i'm going to Bali on 17 - 21 Feb 08, in a group of 8 pax. Anyone going at this time? Free n Easy, but all arrangement had been made, just to change it in case timing not right.

Below are my itenary:
Day 1
Airport --> Denpasar for some shopping --> Goa Gajah --> Overnight in Ubud

Day 2
Ubud --> Tampak Siring Holy Spring Water --> Tegalalang --> Kintamani/Penulisan/Mount Batur --> Besakih Temple --> Pura Kahen/Goa Lawah/Candi Dasa --> Ubud

Day 3
Ubud --> Sukawati --> Kuta --> Tanjung Benow/Nusa Dua --> GWK --> Uluwatu --> Dreamland --> Uluwatu --> Jimbaran bay --> Kuta

Day 4
Kuta --> Batubulan Dance Performance --> Candi Kuning Fruit Market --> Bedugul Temple --> Jatiluwih --> Tanah Lot --> Kuta

Day 5
Kuta --> Telaga Waja Rafting --> Airport

What do you all think about it? Too rush? Well that are the rough schedule, but we might skip some place in case we're short of time.
We booked a Pregio Van which can take us all in the same car for USD 50 per day = RM 160, including a driver n max 12 hours for 3 days.
On the first day, the same driver will pick us up from airport for USD 30 including a 5 hours services. That's y we got time to go to Denpasar n Goa Gajah before stopping in Ubud.

This post has been edited by ...PS...: Jan 29 2008, 11:56 PM

Attached is the overview of my itenary:



Here are some useful link i found:
- Car/Van Charter with driver:
---> http://www.balitrips.net/rentcar/rentcar.html
---> http://www.balicarrental.org/privateguide.html

- Some info about Kuta Guesthouse or Budget Hotel Comparison
---> http://bali.saylows.com/
---> http://www.baliblog.com/accommodation/acco...-kuta-bali.html
---> http://www.tfgue.com/aa/tg8/kuta/kuta_hotel.html (Photos for above Guesthouse/Hotel in Korean Website)

- Driver / Water Sport Activity / Telaga Waja Rafting (The cheapest i can find on the web!)
---> http://baliguide.biz/?page_id=2
--------- The guy used to be a driver, but now he has to rest for some health problem. But he's still in the business. You can ask him for some useful info and he will be more than happy to answer it. And about his rate, i bet you can't find anymore cheaper in the net! (maybe there is in Bali itself, but not on the net). I'm interested in some of his water sport n rafting in Telaga Waja... attractive price...

This post has been edited by ...PS...: Jan 29 2008, 11:54 PM

i've been doing some reading from page 25 of this topic... a bit lazy to start from the very beginning...

From what i can remember, below are the summary of do and don't:

Do:
- Stay outskirt of Kuta, such as Ubud or Kintamani
- Get a driver service (own itenary)
- Go to foodcourt in newly opened Carrefour in Kuta
- Do more shopping at Sukawati Market, Tegalalang, Bedugul area
- Buy DVDs in Kuta
- Visit Kintamani (Batur View) in the morning
- Leave early as it gets dark around 6pm
- Go for Lia Cafe at Jimbaran Bay
- try Dirty Duck @ Bebek Bengil (Book one day in advance for smoked duck!)
- try Bali Peanut (Kacang Disco)
- try Ayam Betutu n Sate Lilit
- Go for SPA
- bring some sunblock
- Bring your Indonesian friend along
- Get local SIM card for IDR 10K
- Save IDR 100K per person for Airport Tax


Don't:
- Go in peak season as price will be sky high
- Stay in Kuta area unless you're clubbing/surfer type
- Swim at Kuta beach as the wave is too strong, only for surfer
- Buy tour package
- Eat Mc Donal as it is much more expensive than avg KL price
- Shop at Kuta area as price are 1.5x higher than KL
- Go for buffet lunch at Pacung
- Use self-timer on camera at Uluwatu, as there will be volunteer to help you
- Go to Monkey Forest (not suitable for Malaysian)
- Get 'Helpful Guide' at Besakih Temple
- Trade in USD, try to pay in IDR (Indonesian Rupiah)


Anything left out in the above do and don't? Any suggestions n reviews are very much appreciated!

