In Reply to: First time posting - going bali. posted by Dragon on Sunday, 24. November 2002 at 10:06 Bali Time:
I don't have any experience regarding your hotel choice, a search on the internet will most likely turn up some information and even a picture or two...once you get to Bali and have had a bit of a chance to look around, you may find a place that you like better and you can always move to another hotel (and there are plenty to choose from). For budget accomodations in South Bali, I prefer the Legian/Seminyak area. For more upscale, sky's the limit accomodations, Jimbaran is very nice and also has hotels (Intercontinental, Four Seasosn, Ritz Carlton and others) ranging in price from moderate to extortionate. Here, the beach is very nice, quiet and pretty much unhassled by hawkers.
As for tours...having never taken one, I can't recommend one. That said...personal.drivers will cost you approx. 300,000rp/day (under US $40) and can show you things you will never see on a tour (they may even invite you home to meet the family). A friend recently returned and reported that Tanah Lot is under renovation and currently surrounded by scaffolding.If this is still the case, you might want to opt for Uluwatu instead. And while Kintimani is ok, there are other areas in the mountains far more beautifull and picturesque. The coffee district in the mountains near Batu Karu, along the central route thru the mountains from south to north Bali is unbelieveable. I feel that it's also worth the hassle of taking the short boat trip and fending off the intitial guantlet of vendors to see Serangan (Turtle) island, where there is a lovely village temple (Pura Sakenan) built entirely of white coral and unique in it's constuction. The beach on Serangan is beautifull and quiet and lined with colorfull sailing outrigger fishing canoes called "prahus". There is also the turtle breeding facility on ther island which is both fascinating and depressing. I would also recommend a couple of evenings taking in Balinese dance performances. The Kecak Dance in Bona and the Baraong/Kris dance in Batubulan, held regularly for tourists are OK unless you want to search out the real thing at some temple odalan. No doubt there will be an odalan or several somewhere on the island during your stay.
The food from cart-like warungs on the street is generaly delicious, safe and very cheap. For drinks, I would stay with bottled water or bottled/canned beverages and avoid the zip-lock baggies of juice found on the streets.
Bring US dollars...and only bring brand new, unmarked and crisp $100US banknotes to avoid hassles with money changers. You can change a small amount at the airport upon arrival (the exchange rate will be better in town) if you need cash to pay for transportation to your hotel.
As far as other tips...Enjoy yourself!