me
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Post by me on Aug 24, 2016 22:22:08 GMT 7
I have learnt one thing. I have had great times in places everyone else hated. I have had terrible times in places people raved about.
It all depends on who when and why.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2016 22:32:30 GMT 7
She starred in the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" where she spent some time in Ubud, Bali. |
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Post by rgs2001uk on Aug 24, 2016 22:46:28 GMT 7
She starred in the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" where she spent some time in Ubud, Bali. Sorry, never heard of her or the movie, is it a chick flik, or would a man watch it? |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2016 23:18:52 GMT 7
I can't stand Kuta - I enjoyed Lovina - and I hear Ubud is good. Indo Patts is a good description for Kuta. The level of harassment from vendors, taxi drivers, beggars is out of control. Just as bad on the beach as it is in town. The Balinese guy who worked at the pool bar suggested we had to get out of Kuta as it was full of Javanese Muslims that treated tourists with contempt. He was right. He suggested Lovina and it was excellent with a drawback being that the beach was volcanic sand. The people were a lot more welcoming, the resort I was in was great, and going out to see the dolphins in the morning a special memory.  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2016 7:16:00 GMT 7
She starred in the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" where she spent some time in Ubud, Bali. Sorry, never heard of her or the movie, is it a chick flik, or would a man watch it? A chick flick, but a good one. A recently divorced woman leaves the US for the first time and travels to three different destinations, Bali being one of them. The book is even better imo. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2016 7:18:46 GMT 7
I can't stand Kuta - I enjoyed Lovina - and I hear Ubud is good. Indo Patts is a good description for Kuta. The level of harassment from vendors, taxi drivers, beggars is out of control. Just as bad on the beach as it is in town. The Balinese guy who worked at the pool bar suggested we had to get out of Kuta as it was full of Javanese Muslims that treated tourists with contempt. He was right. He suggested Lovina and it was excellent with a drawback being that the beach was volcanic sand. The people were a lot more welcoming, the resort I was in was great, and going out to see the dolphins in the morning a special memory. Sounds like a nice place, but I don't like the idea of volcanic sand, especially if I want to spend the day on the beach. I was looking at Jimbaran or Sanur. Thanks for the information though. |
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AyG
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Post by AyG on Aug 25, 2016 7:31:44 GMT 7
I was thinking a place like Gilli's for snorkelling as I would like to snorkel somewhere good. I'm not sure if there is great snorkelling on Bali itself. I don't know much about Lombok. I also want to stay at a hotel on a nice beach front and preferably not as touristy as Kuta. Maybe a week on the beach, and a week or so in Ubud. I want to hike one of volcanoes, bike around the rice paddies, and do yoga. I'd appreciate the recommendation on the fine dining in Ubud. Do you have any recommendations on places to stay in Ubud? There are so many options.  Ubud is great. Albeit, not as great as it was 30 years ago. It's become enormous. The two fine dining places are Mozaic and Locavore. Mozaic is the more formal of the two. Locavore's food is more innovative. You'll need to book in advance for either (or better, both) of these. They really are excellent - and good value for what you actually get. www.mozaic-bali.com/www.locavore.co.id/As for hotels, The Chedi Club is very nice, upmarket. It's location, though, is rather remote, surrounded by rice fields, and the shuttle bus into Ubud is not that frequent. I think it's the only hotel I've stayed in where the turn down service includes ironing the sheets in situ on the bed. I also like Tjampuhan which has villas staggering down the sides of a steep ravine. Very quiet. No television or 'phone. Good restaurant. www.ghmhotels.com/en/tanah-gajah/www.tjampuhan-bali.com/When in Ubud you really should see a Kecak (Monkey) Dance. Really good fun. There are lots of places around the island where it's done, including a temple courtyard in Ubud town centre. (Get there early to get a good seat.) Barong dances are also popular (but not as much fun as Kecak). If you're into art, Neka Art Museum is worth a couple of hours of your time. As for beaches, others have mentioned Lovina. Went there last year and really didn't think it was worth the time driving there along very twisty roads. I'd suggest Sanur beach, which is a more mid-market place. None of the nasty commercialism of Kuta. At Sanur, my favourite hotel is the Bali Hyatt. Beautiful gardens. Great beachfront location. However, I don't know if it's currently open. It's been closed for renovation. Sanur is also only a 20-30 minute drive to the airport, so it's a good place for the final day(s) of your stay. Can't precisely comment on snorkelling, but diving off Bali is OK, but Lombok is much better. |
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Post by Fletchsmile on Aug 25, 2016 9:57:41 GMT 7
Haven't been to Bali for years - about 15 - so I might be out of date.
