| F Serena |
28 July 2002 |
Stayed at Melia Bali Villas and Spa Resort - Bali, Indonesia.
|
We hired the driver who brought us from the airport to the hotel thru' a pre-arranged airport transfer. It is cheaper to hire the driver thru' private negotiations than thru' the hotel. For the entire day-tour in his car for 2 adults, ie. 9am to 7pm, we paid 300,00 rupiah. He brought us to Celuk (silver producing village), Mas (wood carving/carpentary village) and Ubud ( craftsmen village). We had lunch at a restaurant in Kintamani which was perched on a mountain top overlooking the volcanoes- it was really awesome and the air was nice and cool! The driver also brought us to Amandari Hotel in Ubud for tea. Sitting high above overlooking the paddyfields was really something else!! Subsequent trips to Kuta and Jimbaran Bay (for dinner at the beach which was an experience in itself!) were also arranged thru' the same driver. Really convenient.
|
| M Joing |
27 July 2002 |
Stayed at Puri Bambu Hotel - Bali, Indonesia.
|
Be sure to ask for the "cheap" menu when going to the seaside restaurants at Jimbaran Bay; they have a separate menu for those guests for whom they provide "free" transportation to and from the restaurant, which lists higher prices. Bargaining is also accepted at the above restaurants.
Bemos are difficult for tourists to negotiate for a fair price; furthermore, often multiple bemo transfers are required to get to certain destinations (i.e., to Ubud from Kuta) and the fare goes up along the way for each segment for unsuspecting tourists. An alternative is to hire a taxi (metered) or to hire a car for those who have international driver licenses and nerves of steel. Tourist shuttle buses are another option, but are generally more expensive on the return portion of the trip.
Overall, Bali had a lot of natural beauty to offer. Unfortunately, the atmosphere was somewhat ruined by the blatant attempts to exploit tourists for their money, as well as by the aggressive, rude, never-ending touts lining the streets.
|
| D Kammhuber |
19 July 2002 |
Stayed at Ibis Malioboro Yogyakarta - Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
|
I have been for the second time in Jogyakarta and I love this town and its famous Borobodur and Prambanan temples! Just be aware of smart-selling Batik-tenders in Jogya. They know all about sales psychology...
|
| P Mcnulty |
13 July 2002 |
Stayed at Ibis Arcadia Hotel - Jakarta, Indonesia.
|
Hotel in walking distance to Arjuna Statue and the Monas... then across the road to Mosque and Catholic Church... spent a few hours walking round the area.
Shopping: Millenia... discount clothes, good quality. Mangga Dua also good.
Taman Mini is cool. Also saw Ragunan. Train to Bogor to see Botanical Gradens is also worthwhile experience.
|
| B Pohlmann |
12 July 2002 |
Stayed at Jayakarta Lombok - Lombok, Indonesia.
|
Lombok is very interesting. We made a day trip to Gili Trawangan, one of three small islands off Lombok. It was an excellent day of swimming and relaxing.
There is also a large new mall in downtown Mataram which has some excellent deals at better prices than in Bali.
|
| J Venzke |
06 July 2002 |
Stayed at Paradise Seminyak Hotel and Spa - Bali, Indonesia.
|
Numerous inexpensive and good restaurants. Shopping is good for furniture; the rest is mostly trinkets.
|
| R Thayer |
06 July 2002 |
Stayed at Paradise Seminyak Hotel and Spa - Bali, Indonesia.
|
Overall I was unimpressed with Bali. It was my first trip and outside of the resort areas I thought it was dirty and the people tried to rip you off. If I was going to travel to an exotic location I would recommend Phuket Thailand over bali anyday.
|
| J Evans |
02 July 2002 |
Stayed at Melia Bali Villas and Spa Resort - Bali, Indonesia.
|
I particularly recommend the services of the knowledgable, English speaking driver whom I retained for a week, at US $30/day. His English name is Robin, and he may be reached on his cell phone at 0818561705. He has good contacts in the various crafts communities, and was extremely helpful in negotiating a large purchase of Balinese wood carvings for me. That is to say, by bargaining on my behalf, he managed to save me an additional 12% on the transaction!
|
| M Clayton |
02 July 2002 |
Stayed at Puri Bambu Hotel - Bali, Indonesia.
|
White water rafting and elephant safari trips are great fun. Nearby Kuta is good for shopping, there is a free shuttle bus from the hotel.
|
| L Chong |
01 July 2002 |
Stayed at Ibis Tamarin Hotel - Jakarta, Indonesia.
|
most convenient to move around with a taxi, not too costly
there's this restaurant in east jakarta which sells very delicious "kuey teow" noodle
cant remember the name of the place though
if you are willing to spend a little on shopping, check out plaza senayan and a shopping centre in melawai
or else the market in melawai is recommended for budget shoping
wanted to go to the mall in mangga dua coz i heard its great for budget shopping but didnt have the time.
|
Traveller's Tales: Shopping suggestions in Indonesia
