Discussion
So this August we have booked our dream family holiday to Bali. Having never been, would like to know from the fellow PH'ers what great places to visit and places to eat out? We will be in Bali for 4 nights - Ubud, then onto Lombok for 4 nights - I hear the Gili Islands are nice? then back to Bali for another 4 nights in Canggu.
Are there any cultural nuances we should be aware of, as I am travelling with my wife and teenage daughter. Also, I keep hearing it is relatively cheap to eat out, any truth in this?
Thanks G
Are there any cultural nuances we should be aware of, as I am travelling with my wife and teenage daughter. Also, I keep hearing it is relatively cheap to eat out, any truth in this?
Thanks G
As you leave the airport, wave as you pass Kuta (travelling on the outskirts) and promise yourself never to set foot in there - commonly regarded as all the worst things about a cheap holiday for bogan Australians.
Use Bluebird metered taxis - very cheap and safe drivers - unfortunately not available once in Ubud (some weird exclusion zone monopoly system); Ubud is crowded but can be an oasis due to the temperature being a few degrees cooler (altitude) and the ability to stay in a jungle clad retreat type hotel. Food is a little more expensive in Ubud as it has become a bit of a foodie place (celebrity chefs moving in to run restaurants), but elsewhere very cheap eating.
The Gilli's are all fantastic - Gilli Trewangan is the largest and attracts a partying type crowd, Gill Meno the smallest and quietest - the turtle sanctuary there allows you to swim in warm crystal clear water with the turtles.
I cannot comment on Canggu - never been - if you were able to get to the Uluwatu peninsula down south you could visit some of the most spectacular cliff top resorts you would ever see - e.g. The Ayana Resort with it's Rock Bar, and many others - all way out of most budgets to stay in but you can go as a day visitor.
Use Bluebird metered taxis - very cheap and safe drivers - unfortunately not available once in Ubud (some weird exclusion zone monopoly system); Ubud is crowded but can be an oasis due to the temperature being a few degrees cooler (altitude) and the ability to stay in a jungle clad retreat type hotel. Food is a little more expensive in Ubud as it has become a bit of a foodie place (celebrity chefs moving in to run restaurants), but elsewhere very cheap eating.
The Gilli's are all fantastic - Gilli Trewangan is the largest and attracts a partying type crowd, Gill Meno the smallest and quietest - the turtle sanctuary there allows you to swim in warm crystal clear water with the turtles.
I cannot comment on Canggu - never been - if you were able to get to the Uluwatu peninsula down south you could visit some of the most spectacular cliff top resorts you would ever see - e.g. The Ayana Resort with it's Rock Bar, and many others - all way out of most budgets to stay in but you can go as a day visitor.
Edited by grwyellow on Monday 21st May 17:57
As has been said Kuta is an annoyance to everybody but pissed Aussies. Shopkeepers pester you, massage workers pester you, every taxi honks there horn at any tourist that is walking (which there is a lot obviously).
They say Seminyak is better (it was slightly). I see you will be staying just north of there when you come back, so should be quieter still.
Ubud will be packed and busy but always is. Lots of arty stuff there if you are into that sort of thing. Find shelter from the heat in a nice cool museum nearby.
Sunrise tour to the volcano ?
Quad bike excursion out to the countryside ?
Indonesian cooking course ?
Send the girls to be pampered at one of the many massage parlours. You grab some cold beers.
Food is cheap yes, you will find expensive restaurants in Ubud though as it's become very fashionable with the trendy/arty folk. There will always be cheaper options around the corner.
Oh how I long for a Nasi Goreng.....
They say Seminyak is better (it was slightly). I see you will be staying just north of there when you come back, so should be quieter still.
Ubud will be packed and busy but always is. Lots of arty stuff there if you are into that sort of thing. Find shelter from the heat in a nice cool museum nearby.
Sunrise tour to the volcano ?
Quad bike excursion out to the countryside ?
Indonesian cooking course ?
Send the girls to be pampered at one of the many massage parlours. You grab some cold beers.
Food is cheap yes, you will find expensive restaurants in Ubud though as it's become very fashionable with the trendy/arty folk. There will always be cheaper options around the corner.
Oh how I long for a Nasi Goreng.....
We hired drivers a few times. My sister when she went just rented a scooter but the roads aren’t great and personally I couldn’t be bothered with the hassle. I can’t remember the exact prices but I think when we did Tulamben to Nusa Dua it was about £30.
The Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud is quite pleasant.
I quite liked Ubud. We found lots of nice bars and restaurants and some decent live music.
The Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud is quite pleasant.
