woohoooo..goin to BALI tomoro..till 21Sept. Booked Pak Wayan as our guide. Can't wait for it. It's like endless of itinerary planning, and more n more infos keep flowing

Flight Booked with AA during february @ RM377 each. 6 Of us.

Rate i changed was 1Juta Rupiah= Rm373

This post has been edited by kucingfight: Sep 15 2008, 05:12 PM

Backed from Bali 16-21st Sept. Smashing time we had there. Lazy to to type all of it there, so i'll juz highlight the important events. 6of us, budget tourists

1) 16&17th nite, stayed @ Rika Hotel (RPK 100 = rm37.50). Pretty low end, as we arrived late, we simply hunt for a night to sleep. on 18-20th, we stayed at a better hotel, something call AP Inn something Axxx Putera (RPK 116 including tax). Much better and cleaner hotel, with nice surroundings and mini pool. Comes with good breakfast too. Fan rooms, no problem with us as we just wanted a place to bathe & sleep. Loads of budget accomodations @ Poppies Lane 1 & 2.

We scouted for food, & we were lucky to come to a cafe called "Bayu IndaH". It's located @ Poppies 1, near La Walon hotel. Nice setting, and most importantly CHEAP FOOD.Here are some of the prices

Nasi goreng babi : RP8000
8PCS Steamed Oyster with rice : RP10000
Western food: Fish Chips/ Chicken CHOP/ Tuna Steak/ Snapper Steak/ chicken Schnitzer/ Jambolaya ETC : RP18000-20000
Indonesian food: Gado Gado, Babi Kecap, Something pele etc : RP 8000-15000
FRESH Juices( I mean really fresh juice , not like Malaysia, 1 oren + 1Cup water + 3 Tablespoon sugar)
: orange/banana/papaya/ etc : Mostly Rp5000-7000

& LOADS of other stuffs @ reaonsable prices


2) Hired Pak Wayan, to fetch us around. Good, humble & friendly guy. He's the 5th sibling, younger to Johnny. Wayan & Johnny operates differently, Johnny is more established as he owes several tourist vans, and he hires several drivers to drive for him. Wayan is still saving up for his 1st van. However, both of them will pass some business to each other & vice versa if there's surplus. Wayan is friendly, the more you chat with him with the lifestyle of bali, the more you'll learn about the locals. Told me about the former gangsters @ kuta, and how they were eroded, and that the strongest gangsters still stays @ Denpasar , with its allies, the Police. Shared with us that Lovina wasn't really safe, as several robberies had happened before. Also, he mentioned, those thugs takes protection money from the Restaurants @ Jimbaran Bay, so the tourists will not be harmedHe's willing to fetch u anywhere, but off course, if the petrol (benzene) quota for the day has run out, u juz hav2 top up the balance. Pretty fair judgement, to be fair to him too, No problem with us.

We treated him to some meals in between, as we know they couldn't afford to eat outside, but we wouldn't mind as a token of appreciation. Kinda pitiful, as we can see he's hungry, and had not had breakfast. At first he was shy & rejected our invitation but we 'forced' him to have meals with us. I could sense genuine appreciations in return from him. We tipped him @ the last day, He said 'Tak usahlah tak usah", but we just slotted the tip to his hands.

3) As always, we have read bout the money suckers @ Besakih, and earlier those thugs wanted USD5 for each of us, after talking & Nego, we paid RP60000 for 6of us. For those on 3/4s or shorts, you have to rent a sarong @ Rp 5000. Jeans no need. Suprisingly, there were no 'umbrella women'
that i had anticipated, but many traders come begging for some souvenirs. A tour guide will bring you along and explain the different temples there. What's worst is that, after the tour, he asked for tips, RP10000 each !! . We were like WTF, so we just folded RP 30000 and pass to him and he left. Those money roaches take every opportunity to suck the most out from you. Wayan also told us, the exorbitant entry fees has affected the 'supir'(driver) business in ferrying tourist to besakih, as many decided to stay away after hearing the entry costs. He mentioned that the situation now is better as the 'supirs' have protested against the 'expensive' entry fees, as it used to be worst, that the thugs refused to nego the entry price, so it was like, PAY OR DON'T ENTER.He's kind enough to warn us earlier bout the fees, as he said, the tourists came complaining back to him, & he felt bad.

4) We went to the usual hot spots, Blue Point, Dreamland, Uluwatu, Tmn Ayun, Nusa Dua Beach, Bedegul, etc. Pretty much covered there. On the way to Kintamani, those illegal 'guards' collected some fees, & we paid RP10000 for the whole van. Went for the 'best view' restaurant (which cost the most too) around RP 73000 each. Wayan told us there are 3 restaurants, price differently according to the viewing point. 60000, 65000 & 70000. Food was so so, nothing to shout about but the view was breath taking. Makes Cameron Highlands looks like a place for 4yr olds

5) We didn't really shop much @ kuta as we know Sukawati has pretty much everything, and truly so, u got to really bargain all the way down till it dries ur throat up. We bought some really good Batik sarungs @ 28000 each. Bought Kacang Disco, and some typical Bali keychains, sandals & Tshirts. Ate Babi Giling @ Ibu Oka, taste good, but not really my kind of thing, it's not cheap either @ RP 28000. Didn't try Bebek bengel thingy as we are non duck eaters.

