Posted by jc on Tuesday, 2. February 1999 at 20:01 Bali Time:
In Reply to: Tips for Bali trip please posted by Laura on Monday, 1. February 1999 at 15:19 Bali Time:
Laura,
If you like shopping, the beach, nighlife, drinking, parties, etc. and don't mind the hawkers then Kuta is the place for you. Tuban is a 3 minute drive to Kuta (there) and about 15-25 minute drive back due to the one-way streets and traffic jams (which are a-plenty). You can easily walk it, perhaps on the beach, although I'd get sick of it, preferring to hop on a pushbike and ride around the countryside. Tuban is where the airport is - could also be noisy then? There is little/no culture to be obviously seen in Kuta area. If you are after discovering the real Bali and the Balinese try Ubud for a start. Perhaps base yourself there (as it's quite central) and do day trips. Great walks in and around Ubud. I'd try 2 days Kuta/Tuban and 12 days Ubud! I usually book my 1st night or so before I leave, for assurity, then once there find more budget style accommodations. In Ubud I can give you the name of 3 places, side by side, where you're right in the heart of Ubud - only a small rice field inbetween, so it's very quite and central. They all have their own bathrooms and rooms are clean. Backpackers frequent these places as the rates range from Rp35,000-65,000/night for 2 people! That's around A$7 - A$13/night including the most delicious banana pancakes, chilli eggs or pineapple jaffles for breakfast. If you want their names e-mail me.
MONEY - Travellers cheques at times are a pain, time consuming to change but safer than notes I suppose. Good chrisp notes (Aussie $$'s) get a better rate than Aussie travellers cheques. (Be careful and use a safety deposit box where you can). Personally I chose to take my Visa card - ATM'S are everyone, at times out of order but in main towns there's always another ATM.
Hope this helps.