Posted by Trish on Friday, 30. October 1998 at 21:24 Bali Time:
My hubby & I returned from our first trip to Bali about 2 weeks ago...Just had time to have a quick look at the Travel Forum..(yes.. i'm still hooked!!) Thought I'd better write a quickie report!!..Firstly we loooved Bali...It's great to be able to go somewhere so close (about 5 1/2 hours flight) and yet so incredibily different!! We loved the people, the culture & especially the scenery...take lots of film!!...To put a few minds at rest...-We flew Garuda & although they left 45 mins late..we still arrived to Denpasar on time & same on return flight..We had no complaints with them or the service at all!!...We stayed in Sanur at the Puri Santrian..looked like one of the nicest hotels in the area....Gardens were beautiful, nice pool, service friendly, nice rooms, beach quite nice,handy location with lots of restaurants and shops surrounding...would definately look at staying there again!! Next is weather..apparently the rainy season started a bit earlier this year..We missed out on a few 'spectacular sunsets' because of the cloudy weather... but that's o.k...actually the rain was quite refreshing!!...& didn't last too long so you could still do plenty of touring & sightseeing & shopping!!..We loved the casual atmosphere over there..No need to take any really dressy dresses girls!! Shorts & tops fine for dinner dining or a casual dress..It's a bit warm to get too dressed up!!...neither of us had any trouble with the dreaded Bali Belly...We drank bottled water & brushed our teeth with it..We ate fruit & salad and drank juices & drinks with ice in & we were fine...We took malaria tablets with us but I don't know if I'd bother next time..Didn't use repellant..didn't get bitten...didn't even see a mosquito!!!...Best place to buy cd's & tapes was a shop in the department store at Denpasar..cd's 60,000R..tapes 16,500R...What else?? Money changers..yes take your calculator with you...we didn't have any major problems..we used the non commission ones...HAWKERS..weren't too bad..just be polite & say no thankyou or Tidak Mahu..they're not too aggressive...It's best not to look unless you want to buy something!!!...Bartering..I think we got the hang of it in the end...very confusing when they're talking Rupiah,US$ and AUS$...they will ask a huge price when they know you've just arrived!!! Probably best to observe for first day!!..Once you get a tan...you're O.K.!!...Anyway to sum up we had a great time & are seriously thinking of taking our 3 young children with us next year..I reckon it would definately be cheaper than one of those Qld. Islands!!! Food and drink unbelievably cheap & good!! Nasi goreng..Gado Gado...Yummy!!..Everyone sooo friendly...& transport no problem...Volcano..Tanah Lot..Ubud...Bedugal..all a must...Would have loved to see & do more but ran out of time!!!..Anyway..back to my Bali dreaming....bye for now...