In Reply to: 1st timers to bali family {5} sept 12 posted by gerard wallen on Sunday, 9. September 2012 at 12:59 Bali Time:
First time we went to Bali 15 years ago got many of the same impressions & my wife swore she'd never go back. I wanted to try again as was just getting the hang of things but no go. Then on the day of second Bali bombings she just said "OK, find somewhere nice. I'm not going to let those bastards tell me what to do".
We've been at least once a year since and love it. Generally stay in Sanur but ventured to the dreaded Kuta for a week this year and really enjoyed it; the gangs (lanes) are terrific with dozens of low cost restaurants and bars.
Agree Tubes good. I found Jimbaran Bay reswtaurants poor value, overpriced, overcooked, dry and poorly presented. For seafood much better at Gosha's (Jl Melasti or Kesuma (south Sanur).
Stall owners are not dihonest...they try to make the most out of you. If you're willing to pay 100K for a T shirt when I would balk at 40K, whose fault is that? Go to a fixed price shop (eg Matahari if you don't like the system.
Taxi drivers...either insist they put the meter on or get out of the cab.
Money changers..yes, many con tricks there but read up in archives and you'll be forwarned.
Cannot see how you can blame taxi fares to Perth Airport on Bali.
Its a big world out there. Many countries do not follow western standards. But the latter are not all good; walked around Harvey Nicks in London last year...much rather buy in Bali.