6) Roughly, i used up around rm450 there (excluding some souvenirs) , no fuss budget hotels & cheap food, If your not fussy. Total i spend around rm600+ Rm377 (Flight). Every RMs is well worth. .

TBC

This post has been edited by kucingfight: Sep 24 2008, 07:41 PM

the rate is kinda ok, & it's on the lower range. Well, that's why, to make it economical, it's better to go in a group of 3-4s.

Belanja, it's not a compulsory, depending on individuals. We treated him meals on 2days of our 5days with him

if 3-4person, i'm not sure whats the rate, but i think should be 300K. If 5-6ppl, he'll be using kijang avanza, around 360K. It's relatively cheap if u share, probably like rm20 each/day.

yes, he'll fetch u to ur hotel & pick u up from there. Juz let him know how many days, he will gladly plan it out for u

When i was there (6of us-budget tourists - rm40 hotel, cheap food), we spent around rm500 each (souveniors excluded)

haha nola..rm500 excluding air tics. Air tic was rm377 return each. Ya no need to think, it's basically the same route every tourist has. He can plan it for u there, and u can change some itineraries to some places that u wan/don wan 2 go.

If ur looking for somewhere cheap to stay,(RM40) a nite, highly recommend to stay @ AP Inn @ Poppies Lane 1. From the outside, it doesnt look like a rm40 a nite hotel...

This post has been edited by kucingfight: Sep 30 2008, 09:32 AM

AP Inn is decent, Rm40 (RPK 116) gets u a room with fan. u can go for AC for slightly more. A lot of budget places @ Poppies 1 & 2. But it's kinda tough to find a RPK 100 room. If your all out on budget, a simple room to sleep + bathe in is sufficent.

neah don worry, it's safer than in KL. PPL there are frenly towards tourist. yeap wayan (the one i hired last time) is really frenly, really down to earth, and very approachable, u can learn alot of the local culture/lifestyle from him. Juz hav2 ask n ask, n he gladly replies u

nope i don think they hav email. u can sms them rite away, only 20cents ma..save all da hassle

yeap reasonable , as in std rates

friendly person..he'll be driving karimoon...

woah man..u really got potong kaw kaw. Yeah gotta agree that prices along the 'main' jimbaran area is exp. Wayan brought us to one the areas, and he told us that the restaurant gives us 20% off (or was it 30%) . prices aint cheap, but we ordered juz nice for 6person's portion, after dividing it's around rm15 each. pretty reasonable. initially we wanted to go to Lia Cafe, but he told us bout the discount, so we would have thought, it will come back to almost the same amount with the discount. 1thing u got 2 b really firm with the driver, tell them u wan something cheap, budget . I think they can't catch hold of the term, so u explain hard, if ur all out for a budget stylo.

If ur around Poppy lane 1, there's cheap food too, if u scout around. We found one nice looking cafe with very very decently price food. I've mentioned it before from my earlier posts, so i'll jus paste it here

''We scouted for food, & we were lucky to come to a cafe called "Bayu IndaH". It's located @ Poppies 1, near La Walon hotel. Nice setting, and most importantly CHEAP FOOD.Here are some of the prices

Nasi goreng babi : RP8000
8PCS Steamed Oyster with rice : RP10000 thumbup.gif
Western food: Fish Chips/ Chicken CHOP/ Tuna Steak/ Snapper Steak/ chicken Schnitzer/ Jambolaya ETC : RP18000-20000
Indonesian food: Gado Gado, Babi Kecap, Something pele etc : RP 8000-15000
FRESH Juices( I mean really fresh juice , not like Malaysia, 1 oren + 1Cup water + 3 Tablespoon sugar)
: orange/banana/papaya/ etc : Mostly Rp5000-7000

& LOADS of other stuffs @ reaonsable prices''


To add, yeah we didn't really like babi guling too, but what the heck, it was touted as one of the must try. Ducky duck was not our thing, so we pass it. On the final free day there, we rented motorbikes and went around kuta. We were stopped by the police there, (as usual la, cari duit kopi) , but we were clean, so they didnt get anything. On the way back, it got dark quickly, and i was finding the way back to kuta. I overshot the white stoppage line @ the traffic light, (i didnt notice the stoppage line was soo much further back than in Malaysia, at the same time i have 2 look out for the directions, and make sure my convoy was not left behind) , & it so happened that, there was a police booth jus right beside it. So, kena la..call to the side of the road, some lectures from them, i know they were hinting something, but i pretend to act dumb. Mentioned " will bring to judiciary, heavy fine etc" . After he finished lecturing, I jus got straight to the point, how much he wanted. Demanded for RPK 100. I was like WTF, told them we were students (I still look young ) . so finally i paid RPK20, and was let off. So for those motorist, do be careful, and make sure u hav proper bike license. But overall, it was a budget trip, and we each spent around rm350-400 (entrance fees,driver,cheap hotel). excluding meals/ souvenirs etc

