Re: Bali
 

Seminyak is nice enough, quite chilled, nice bars etc.. Then you have Kuta a short taxi drive away. Its more crazy with lots of bars and clubs, filled with hammered Aussies and a bit of a shitehole. Ubud as far as I know (not been) is inland and quite hippyish / yoga retreats etc. Uluwatu is nice. If you get the chance head to the Gilly islands.

Re: Bali
 

there are 6 of us going...all women:eek:....not travelled with girlfriends in years...So for now we have booked an amazing 4 bed villa in Seminyak...i have no idea what this place is like...I've just left it up to the others to pick a place....there is talk to go to Ubud for the day and possibly Kuta - what would you recommend?[/QUOTE]

Oh dear Mission I never thought you would be a sex tourist....!!!!!!

Re: Bali
 

I live in Bali and suggest do not come here..the weather is unbelievable and the roads are under water and the storms are frightening and the volcano is bubbling...stay away! Please come in a few weeks or, better still, June -Sept.

Re: Bali
 

Scamp / DXB / Jam....how much did that cost?? :eek::eek:

Re: Bali
 

I wish I'd thought of it. :lol::lol::lol:

Re: Bali
 

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Re: Bali
 

. Monsoon season in this part of the world is very wet this year, but hopefully should have cleared by March when she plans to go if I read correctly.

The volcano on the other hand, no one knows, but is valid to raise, as getting stuck is a very real possibility.

Re: Bali
 

(Sorry if I'm repeating myself, CBA to look back.)

We've been going to Seminyak for years, renting a private pool villa (within a complex, so we get room service, etc.) and checking out of life for a week or two. The reason we tried Sanur this time is, Seminyak is no longer chilled, it gets more like Kuta every year and traffic is mad.

That said, I wasn't impressed with restaurant offerings in Sanur so, if we go back to a resort area, we'll probably go back to Seminyak. Otherwise go further afield, more off the beaten track - so long as we can get good fish and veg, Indonesian or Western style, we'll be happy. (We once went to Gangga Island off Sulawesi - dinner was whatever they caught or dug up that day, wine was a choice of red or white, and it was a fantastic trip.)

I think Seminyak's the perfect place for the kind of holiday mission has planned. Do the tourist stuff we no longer do, preferably with a private driver as you have a crowd. Ubud is definitely worth a trip - set off early, it can take a while to get there. Only go to Kuta if you want confirmation of why you didn't stay there.

We've done Gili Trawangan but years ago, flying into Lombok and then a speedboat. I suspect it's changed a lot since then. I'd go back to Lombok but would love it if there was a direct flight from Sydney.

PM me if you want a list of recommended restaurants in Seminyak.

Re: Bali
 

Thanks KOOKY, much appreciated :thumbsup:

Re: Bali
 

hello peeps....so i'm off this Sunday...wooohooo. (i've not been around because been so damn busy with year end, vat, auditors etc! - hope you are all doing great:))

a couple of question for those who have been
can you buy booze when you land and go through customs (like you can in Dubai)
is it better to take USD or GBP?

Re: Bali
 

So presumably in a thread about Bali, when you say you're off on Sunday you mean you're off to...Brazil? Balochistan? Bolton?

Re: Bali
 

Mission, if you're willing to pay me 30,000 a month plus all travel expenses and full accommodation (1-bed in downtown will do) I'll become your personal tour guide and make all your travel arrangements and escort you everywhere and you won't have to do a thing or lift a finger.

Sounds good?

Note: I only fly business. You can stay in economy if you want.

Re: Bali
 

Hi Mission. I don't think you can buy duty free alcohol on arrival into Denpasar airport, you can only buy it airside on departure. I don't think the prices are good, but I've only compared them with Australia - prices in Oz liquor stores are cheaper than Indonesia DF.

If you're after spirits, buy them in Dubai duty free. Don't forget to check the Indonesia DF allowance. The local beer (lager) Bintang is cheap as chips and very refreshing! Wine is very expensive in Bali.

You can change just about any currency in Bali, but I'd take USD over GBP.

Which part of Bali are you staying in?

Re: Bali
 

There is no duty-free on arrival in Bali airport. They make you walk thru' a place, after customs check, which looks like a duty-free but its 'Dufry'..... walk right past.
BTW it is still raining most nights in Bali...big storm last night but daytime is now sunnier/hotter than earlier this month.
Crisp USD get a better rate than dirty old ones...I suggest never change at streetside money changers...go into an air conditioned forex!
I flew near the volcano on a trip JKT-Bali on Tuesday and there was no sign of activity.

The Gilis is easier to get to now by a new boat service called Patagonia...a big 200 pax aluminum twin-diesel A/C boat that rides the water well. I think Rp 350,000 one way from Tanjung Benoa.

Local wine is cheap and is drinkable...Plaga; Hatten; Sababay are some names...I drink a lot of Hatten Rosé myself and have survived.

Re: Bali
 

Tail end of a cyclone due to hit Darwin next week, so might be a bit wet around Bali way