Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 11:13 pm Post subject: beginner's guide to bali
put this together a number of years back because of friends asking about this and that. last updated it in mid-2002 so things have no doubt changed. this isn't a definitive guide by any means ... but it should be able to spark a bit of interest. as well as point ya (possibly) in the right direction ...
GENERAL
Located directly north of Australia, Bali is unique in many ways, even from other islands in the Indonesian chain, and has been virtually unscathed by the recent political turmoil in Indonesia. It is summer year-round and, for surfers, has some of the best-known and most consistent waves on the planet. The island is also NOT known to experience such natural disasters as drought, typhoons or earthquakes.
The spoken language is Bahasa Indonesian, but most people speak some English ... or at least Australian. The people dealing with tourists will definitely speak at least passable English, and most likely Japanese. The currency is the Indonesian Rupiah and has traded fairly consistently against the US dollar at about US$1 = RP2,000 for the last 15 years or so. However, since 1997/8 the exchange rate has had drastic fluctuations that are still taking place. Over the past several years, the RP has gone from a low of 2,300 to a high of 17,000 and is now holding steady at about RP8,500 to the dollar.
For the average traveller, Bali has still got to be one of, if not the best, travel destinations in the world. For beauty, fun, safety and value for your money ... it can't be beat. Its services and accommodations are increasing exponentially, which is great for the novice traveller and families wanting to visit exotic locations ... but it takes away from the former natural beauty.
Indonesian tourist visas are granted automatically upon entry and last for 60 days. Bring an international driver's license if you're planning on renting a motorcycle. You can pick one up for $10 at any AAA. The police always set up checkpoints -- usually before lunch and dinner. They only check foreigners and take cash on the spot. If you don't have the license, it will cost you more. If you weren't doing anything wrong AND you have the license, you will still be paying. Deal with it.
RESTAURANTS
WARUNG 96
Always packed. Super cheap. Good place to frequent when you're going to be in Bali for a long time.
KAFE WARNA
The best Mexican food in Bali at the cheapest prices! If you're in Kuta, jump in a cab and get to Double Six, Legian. It's just down the street, right across the beach.
RYOSHI
Japanese food. Dirt cheap. Good sushi sets. There are now several of these throughout the Kuta area.
KOPI POT
An old faithful.
BAMBOO
At Jimbaran Bay. A MUST for an amazing sunset meal. Pick your fish or lobster, grilled and served at your table on the beach. Get there by bemo or taxi.
THE TERRACE
At The Bali Cliff Resort. Prices are real high, but still recommend it for the view and the 90 meter glass elevator ride down the cliff. Your receipt gets you poolside all day for free.
NIGHTLIFE
OLD BOUNTY
2-for-1 drinks from 10 to 12 nightly. Good music and dancing every night. Depending on the season, this place could be a hit or a miss.
NEW BOUNTY
The only club on Legian Street WITH A/C. A bit on the seedy side. (note: not necessarily a bad thing)
APACHE
Live reggae. A hangout for Japanese in case you're interested in working that angle. Most Japanese girls are in Bali for Bali boys, though.
GADO GADO
Techno on the beach in Legian. Doesn't start kicking until 1 or 2 AM.
DOUBLE SIX
Same as Gado Gado, but on alternating nights. If one is closed, the other will be open. It's not necessary, but might want to have a bemo wait as it can be difficult getting transport back from these two places.
TUBES
A Kuta landmark ... but a complete waste of time.
PEANUTS CLUB
Sponsor of the Tuesday and Friday Pub Crawl. Most other nights are pretty lame.
CLUB BAGUS
Movies nightly. Movies are about as recent as the ones playing in theaters stateside.
KUTA INFO
Transportation around Kuta, for the most part, is still best by blue taxi.
For haircuts and massages with good service and rates: SALON BABI (0361) 758-405. Don't even think about a massage on the beach ... you'll be real disappointed.
Drop your laundry off at ABC CLEANERS. Just down the street from Warung 96. Cheap as hell and one of the few places that use industrial-strength dryers.