This post has been edited by kucingfight: Oct 31 2008, 10:57 AM

depends lor. if ur those budget tourist like me, 6D4N, i only spent rm450-500 on driver+ fd+ entrance fees+ cheap hotels

yeah rm500 is doable....even rm400 is possible..if u skimp

yeap AP inn. u can read my reviews HERE

price is around rm44 (around RPK116 including tax) a room (fan),twin sharing not sure bout aircon rates. No fuss la if u wanna save n wan a place to sleep over only. Has a mini swimming pool. Certainly looks like a 2-2.5star hotel setup.

This post has been edited by kucingfight: Nov 4 2008, 06:39 PM

yeah jus book da ticket, and get a driver over there. much cheaper.

loads of driver contacts over this discussion. u can always sms them to secure ur booking

mm neah, ntg much

1. grab a driver, accommodation and just enjoy the trip
2. if u happened to go into besakih..nego kau kau..say ur from Malaysia, speak what ever BM, sama sama bantu, give whatever crap, bantu indonesia bila tsunami melanda..etc

Else, they will suck ur money dry kau kau.

3. try those local dishes, babi kecap etc
4. enjoy ur trip

hav to nego kau kau...we went 6 in a group, they asked for USD5 each, then nego..talk talk, saliva splurting in and out..and in the end ..i think paid like RP 60K for all of us

This post has been edited by kucingfight: Dec 2 2008, 12:11 AM

LOL, give them no chance la. Raise your voice, keep on insisting we are neighbours, make them feel bad, & tell them stories that we've helped them so much when their country was in trouble,so 6 of us was like bombarding the touters, till they themselves started feeling embarrassed and laughed at themselves. talk n talk till got 15mins i think..well worth it..at least RP 10k is more reasonable.

Oh yeah Joshua, remember, the tour guide in besakih, after bringing u around, he'll be 'demanding' for tips in the end of the day.

And if ur the shopping type for local handicrafts, do drop by Sukawati. Prices are one of the lowest there, and quite alot of stuffs to look and buy. Even their 'cheapest' batik is much more superior than our Bolehland quality. Prices for a reasonably good quality batik is around 28K-30K per packet. Bought 6 for my mom..and she was literally jaw dropped by the quality n price

remember to buy some kacang disco too

This post has been edited by kucingfight: Dec 2 2008, 11:43 AM

HOw' ur tour like? Self DIY and book a driver? or follow a proper tour group kind of thing?
I personally find it more fun/flexible to book a driver and get him to drive us around

ur on 4D3N rite? probably, that's a bit short, can't cover that much places, and yet alone, ur departing/arriving time takes the precious days off.
Mine was, 6D/5N last time, i think a FULL 5N/4D (excluding arrival/departure day) is just nice to cover the major places in the island, + enof shopping time.

yeah, well, guess many of us wont be visiting the same places again, better make it worth while to cover all the places.

mmm i'm not good in recalling the past, i think around 3-4hours per way if i'm not mistaken

This post has been edited by kucingfight: Dec 2 2008, 11:51 AM

Bedugul / Tanah Lot = definitely muz go. 'floating' temple @ bedugul and sunset scenery @ tanah lot (again make sure u reach there while it's still bright, gets dark pretty fast, so u wouldnt want to miss the sunset view)

mm what else ah, rupiah is cheap now, around rm2.95 = RP 10K.

i booked wayan a few weeks b4 my trip. So he'll be waiting with ur name on a playcard. RP300K = old mitsubishi colt, he prefers to get kijang (360k) for smoother and more enjoyable ride, depends on the number of ppl, 6 = he prefers kijang, if 2-4 = his own karimoon. Nope, it only covers petrol + his wage. (*petrol = subject to daily amountof 100K (i think), let's say if u travel far, and it exceeds that daily qouta, u would hav to top up the remaining amount, it's reasonable n fair imo.)

This post has been edited by kucingfight: Dec 2 2008, 12:05 PM

when i was with wayan, and i believed others so, the parking is included.

yup agreed. sukawati alone, my galfrens took 5hours to shop there . jus too many things 2 c n bargain.

I would encourage you to go Besakih, even with the horror stories, u can try bargaining hard with them. keep on pestering and never let go, times are bad, they need $$ too, so juz play a mouse n cat pricing with them. Well to say, most ppl won't be goin to bali for the 2nd time, so it's best not to miss it.

Kecak dance, from what my driver mentioned, he said the one in Uluwatu is the most original, surrounded by the nice sunset scenery.

This post has been edited by kucingfight: Jan 6 2009, 10:26 PM