Bali

loriexxx

Just booked flights to Bali it's the first part of our trip home from oz!!
Just looking for advice on best places to go, hotels and activities, going in December so hopefully the weather will be nice.

Also wondering about the safety aspect, I have been reading there is ahigh risk of a terrorist attack!! Is it generally a safe place to holiday and any special precautions? planning to be there for 5 days.

Tipperary animal lover

It's safe(always a risk as indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world) we've been three times love the place, if you going in December you'd want to book hotels ASAP, Bali is to the Aussies as Spain is to the Irish, it'll be very busy if your going the time the schools are out!!! It'll be hot, I'd stay in legian area if I was you easy 10mins in a taxi into kuta for your nights out, there's plenty of tours you can sort when your there as plenty of tour operators, don't change money at any of the money changers on the side of the street YOU'LL be ripped off!!! Make sure to go down poppies lane 1+2 in kuta this is where you'll eat and drink cheap ..... How much do you want to pay per night in hotel?

loriexxx

Thanks for your help, not sure how much going to spend on hotels probably between 40-50 aus dollars a nite is it possible to get a decent hotel for this much?

Also any activities or tours you would recommend?

Tipperary animal lover

Have a look at the tanaya guesthouse kuta it's in the main area of kuta near loads of bars and restaurants and 5/7 min walk to the beach, the legian guesthouse legian is a great place not as central as tanaya but it has a small pool and you can sit outside your room.
Do a bike tour, we did Bali bike baik tour really good, head to Ubud and the monkey Forrest another day, plenty of temples in south bali, there's tour operators on every corner have aloof and see what's on offer and off you go, or you could arrange with a local driver(there every where) to take you which is better but bargain hard!!!

Naid23

Just back from 3 weeks in Bali! Absolutely loved it there - really depressed coming home!..

Bali is very very safe. I was over the during the Memorial day period and there wasnt a bother at all - we even went drinking on the street the bombings happened on the anniversary night. Security was beefed up in the clubs (expected to be searched if you go into the bigger places) but apart from that it was fine.

If you have a chance/money - I would def say go and do the 'Bali Dolphins' trip. It was amazing and they really look after there animals.

There are lots of temples for you to visit - Tannah Lot is gorgeous! If you are looking for a good tour guide- http://www.balitraditionaltours.com/bali_tour.php?cat=Full Day Tours. We used these guys and couldnt say a bad word about them - amazing and very cheap for a private tour!.

Also if you are interested in Cooking - got to
Paon Bali Cooking Class. Great half day of cooking. really enjoyed it.


We had such a great time in Bali so am very jealous that you are going in December. Enjoy!!

loriexxx

Thanks for the info!! I have booked 4 nights in kuta ( which I now regret after doing some research) the hotel I booked seems nice so hopefully we will enjoy it! Then 2 days in gili t for some relaxation probably need it after kuta!

Any advice on the best way to get to gili t from kuta don't really want to fly so what would be the best option?

keithclancy

We went to Bali last year and stayed in three different places.

Tulamben up in the North of Bali (Gorgeous) went on a site seeing tour to lots of temples.
Kerobokan just North of Kuta (In the Plataran - Fantastic Spa Resort)
Nusa Dua (Nikko Hotel - Big 4 star place)

Up around Tulamben its great, tourism hasn't ruined the place yet, lots of nature / things to see.

IMO Kuta is the Australian Version of Playa Des Ingles.

Hammered Australians all over the place making a show of themselves

Nusa Dua is pretty much entirely geared towards tourism, with massive resorts and hotels dominating the entire area.

If you can, arrange a transfer from Den Pasar Airport before you arrive as its bloody choas with lads trying to get you to take a Taxi with them.

When your picking up your bags from the bag collection area, these lads will come over and attempt to carry your bags out for you. They'll be wanting payment when you get outside so if your not prepared to pay then tell them you don't need them to carry your stuff.

Also, try to get some Currency before you go, there will be a long queue at the ATM in Arrivals and if you have the cash already for your Visa it'll save you some time.

If your getting money, just use a normal ATM, the money changers are not really worth the hassle, they have some creative ways of adding on fees.

With regards to safety, we didn't have any problems, Kuta has a small amount of petty crime.

The Muslin population in Bali is pretty small so the things that would apply on mainland Indonesia do not apply on Bali.

One thing I would say and it probably doesn't even apply, is do not under any circumstances buy weed or hash off anybody in Bali, the Police are more corrupt than Charlie Haughey on a bad day.

Its quite common for example for your driver to get stopped and be asked for a 'fine/bribe'

pavb2

I stayed in The Santika Beach hotel in Bali many years ago really enjoyed it I'm suprised Kuta has developed this reputation as it was OK when we were there.

I 'm looking at going back for about 5 days Xmas 2013 can anyone recommend area and hotel to stay.