Discussion
Me and the wife are off to Bali at the end of the month for 10 day honeymoon, looking for info from people who have been any tips and tricks? Were both mid 30's , wife does have hip issues so we wont be hiking up mountains. Going to tax a mix of cards and cash.
We are staying the full 10 days in a place called Pramana Watu Kurung which is about 15 mins from Ubud.
We will be getting private drivers to take us to places, I hold a full UK bike licence but cba riding a scooter over there.
Whats the night life like around Ubud for food/drinks and places recommended, any places to swerve?
We were all set to go to the monkey forest but seen a few posts now about people getting bitten recently.
We are staying the full 10 days in a place called Pramana Watu Kurung which is about 15 mins from Ubud.
We will be getting private drivers to take us to places, I hold a full UK bike licence but cba riding a scooter over there.
Whats the night life like around Ubud for food/drinks and places recommended, any places to swerve?
We were all set to go to the monkey forest but seen a few posts now about people getting bitten recently.
Depends what you want, Ubud is a bit more chilled out dreadlock trust fund type compared to say Denpasar which is more Aussie Benidorm, I enjoyed Kuta last time I was there.
Ambar and Padi are recommendations iirc.
We walked a fair bit, scooter taxis when we didn’t fancy walking.
Don’t change cash anywhere on the streets, 99% are scams / sleight of hand (if you see a good exchange rate).
Beach clubs catering to westerners / Aussies are 5x (at least) other places.
Don’t be afraid to get a taxi around at night type to visit other parts of the island, Potato Head is well worth a night!
I’d be bored in Ubud, Bali has amazing beaches, surfing (if that’s your thing!) and views to die for, don’t waste all your time out of the way in the hills.
Ambar and Padi are recommendations iirc.
We walked a fair bit, scooter taxis when we didn’t fancy walking.
Don’t change cash anywhere on the streets, 99% are scams / sleight of hand (if you see a good exchange rate).
Beach clubs catering to westerners / Aussies are 5x (at least) other places.
Don’t be afraid to get a taxi around at night type to visit other parts of the island, Potato Head is well worth a night!
I’d be bored in Ubud, Bali has amazing beaches, surfing (if that’s your thing!) and views to die for, don’t waste all your time out of the way in the hills.
Edited by Han Solo on Saturday 1st March 23:36
Aye, Ubud is lovely and peaceful. 10 days.... hmmm. We did 14 days (with flights either side) and we stayed in 4 different places! Mind you I guess you'll be chilling by the pool most days at the hotel. - I loved Ubud. Suckling pig.... hmmmm!
Monkey forest is great. Just don't be a dick , like a large amount of people do, and ignore the signs. Don't feed them, don't try and get selfies with them, and don't stare at them. We saw LOADS of people getting right by them for selfies, or carrying bags of obvious food etc. Saw one girl looking in shock as she walked past with huge scratches running the length of her legs - she was clearly attacked. We had no issues (travel to SE Asia a lot and know to leave monkeys well alone and keep a good distance). The Internet will tell you about people being bitten by monkeys in Bali, dogs in Thailand etc etc, but the reality is usually much less severe, but only the loud voices are heard.
Monkey forest is great. Just don't be a dick , like a large amount of people do, and ignore the signs. Don't feed them, don't try and get selfies with them, and don't stare at them. We saw LOADS of people getting right by them for selfies, or carrying bags of obvious food etc. Saw one girl looking in shock as she walked past with huge scratches running the length of her legs - she was clearly attacked. We had no issues (travel to SE Asia a lot and know to leave monkeys well alone and keep a good distance). The Internet will tell you about people being bitten by monkeys in Bali, dogs in Thailand etc etc, but the reality is usually much less severe, but only the loud voices are heard.
kers Hey guys,
I'm looking at going Bali too, probably later this year. Has anyone been over Christmas and New year?
Thinking of spending 10 days there with my wife and 17 year old son.
So any pointers and tips would be appreciated.
Things we like:-
Sights and exploration
Beaches
Possibly do a beach club or 2
Island hopping (if that's a thing there)
Food
Health and fitness (me and my son want to check out Nirvana fitness at some point)
Explore the island and it's culture
So online package deals seem to be the same price as a flight only, the only issue I see with the package is that you are committed, to the 1 hotel and area
and we would want to move around, so any tips here would be good.
Also where is the best stop of point for say 1 or 2 days on route from London that's quite reasonably priced, and cheap to get to Bali. I was possibly thinking Bangkok?
thanks in advance
I'm looking at going Bali too, probably later this year. Has anyone been over Christmas and New year?
