Posted by New York on Tuesday, 27. October 1998 at 06:58 Bali Time:
My trip
First 2 days - posted here
Days 3-6 - posted 4 days ago
Days 7-11 to be posted
For the full story, request it here, it should be ready in 10 days.
Day 1
As the people have asked for more detail, here is my trip to Kuta, first 2 days in Bali from a couple in New York. We spent our Honeymoon in Hawaii, it was beautiful and expensive. Well, now for a trip that was to be a fraction of the cost, but 3x the distance. I have been reading the forum for over a month before the trip and thought I was prepared. It was our first time to Indonesia, for the both of us. Well, to be honest, all my notes taken from the forum, were of little help, it was like starting from the beginning.
Went through immigration, line took only about 20 minutes, not bad, sometimes the line to enter the US takes 30 minutes or longer.
Exchanged $100 US for 10,300 (little were we to know this would be the best rate on our whole trip over the next 2 weeks). The rate today, Oct 22, is about US $ to 7600. Crazy!!!. But if you look at it at their prospective (Indonesia and the people), it is surely a godsend, from what they have been through over the past year, we should be thankful a coup or mass riots and military action did not occur, causing a great many casualties.
There were about 4 money exchangers inside the airport, all at about the same rate. Yes higher denominations of US$ were given a better rate. But be aware, it is always good to have some lower denominations. In our case, we did not have enough US $10, US $20, US $50. The reason for this, as the exchange went down to 9,500, to 9,000, then 8,500, then 8,000. So when you were quoted in US $, and wanted to pay in rupiah, they would use the higher rate (e.g. 10,000) when the actual rate was 8,500. Arguing with the hotel clerk was possible, because if you then asked him to exchange money for you at 10,000 he would say no. Although how can you argue with Mabua Express or other "tourist" attractions.
We left the exchange counters, went outside the airport, saw some other money exchange places, rates were maybe 100 to 150 rupiah better. Went to the taxi counter, paid 15,000 rupiah for a taxi voucher (We should have taken the blue taxi as we were told on this forum). The driver asked what hotel, we had no reservations at any, so asked him if he knew any. He took us the Melasti Beach Bungaloes.
Melasti Beach Bungaloes - Jalan Kartika Plaza, right next to the Sol Elite, about ˝ kilometer from Waterbun Park. We negotiated a $45 rate for a deluxe room. AC/tv/fridge. Average pool at hotel. Many Australians at hotel. We tried to get a better rate but they would not budge, after flying 25 hours, did we really want to check other hotels? We stayed 2 nights, we were able to negotiate the 2nd nite at $40.
We walked around Kuta, the hotel was on the beach, but there was no entrance from our hotel . Kuta beach was a bit disappointing, the water was not crystal clear, and the sand not sandy white like I imagined. The hotel was a 5 minute walk from the Hard Rock Café pool and hotel, 5 minutes from Matahari Supermarket. Our room was up about 30 steps, views were great. They were doing some construction during the day at the hotel, but it did not bother us.
We continued walking around Kuta, Went to several hotels to see rates/availability
Sol Elite- Beautiful resort, nice rooms, I still thought the Melasti Beach Bungaloes were nicer. Best rate was $90 including taxes/breakfast. All other hotels we saw wanted $50-$90, all when asked best rate. I did not bother bargaining because we already had our stuff at the Melasti. There were many hostels that I am sure were much cheaper, we did not check these out.
Day 2
Woke up early had breakfast. We seamed like the only ones there. Excellent breakfast - Fried bananas, fried noodles, fried rice, some fruit, crousants, mini danishes. Walked to Ramada, $100 including tax/breakfast. A top resort, many Japanese.
Passed by Waterbun park, admission was US $16 or US $13. I saw signs for discounted tickets at restaurants but did not inquire. Also saw signs for Whitewater rafting for US $32 (a little more than 1/2 the price of what most places offered it at)
Kuta had many hawkers, went to Macaroni Club for lunch. About 100,000 rupiah for 2, pasta was average. Did some shopping, a lot of walking, went to beach. Slept our Jetleg off.
Day 3
Woke up early, had breakfast. Checked out at 7am. Took a taxi to the Mabua Express. We wanted to get out of Bali because a political Congress rally was coming. Got to Mabua Express in Benoa Harbor (about a 25 minute drive w/some traffic) The boat was crowded, we were put on a waiting list, finally got seats on the boat. It turned out there were at least 2 dozen seats free.
Mabua Express - $20 or $25 for first class. I would recommend flying (more expensive) or taking the Kinchina Express from Paduang bay for 50,000 rupiah. Please see my other reports for detailed information.
Lombok/Sengiggi/Gili Meno reports posted earlier.
