Hi all, I am new to posting on this forum but have been lurking and reading on and off for the past 6 years (each time I get ready to go to Bali!). This will be our third trip there. First time we stayed at private villa in Seminyal (part of a cluster of them) with own pool and then moved to join family and friends at a huge vila in Canggu. That was Sep 2005. So i guess I spoilt us with some pretty luxe accommodation.. LOL! 2nd time we stayed over Chrissy/New Year 2010/2011 and stayed at a villa behind Bintang owned by family, then 3 days Nusa Lembongan (LOVED it!!) and then 2 nights Ayana (too big and busy for us). This time we are headed over in March for 10 days with some mates and are all staying at Rama Beach Resort.I have read about the laundry and good spots to shop etc as this is the first time we are staying in this area. I have a long list of restaurants I would like to try. Each time we have visited we have never really done the touring thing. We did a quick trip to Ubud with a stop for lunch somewhere but my elderly dad was getting cranky pants with the bartering in the market so we all left! We also did a trip to Tanah Lot. The end. I know there is much more of Bali to see so am looking for some advice re day trips. I was thinking..
1-Celuk, Ubud, Kintamani and the coffee plantation.
2-??
3-Uluwatu, Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa.
We would like to see some of the island and i figure this way we can plan our next trip back and stay somewhere else. Not sure if we should break our trip up and head to Gili for 2 days or even Lombok. Any suggestions/hints/tips and advice is most welcoming.
Oh and don't want to book a tour.. will organise a driver so we can move about as we please :)
Places I would also like to visit are the Mt Batur hot spring, Besakih Temple and the elephants at Taro. Could I add these to any of the days above? Any suggestions for another day trip? Dolphin experience?
We arrive on AA (first time flying them)on Sat at 5pm and I thought we would just relax on Sunday with some shopping and massages etc and then tour during the week with a break between each day. Really looking forward to our holiday.. 29 sleeps to go!!!!