Bali - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

kazza · 12-08-2004, 12:46 AM

Hey all!

My plans have changed a bit since my last post... i got into uni so im going to study for a bit and then defer and travel

Im planning a quick trip to Bali with a friend though, its going to be just for a week... It's a package deal so we wont be staying at a hostel... if anyone has some highlights of their trip to Bali theyd like to share, all info would be greatly appreciated

**worldwidemike** · 12-08-2004, 02:19 AM

Check out my web page for my travelogue on Bali (link is below). Where in Bali are you going to be headed -- Kuta Beach or up in the hills to Ubud?

One thing to prepare yourself for is the aggressiveness of the Balinese selling stuff. You are literally inundated with offers of, "Massage? Car? Woman?" and anything else that could possibly be for sale, every few steps on the street. It can be a bit annoying at times. However, the Balinese themselves are friendly. Watch out for scams, though. Do not let anyone "show you around" or help out without clarifying first how much they want for their services. I don't know how many "No, I'm not a guide" people I spoke to that wanted money later. And if you don't clarify, they will be asking for a bundle -- not something reasonable.

Other than that, Bali is relatively inexpensive, the food is good, the weather warm, the culture with their traditional dances and religious holidays and observances very interesting. Feel free to ask any specifics...

Say Hi to Nick from baliblog.com for me, if you meet up with him...

worldwidemike

2cjs · 12-08-2004, 02:55 AM

Hey,
Congrats on getting into uni!
Ive been to bali twice and I love it there, would jump on a plane in an instant!
What area are you staying in?
You should hire a driver to take you on a tour, they are really cheap over there, head up to ubud and then up to that volcano, cant remember the name of it. Its a nice days drive.
I love Sanur, thats where we stayed the first time and on the second trip we stayed in Seminyak, but went back to Sanur twice. The market there is really nice, there is a shop called Tootsies and if you have never bargained for goods before its a great place to start. Everything in her shop is a set price, and its a great guide for what you should pay else where. All the other stores will try and charge you double!
I used this great travel forum before heading over there, balitravel forum.com. HEaps of good info and also recommendations on drivers.
You will have an awesome time, shopping, the food is awesome and the drinks cheap!

kazza · 12-08-2004, 03:52 AM

Oh wow you guys are quick to respond!
Thxs for your greetings... im pretty happy to finally know about uni and what direction my life is going!
We're staying at Kuta... Ramayana resort... i would have been happy enough to hostel it, but hey a resort every once and a while is okay right?:P
Thankyou for the advice with the aggressiveness of the Balinese selling stuff... i was actually told about this by a friend who is also a travel agent (shes a good friend to have ) she has also given me another words of advice too... im just trying to get all the info i can.
Thxs for all your info Worldwidemike and 2cjs...
I will watch out for scams, my travel friend said she has a contct in Bali that does day trips (8 hrs) for as little as AUS$20 he is higly recommended... she mention a volcano and Ubud... so im guessing we'll be heading for the mountains

My friend really wants to go on an elephant ride.... Does anyone have any info on this...

Okay going to check out Worldwidesmike's travelogue on Bali and i'll see if i can track down Nick from baliblog.com and give him a

from you :P

Thxs again! very much appreciated!!!!

kazza · 12-09-2004, 11:08 PM

Why do my plans always change?!?!??!
Okay my friend might not be going now, so im now trying to sort things out as a possible solo traveller....
I would love some advice from a man of much wisdom

so worldwidemike, Hostel or Hotel???? and which ones have you stayed in? (I read about your visit to Bali and you mentioned staying in a hotel in Kuta... i think)
I do have to admit im feeling a little hestitant about travelling there solo.... so if theres anyone here planning a trip to Bali in January please let me know

Okay if anyone else who would like to add their knowledge of Bali, where you stayed, what you did, how you felt, it would be very much appreciated.

nikon · 12-12-2004, 06:05 PM

hey kazza,

Bali is a great place for fun and a relax, friendly locals, great weather, awesome food and cheap drinks + great shopping too. I've been twice now, '98 and '04 (just like 2 months ago) so ill try and help you out as much as i can, but i stayed in a hotel with friends

Like worldwidemike said don't let aggressiveness of the Balinese selling stuff put you off, they are soo friendly and nice (the locals great, the javanese not so friendly sometimes) - these ppls are just trying to make a living thats all and you just have to remember that.