Question:
- Will it be too late/dark to visit Goa Gajah, around 4-6pm?
- Kecak Dance at Uluwatu - does it worth to watch it compare to Barong dance?
- According to my schedule above, where should i stop for my lunch in Day 2, 3 & 4? Roughly we will be at Kintamani(Day2), Kuta(Day3), Bedugul(Day4) during lunch hour. Should we have lunch at this area or should we stop somewhere else nearby?
- Any useful link to budget Guesthouse/Homestay/Hotel in Ubud? Best if they have comparison made between them such as the one in Kuta

This post has been edited by ...PS...: Jan 29 2008, 11:56 PM

Why its not suitable for Malaysia ???

This post has been edited by spana: Jan 30 2008, 09:51 AM

just summarise what i read here n there from page 25 to this page. Well it was said by stimix on his itenary:
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...&#entry11921320

i guess monkey is not so special to us malaysian... that's why the place not so special and not worth to visit... i personally wont include that in my itenary as well....

so anything else you wanna add in the do and don't list? i will be going there in less than 3 weeks i think... useful tips are very much appreciated!

- Kecak Dance at Uluwatu - does it worth to watch it compare to Barong dance?

Bro you should include Kecak Dance, and I think its much more memorable than Barong, both included during my trip.
Here are some picture that I take during Kecak Dance..I mean the view of Uluwatu Temple itself is so magnificent, its so mesmerising to wach the sun goes down with kecak dance in the background. Do come early as late viewers will not enjoy the scenic view.

This post has been edited by sranua: Jan 30 2008, 04:53 PM


Attached thumbnail(s)

PS...Very well summary & link bravo.... U hv done a very thorough research. Yes your itinery might be abit rush...but why not..it's possible..but u have to limit the timing at each location-lah......But sometime once u are at certain location such as Uluwatu, Kintamani. Tanah Lot or even Bedugul, u will wanted to stay longer to admire the beauty which is impossible in Malaysia...Probably stay longer at Drealand beach for topless babe too...

---

Added on January 30, 2008, 5:00 pmWow u are lucky watching Keacak dance at the temple...not everyday. What I did is paid certain amt (Not cheap) to watch the dance which is boring & unreal!! especially the part where they use the Keris to stab themselve!! Acah saja! The temple one probably real!
This post has been edited by stimix: Jan 30 2008, 05:00 PM

i'm just trying to get the best out of everything... stimix, since you're one of the most experience Bali traveler, might need your suggestion on my timing below:

Day 1
1.30pm Bali Airport
2.00pm head to Denpasar (30min)
2.30pm Denpasar - Lunch + Shopping (2 hour)
4.30pm head to Goa Gajah (30min)
5.00pm Goa Gajah - Visiting (30min)
5.30pm head to Ubud ( 15min)
5.45pm Ubud - find Guesthouse/Hotel (1 hour)
6.45pm Ubud - free n easy

Day 2
8.00am Ubud - Breakfast (1 hour)
9.00am head to Tegalalang (30min)
9.30am Tegalalang - Visiting (30min)
10.00am head to Tampak Siring (30min)
10.30am Tampak Siring - Visiting (30min)
11.00am head to Kintamani (30min)
11.30am Kintamani/Batur/Penulisan - Lunch + Site Seeing (3 hours)
2.30pm head to Besakih Temple (30min)
3.00pm Besakih Temple - Visiting (1.5 hour)
4.30pm head to either: Candi Dasa / Goa Lawah / KlungKlung / Pura Kahen
8.00pm back to Ubud

Day 3
8.00am Ubud - Breakfast (1 hour)
9.00am head to Sukawati (15min)
9.15am Sukawati - Shopping (1hr 45min)
11.00am head to Kuta (30min)
11.30am Kuta - Lunch + Find Guesthouse/Hotel (2 hour)
1.30pm head to Benoa / Nusa Dua (30min)
2.00pm Benoa / Nusa Dua - Visiting + Water Sport (2 hour)
4.00pm head to GWK (15min)
4.15pm GWK - Visiting (45min)
5.00pm head to Dreamland (15min)
5.15pm Dreamland - Visiting (30min)
5.45pm head to Uluwatu (15min)
6.00pm Uluwatu - Visiting + Dance (1.5 hour)
7.30pm head to Jimbaran Bay (30min)
8.00pm Jimbaran Bay - Dinner (1 hour)
9.00pm head back to Kuta

