In Reply to: What's need for 1st trip? posted by The_Flash on Wednesday, 4. June 2008 at 05:41 Bali Time:
Hi Flash,
Family and i are off to Bali on the 16th July and, like you am gathering info off the BTF. What i'm doing is copying and pasting
sections of info into a word document, then just before i go, i'll
print this off and take it with me.
Below is what i have copied so far, obviously, not all the info is
relevent to you, but some might be of help.
Here it is:
SHOPPING
I have discovered (and now love) fixed price shops and shopped at 2 recommended on this forum. I found the one in Tuban to be on average about 5000rp per item cheaper than the one we used in Legian, however the Legian shop had by far and away the best range for copy goods and so convenient just being out the back of the main shop. Was very happy with the prices at both these shops and it gave us a good idea of prices for bargaining in other market shops. Bought lots of surfbrands etc from the Legain fixed price shop. My daughter got one of the 21 game Nintendo cartridges at Matahari with plenty of the latest games on it for 500,000rp which is just over the price you would pay for one game at home. My son loved the toy area in Matahari - everything is so cheap. I loved the airconditioning. bought my son some imitation Crocs from Melasti markets. Only 50,000rp and I can't tell the difference from the real ones. Went to the Surfer girl shop in Kuta for my daughter and prices were just a little over 50% of prices here.
Walked to Janako Tailors and ordered 3 skirts, 4 shirts 2 black denim jackets total cost 1,100,000rp about $129.au.
Probably the best place you can go to shop with fixed prices is Geneva Handicrafts on the main road heading towards Seminyak. They pretty much sell everything available in the markets and more (excluding clothes and shoes) cheers
There are 2 in Tuban located across from Green Garden Hotel (this is the Green Garden Hotel that's located next to the Dynasty Hotel).
Stalls are Diannes and Jenny's
I like shopping at Ketuts shop in garlic lane, great selection and if she hasnt got it in stock, will get it for you. No bargaining, just a set price, and very good. Her shop is in Garlic lane on the Melasti st end on Legian side of the lane, just ask someone where she is.
In Reply to: Seminyak shopping posted by ellen on Sunday, 20. April 2008 at 09:19 Bali Time:
Yes the shopping is great in Seminyak. I usually get the taxi to drop me off at the top of Jln Seminyak just by the local market & then walk back towards Legian as far as Jln Double 6 (walking is the only way to do it) late afternoon is a good time when it is not quite so hot. There are some wonderful boutiques & homeware store along this strip, including Biasa, Zenergy, Inti, Jaques Ruc, & many many more. Don't miss Havelli a very exotic homeware store.
Jln Oberoi (Eat St) is also becoming Boutique Street, again I get dropped off, or maybe have breakfast at Ku De Ta & walk back, an interesting mix of restaurants & shops, most of the restaurants are open in the evening but it will give you an idea of where to dine. Ultimo is a firm favourite. I usually end up with a coffee at the Corner Store (best coffee) & watch the sights. You only have to continue another couple of hundred metres & you will end up at the local market again.
By any chance does any one know where to find the billabong clearance store??... Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai 11G .
Didn't think it was that great tho. Prefer the other 2 next to the U-turn about 100 metres away...Billabongs
big discount surf shop on sunset road, just passed the big round about, (planet hollywood) heading towards the airport.
Sunglass 25,000rp
Girls short boardshorts 35,000 rp
T shirts /singlet tops 25,000rp to 30,000rp at Diane's shop.
Revlon Makeup at centro what a bargin. Colour Stay foundation $10.00
Sarongs 20,000rp
Girl's sun dresses 35,000rp
Waterbom Park
We paid the $9 per adult & $4 per child before you leave the park so you can come back again within 7 days.
Hi they also have swimming floatable vests for the children I used one for my daughter last time we were there it's great not having to bring one with you. Hope this helps .
Yes, there is a kiddies section at waterbom which has a very shallow play pool with a small slide and play things on the slide. This pool has a large bucket of water which dumps a huge bucket load of water about every 5 minutes, but if the bucket of water is too much for your toddler then sit around the other side of the kiddies pool. There are a few water guns for them to play with. Also near this kiddies pool there are 2 small slides for the littlies.
I'm sure your toddler will enjoy it. Just make sure you get there early when the park first opens at 10am so you can get a cabanna by the kiddies pool, then you can get relief from the sun and your toddler can have a nap in the shade.