So you're in Kuta, its the place to be for shopping, partying, etc. and most popular area. There are heaps of small places to eat and most are cheap, i was having really good meals + large bintang (local beer) for $6-9AUD. I'll try and find some names of some places i'd recommend. Bit more upmarket place, still not heaps expensive is 'Poppies' down Poppies Lane 1 - nice garden setting or go to Jimbararn (spelling?!?) Bay for a seasfood meal on the beach with a great sun set.

the main shopping street is Jilan Legian (spelling?!?) and the street is like 1-2km long and then you have all your little sides alleys. They have proper surf and other stores so you can pick up proper original tshirts for like $20AUD (eg. billabong, rip curl, polo tops, etc.). All the clothes you get from the markets are generally not that good quality okay. I wouldn't myself shop in the Kuta Markets, i'd got down 'Poppies Lane 2' or Legian Markets area. And remember you can 'barter' you prices in the markets (& most of places to besides big stores) too otherwise they'll rip you off big time (ie. they say 50,000rupia you say 10-15,000 and remember stick to what you think, even if you walk away, they'll come back to ya with better price). I'd prob. recommend not buying 2 much the 1st few days so you know the prices, etc. and ask other tourists too.

Going out, there are heaps of places to go to, just be careful though, also you can buy beer from the shops (Circle K stores) and they opened 4 ya!! Lots of ppls go to Paddy's Bar which is usually busy (warning watch the 'jungle juice' okay its a killer, be warned!! ehehe), heaps of small pubs/clubs though, take your pick.

Yeah there is an elephant park (can't remember the name though, did it in my '98 trip) and that was great, you get to see the elephants up close and have photos take with 'em and have ride 4 30-45 mins good experience. The volcano trip and Ubud is good (2hr one way trip), Ubud is the wood carving town.

I went white water rafting which is good but not that hair raising 4 me unfortunately, i'd definately do the mountain bike trip though. Just did it and it was awesome, ride from the Volcano area (all downhill, little cycling involved) 4 like 3-4hrs through villages and see the real Bali, stop @ different things along the way and then finish with lunch later! A must i recon.

Also, you want DVD's well there are crap loads of DVDs just make sure you check the CD's aren't scratched though - watched one last night & it kepts skipping/pausing - bugger! ahah only cost like $1.40ishAUD though hhehe

kazza · 12-13-2004, 03:17 AM

Hey nikon!
Thxs for all your info!
Okay i booked my ticket today and some of my accom.... woohooo!!!!!!! i'm really going! solo, but going!

Im staying 4 nights at the start of my trip in Kuta to get the feel of things and then who knows?!!?!??!?!? heheh im not sure where i'll be after that... some nice cheap little A/C room somewhere

I really dont want to stay in Kuta the whole time...I want to get out and travel around a bit... i'll prolly just stay a bit out of Kuta. I really want to try to find somewhere cheap but clean/safe to stay in Ubud... so i can explore this area more...without using half the day up just getting there with a tour...
So im off on the 18th Jan for 12 days... my flight leaves late saturday night... i have booked accom at the beginning and end of my trip... esp the end as the flight doesnt leave until late i wanted to stay somewhere that would allow me to continue to use their services until my departure time and organise transport to the airport.
So the beginning and end of my trip has been planned, the middle will develop on its own... which is kinda exciting too! as long as im not standing in the middle of the street at 2 am without a bed :P

Okay so thats my next update.. hehe i wonder what else can change before i go?!?!!?

Ive gone from travelling for 1 week with a friend to now travelling 2 weeks solo... who knows what else...