I quite liked Ubud. We found lots of nice bars and restaurants and some decent live music.
djc206 said:
We hired drivers a few times. My sister when she went just rented a scooter but the roads aren’t great and personally I couldn’t be bothered with the hassle. I can’t remember the exact prices but I think when we did Tulamben to Nusa Dua it was about £30.
The Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud is quite pleasant.
I quite liked Ubud. We found lots of nice bars and restaurants and some decent live music.
Thanks - will look up the walk!The Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud is quite pleasant.
I quite liked Ubud. We found lots of nice bars and restaurants and some decent live music.
G
Gio G said:
Great idea! Maybe ask the hotel to recommend a driver?
Thanks
G
Hotel drivers will generally be a lot more expensive. Our hotel in Kuta wanted 600,000 for a trip that should be about 300,000-350,000. Everywhere you go in Bali taxi drivers will be asking for business, we just gave our business to the least pushy ones! Thanks
G
I have just returned. 4 days Ubud, 4 days Gili Air, 3 days Nusa Lembongon, 3 days Nusa Penida, 1 day Sanur as it was close to the airport.
Ubud - hire a driver, negotiate. Infact, everybody seems to be a taxi driver. Always negotiate the price. I had a driver for a full day and paid him 250k IDR.
Gili air, a nice balance between meno and Gili T but I actually preferred the beaches and nightlife in Nusa Lembongon, the sea is just more choppy. I did see a turtle in Gili air a short swim out from my resort which was nice.
Nusa Lembongon – great beaches, didn’t venture out much but had some great food and listened to some fantastic live music.
Nusa Penida – Amazing and not very developed. Plenty to do. Google Kling King beach, highlight of my trip.
Sanur – Also great. Lots of decent restaurants and a few decent bars.
You will get a little mithered, polite no’s soon turned to me ignoring people but they are subtle with it tbf until you engage in conversation, they will try their way.
Bali as a whole exceeded my expectations, I have been to Thailand several times but Balinese people are great, crackers and most I came across just want to chat. I’ll definitely be returning.
Let me know if you need any more info.
Ubud - hire a driver, negotiate. Infact, everybody seems to be a taxi driver. Always negotiate the price. I had a driver for a full day and paid him 250k IDR.
Gili air, a nice balance between meno and Gili T but I actually preferred the beaches and nightlife in Nusa Lembongon, the sea is just more choppy. I did see a turtle in Gili air a short swim out from my resort which was nice.
Nusa Lembongon – great beaches, didn’t venture out much but had some great food and listened to some fantastic live music.
Nusa Penida – Amazing and not very developed. Plenty to do. Google Kling King beach, highlight of my trip.
Sanur – Also great. Lots of decent restaurants and a few decent bars.
You will get a little mithered, polite no’s soon turned to me ignoring people but they are subtle with it tbf until you engage in conversation, they will try their way.
Bali as a whole exceeded my expectations, I have been to Thailand several times but Balinese people are great, crackers and most I came across just want to chat. I’ll definitely be returning.
Let me know if you need any more info.
Couldn't agree more with the comments about Kuta, felt like i was in a slightly warped version of Malia when i was there, definitely avoid if possible.
Ubud is nice and obviously you'll be hitting the monkey forest. We also went white water rafting when we were there, really quite cheap, about £10 each and great fun, can't remember the company but the hotel sorted it. We stayed at Jati 3 bungalows, weird name but great little mini villas, nice and central with a good pool, overlooking a river and the paddy fields behind, about £15 a night for a double room with breakfast included from memory.
Lombok was a personal highlight for me, it's a lot quieter than Bali, we hired a moped for 2 days, and just drove up the coast from Mataram for about 60 minutes (which was admittedly pretty hairy). And just explored some of the locals beaches, bought some food from a family that were bringing the fish of the boats and cooking them right there, serving it with rice and iced tea for £2 (i think they thought they were overcharging us), not bad for a full meal for 2! I still stand by that being one of the best meals i've ever had but that could be rose tinted glasses!
Mataram itself in Lombok itself isn't great, it feels a little dilapidated as the tourism industry there came nearly to a halt after the bombings and hasn't quite picked up the way Bali has in the intervening years. Other bits to go to in Lombok are Gili Goleng and the other islands to the south, really quiet with some great snorkelling and interesting to see the pearly divers little floating huts. We had a driver from Mataram take us down there, pick up a boat from his mate and take us around the islands and then drive us back up for about £20.
If you had the time i would also recommend doing Mount Rinjani whilst you're in Lombok, get a guide, hike up and camp on the craters ridge (take warm clothes as it can feel cold up there!). If you base yourself the day before going up in Senaru (Rinjani Lodge is a great hotel there) you'll have an easier start.