Safari Park
Took a local familly up to the safari park yesterday(Sunday) We got there early which was good. The 2 shows start at 11am & 4pm so work around these times. We had a swim in water park which was great for the kids. Take your swim gear with you into the park. They have lockers there if you want to leave your swim gear there while you walk aroung. We played with the 2 tiger cubs,2 lion cubs & 2 baby monkeys. It's very hands on with these baby animals We had a great day & recomend you give the place a go They are still doing heaps of work to the place so it's only going to get better.
If you only want to spend 4 hours there you can use the free shuttle bus from the back of the old Kuta square. If they pick you up at 9am, you MUST take the 2pm bus back. Personally we could have spent a lot longer there, and felt a little bit cheated by the time limit!
Phone calls etc
I usually get XL (Bebas) in Bali.
I found out on my last visit that you can pay cheaper by dialing a number before the phone number that you are calling.
My understanding is that only XL offer this option.. ( Could be wrong..)
If Calling Australia:
0100061**********
The cost per call is much cheaper... I bought a sim on the first day and upgraded to Rp100000, I called home every day ( Call duration approx 30 minutes each times), and sent SMS's both overseas and in Bali on a daily basis and I still had heaps of credit left..
Just go to the small photo Shop in front of the Jayakarta Hotel.. ( The first shop at the corner of "Rum Jungle"
Health/Bali Belly
We are leaving for Bali (from Aus)in a couple of days and local chemist recommended taking a preventative called Travelan - 1 tab before each meal - apparently neutralises E.coli and minor gastro disorders and so prevents bali belly developing in the first place. Have never used them before but will give them a go. Not sure if they are available in Holland or, if they are, what the marketing name would be.
On our visit in April my 14 year old son developed an ear infection. we called Dr Ari (recommended by Filo) He came to our Villa in tuban in his mini ambulance. He seemed well equipped,had great english, was very good with my autistic son and supplied us with anti biotics and other medication.
His details are Dr S P Ari Sudhewa Phone (62 361)225230 24 hour clinic
His charges were Rp 350,000 for the visit and rp 350,000 for the medication. he gave us a detailed receipt.
Kids
we took Aqua ear as we can never get our kids out of the pool, a few friends had probs with ear infections. We only put a drop in each night. Also took some kids clothes and gave it to some ladies on the beach
*Aquim gel-to clean hands
*Donnagel -for diarrohea,it's a liquid for young ones
*stingoes
*betadine
*steristrips
*thermometer
*panadol liquid
*gastrolyte (if they will drink it?)
*cold and flu releif Like Dimmetapp
You've probably done this before but just in case - it's great to make up small bags for each child containing new inexpensive toys, paper, pencils etc (nothing noisy) & some old favourites just to take to restaurants or for other times when kids might be kept waiting & get bored. Service in Bali can often be slow & bored hungry kids can be a pain for everyone in a restaurant, most of all for themselves & their parents.
Keep them amused with new things that only appear when they're away from the hotel & have a few extras to bring out when needed.
mosquito repelant, antihistamine is useful for all kinds of things ask your chemist, lots of sunscreen, a babysitter is delightful for 35AUD per day for 8 hours :) . you can bye cheap toys at matahari and bintagn supermarket, you can also buy bread if you take vegimite and great range of baby and kids food and nappies, juices if your little one is still on bottles good to take the baby sterlizer stuff i cant rmember its name :( we have taken our child 5 times all good!
I've read that the Mama Poko brand of nappies that you buy in Bali are great - just as good as Huggies apparently..... also to sterilise your bottles, dummies etc just take along Miltons tablets, buy a cheap plastic bowl in bali and just use that to sterilise everything in.
hello yes we have taken our little one 5 x to bali since he was 5 1/2months old not troubles alothough we do use a great babysitter, try casey at the Helen Flavel Website
Bali Garden Hotel
Money changer
As you exit BGH go to your left and the first little tours stall that you come to has a good money changer. It is street front and I have never had a problem with these guys, and have always been honest and only give large notes in 100.000rp notes or sometimes 50.000rp note denominations. They have the same rates as the kodak shops.
I have heard many comments that some guests at BGH use the money changer inside the hotel, and the rates.
If your near the green garden hotel or the Dynasty which is a little stroll to the right of BGH. They have a Kodak money changer, which is reputable and I have never had any problem there. At the Kodak Money Changers you do recieve a reciept for your money change.
The banana pancakes cooked by the girl at the grill with the beaming smile were delicious. One funny thing - you have to ask them to bring you bacon.
