JBR or whatever it is.

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Posted by scaredycat on Monday, 9. July 2007 at 22:46 Bali Time:

So, first trip to Bali from the UK. Stayed in Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa in (obviously) Nusa Dua.

What did I think of Bali? Meh, it's okay. Would I go back? Highly unlikely.

You certainly feel secure in Nusa Dua with it's double whammy of security gates a) to get into the area and b) to get into your hotel complex. The hotel itself was lovely (although from what I saw is probably a little behind the times compared to others along the beach).

Considering the island is so reliant on tourism, the airport is a disgrace. ONE HOUR to get through passport control. Twenty or so available immigration desks, and only FOUR people manning them (and this was in the middle of the day). Not a great first impression. After fending off the aggressive luggage porters with a big stick, our chatty tour rep met us and we had our private car transfer to the hotel, which was fine. We stayed in the Palace Club rooms at the hotel, which were really nice.

Took the "Ubud Arts & Crafts" tour with the tour company, which was meant to last from 9am to 4pm. This wasn't 'arts and crafts', this was 'going to 5 different factory shops'. Standing by a loom outside a clothing shop for 30 seconds does not suggest to me that the thousands of garments indoors have been handmade. Places like this are complete tourist traps, an avoidance of them is highly recommended! After the first shop we saw exactly what we were in for and asked to be taken back to the hotel (my partner wasn't feeling well either, so this contributed to it) and so we were back by 10:30am!

Personally I can't stand all that bargaining nonsense, so preferred to shop in malls or fixed price places. I'd rather pay double than have to jabber on with someone who has quoted you a vastly inflated price to start with, safe in the knowledge that you're going to offer them half of that, which is already more than the item is worth in the first place. It's all a joke, and not a very funny one.

The Bali Collection mall is nice enough - although I suspect only the main department store is selling genuine goods - and some of the restaurants are okay. The best place we ate out at was the Tropical restaurant just outside the Nusa Dua security gates. Very cheap, friendly, and the only one that is always busy. Not quite sure how the area is coping as it was DEAD at night time. Most of the large restaurants just outside the gates had no customers whatsoever around 8pm to 10pm.

It was an experience, but not one to be repeated. I guess Bali for Australians is like Ibiza or Majorca for Brits - cheap and nasty tourist hell.

So that's that.

PS I did manage to not scream after the 14 millionth time of being asked "Transport?" "For tomorrow??"

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