In Reply to: Article in The Australian 17.7.04 posted by pPamela on Thursday, 22. July 2004 at 21:00 Bali Time:
Last year I went to Bali for 35 days and spent 3 and a half weeks in Candi Dasa. This area was so short of visitors and everyone was suffering as a result.
This year, I've booked 6 nights in Seminyak and 4 in Ubud and the rest of the time will be spent mostly in Padang Bai, Candi Dasa and Amed. From comments on the Forum, I understand that tourist numbers are still very poor in East Bali. I know this means that I will get good deals on accomodation etc, but I wish things would pick up for the sake of the good people who live there and need to make a living.
For anyone who likes scuba, snorkeling, trekking, cycling and generally getting off the beaten path and seeing a bit more of the "traditional" Bali, this area is fascinating and everything you do will be a bargain.
Negotiate a good price with your favourite driver and spend a day over there. Who knows, you may want to stay longer. There's far more to Bali than Kuta, Seminyak, Ubud and Nusa Dua.