Just arrived back to Aus this morning from 10 days in Bali. 1st visit in 10 yrs. Noticed no hawkers, no tourists, all the shop owners and taxi drivers etc desperate for work/to sell etc. Stayed for 5 nights at Century Saphir Hotel in Seminyak, the much vaunted and complained about Disco was a non event, yes it was open, never heard it for 5 nights, might be a bit different in peak season I guess but no probs for me. Rooms fine, comfy beds, good bathrooms, hotel clean and tidy, Pool area very nice and very clean. Good general location, plenty of good eating places nearby, not too far to walk into Kutu if you want the night life etc. Taxi also very cheap to Kuta. Everything cheap outside the hotel, food/beer etc. Didnt do much shopping, not my scene, but people saying very cheap. Wouldnt swim at the Kuta Beach or the beach near Seminyak if you paid me! Very dirty, lots of plastic/rubbish and a very horrible colour. Dont bother staying on the beach, not worth it in my opinion if you have to pay more for 'location'.
Bali people great, very friendly, even when trying to sell you something you dont really want, dont get aggressive when you tell them no. A smile whilst you say "no thank you, sir/madam" certainly goes a long way! Even transport people polite when I was polite to them as I said no thanks.
Weather great, rained a couple of times in the night and early morning but no hassle. Got a great tan, had a great time. Everything is cheap, if you want to buy something, pay what you recon its worth, dont worry about what other people pay, someone will always pay less than you have, (or will say they have) but dont worry, Im the worlds worst bargainer, cause I couldnt care less about 20 thousand rupiah, its neither here nor there and if I actually wanted it I bought it. The extra 20 thousand rupiah certainly does the average Balanese a hell of a lot more good than those extra two large bintangs do for me!!
All in all, be happy, enjoy your time, and remember SMILE!!!!!!!!
Ps Might post part 2 later....if I get the time, gotta keep working on my tan otherwise it might fade!
Catch ya
dobbo