Visiting Bali

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Johnf54
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Visiting Bali

Post by Johnf54 »

I'm thinking about a 5 day trip to Bali. I like to party (in moderation) and beach or sightseeing during the day. I'm clueless about the best currency to take and other useful tips I'm sure someone can help.me with. Advice greatly appreciated (I am UK expat here) travelling alone
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Re: bali

Post by NOKYAI »

You don't say how old you are, which might affect people's answers. I like Seminyak as its a bit classier than Kutu which tends to be over run with Ausie backpacker/ surfer types. Take dollars and exchange the there.

I always stay here...http://www.mutiarabali.com
It's a short walk to the sea, restaurants and a few high end clubs for people over say 30 yrs
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pharvey
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Re: bali

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Johnf54 wrote:I'm thinking about a 5 day trip to Bali. I like to party (in moderation) and beach or sightseeing during the day. I'm clueless about the best currency to take and other useful tips I'm sure someone can help.me with. Advice greatly appreciated (I am UK expat here) travelling alone
Really depends on how much you like to "party" I guess. Kuta is realistically the "party" area, but personally I wouldn't stay there - a little too much partying for my taste, but fun for a few hours out now and again. Very popular with the Aussies, so they make up the vast majority of the tourists. Alcohol aplenty, so as you would expect there are a few "related incidents"! Hence my advice to reside a little way clear.... :D :wink:

The LHG and I stayed in Nusa Dua which I'm confident would be far too quiet for you and a bit of a distance from the bars etc. As we usually visited Bali on our Anniversary, I would be making my (poor) annual attempt at romance!! :D :oops:

From what you say, I would honestly look into places like Legian or Seminyak which are somewhat quieter than Kuta, but within around 2 odd miles, so a decent walk or short taxi ride. With regards to taxis, we always found Bluebird Taxis to be the most reliable (and honest!).

Denpasar is the capital, which is around 4 to 5 miles from Kuta, but can't say I was overly impressed with anything there - although it was a fairly short day trip some years ago!!

We used the local currency (Rupiah) the vast majority of the time, but found it always useful to have some US$ (take some smaller notes).

Hope the above helps... Have fun!!

:cheers: :cheers:
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Re: bali

Post by NOKYAI »

There are about 21,400 IDR to 1 GBP! There are some issues with getting enough currency out of ATMs as I remember. I think they only gave about 1 1/2 mill, which didn't cover my bar bill at a swanky club! Physically carrying enough of the folding stuff around was a challenge!!
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Re: bali

Post by pharvey »

NOKYAI wrote:There are about 21,400 IDR to 1 GBP! There are some issues with getting enough currency out of ATMs as I remember. I think they only gave about 1 1/2 mill, which didn't cover my bar bill at a swanky club! Physically carrying enough of the folding stuff around was a challenge!!
Well, as I said in my post, it's been a few years since we were there last. We certainly didn't have any issues then with the local currency (or ATM's), but then again didn't get pi$$ed in "swanky clubs".

@John - despite NOKYAI's problems with ATM's and wont for the "High Life", it's obvious that you certainly need to have some US$ with you!! :thumb:
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Re: bali

Post by arcadianagain »

We visited Bintan a few years ago and we each had to pay USD10 in clean bills as a tourist tax on arrival
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STEVE G
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Re: bali

Post by STEVE G »

From what you say, I would honestly look into places like Legian or Seminyak which are somewhat quieter than Kuta, but within around 2 odd miles, so a decent walk or short taxi ride.
I haven't been there for about ten years but I used to visit Bali a lot when I worked in Indonesia and I used to always enjoy staying around the Legian area.
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Re: bali

Post by Johnf54 »

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. Maybe the first time will be a scouting mission ^_^ seriously!! Appreciate the help
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Re: bali

Post by Pagey »

I went in July. Kuta definitely the party place but be prepared to be hassled every 2 minutes by touts trying to sell you viagra, young girls, marijuana etc. I preferred Seminyak, definitely more upmarket and reminded me of Hua HIn a bit with the beach and clientele and the touts only offered you a taxi. A nice pathway runs alongside the beach for long walks. I took USD bought from our sponsor Victory exchange in M Village and changed them at banks. Only exchange enough at the airport for your taxi to your destination then change in a bank when you get there because of the poor rate at the airport. Yes you need to pay an arrival fee, I can't remember if it was 10 or 15 USD ? but a quick Google will give you some answers and also warnings, eg avoid unlicensed money changers.

I can't think of anything else but if you have any specific questions please ask.
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Re: Visiting Bali

Post by jimmy40 »

Just got back from Bali yesterday.
All the above is pretty right Kuta is filled with Ozzies, and its a party town that starts at about 11pm.
All the normal tricks there like any where. Taxi drivers are the worst get a meter taxi.
I find Sunar to be a better place, plenty of places to stay. from $30 to $500 a night to suit any budget.
Hire a bike to get around, they are about $6 a day. Traffic about the same as BKK.
10,000 baht will give you 3.5 mill IDR.
Take some us $ with you. If you are not on the free country list it is $35 visa on arrival.
Hope that helps
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Re: Visiting Bali

Post by Zidane »

Its true Kuta is the party place.....ideal if you are youngish and like to party till dawn.....otherwise......
We stayed in Sanur but that was relatively quiet.We liked Nusa Dua but that was quiet,also.
So,agree with the guys who recommend Legian or Seminyak.
A good day trip,going north,is to Ubud....very interesting place.
Balinese people are,generally,very friendly......food and beer pretty cheap.
The most popular currency for tourists is US Dollars.
Have a good trip.
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Re: Visiting Bali

Post by buksida »

Thinking of a few days on Bali (and possibly Lombok) on our way to East Java this summer. Want to completely avoid all party/nightlife/drunken tourist areas as will be with family so where would be a good northern beach or mountain place to base for a couple of days and rent some bikes to explore the island? We'll then go overland into Java.
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Re: Visiting Bali

Post by Pagey »

Google Seminyak for a beach holiday. Ubud is the popular inland place.
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Re: Visiting Bali

Post by StevePIraq »

Ubud is way to busy, the traffic is absolutely terrible, same for Tana Lot. Don't forget you have to pay an exit fee also, which must be paid in local currency which by the way you just exchanged for dollars.
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Re: Visiting Bali

Post by STEVE G »

I enjoyed staying at Senggigi in Lombok, it's a resort town but pretty small and peaceful, I rented a small Suzuki Jeep and toured around the whole island based out of there.
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