Posted by Vincent on Tuesday, 20. October 1998 at 13:53 Bali Time:
Thank to all who had posted. I had been reading the forum for months before planning for my first trip to Bali. I found it very useful.
On our first night, we arrived at midnight 12. We stayed in Casa Padma Hotel for only US$30. We were supposed to have a deluxe room but was upgraded to a spacious and beautiful Suite room which supposes to cost about US$107. We both thought that it is a very good deal.
For the next 3 nights of the night, we stayed in the Bali-Intercontinental Hotel which is absolutely beautiful with a big pond with goose and fishes. There is many swimming pools, big, small, fun pools. The hotel room is above my expectation. It is definitely one of the best 5 stars hotel.
Following the recommendation of some of the poster, we went to La Lucciola restaurant for our first evening dinner. It is nice but what we think is that why come all the way to Bali to try western foods where it is always available at home. So the following day, we went to la Indonesia and Made Warung which are few of the recommended restaruants. The food is awesome. Both of us ate until we could hardly walk out of the restaurants. It is cheap too, it costs about 150,000 to 200,000 rp for 2.
For night entertainment we went to Double 6 (can do bungy jump) and Gado Gado. Very happening and many tourists. Very good music. We also went to GOA2001 bar for drinks and chatting. We made a few friends there. Crowded with young people like us.
We went to the beach next to La Lucciola, the wave is very strong around the area. My friend thinks that it is probably no safe to swim there but he thinks that it is a quieter beaches then Kuta where you can sit down and enjoy the sight of the sea waves while doing sun-bathing. Jimbaran bay beach where we stayed is much quieter than Kuta. Very few people except hotel customers.
As for drivers, we have Nyoman Nepoyana as our driver on our last day. He is honest guide and of reasonable command of English. He bought us around for about 250000rp for the whole day (about 12 hrs). Brought us to visit his cousin's and his own house to see their living lifestyle.
What we found out is that it will probably difficult for us to drive around in Bali. First, there is not alot of signs and directions available. If driving at night it will be danger too as the road is kind of narrow. Some road does not have any street light. Chance of getting lost is high. Better be driven then be lost.
Things are cheap after bargaining. We both bought a pair of sunglass for 25000 rp each, belt at 15000, sander at 15000. We could have bought more things if we stay longer. Hawkers is really ignoring at times. Every corners you visited there is hawkers. If you are not interested, just reply "Tidak" (with a smile). It means "No".
AS for where to go and visit, we following the travel guide which can be found at this web site. Besides providing this good news-forum, the guides provided are good and accurate. Print it out and bring it along as an extra reference.
As for tipping, we tips about 5000 rp to 10000 rps. We think that one or two dollars is reasonable.
All in all, we both love this island. We were both worried about the food and accomodation quality. It is just a waste of time as it is perfectly safe if you don't eat food that is sold on the road side stalls. Not all hotel tap water is drinkable. Intercontinental Hotel has it's water treated, hence it is safe to drink. Buy some of bottled mineral waters back to room even when the hotel does provide drinking water.