My trip
First 2 days - posted here
Days 3-6 - posted 4 days ago
Days 7-11 to be posted
For the full story, request it here, it should be ready in 10 days.
Day 1
As the people have asked for more detail, here is my trip to Kuta, first 2 days in Bali from a couple in New York. We spent our Honeymoon in Hawaii, it was beautiful and expensive. Well, now for a trip that was to be a fraction of the cost, but 3x the distance. I have been reading the forum for over a month before the trip and thought I was prepared. It was our first time to Indonesia, for the both of us. Well, to be honest, all my notes taken from the forum, were of little help, it was like starting from the beginning.
Went through immigration, line took only about 20 minutes, not bad, sometimes the line to enter the US takes 30 minutes or longer.
Exchanged $100 US for 10,300 (little were we to know this would be the best rate on our whole trip over the next 2 weeks). The rate today, Oct 22, is about US $ to 7600. Crazy!!!. But if you look at it at their prospective (Indonesia and the people), it is surely a godsend, from what they have been through over the past year, we should be thankful a coup or mass riots and military action did not occur, causing a great many casualties.
There were about 4 money exchangers inside the airport, all at about the same rate. Yes higher denominations of US$ were given a better rate. But be aware, it is always good to have some lower denominations. In our case, we did not have enough US $10, US $20, US $50. The reason for this, as the exchange went down to 9,500, to 9,000, then 8,500, then 8,000. So when you were quoted in US $, and wanted to pay in rupiah, they would use the higher rate (e.g. 10,000) when the actual rate was 8,500. Arguing with the hotel clerk was possible, because if you then asked him to exchange money for you at 10,000 he would say no. Although how can you argue with Mabua Express or other "tourist" attractions.
We left the exchange counters, went outside the airport, saw some other money exchange places, rates were maybe 100 to 150 rupiah better. Went to the taxi counter, paid 15,000 rupiah for a taxi voucher (We should have taken the blue taxi as we were told on this forum). The driver asked what hotel, we had no reservations at any, so asked him if he knew any. He took us the Melasti Beach Bungaloes.
Melasti Beach Bungaloes - Jalan Kartika Plaza, right next to the Sol Elite, about ˝ kilometer from Waterbun Park. We negotiated a $45 rate for a deluxe room. AC/tv/fridge. Average pool at hotel. Many Australians at hotel. We tried to get a better rate but they would not budge, after flying 25 hours, did we really want to check other hotels? We stayed 2 nights, we were able to negotiate the 2nd nite at $40.
We walked around Kuta, the hotel was on the beach, but there was no entrance from our hotel . Kuta beach was a bit disappointing, the water was not crystal clear, and the sand not sandy white like I imagined. The hotel was a 5 minute walk from the Hard Rock Café pool and hotel, 5 minutes from Matahari Supermarket. Our room was up about 30 steps, views were great. They were doing some construction during the day at the hotel, but it did not bother us.
We continued walking around Kuta, Went to several hotels to see rates/availability
Sol Elite- Beautiful resort, nice rooms, I still thought the Melasti Beach Bungaloes were nicer. Best rate was $90 including taxes/breakfast. All other hotels we saw wanted $50-$90, all when asked best rate. I did not bother bargaining because we already had our stuff at the Melasti. There were many hostels that I am sure were much cheaper, we did not check these out.
Day 2
Woke up early had breakfast. We seamed like the only ones there. Excellent breakfast - Fried bananas, fried noodles, fried rice, some fruit, crousants, mini danishes. Walked to Ramada, $100 including tax/breakfast. A top resort, many Japanese.
Passed by Waterbun park, admission was US $16 or US $13. I saw signs for discounted tickets at restaurants but did not inquire. Also saw signs for Whitewater rafting for US $32 (a little more than 1/2 the price of what most places offered it at)
Kuta had many hawkers, went to Macaroni Club for lunch. About 100,000 rupiah for 2, pasta was average. Did some shopping, a lot of walking, went to beach. Slept our Jetleg off.
Day 3
Woke up early, had breakfast. Checked out at 7am. Took a taxi to the Mabua Express. We wanted to get out of Bali because a political Congress rally was coming. Got to Mabua Express in Benoa Harbor (about a 25 minute drive w/some traffic) The boat was crowded, we were put on a waiting list, finally got seats on the boat. It turned out there were at least 2 dozen seats free.
Mabua Express - $20 or $25 for first class. I would recommend flying (more expensive) or taking the Kinchina Express from Paduang bay for 50,000 rupiah. Please see my other reports for detailed information.
Lombok/Sengiggi/Gili Meno reports posted earlier.
Candidasa/Ubud to follow within 1 week.