In Reply to: Is Bali for me?? posted by gnik on Thursday, 12. March 2009 at 19:22 Bali Time:
My husband and two young children go to Bali frequently. We can't stand Kuta and Legian, and even Seminyak now, just too busy! Absolute traffic/people/noise nightmare. I recently planned my sister and her family's first trip and they arrived home on Wednesday. The first leg was in Sanur which we like and they loved, but even the hawkers on Sanur beach were a bit much for them but not as bad as Kuta. They then got a driver to take them to Candi Dasa for a few days, stopping at some barong dance and music performances on the way and a little shop (just a hut) and using the 'natural' toilet the lady said they had out the back (the stream). Candi Dasa is very peaceful and they loved it. They then got to Seminyak and hated it. After a look around and practically being malled by hawkers they didn't leave the grounds of the hotel for fear of undoing all their relaxation and cultural experiences. They weren't interested in shopping so they didn't leave the grounds.
We base ourselves in south Sanur quite a bit. And if you did want to go out there is nightlife, well I don't mean nightclubs, but great bar/restaurants that we can even go to with our kids to see bands etc, contrary to what many forumites think! We then travel around Bali eg Lovina, boat over to beautiful Nusa Lembongan and scooter around the island (no cars, just the odd cow), Candi Dasa, Amed, Lovina. If you do want to shop in Kuta we do it whilst we are in Sanur (takes 20 mins in taxi and costs around $8.00), then get back in a taxi and get the hell out of there!
I agree, you don't want to go to the relatively newly created and contrived Nusa Dua.
The people that hate Bali can't ignore the hawkers, can't appreciate the food and the people and the culture and probably don't leave Kuta. Given your impressive travel history (I'm envious) I doubt that you won't see Bali for what it is.
Try and get out in some villages and take it all in.
I hope you choose to go and I hope you love all love it.