Day 4
8.00am Kuta - Breakfast (45min)
8.45am head to Batubulan (30min)
9.15am Batubulan - Visiting + Dance (1.5 hour)
10.45am head to Taman Ayun (30min)
11.15am Taman Ayun - Visiting (45min)
12.00pm head to Bedugul (1 hour)
12.30pm stop at Candi Kuning Fruit Market (30min)
1.30pm Bedugul / Lake Bratan - Lunch + Visiting (2.5 hour)
4.00pm head to Tanah Lot (1.5 hour)
4.45pm stop at Jatiluwih Rice Terrace (30min)
6.00pm Tanah Lot - Visiting (1.5 hour)
7.30pm head back to Kuta (30min)
8.00pm Kuta

Day 5
7.30am Kuta - Breakfast (1 hour)
8.30am - 2.30pm Telaga Waja Water Rafting + Lunch
3.30pm Kuta - Free n Easy
6.00pm head to Airport
8.10pm flight back to LCCT

- Do you think the journey time from A to B in every location above possible? I do the rough calculation thru the path from A to B in google earth. Just hopefully the driver know the best n fastest way to get to the destination...
- As for Day 2, after Besakih Temple, where should i go to? Candi Dasa / Goa Lawah / KlungKlung / Pura Kahen?
- Will we leave our Guesthouse/Hotel too late (9am) and come back too late? You mentioned morning starts very early and night came around 6-7pm right? So what is the best time for sunset? Both of my Tanah Lot n Uluwatu sunset are scheduled at 6pm.. Should i put everything 1 hour earlier?
- as for Kecak dance, some said nice to see, some say not worth it. I got 1 fr said better to watch Barong than Kecak. Since both of them are not cheap IDR 50K, so i just wanna choose one. My suggestion will be for Barong, what do you think?

Airport tax has been increase to Rp150,000 already!

Please take note!!!!

Tips:

Change your currency in Malaysia, latest rate is RM352 = Rp1,000,000
While at Sukawati, bargain up till 70% of the original price offered
Personally i think that TanahLot is better than Uluwatu in terms of view and location, so just go to Tanahlot is enough (if you have limited time and budget)

This post has been edited by Demitri: Feb 2 2008, 05:59 PM

I like Tanah Lot. The sunset and the waves was fantabulous.
Speaking bout the bebek thingy (skinny duck), I don' t really like it.
Yeah, the airport tax. Lucky everyone had extra.

When are you going there PS? Anyone going to BALI from 21st March to 25th March???

i'm going on 17 - 21 Feb 08... another 4 days to go... hahahha....
fashion 01, so you've planned everything? maybe i can give you some opinion after i come back...

dear all,

some qouestion from me, our driving license can be use in bali or not? i'm palnning to go to bali next moth 19 till 25march...can you guys advise me where is the best tour guide maybe contact details or should i rent a car...

tq

@Kairel: Yes our M'sian driving license is valid in Bali.. I even stopped by the Police there while driving. show him my pasport & also the roadtax/insurance & car rental document & they will let you go unless u get into some trouble there.. he policemen there are so poilte until they even willing to drive or lead u once u got sesak somewhere in the island!

@PS: Sorry din reply..so long not visiting this forum...Hehe....for the travelling time..u probably need to add extra 30min as u can't really estimate the jam due to numerous possessions around the island (Everyday sure there is 1-2 upacara happening)....+ the super dupper narrow roads around Bali...

seriously shud go visit bali. its a very very nice place. get to see kecak dance, and temples. i had a company trip last year to bali and it was awesome. good food, cheap beer, nice massage, and cun chiqs

if u enjoy nightlife....zomg!!! u gonna love bali. i was drunk for 3 nights in a row when i was there. beer is so cheap and so many Circle K in one street. RM5 something for 1 big bottle of Bintang beer.

lotsa jap girls over there. local girls if ur willing to spend on drinks they'll come to you. theres this club called M-bar-Go, not bad. just go checkout legian street.

