This is the first report on Bali I've written so might give a little history of my travels to Bali.
The wife and I first went to Bali at the end of 1999 with 2 other couples. This was just after all the problems in Timor so things were pretty quiet. The locals were doing it very hard. With this in mind and being first timers - you can imagine that we were sitting ducks out on the street not having the luxury of a forum like this to learn from. I look back at have a good chuckle, but it was all good fun. Hopefully all the extra money we paid made life a little better for those who needed it.
We stayed at a little place in Kuta called the Flora Beach Hotel. It is still there. All I will say is that I would never stay there again and because of the experiences there we never returned to Bali till 2006.
Some good friends who have frequented Bali every year for the past 20 odd years convinced us to come with them in 2006. We had very mixed feelings about going but being a surfer and not having surfed there the first time, we agreed. Made it only a 10 day trip in case we hated it again. Well what can I say - stayed at MBR in Legian and had the best holiday of our life. We took the rug rats with us and they loved it as well. It was nothing like our 1999 trip where we basically stayed in Kuta and really looking back, did nothing. I think going with someone who is street wise and knows where to go, where to eat, what to pay etc makes a great trip. Staying in Legian opposed to the centre of Kuta made such a difference. Loved all the places to eat and shop around Garlic Lane and surrounding area.
In 2007 we automatically went back to Bali - didn't even have to think about it. This trip we stayed for 3 weeks at the PR and loved it. Did a few different trips chasing the surf and the usual shopping etc. We were actually falling into the Bali way of life and booked our 2008 trip as soon as we got back (4 weeks this time)
In 2008 we stayed at MBR again as we had a large group and the Bungalow Rooms at the beach end are great if you book a whole block of 4 for your group. The kids tagged along again but we sent them home after 10 days. They weren't happy about it but hey Mum and Dad have gotta have a break too. They travelled back with friends who were returning to Perth at the same time.
Along come 2009. In May this year we spent another 3 weeks in Bali just surfing and chilling out. Started having a good look around at different places to stay as we have planned a 3 month trip for next year (thank god for long service leave). Air Asia started flying in July of this year so I thought what the heck and booked a couple of tickets to do a quick trip for a week in August just gone.
I can honestly say this was probably one of the best times I have had in Bali. As the trip was a last minute thing it was just the wife and myself. We booked a cheap hotel called the Vilarisi (opposite Champlung Mas). Had a standard room - very cheap ($35 AUD a night). The hotel is very basic but clean and the service was great. We hired a scooter for the week and really only needed the room to shower and sleep - the rest of the time we weren't there. For a short stay trip where you just want a bed I would recommend this place to anyone. This is not a place to stay for a resort style holiday but perfect as a base for travelling.
We did a trip on the bike to Amed. What a great ride, through Candi Dasa, a look at Padang Bai then up through the hills through Amlapura then out to Amed. Took us about 3.5 hours to ride but that included stops along the way. The backside gets a little sore after a while on the bike. We had lunch at Blue Moon Villas and have booked a week there next year. These Villas are exactly as their website shows. I'll be able to report back on them next year. Amed looks like the place for a week of totally relaxing.
A few days later we did a trip up the centre and down through Munduk ending up at Banjar where a friend has a villa right on the water front in amongst the vineyards. We have decided to stay here for 2 weeks next year and have a good explore of the top end as we really haven't had a good look up there yet.
Two more days back in Legian and our week was up. Depressed to have to go home but glad we made the quick trip as we did more in that week than we have in the last few years. Put a total different perspective on Bali for us and am now keen to investigate the more cultural side of life in paradise. Will still do the surfing thing but will make an effort to get away from the hustle and bustle and try to see the real Bali (if tourism hasn't got to all of it).
We have also booked 2 weeks at Nusa Lembongan for next year and trying to work out how we could squeeze a week at the Gili's. I'll have to reshape some of our plans or otherwise keep it as an excuse to come back again. I think the latter will end up applying.
Anyway I've probably bored you all by now but will put some here now reports up next year. Will be there from early June to end of August. Hopefully might run into some forumites and have a quiet Bintang or 3