Sorry to mention price a few times but i just wanted to get across how cheap we found it. Sure it can cost a bit to get there but it's really great value once you're out there which massively increases the amount of excursions you can do.
As for cultural differences, if you go to some of the less touristy beaches in Lombok your wife and daughter may get some funny looks if they're in a bikini as it's a muslim island. There's unlikely to be any comments made as everyone we interacted with was great, even in the parts that didn't seem to see much tourism at all but worth being aware of!
Have a great time
Ubud is nice and obviously you'll be hitting the monkey forest. We also went white water rafting when we were there, really quite cheap, about £10 each and great fun, can't remember the company but the hotel sorted it. We stayed at Jati 3 bungalows, weird name but great little mini villas, nice and central with a good pool, overlooking a river and the paddy fields behind, about £15 a night for a double room with breakfast included from memory.
Lombok was a personal highlight for me, it's a lot quieter than Bali, we hired a moped for 2 days, and just drove up the coast from Mataram for about 60 minutes (which was admittedly pretty hairy). And just explored some of the locals beaches, bought some food from a family that were bringing the fish of the boats and cooking them right there, serving it with rice and iced tea for £2 (i think they thought they were overcharging us), not bad for a full meal for 2! I still stand by that being one of the best meals i've ever had but that could be rose tinted glasses!
Mataram itself in Lombok itself isn't great, it feels a little dilapidated as the tourism industry there came nearly to a halt after the bombings and hasn't quite picked up the way Bali has in the intervening years. Other bits to go to in Lombok are Gili Goleng and the other islands to the south, really quiet with some great snorkelling and interesting to see the pearly divers little floating huts. We had a driver from Mataram take us down there, pick up a boat from his mate and take us around the islands and then drive us back up for about £20.
If you had the time i would also recommend doing Mount Rinjani whilst you're in Lombok, get a guide, hike up and camp on the craters ridge (take warm clothes as it can feel cold up there!). If you base yourself the day before going up in Senaru (Rinjani Lodge is a great hotel there) you'll have an easier start.
Sorry to mention price a few times but i just wanted to get across how cheap we found it. Sure it can cost a bit to get there but it's really great value once you're out there which massively increases the amount of excursions you can do.
As for cultural differences, if you go to some of the less touristy beaches in Lombok your wife and daughter may get some funny looks if they're in a bikini as it's a muslim island. There's unlikely to be any comments made as everyone we interacted with was great, even in the parts that didn't seem to see much tourism at all but worth being aware of!
Have a great time
As you leave the airport, wave as you pass Kuta (travelling on the outskirts) and promise yourself never to set foot in there - commonly regarded as all the worst things about a cheap holiday for bogan Australians.
Use Bluebird metered taxis - very cheap and safe drivers - unfortunately not available once in Ubud (some weird exclusion zone monopoly system); Ubud is crowded but can be an oasis due to the temperature being a few degrees cooler (altitude) and the ability to stay in a jungle clad retreat type hotel. Food I'd a little mote expensive in Ubud as it has become a bit of a foodie place (celebrity chefs moving in to run restaurants), but elsewhere very cheap eating.
The Gilli's are all fantastic - Gilli Trewangan is the largest and attracts a partying type crowd, Gill Meno the smallest and quietest - the turtle sanctuary there allows you to swim in warm crystal clear water with the turtles.
I cannot comment on Canguu - never been - if you were able to get to the Uluwatu peninsula down south you could visit some of the most spectacular cliff top resorts you would ever see - e.g. The Ayana Resort with it's Rock Bar, and many others - all way out of most budgets to stay in but you can go as a day visitor.
Use Bluebird metered taxis - very cheap and safe drivers - unfortunately not available once in Ubud (some weird exclusion zone monopoly system); Ubud is crowded but can be an oasis due to the temperature being a few degrees cooler (altitude) and the ability to stay in a jungle clad retreat type hotel. Food I'd a little mote expensive in Ubud as it has become a bit of a foodie place (celebrity chefs moving in to run restaurants), but elsewhere very cheap eating.
The Gilli's are all fantastic - Gilli Trewangan is the largest and attracts a partying type crowd, Gill Meno the smallest and quietest - the turtle sanctuary there allows you to swim in warm crystal clear water with the turtles.
I cannot comment on Canguu - never been - if you were able to get to the Uluwatu peninsula down south you could visit some of the most spectacular cliff top resorts you would ever see - e.g. The Ayana Resort with it's Rock Bar, and many others - all way out of most budgets to stay in but you can go as a day visitor.
grwyellow said:
As you leave the airport, wave as you pass Kuta (travelling on the outskirts) and promise yourself never to set foot in there - commonly regarded as all the worst things about a cheap holiday for bogan Australians.
