In Reply to: First time posting - going bali. posted by Dragon on Sunday, 24. November 2002 at 10:06 Bali Time:
Can't help with the hotel. You are just north of Nusa Dua which is pretty expensive. You can get a cab to Sanur which has heaps of great restaurants, shops etc. Taxi's are cheap but make sure they put the meter on. Only about 50 cents to Sanur.
2) Tours are not cheap. You can hire a driver or if you meet people at the hotel get a group together and hire a car to take you to Kintamani (the restaurant there is expensive and yucky).Check out how much a driver will charge before booking any tours. Just check their English so you get what you want.
3) There are many places to eat in Sanur. A few in Benoa. Usually hygiene is good but be a bit more carefull due to less tourists therefore less turnover of food. I usually recomend eating in busy places but at the moment there aren't any. Drinks are plentiful and cheap. Drink bottled water, beer etc.
$ Only change a small amount before you leave or at the airport. The rate is much better there but be careful. Many places rip you off. Go to Kodak central shops. They are honest and give you a receipt. Or you can use ATM's
5)Watch your weight (your bags I mean). There are HEAPS of things to buy. When bartering remember 5,000RP is only 50 cents to you. That is nothing to you but means eating or not eating to a balinese.
Smile and be friendly and the hawkers will not hassle you (my experience). Others say don't talk to them but I don't like ignoring people. There's heaps more but my 2 fingers are getting sore (I need to do a typing course)
I'm jealous. You'll have a great time