Just came back from 10 days in Bali. Have some tips for anyone going there soon:

1. In Kuta/Seminyak, if you want to change money do so in small amounts, and count your rupiah properly. Apparently some money changers there like to advertise very good rates and then with some sleight-of-hand they will give you less rupiah, usually in small denominations so you have too many rupiah notes that you lose count and don't notice you are being short-changed. I was given this warning by the local driver I hired. Also when I changed money in Seminyak, this money changer guy gave me a whole big stack of RP20k notes, when he had a big stack of 50k notes. The way he gave me the notes was also very suspicious, so I made sure to count my notes closely. Lucky for me.

2. In Ubud, best rate to change money is inside the Post Office as well as in one or two money changers very near to the Post Office. When the Monkey Forest Road money changers were offering RM1=RP2600, I was getting RM1=2780 at the post office!

3. Rafting on the Ayung river was kinda fun. Had a PRC tourist from another raft fall in the river, and our guide had to rescue her onto our boat!.

4. The monkeys in Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud (and in the other areas) are very aggressive. I told one of my friends to hide the bag of bananas but my friend degil and don't want to listen, so less than a minute later, a monkey came and grabbed the entire bag and ran away! Also the monkeys were grabbing mineral water bottles (both the small ones and the 1.5L bottles) from tourists.

5. If you are tempted to buy the cheap "aromatherapy" soaps (around RP10k for a big bar) in Ubud market or elsewhere, I have bought and used many of them and found that:
- generally the scents don't last for long and after a while, all you have is a fast-dissolving bar of natural soap with no scents!
- If you want to buy the soaps, I would recommend either Kou (in Jalan Dewi Sita, in Ubud) whose soaps are about RP35k each, or the Bali Flower range (around RP10k) whose soaps may not smell as nice as Kou but at least the scents last longer than the other cheap ones, or the brown-paper wrapped soap you can find at one particular trader in Ubud market (ground level near where a lot of wooden plates/bowls are sold).
- Avoid the brightly coloured (pink, light blue, dark blue, etc) paper-wrapped soaps you can find all over Ubud market, the scents don't last.
- And if you have any illusions that local Balinese use these soaps... they don't! Only silly tourists like you and me buy them. Locals use the regular commercial soaps like we do at home.

6. Having seafood dinner on Jimbaran beach is amazing! Get a local to recommend you a place unless you already know of a good place from a good guidebook.

My 2 most favourite Balinese temples/religious places to visit is Tanah Lot and Gunung Kawi

stimix: thank you for the important information. B4 this, i thought the roads are big and i can estimate as i normally travel around KL... hehehe...

red-queen: i think i should check out some of these places... hehehe

Traveler: which company did you choose for rafting? is it safe ha? i'm planning to go to Telaga Waja rafting which is i level higher (risky) than the ayung river, and yet i dont have experience in it. For me should me alright, just afraid my gf cannot tahan... and how much did you pay for it? got any contact or photos to share?

Yes please... I'll be going there in March and I'm still having a headache planning on the itinerary.. Will be staying at Kuta 2 nights and another 2 nights at Ubud... dont know how to fully plan my time. So please help to get as much info as possible when u r there, driver, itinerary, etc so that you can advice me.

Other forumers who can advice me is also welcome.

I went on Bali Adventure Tours or Bali Hai or something like that. It's owned by the same Aussie who owns the Elephant Safari Park not far from Ubud. It felt safe, each boat had a guide, we all had life jackets and helmets, and we had like 10 rafts set off together, so there were always people around. There was another company that set off nearby as well, also around 10 rafts. Can't be sure how much it was just for rafting as I paid for a whole day package deal with the Elephant Safari park and it was over USD70/pax, which was probably too much but it included transport (our own private driver, since we went in a group) and lunch.

No photos/contact. Sorry la. Was too wet to bring my camera.

Any Suggestion?

For Which Months Is More Suitable For Holiday There?

It Need At Least Spend How Long There?

5 Days Or 6 Days Or More?