Use Bluebird metered taxis - very cheap and safe drivers - unfortunately not available once in Ubud (some weird exclusion zone monopoly system); Ubud is crowded but can be an oasis due to the temperature being a few degrees cooler (altitude) and the ability to stay in a jungle clad retreat type hotel. Food I'd a little mote expensive in Ubud as it has become a bit of a foodie place (celebrity chefs moving in to run restaurants), but elsewhere very cheap eating.
The Gilli's are all fantastic - Gilli Trewangan is the largest and attracts a partying type crowd, Gill Meno the smallest and quietest - the turtle sanctuary there allows you to swim in warm crystal clear water with the turtles.
I cannot comment on Canguu - never been - if you were able to get to the Uluwatu peninsula down south you could visit some of the most spectacular cliff top resorts you would ever see - e.g. The Ayana Resort with it's Rock Bar, and many others - all way out of most budgets to stay in but you can go as a day visitor.
Although the majority of Kuta is beyond disgusting we got stuck there because of the bloody volcano staying at a Holiday Inn near the airport that had a nice bar and pool area and didn’t feel like downtown Kuta at all. There’s also a Taco restaurant called Johnny Tacos run by a Californian chap that does an incredible fish taco for a couple of quid. Other than that Kuta is beyond redemption.Use Bluebird metered taxis - very cheap and safe drivers - unfortunately not available once in Ubud (some weird exclusion zone monopoly system); Ubud is crowded but can be an oasis due to the temperature being a few degrees cooler (altitude) and the ability to stay in a jungle clad retreat type hotel. Food I'd a little mote expensive in Ubud as it has become a bit of a foodie place (celebrity chefs moving in to run restaurants), but elsewhere very cheap eating.
The Gilli's are all fantastic - Gilli Trewangan is the largest and attracts a partying type crowd, Gill Meno the smallest and quietest - the turtle sanctuary there allows you to swim in warm crystal clear water with the turtles.
I cannot comment on Canguu - never been - if you were able to get to the Uluwatu peninsula down south you could visit some of the most spectacular cliff top resorts you would ever see - e.g. The Ayana Resort with it's Rock Bar, and many others - all way out of most budgets to stay in but you can go as a day visitor.
djc206 said:
Although the majority of Kuta is beyond disgusting we got stuck there because of the bloody volcano staying at a Holiday Inn near the airport that had a nice bar and pool area and didn’t feel like downtown Kuta at all. There’s also a Taco restaurant called Johnny Tacos run by a Californian chap that does an incredible fish taco for a couple of quid. Other than that Kuta is beyond redemption.
Ok, I will steer clear of Kuta...I was staying in Seminyak a couple of weeks ago. Didn't get into Kuta as such. Ubud is a rather more bohemian than Seminyak (and certainly more than Kuta). As for cultural stuff, as you've asked about it you'll probably be okay - it certainly ain't Aceh (sharia law) but you wouldn't want your wife or daughter strolling around in a g-string. You will want to wear 'respectable' attire if you're going to the bigger religious sites and, if needed, they'll supply sari (such as at the Uluwatu temple).
There are usually plenty of reviews of places on the internet and there are a few western forums such as trip advisor and bali specific forums. One of the amazing things about bali is that google streetview has been seeminly all over it. Even on Nusa Penida.
As you're from the UK you'll find it a bit on the hot side (28 to 32 deg) so buy plenty of bottled water and stick it in the fridge. If you're going out and about half-fill a few ~500ml bottles, freeze them and top them off with cold water before you go. Get some Kopiko coffee lollies too - they're delicious. I ate colustrum tables for two weeks before I got there and had Travelan tablets before meals.
There are usually plenty of reviews of places on the internet and there are a few western forums such as trip advisor and bali specific forums. One of the amazing things about bali is that google streetview has been seeminly all over it. Even on Nusa Penida.
As you're from the UK you'll find it a bit on the hot side (28 to 32 deg) so buy plenty of bottled water and stick it in the fridge. If you're going out and about half-fill a few ~500ml bottles, freeze them and top them off with cold water before you go. Get some Kopiko coffee lollies too - they're delicious. I ate colustrum tables for two weeks before I got there and had Travelan tablets before meals.
My wife and I stayed a few nights here on our honeymoon, was really nice and a good base for the south of the island. Food was lovely both in the resort and on the nearby beaches.
https://mu-bali.com
There are plenty of nice places to stay near Ubud, we stayed at https://tanggayuda.komaneka.com in one of the villas with its own pool.
https://mu-bali.com
There are plenty of nice places to stay near Ubud, we stayed at https://tanggayuda.komaneka.com in one of the villas with its own pool.
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