In Reply to: First Time In Bali posted by Dan on Thursday, 28. September 2006 at 12:32 Bali Time:
Hey Dan
I'm 23 and from the UK too. I don't know if you were planning to stay in Kuta/Legian, but that is definitely the busiest area. I would recommend staying on either Poppies Lane 1 or 2 - they are two lanes that run between the main road Jl Legian and the beach. They are full of cheap hotels and restaurants and little shops, and are popular with backpackers and young people. They are in a really convenient central location too.
I don't know ho wmuch you are planning on spending a night, but there are a few places that I would recommend. Masa Inn on Poppies 1 is pretty nice, with two pools and air con in the rooms, with breakfast, for prob around 150,000rp a night for a single room (about £9). Slightly cheaper next door is La Walon, who offer air con but also 6 fan rooms (I prefer fan to air con myself). Fan room here for a single person with breakfast is about 120,000rp (about 7 quid). They also have a pool. If you aren't bothered about a pool, I've seen some realy nice rooms a bit further down the road towards the beach behind Diva's Cafe and the internet place next door - just ask at the internet place, ansd they show you the rooms. When I saw them, they were really nice, and excellent value (around 70,000rp I think). I would recommend just turning up (as long as you aren't arriving in the middle of the night) and having a wonder along the lane to see what takes your fancy. You can always stay somewhere for the first night and then have a proper look around the next day, or leaveyour bag at a cafe while you have a bit of a look round (just buy a drink first and they will be happy to help).
The best places to go out are along Jl Legian, at the top of Poppies 1 and 2. It depends what you are into, but Expresso Bar is a good laugh - lots of live bands and usually quite busy. The Reggae Club Apache is good for a dance with the locals! Bounty and MBargo are the two busiest clubs along there - both often packed. There is Paddies too, but it was empty last time I was over (has been packed in the past though).
If you are going anywhere outside Kuta, I'd recommend Ubud - nice to have a lok around all the arty shops and visit the monkey forest. Also Tanah Lot temple on the sea is nice to see for sunset. Lovina is a quiet fishing village up north, but god to unwind in for a couple of days. You can also go dolphin spotting here, but you have to stay they night before cos it is a really early start.
Anything else, just email me! cammy1982 at hotmail dot com.
Have a great time!