In Reply to: Booking yourself vs booking via agent posted by Jody on Thursday, 30. June 2005 at 09:52 Bali Time:
Got back 2 weeks ago (too long ago now) and had got a 3 or 4 day package (Bakung's Beach Hotel, Tuban) flying AP (35 day ticket) with a 60 day visa. There was no problem finding somewhere to stay after the packaged room finished. In fact, I got a lovely room up the alley in a family compound that was Rp 1.5 million per month (a dash over A$7 per day and double (negotiable probably) for shorter stays (new serviced room by Mama Ketut, TV, A/C, hot&cold water, queen-size bed, western toilet, come and go as I pleased) where I was treated almost as 1 of the family. Papa Dana is a driver at the Ramada Bintang so I always had transport when needed in his brand-new Kijang (should have sen the blessing ceremony) or the back of his bike. I will do all my trips the same way from now on, and probably won't even bother with the hotel. A great way to get to know the locals.
eMail me if you would like photos or details.