Thinking of spending 10 days there with my wife and 17 year old son.
So any pointers and tips would be appreciated.
Things we like:-
Sights and exploration
Beaches
Possibly do a beach club or 2
Island hopping (if that's a thing there)
Food
Health and fitness (me and my son want to check out Nirvana fitness at some point)
Explore the island and it's culture
So online package deals seem to be the same price as a flight only, the only issue I see with the package is that you are committed, to the 1 hotel and area
and we would want to move around, so any tips here would be good.
Also where is the best stop of point for say 1 or 2 days on route from London that's quite reasonably priced, and cheap to get to Bali. I was possibly thinking Bangkok?
thanks in advance
We did a few days in Ubud and then the rest of the holiday at Nusa Dua. Ubud was fantastically peaceful, and a beautiful place. Hotel was lovely with a small private pool and views over the forest. Could have stayed there longer just chilling out. It was in the middle of nowhere, though, there wasn't anything to leave it for.
https://www.samsaraubud.com/
We got the driver who did the airport transfer to take us on a tour. Saw the monkey forest, the terraced rice paddies, the Tegenungan Waterfall, some markets selling local artwork, etc.
Nusa Dua was a much more conventional setup, nice enough hotel but nothing special.
https://www.nusaduahotel.com/
Beach was OK, shallow with lots of seagrass, though. There are bars and restaurants in walking distance and a shuttle bus service from the hotel if you don't want to walk.
Had a day out fishing and snorkelling with the Bali Wahoo boat charter. That was a good day, caught plenty of fish, did a bit of snorkelling, and stopped off at a restaurant on Penida Island where they cooked our fish.
https://www.samsaraubud.com/
We got the driver who did the airport transfer to take us on a tour. Saw the monkey forest, the terraced rice paddies, the Tegenungan Waterfall, some markets selling local artwork, etc.
Nusa Dua was a much more conventional setup, nice enough hotel but nothing special.
https://www.nusaduahotel.com/
Beach was OK, shallow with lots of seagrass, though. There are bars and restaurants in walking distance and a shuttle bus service from the hotel if you don't want to walk.
Had a day out fishing and snorkelling with the Bali Wahoo boat charter. That was a good day, caught plenty of fish, did a bit of snorkelling, and stopped off at a restaurant on Penida Island where they cooked our fish.
otolith said:
We did a few days in Ubud and then the rest of the holiday at Nusa Dua. Ubud was fantastically peaceful, and a beautiful place. Hotel was lovely with a small private pool and views over the forest. Could have stayed there longer just chilling out. It was in the middle of nowhere, though, there wasn't anything to leave it for.
https://www.samsaraubud.com/
We got the driver who did the airport transfer to take us on a tour. Saw the monkey forest, the terraced rice paddies, the Tegenungan Waterfall, some markets selling local artwork, etc.
Nusa Dua was a much more conventional setup, nice enough hotel but nothing special.
https://www.nusaduahotel.com/
Beach was OK, shallow with lots of seagrass, though. There are bars and restaurants in walking distance and a shuttle bus service from the hotel if you don't want to walk.
Had a day out fishing and snorkelling with the Bali Wahoo boat charter. That was a good day, caught plenty of fish, did a bit of snorkelling, and stopped off at a restaurant on Penida Island where they cooked our fish.
Were staying at Pramana Watu Kurung which looks very similar to Samsara, we picked it as it was rated #1 in the area and still is and the price was actually affordable. https://www.samsaraubud.com/
We got the driver who did the airport transfer to take us on a tour. Saw the monkey forest, the terraced rice paddies, the Tegenungan Waterfall, some markets selling local artwork, etc.
Nusa Dua was a much more conventional setup, nice enough hotel but nothing special.
https://www.nusaduahotel.com/
Beach was OK, shallow with lots of seagrass, though. There are bars and restaurants in walking distance and a shuttle bus service from the hotel if you don't want to walk.
Had a day out fishing and snorkelling with the Bali Wahoo boat charter. That was a good day, caught plenty of fish, did a bit of snorkelling, and stopped off at a restaurant on Penida Island where they cooked our fish.
Oh, and we booked it through DialAFlight, who put the package together, so if you are looking for a multi-centre stay and you don't want to organise everything yourself, I would recommend them. We've used them a few times, usually giving them a budget and some requirements and they've come up with destinations. We've always been happy with them.
