I'm just back from Bali, this has to be the most fantastic place on earth and I recommend it to everyone. Below I will try to write a report on my experiences I know that I will forget things so if I have not mentioned something that you want to know about please feel free to email me.
The weather when we were there was a mixture of rain and sun, more sun though, but because of this there were not so many tourists.
Accommodation.
The hotel that we took was the Suji Bungalows just off Poppies 2, it was what you may consider to be more up market but very worth it. We had clean sheets and towels everyday and believe me you need it!!! They asked me to tell anyone going to mention Marc and Paul from England to Mrs Alit Suryawati and you will get a discount, they are very nice people. They gardens are beautiful and they have a pool and massaging service. You can contact them on (62-361) 752483 email sujibglw@bglw.co.id and their home page is Http: www.sujibglw.co.id
Hawkers
You can have great fun with these guys (some girls too), don't be intimidated by them! Know how much you want to pay, when your face is new they will try it on $5.00 for a watch , when at the end of the holiday we were getting 10,000rps so haggle but have fun while you are doing it and remember this is the only way that they make a living so if they hassle you a lot they and their families might be hungry.
Food
The food here has to be the best I have ever tasted, in England my job means that I'm am always staying in hotels so believe me I know good food. Don't stick to one place all the holiday, try as many different meals as you dare, we thought the best food was to be had at the Bali Asi in Kuta at the back of Poppies 1, but you may well think different. The Wallow 96 also seems to be very popular just around the corner from the Kuta Lines Surf Shop. The average price for a two-course meal and beer for two was on average about 45000rps. Be warned too though we stopped for some food near Sangaraja ordered chicken satay and I think they served up dog (it does happen so the locals told us) and we had seen dogs trussed up in baskets that they had been drowned in ready to be cooked.
Transport
On the second day we got a shuttle bus to Ubud But we found it very restrictive the driver wanted to pick you up at a certain time so you ended up rushing about and missing things. So we decided to rent a jeep (Suzuki Katana). We got this for 60,000 a day including fully comp insurance, that was from the Bali Sari Hotel just down from Suji Bungalows, although there is a $50 excess on any accidents whether its your fault or not. We found this to be one of the best deals we could find Driving in this country is pure anarchy, they overtake, undertake, and it does not matter where they are even blind corners so be warned, this not for the faint hearted. Driving is on the left as in the U.K.
Drinking
Always buy bottled water its only 2,000rps, so its not worth worrying about. As for alcoholic drinks you just have to try the local drink arak they mix it in a cocktail called an Illusion, 3 of these is enough for anyone and they are only 6,000rps each. Beer comes as either Bintang or Bali High average sort of larger at about 4000 / 6000rps for a small bottle (about Holsten Pils size). Spirits are very much dearer e.g. I paid 16000rps for a whiskey.
Clubs and Bars
Everyone will have there own opinions about this because we are all different but try them all, if you want to you can drink all night and day!!!! My personal favourite was the club above Paddies Bar in the main street The locals go here too, as do the Night butterflies if that is what you are looking for. And believe me any male will find it hard to turn down, some are possibly the most beautiful girls you will ever see. But don't fret Girls because the Kuta cowboys are there too. The music in this club is about 10 months behind the British dance scene.
Buying Clothes
If you are looking for clothes this is heaven all the labels at prices that will make your friends hate you when you get back!! Vasace jeans for example 240,000rps, Quicksilver jeans 220,000rps T-shirts for as little as 20,000rps I'm not a clothes junkie and I came back with as much as I could carry so shopaholics beware its heaven on earth.
Cds
You can get most cds here for 60,000 rps rising to about 85,000rps for imported ones
Software, Tape were also available for around 20,000rps
Playstation games were everywhere for 10,000rps. P.C. software was available for around 50,000rps, as were MP3 cds (and they were full to the brim) I have bought some of each and they all work fine with no apparent viruses or bugs.
Trouble
In the 3 weeks I was there I saw two incidences of trouble, an Australian got stabbed in the street not entirely sure why, and an American guy who was pissed up bottled a local guy for no reason, it just so happened that we knew the local guy. I think the American was on some sort of macho trip, so you still get dickheads here!!!!
Places to visit
I'm just going to list my favourites because there are so many great places, Uluwatu Temple must be done for the sunset like wise Tanah-lot Temple, Git Git waterfall, really just explore the Island you will find so many things. Stop in small villages and talk to the people they are so warm and welcoming but do observe there traditions like not eating with your left-hand.
Surfing
Depends on how good you are if you are a beginner stick to Kuta beach. If you are a bit more experienced try Ketewel or Medewi Beach (the restaurant at the top of the lane does a mean sweet and sour, sorry I forgot the name but it right at the top). Be warned about broken glass at Medewi my friend cut his foot open there. If you feel you are in with the big boys then try Padang Padang, Nusa Lembongan and Uluwatu.
Have a massage while you are in Bali they are fantastic at around 40,000rps I have probably left out loads so if you have a question, and I know I had loads before I went out, just email me.
It's the best place on this earth enjoy it I will be going again as soon as I have the money and leave available to me (work what a pain still it gives me the money to get out there again). If you are going on your own don't worry you will soon make loads of good friends.
Last line a big hello to all the people we met during March and April
Marc and Paul