In Reply to: Going solo to Bali end of Jan posted by DW Zebra on Saturday, 24. December 2005 at 19:41 Bali Time:
1) Not stayed there but I have heard Padma Hotel is excellent.
2) You have covered the $25US, but you also need 100,000rp upon departure.
3) ATMs are everywhere, and I recommend using them rather than take too much cash or travellers cheques.
4) BYO phone set to roaming, if using roaming do not make or answer calls, otherwise get a bali sim car from back entrance of Mataharis store (or others as recommended on here)
5) I use Excelcom, but others know better than me, do a search.
6) You can walk from the Padma to the main shopping drag.
7) Start at 1/3 price, looked disgusted at their offer, work from there.
8) Nothing is essential unless you need it.
9) Eat what you like, but my advice is stick to stuff that is readily available, which is surprising seafood and rice or noodles. If you really need a western style meal then eat at Yutz in Rum Jungle Road.
10) Travel by metered taxi, but I am also happy to accept a ride from a local on a motor bike (please offer them a tip).
11) Not sure of fare to Jimbaran, but cheap enough, depends if you want the driver to wait for you.
12) I would take a taxi unless I wanted the driver to wait for me, then I would negotiate a price, depending on time.
13) Never would, and never have, tried a Bungy Jump - I am a woos.
14) Not sure, others will know better than me as to diving.
15) WWR - never done it, but those who have will have posted links on here, no-one has ever reported having a bad time.
16) Massages - I pay 50,000rp for an hour, no such thing as a bad massage but some are better than others. You just sample for yourself along the beach. If you go to a spa then expect to pay more.
Now after all that, take as little or as much of the above as needed, but have a wonderful time. There is no right or wrong in Bali, just degrees of fun. Have a wonderful time.