If you're planning on staying in Bali only for a week or so, might want to consider paying a bit more for a nicer place.
(note: these links are only to provide you with some pics and info, please do not book through them or you'll be charged the price quoted rather than the actual price, which i've stated next to the hotel names.)
Asana Santhi Willy -- $35
(email: asanasw@indo.net.id)
real nice, but more of a couples setting.
Bali Sandy Cottages -- $15
(0361) 753-344
big-ass rooms, clean with cold AC, hot water and a pool ... but no TV or fridge. down a backroad, but only 300 meters or so from the beach.
Hotel Barong -- $25
(email: barong66@indo.net.id)
great location. TV, fridge, AC, hot water and TWO pools w/swim-up bars that are open 24/7.
If you're staying any longer that that, recommend you find other accommodations -- an easy thing to do in Kuta. Should be able to find something nice and clean in the $5 - 7/night range, normally including ceiling fan, lukewarm water, pool, and breakfast (banana pancake and tea).
Kedin's Inn -- $6
(0361) 756-771
Poppies Lane I
To be honest, though ... found the main area too busy last time around. Used to just stay in Bali a couple days en route from Java to Lombok and on (or vice versa), but anything longer than that and i'd recommend you look up in the Gado Gado and Double Six area. Much nicer beach. And much more laid back.
DAY TRIPS
NYANG NYANG
On the Uluwatu penninsula, 600 steps down to a beautiful secluded beach, there's an amazing restaurant on the cliff-line and a hotel made for honeymooners. The Puri Bali (0361) 701-362 has only five rooms. Have to see to believe, whether you're staying there or not. Damage: US$125.
PADANG PADANG
Great beach with quick access. From the parking lot, it's a quick walk down a tunnel-like stairway. When the surf is up, it's a great place to watch as it's a must stop for pro surfers who are in Bali.
ULUWATU TEMPLE
On a cliff point, and the view is fantastic. There's also a bunch of monkeys that you can feed. They would rather have sweet potato, banana or melon than the peanuts that the vendors will try to sell you at first. Be careful. The monkeys will try to grab the whole bag ... not to mention sunglasses, cameras, jewelry, etc.
LOMBOK
GILI TRAWANGAN
Recently, Bounty Cruises has started direct service to Gili Meno from Bali. From Gili Meno, it's a RP50,000 / 5-minute ride to Gili Trawangan. Air-conditioned comfort and movies on-board make the ride go quickly. Can book this pretty much anywhere.
Once on Trawangan, there are plenty of cheap hotels to choose from:
Coral Beach II, Coral Beach I, and Nusa Tiga
very basic bamboo bungalows.
Sagitarius
big garden. can choose either room or bungalow.
Dewi Sri
real nice. there's an old jap gun right behind the place.
unless you like non-descript, concrete dumps, you'll probably want to avoid Paradise, Sandy Beach, Pak Majid Bungalows and Bintang Trawangan.
... and then there's Villa Ombak. about US$50 a night. Amazing rooms -- killer breakfast included. You will probably want to eat every meal at the hotel restaurant or have it brought to your room. Try the chicken stroganoff. If you wanna head out for a bite, though, Borobodur is probably the best place on island.
Boat diving is great at only $20 per dive at Villa Ombak Diving Academy, including all equipment. If you book through the diving academy, you can get almost half off on the room if at least one person does one dive per day. (0370) 642-336 or email gilidive@denpasar.wasantara.net.id.
FINAL NOTE
Things are changing rapidly in Bali. The prices that have been quoted are basically guidelines. As the US dollar increased in value, prices inflated. On top of that, tourism in Bali has focused more on Japanese and Taiwanese over the last couple of years. The end result being a steady increase in prices. Even so, Bali is still a great deal. Make sure you bargain. Very few prices in Bali are actually fixed.
(unfortunately, most of my photos were pre-my digital camera and scanning ain't a whole lot of fun. the indonesia album, has got a handful of pics that should give you some idea of what you're missing. if there's any interest, don't mind scanning in a few anyway.)
Last edited by stringbean on Tue Nov 09, 2004 9:41 am; edited 2 times in total
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