Los something or other. Best place was a lovely Thai retaurant in Pura Bagus Taruna just down from the hotel. With pavillions and cushions, called Thai Restaurant Bar & Bakery We had great vegie curries very mild the best food we had . prices for mains were about 9,000 to 12,000 rps. breakfast American with toast tea and eggs & juice & fruit 9,000 rps ( compare that to hotel buffet 31,000rps. Best to eat Indonesian.
Tours
Garuda orient hasa little scam going. The guy who transfers you from airport to hotel, will meet you the next day to confirm your outbound journey and suggest some tours.. a day trip to kinatamani, monkey forest temples etc. cost between $40 - $50 Aus . It is a good tour in comfatable bus with great commentary ..better than other tours but the price is very expensive. the hotel we stayed in also had a tour company which offered tours for 30,000 rps each (about $5Aus)
Shopping
Hawkers- can be annoying.. most of the stuff they sell is junk.
the hats seem the best bargain, at least they actually work, the perfume the worst. they are all your 'friends' and remember your name and that you said you'd buy tomorrow ,best to avoid on the first few days till you get familar with the currency.However we also met some great people that way and spent time talking to some very friendly funny guys! TAKE A CALUCULATOR you will use it all the time.
Only take one outfit & togs as you can get everything there.
best buys wood carvings/boxs etc, silver jewellry (from markets not on tours!)shoes, handbags, some clothes, cosmetics. Ikat blankets
Health
we live in the tropics so used to the heat..however beware as you can dehydrate quickly especially children as the bottle water tastes yucky so take some cordial if you have kids, of the 8 of us two had upset stomachs which lasted till we got home to antibiotics. it was manageable but unpleasant. Take imodium & gastrolyte and maybe worth getting some Flagyl (need drs script) anti-infective drug.
drinks lot's of water and wear a hat!
It was only my first trip to bali and I'm no expert.. but we loved it
if you need any specific info please contact me
Regards Jane