Just got back last week from 28 days at the Bali Garden. I know there have been a lot of detractors on this website in regards to BGH, however I thought it was great. The new pools are fantastic although very crowded because the hotel had 100% capacity for the first time in years. The rooms won't be finished for another 12 months but most have been painted and brightened up. They still have the most comfortable beds slept like a baby. The new Boardwalk cafe is excellent and so cheap some people eat there every night. The lamb shank was fantastic and only 58,000. The Kori bar in the lobby was very cheap and we finished the night off there most nights, with bintangs only 13,000 and spirits only 24,000. Only two rooms have been refurbushed and they are deciding on the decor. But who cares you only stay in your room to sleep. The weather was very nice this year with a good breeze most days I was almost cold one night sitting at the boardwalk. Highlight of the trip safari park. Best restaurants-Ifori opposite centro had the best seafood risotto there withe sea scallops, squid and prawns in a lemon myrtle sauce. Uns in poppies1 always good, also Papas on jalan pantai. Felt a bit guilty shouted 25 people on the beach lunch and it cost 150,000 then went to Ifori and had a steak for 179,000. Hope this helps some people going to BGH.
Tourist Booth
If you want to do any holiday activities, just go across the road, between the bubba gump restaurant and slingshot. They always give you the best deals, and ask for beni, he is very good and very helpful. Enjoy your holiday.
Laundry
We use a laundry called Puspasari when we stay at the BGH. It's not far. Cross the road (Waterbom Park) and head to the right. The laundry is about 70 metres down the first lane on the left.
Always excellent service.
Restaurants
Warung Kartini (D) behind Sri Ratu a family warung well most are aren't they - only newly open - now the décor is 'how do you do' but the atmosphere with all the family - mum & the kids serving - dad cooking - oh how wonderful - 5 of us ate and drank and the bill was 130000. They gave us a 'complimentary omelet and a fruit platter'. The 5 of us loved the place, the food & the people. I think our tips outranked the bill. I took a ton of stuff to them before I left - stuff for the kids - and I emptied out my fridge. They were so happy as I had 3 big bags full of goodies. Dad was impressed with the torch and Gran loved the umbrella.
For authentic Indonesian food in beautiful surroundings at a very reasonable price with excellent service, you can't beat Ketupat in Jl Legian behind Jonathan Gallery. Better by a country mile than both Made's Warungs.
A cheap and cheerful and very very good thai food is if you go out of jayakarta and turn left and walk down the road just before you hit double six street on your right there is a small resutrant called warung asai amazing food especially if you like it hot and spicy my fav hmmm enjoy .
Very popular right from its soft opening in May 2008 is SARONG, Jalan Petitenget 19X near THE LIVING ROOM. English Chef Will Meyrick (ex SENTOSA and SOFITEL in Bali and LONGRAIN in Sydney) added some Indian and Chinese dishes to his delicious modern-Thai creations: there are "Asian Tapas" such as Betel leafs with raw tuna, lemon grass, shallots and lemon basil, Betel leafs with salmon, shrimps and coriander or Betel leafs with grilled scallop, crispy duck, Thai basil and peanut Nam Jihm, Chicken Martabak with pickled cucumber and sweet sambal etc. which all can be served in the "Tapas Bar & Lounge" in front of the elegant open-air Dining Room with luxurious curtains and furnished with comfortable sofas and dining chairs. We love the salad from grilled prawns, pomelo, garlic, lemon grass, mint and Nam Jihm dressing and the Sichuan cured tuna with grated carrot, sweet basil, peanuts and Chinese plum sauce. From India there are the Tandoori butter chicken, a lamb Boti Kebab and a fish Tikka cooked in saffron, cardamon, turmeric and dill, a Northern Indian prawn curry, a lamb Rogan Josh, a Vindaloo curry of pork belly as well as a Dahl Tadka. Indonesian grilled snapper, grilled baby pork ribs, twice cooked chicken and crispy duck with two sambals are as tempting as Thai-style crispy pork hog with tamarind tamarillo sauce and nam pla prik or stir fried Asian vegetables with Thai basil. Finish your meal with a duck egg & ginger custard with palm sugar caramel, taro cake with crispy shallot, mandarin and fig compote or durian pancakes with coconut lime caramel and durian ice cream. If the choice is too difficult, just order a sample plate of Indian and South East Asian desserts. The drink list offers a wide choice of imported wines from all parts of the world starting around 380,000 Rupiah ++. The service is very attentive, and a very memorable dinner for two will be around 350,000 to 500,000 Rupiah plus drinks. For reservations call 737-809
The QUEEN'S TANDOOR, Jalan Seminyak 73 opposite MADE'S WARUNG, serves now the same delicious Indian specialties in Bali for which it has been famous in Jakarta since 1986. Enjoy the mouth-watering delicacies from the tandoor oven or the slowly cooked chicken, lamb, seafood and vegetable Curries, Masallas and Kormas with rich sauces full of fresh herbs, spices, fruits and nuts. Our favourites are Masala Papadum, Seekh Kebab, Gosht Shahi Korma, Mutton Pasanda, Murgh Makhani (Butter Chicken) and Butter Chicken Tikka, yellow and black Dhal, Aloo Gobi, Navratan Korma, Raita, Garlic Naan, Cheese Naan and the delicious Peshawari Naan. There are freshly baked other breads such as various Papadums and Chappati to accompany your meal, and Kulfi, the Indian ice cream, is the best way to finish it.
Another popular eatery with an outstanding beach front location is ZANZIBAR, Jalan Pantai Arjuna - turn left at the end of Jalan Double Six. The menu lists a good choice of Western and local dishes, seafood specialties and many kinds of tasty pizza. All dishes are well prepared, prices are very reasonable (many dishes are around 30,000 or 40,000 Rupiah, wines start around 240,000 Rupiah) and it's often difficult to find a table on the open terrace - especially on Sundays when there are performances of firedancers and djimbe drum players from 6 p.m. on the beach right in front of the restaurant.
Café Warisan in Seminyak was outstanding. (Dr. julian)
Not sure how it's spelt, but if you are in the mood for a light scrumptious lunch, the Japanese in the Carrefour food Court is to die for!!
It's at the end, not along the sides. All chopped and cooked in front of you, heaps of vegies. Bit of a shock how much fat is used to cook such healthy looking/tasting food but it is yummy and at 18000 for chicken or a little more for the tenderest beef well worth the trip. Kids would love to watch the knife twirling chef I'm sure. I love the teppanyaki in the food courts, there's also one underneath Matahari's in Denpasar, same chain. As you so, so entertaining and delicious, I'm looking forward to taking our kids next year.
Jayakarta Hotel
You must go down to Franks bar on the beach across from Jakarta hotel in Legian. Wayan and his friends make you feel welcome. The atmosphere there is amazing!
Just got back was staying at Jayakarta Hotel if you walk out of hotel and turn Left its just on your right cant miss it brand new green shop very nice staff great massages excellent. I have always gone to Melasti but not anymore and price is excellent 1 hour Massage 65,000 1 hour cream bath 60,000 manicure / pedicure 50,000
you will be very happy.
stayed in a pool view room with our 14mth old. had a baby cot in with us and this was fine. hotel good value for money, loved the pools and the massages! the breakfast was god too they have everything you need. toast, cornflakes, milk, yoghurt, fruit, vegimite! jams, salads, soups, fried rice, noodles, indo food, bacon, eggs, pancakes and cakes and sweets. not sure why some people complain about food as there is alot to choose from. the rooms were basic though and could do with upgrading, I'd say they haven't changed their decor for years! but still comfortable rooms (why would you stay in your room all day anyway! we just used it for sleeping or to rest bubs).
its not a bad location with restuarants on the beachside of hotel which are really good! and shops out the front but about a 10min walk or more to the main shopping in legian and other resturants.
the kids playroom at the hotel is good too especially if you want to leave them there for a few hours(cost money). not sure about the playground though as its on hard sand and noone really used it, if it was grassed we would have used it.
hotel staff were very nice and used your name and new what room you were in!
massages here were great! its right next to the plunge pool and you hear the water flowing into that whilst having your massage!
the day beds were comfy too! although hard to get your towel on them first! the pool chairs were hard to get either (good ones with umbrella's go early!).
room location was great as you could see your room door from pool/chair! and was not too loud either.
I would stay here again if I had to (next time staying closer to legian-kuta end.
this is a good family value for money hotel in a good location.
Directly opposite Jayakarta gates a couple of metres to the left is a great laundry. It's just behind the internet shop.
Set price, dirt cheap.
When you leave the front of Jayakarta almost opposite is a street that used to be Rum Jungle Rd. and one shop off the corner is a Kodak Shop/money changer. We have been using him for years and he is honest and a very nice bloke too.
Whatever you do don't use the little mini mart/moneychanger on the beach at the back of Jayakarta just next to Kumala Pantai Hotel. He is not at all honest and in fact even if you buy a soft drink and a bag of chips you will need to check the prices against what you are charged and check your change 3 times. In fact when you leave that shop just check that you still have your shoes and underwear!!!!!!!!!!!