"Inga problem" is no problems in Swedish. We had to teach our excellent driver Wayan Merta some useful phrases. "Tack så mycket" - thank you very much; "Två öl" - two beer; "billigt" - cheap; "två till" - two more. And he taught us some Balinese instead: samma samma - the same (to you); Terima kasih! - thank you; bike - good, bike bike - very good; jalan - road; jalan jalan - walk
I just like to give you some personal tips and experience from our trip. We stayed 11 days at Melia Bali Sol in Nusa Dua.
TRIPS
Wayan Merta (cool humorous guy; speaks good english) toured us around Bali (30 US$ a day). Visit his website www.angelfire.com/biz2/wayanmerta for extra info.
We visited Ubud with Wayan;
- Went to a restaurant with a fantastic view (a must if you go to Ubud and you must). Can't remember the name but ask Wayan if you go by yourself.
- Went to some shops; bought some paintings at an artgallery. Take your time if you're interested in arts.
- Stopped at the "monkey forrest" with a lot of halftame monkeys that tries to steel the bananas that you bought at the entrance. A tourist traps that you could live without.
Another day we went to Lovina (north side of Bali) but that was perhaps to long for a daytrip. We started 8.30 from Nusa Dua; traffic jam and windy roads made the trip more than 4 hours long including a break for 40 min to see a waterfall.
- We didn't had time for snorkeling - too bad because the coral reef outside Lovina beach should be a great places for that.
- We stopped at a famous "water temple" in Bedugul called Ulun Danu that were interesting. Typical photo stop.
- A waterfall at Gitgit (lots of stairs to clime that seemed to be more on the way back - what a workout!). Nice photos but prepare yourselves with patient or money or both because the hawkers will attack you, especially when your tired and defenseless and just gasping for air and water.
- Wonderful views during the drive up and down the winding mountainroads. Wild (?) monkeys living on "tourist"-bananas here to. Watch out if you driving. There's a lot of them on the road.
Home at 17.00 at Nusa Dua because we wanted to visit a furniture shop to buy some teak furniture to our garden. Prices were approx. half including freight compared to Swedish prices. We bought 4 chairs, 1 table and 2 sidetables (could be used as small chair) for US$ 500 including shipping (shipping US$210). We are now eagerly waiting at home in Sweden. We hope they'll arrive before the start of summer (and in not in pieces).
Another trip "Big island tour" (Swedish guide, larger group, big bus. Rather good and interesting) to Batur with a astounding view of the volcano. Buffet lunch with interesting food. On the way stops at Celuk (silver jewelry) and Mas (wood carving). The wood carving was very interesting: to see how to, the work and the shop/gallery. Amazing craftsmanship. If you're planning decorating your milliondollar summer cottage here's your stop. Myself I only bought an ugly mask too scare my neighbors with (starting at US$50 ending at US$15).
HOTEL
We stayed at Bali Melia Sol. Big (500 rooms), nice, kind of luxury (but not overvelming), expensive, rather crowdy at pool and beach. I think any of the hotels in the area is good but next time (if any) i'll try Sheraton Laguna or Grand Hyatt. Saying that 'll probably rather go to the Sanu-area or even more probably to Thailand and Krabi Look at the hotels at http://www.baliwww.com/bali/roomfinder/
EATING
Eating in the Nusa Dua hotel are nice, classy and expensive. As we stayed at Bali Melia Sol we spent an evening in the Waterpalace with seafood buffet and entertainment; lots of loud noisy balinese music and beautifully dressed dancers. US$ 75 for two persons drinking beer. A good chicken fajita at the beachrestaurant + small beer US$12 (1 person). A drink at the poolbar US$ 7.
Outside the hotel it's cheaper but not in the galleria south of Melia. Try outside the gates of the golden ghetto. If you lazy or it's too hot (or both) take a what everybody calls a "transport". Don't pay more than 8000 rp (US$1) for a trip in Nusa Dua area. Pay 15000 rp to JIMBARAN beach. If you don't like to bargain about the price: take a blue taxi it is always cheaper. The taxi supplied by the hotel is always expensive.
South gate of Nusa Dua: Poco Loco, Mexican food main course US$ 4. Beer US$ 1,5 (large probably, didnt try small until the last days when I discovered that it was better to order a small cold one followed by a small cold one followed by a ...) Tasty.
West gate on the way to supermarket Tragia: Lotus Garden . Bali food main course US$ 3. Beer US$ 1,5. Good seafood.
North gate: We tried Bumbi bali on the recommendations from Baliforum at Tanjung Benoa, and it is fantastic. Great balinesian food (some very, very hot, beware of the duck soup !!!!!!). We went there twice and enjoyed it a lot. First time they had some entertainment with music and Balinese dances. Call the restaurant and they will pick you up. Two starters (a lot food), two main courses (also a lot), Local Hatten vine (rosé)for a total of US$32 (just the wine US$11)
Eating at Jimbaran beach:
There are two main parts with a lot of small restaurants. The old part could be a little smooky (from the kitchens fireplaces). We tried both the old and the new part. I liked the new part better (probably because the weather was better with a nice sunset). 2,5 kg big and medium sizes prawns 6 beer (no I was not alone) added up to US$60.
WEATHER
It was rather hot. Air:30 - 35° C water: 28-30 ° C. We have been in Thailand four times with similar temperatures but here it felt more humid and sometimes almost too warm. I actually got a "cold" because of big difference between outside temperature and inside caused by airconditioning (doctor in hotel, good service: came to room and gave me pills and told me not to have ice in drinks, or did he say the water?)
SUMMARY
Nice vacation, lovely island but next time me and my wife will go to Thailand; Krabi; probably Krabi Resort; definitely bungalow at the beach.
Thank you for giving good tips and advices at the forum
Have a good time!
Åke