Okay ive rambled on enough now... hehe

Bye Kaz

kazza · 12-14-2004, 11:14 PM

hey all!
I went and saw my friend today at the travel agent to try and extend my trip even longer... 24 days approx... im having problems...

the tickets were issued only an hour before we called to change the return flight date)
The flights are within a 'special' deal period, when the flights are cheaper and because of that the normal cancellation fee doesnt apply..

so i either have to stay with my original flight bookings or cancell the flight and book another new one (* note that it is 12 wk refund return!

)
So i've left it in her hands to contact the flight company directly to try and see if they will let me change it, or if the refund can be trasnsferred to the new booking.. so i dont have to wait 12 wks!
Tomorrow will tell (fingers and toes crossed!)

Thxs for listening to me ramble... i'll go sit quietly in a corner and sulk now :P

kazza · 12-15-2004, 05:02 PM

hey all,

Heres the latest update from The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) .....

Australians have been warned to stay away from international hotels and other places in Indonesia, including Bali, after advice terrorists may be planning a bomb attack over Christmas, possibly targeting a Hilton hotel.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the government had received advice of a possible terrorist attack on Hilton hotels or other western hotels and urged Australians to keep well clear of those places.

He said terrorist targets could be switched very quickly and Australians in Indonesia should be very careful.

DFAT advised Australians to defer all non-essential travel to Indonesia, while Australians already in the country who were concerned for their safety should consider leaving.

It said the advice applied to Indonesia as a whole, including Bali.

Now my family and friends are freaking out.... im a little unsure now too...

nikon · 12-15-2004, 05:10 PM

hey Kazza, yeah i heard that this morning on the new while having breakie, the same warning was given 1week before i went this year to Bali and things were okay for me - but hey your the only one who can decided on that.

Also, the Aus Gov. put a travel warning on going 2 Anzac Day in Turkey last year and prob. will this year but i'm still going, its a choice you have to make i guess.

kazza · 12-15-2004, 05:29 PM

Hey i thought i might come back and add to this post...
I'm really unsure of what to do.... i am very sad and disappointed now... im also trying not to be so self-centred and think about what is going through the minds of the Balinese ppl...

I had just gone through the whole deal of explaining to my friends and especially my family the risks of travelling and that Bali seems quite safe atm until this new warning was announced yesterday....

My main point i had said to them is that Bali is trying to recover from all this and that without tourism returning, then they are going to suffer greatly... i also pointed out several times that hey it could happen anywhere... and that theres just as much risk of having a car accident etc... now i feel like those were just words without meaning.. i mean i do believe in what i said im just scared now...

I have also been told by several ppl that they travelled during times when warnings had been announced and they were fine...

I know i am the only one that can make the final decision if to go or not... im just feeling very confused atm

nikon · 12-15-2004, 05:48 PM

geezzzzz Kazza sounds like this trip is becoming a bit of a <pardon my french> biatch - 1st your friends put out, then the prob. with the tickets and now this gov. security warning. Hey when are you flying out though

But hey if you do go you'll have great fun though!!!! Just remember us poor ppls stuck @ work or home or whereever we are

theDOC · 12-15-2004, 08:49 PM

shivers you guys where good at writing essays at school werent u? ehehe

nikon · 12-15-2004, 09:21 PM

*SHITE i meant to say 'pull out' NOT 'put out' ohhh crap!! hehe

Jester · 12-15-2004, 09:35 PM

thats an interesting slip Nikon

...ehehee

**worldwidemike** · 12-16-2004, 02:06 AM

I say go to Bali. The chances of you dying in a terrorist attack are less than being struck by lightning...or being eaten by one of Oz's crocs or great whites!

Seriously, if you let them deter you, then the forces of intolerance and hate have already one...

worldwidemike

kazza · 12-16-2004, 03:22 AM

thxs for the advice everyone, still not sure what to do... Im going to make my final decision the week before I'm due to leave...

I really just dont know and am feeling pretty stressed..