In Bali, Kuta was the busy place, night-life and touristy. That spilled over into Legian. Both with beaches. Nusa Dua was a bit quieter.
Ubud up in the mountains used to be nice. Beautiful scenery but less to do. Ok for a couple of days.
Did go to Lombok once as well, as people often talk Bali and Lombok. Quiet. Nice beaches but not so much else
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2016 19:20:08 GMT 7
I was thinking a place like Gilli's for snorkelling as I would like to snorkel somewhere good. I'm not sure if there is great snorkelling on Bali itself. I don't know much about Lombok. I also want to stay at a hotel on a nice beach front and preferably not as touristy as Kuta. Maybe a week on the beach, and a week or so in Ubud. I want to hike one of volcanoes, bike around the rice paddies, and do yoga. I'd appreciate the recommendation on the fine dining in Ubud. Do you have any recommendations on places to stay in Ubud? There are so many options. Ubud is great. Albeit, not as great as it was 30 years ago. It's become enormous. The two fine dining places are Mozaic and Locavore. Mozaic is the more formal of the two. Locavore's food is more innovative. You'll need to book in advance for either (or better, both) of these. They really are excellent - and good value for what you actually get. www.mozaic-bali.com/www.locavore.co.id/As for hotels, The Chedi Club is very nice, upmarket. It's location, though, is rather remote, surrounded by rice fields, and the shuttle bus into Ubud is not that frequent. I think it's the only hotel I've stayed in where the turn down service includes ironing the sheets in situ on the bed. I also like Tjampuhan which has villas staggering down the sides of a steep ravine. Very quiet. No television or 'phone. Good restaurant. www.ghmhotels.com/en/tanah-gajah/www.tjampuhan-bali.com/When in Ubud you really should see a Kecak (Monkey) Dance. Really good fun. There are lots of places around the island where it's done, including a temple courtyard in Ubud town centre. (Get there early to get a good seat.) Barong dances are also popular (but not as much fun as Kecak). If you're into art, Neka Art Museum is worth a couple of hours of your time. As for beaches, others have mentioned Lovina. Went there last year and really didn't think it was worth the time driving there along very twisty roads. I'd suggest Sanur beach, which is a more mid-market place. None of the nasty commercialism of Kuta. At Sanur, my favourite hotel is the Bali Hyatt. Beautiful gardens. Great beachfront location. However, I don't know if it's currently open. It's been closed for renovation. Sanur is also only a 20-30 minute drive to the airport, so it's a good place for the final day(s) of your stay. Can't precisely comment on snorkelling, but diving off Bali is OK, but Lombok is much better. Thank you so much for the great information and links. I think I will check out Sanur and the Hyatt. I'm definitely going to Ubud. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2016 19:22:44 GMT 7
I have learnt one thing. I have had great times in places everyone else hated. I have had terrible times in places people raved about. It all depends on who when and why. I totally agree with you. It depends on the person, and what they want to see and experience. I usually plan all of my travels on my own, including itinerary's, bookings, etc. I always have a good time too! |
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Post by rgs2001uk on Aug 25, 2016 22:06:43 GMT 7
Dont know when you plan to travel, but I wouldnt rule out Nth Vietnam, amazing country and people.
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smokie36
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Post by smokie36 on Aug 28, 2016 21:14:53 GMT 7
Dont know when you plan to travel, but I wouldnt rule out Nth Vietnam, amazing country and people. Yes I love it up there...still a lot of the country to explore. |
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