Bali often crops up as one of the most overrated or disappointing holiday destinations. Always by people that have expected paradise and stayed in Kuta. If you’re booking a package holiday then do plenty of research on where your hotel is.
I’m just back from Bali, been a few times now.
My favourite places aren’t actually on Bali. Island hopping between Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and especially Gili Air was my favourite. I also really like Padangbai, which is where a lot of the boats leave from.
Depends what time of year you go, but we didn’t book anything in advance, boats and hotels were plentiful and cheap.
I’m just back from Bali, been a few times now.
My favourite places aren’t actually on Bali. Island hopping between Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and especially Gili Air was my favourite. I also really like Padangbai, which is where a lot of the boats leave from.
Depends what time of year you go, but we didn’t book anything in advance, boats and hotels were plentiful and cheap.
otolith said:
Oh, and we booked it through DialAFlight, who put the package together, so if you are looking for a multi-centre stay and you don't want to organise everything yourself, I would recommend them. We've used them a few times, usually giving them a budget and some requirements and they've come up with destinations. We've always been happy with them.
Samsara looks like you can book a table as an outsider, might go there one night for a meal.Looks amazing, just looking at their menu it has prices next to it, it says like 80, 100, 110 I'm guessing thats 80,000 . 100,000 and 110,000?
Did you manage to avoid bali belly etc? were planning on drinking/using bottled water for everything and using hand sanitizer all day long etc.
Did you manage to avoid bali belly etc? were planning on drinking/using bottled water for everything and using hand sanitizer all day long etc.
We went to Bali last September... Stayed at the Melia in Nusa Dua, and it was great. Also visited Ubud and the surrounding attractions with a private driver. We found Ubud pretty busy, the traffic is crazy, and took over 2 hours to get back at the end of the day. Went to the monkey forest and it was fun - if you don't try and poke or feed a monkey by hand you'll be fine. I'd also avoid renting mopeds - there were a lot of walking wounded swathed in bandages at the airport on the way out.
As for belly, my wife has a delicate constitution and has been ill all over the world, but taking care with bottled water etc, she was absolutley fine.
We also went to Gili for a few days which was brilliant, but another story.
As for belly, my wife has a delicate constitution and has been ill all over the world, but taking care with bottled water etc, she was absolutley fine.
We also went to Gili for a few days which was brilliant, but another story.
You know, I can't remember much about the currency except that it was one of those monopoly money currencies. Looking at it now, a 100,000 IDR note is nearly a fiver. Looking at their menu, it says it's in '000 IDR and doesn't include 21% tax and service charge.
Didn't have any stomach upsets that I remember. We didn't eat outside the hotels very much, did it a couple of times at Nusa Dua, which I remember being nice. Didn't drink the tap water unless it was boiled for tea/coffee.
Didn't have any stomach upsets that I remember. We didn't eat outside the hotels very much, did it a couple of times at Nusa Dua, which I remember being nice. Didn't drink the tap water unless it was boiled for tea/coffee.
the-norseman said:
I have a full UK motorbike licence and have a 1200 bike but wont be renting a scooter.
Rode all round Bali, was fine, but they have some hairy main intersections. If you are not confident then of course, don't do it. Riding a "1200" doesn't make you a more confident or aware rider, it just means you ride a bike with a bigger engine."Did you manage to avoid bali belly etc? "
Bali, India, Thailand (most years for months), never hand sanitise, never avoid ice, only ever drink bottle water (or in India in good hotels, the jugs of water), never had food poisoning. Its over hyped. Just did 5 weeks in India and the 1st question EVERYONE asks is did you get ill? And the answer is no. Just exercise common sense, eat well cooked or fried food, and avoid salads. I'd give the same advice for any hot country like Greece or Turkey. Bali was no exception - never felt the food was unclean.
The travel guides telling you to avoid ice etc are very much out of date. They don't make it "round the back" any more, its cheap and plentiful even in developing countries (Bali is Develop-ed) - there is no good reason for bars and restaurants to risk making you ill on purpose.
Edited by Griffith4ever on Thursday 6th March 18:04
Griffith4ever said:
Rode all round Bali, was fine, but they have some hairy main intersections. If you are not confident then of course, don't do it. Riding a "1200" doesn't make you a more confident or aware rider, it just means you ride a bike with a bigger engine.
Well I've been riding around 17 years with only one accident which came on a 125 in my 2nd year of riding so I'd like to think I'm quite experienced. Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff