Hello everyone, just browsing the net,saw this site and wanted to say a few words about Bali. We ventured to Bali this past January from Canada and stayed at a villa site near Kuta (about a 15 minutes cab ride to the main Kuta square)for all of about $3.50. See www.thekunja.com or www.thedusun.com. The owner, Robert and his staff pamper their guests and really treat you like royalty.
The staff were very helpful and advise you on the do's and dont's in Bali. One such piece of advise was which money exchange shops to get your money changed over at. The highest posted exchange rate usually has hidden surcharges and you get less money back. (do not exchange $$$ at airport-that was my first lesson-not painful but a pinch)
Anyway, the Bali people in the rural areas were always polite and in general around the business/shopping areas they were too. One thing we didn't like in the shopping areas was the constant flood of being accousted by people selling this and that as you walked the sidewalks.
We eventually became very good at ignoring them and the repeated horn blasts from passing taxi's wanting to give you a lift.
The villa offered (for a minimal price)half and full day private tours of Bali in air conditioned vehicles and your own tour guide.
Good Restaurants:huubali, ku te ta, the living room,lalucciola and for you fish lovers Aroma's (Highly recommended-a must do if you're in Bali) The restaurant backs onto the Indian Ocean, your table is on the beach along the water front-you go into the restaurant select your fish,lobster, crab, prawns red snapper-they grill your food and serve it with rice to your table. Add some Bintang beer and you're set. The wine is not great so we stuck with beer. We did bring wine with us from Canada though- 4x1 litre tetra pack wine container in a sealed freezer bag-they all made the trip safe and sound!!
We bought some teak furniture and had it shipped to Canada.
Awesome prices. See www.genevafurniturecentre.com (kennys) Harry is a contact there.
Thats all for now. We're planning another trip to Bali in a couple of years-this time no kids.
*Bad thing-27 hours travel time to Bali.
Walter