Planning trips to Bali and beyond

[zanzibar138]

Since I have a totally negative image in my head of Bali, thanks to parents experiences, friends, etc I am looking forward to reading about your experiences Wanderlust. Between you and Zanzibar and others maybe my mind can be changed to give it a go one day! Though returning to Japan, and visiting China and Vietnam still pip it - conventional I know!!

Bali was pretty much the last place I wanted to go, but we just couldn't go past those airfares Now that I've done some more research, I've realised that there are quite a lot of things in Indonesia that interest me. None are in Bali though We'll only have one full day there and I'm not sure that we'll even bother to leave the hotel (especially since we splurged on a really nice looking place!). I'll be interested to hear Wanderlust's take on it too

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Since I have a totally negative image in my head of Bali, thanks to parents experiences, friends, etc I am looking forward to reading about your experiences Wanderlust. Between you and Zanzibar and others maybe my mind can be changed to give it a go one day! Though returning to Japan, and visiting China and Vietnam still pip it - conventional I know!!

Not at all conventional to want to visit parts of Far East Asia first. If the flights hadn't been so expensive, I would probably be visiting somewhere like Japan instead of Bali.

I only started doing some Bali research once I saw the flights were not much more than Fiji. After a chat with DH, we decided that it would be a different experience for us, we loved the look of all the villas, and so we decided 'Why not'?
The more research I've done, the more excited I've become, and I have a feeling we're going to really love it there. I'm wishing we were staying for at least a few days longer as I'm seeing more and more I want to do.

In saying that, we aren't interested in a stereotypical Balinese holiday. We have no interest in the beaches (they look a bit dirty to me) and we aren't interested in the busy, built-up areas of Kuta and Legian and some of the top tourist spots such as the Monkey Forest or the Luwak coffee place.

Instead we are excited about our quiet, pretty villas, and doing things such as cooking classes and getting massages. We will also do a couple of day tours to check out the island, but most days will be fairly relaxing.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I've been a bit amiss from the Dis lately and have been spending more of my free time researching this trip to Bali.

Have made a few changes to my plans, including my accommodation and I must say, I am getting super excited. It's not the same excitement I got when planning the big trip to WDW, but this will be my last overseas trip for quite a long time (possibly until 2017) so I'm eager for it to be special.

How are your plans going Zanzibar? Also AussieSharon, when you get back from Club Med, I'm keen to hear how you found it. I haven't done the All Inclusive resort style holiday before and it's always intrigued me.

I got an email from Virgin about a month ago to say my 1am return flight had been cancelled and would I accept a flight change to a flight 3 hours earlier. I wasn't happy as I had splashed out to spend that last day and evening in a nice resort and I didn't feel like I would be getting my money's worth if I now had to leave for the airport by 7pm. Plus the new option had a much longer layover.
Anyway, I rang to say I wanted a different option, and I must say, I was super-impressed by the service I received. The guy on the phone made a lot of effort to swap me to a flight I preferred. A big tick for Virgin.
I'm now on a 10pm flight the next evening, so I've managed to add an extra day to my trip which I'm pleased about. Plus I was moved to a flight that I would have preferred right from the start, but at the time of booking, it was too expensive.


My plans now are as follows:


3 nights in Villa Kampung Kecil in Sanur. We're going to explore Sanur on one day, and have a temple/Island tour booked for the other.

4 nights in Villa Satori in Ubud (a 3 bedroom holiday home I booked using Trip Advisor's Payment Protection). It is a a bit cheaper than my original Ubud booking, in a better location, and has equally stunning views. I'm most excited about our time in Ubud and we plan on doing a cooking class, a silversmith jewellery making class, getting massages, and generally just exploring the Arts markets and enjoying the cheap restaurants.

2 Nights in the 2 bedroom Villa at The Hill Villas Nusa Dua. I got a mega special on this place (roughly 60% off) which just made it fit within our budget. Because it's so lovely, we plan on spending our time here just enjoying the Villa's pool and getting Spa treatments. However, I will be travelling on my own one morning to Jimbaran for my perfume making class. So excited.

On our final and extra day we have booked into a cheap hotel about 10min from the airport in southern Kuta. Sorry the name escapes me at present, but it looks nice, was super cheap and we will be just using it to shower and nap before our evening flight. I picked it because it is a 2min walk from Waterbom and DH and DS want to spend half a day there. Plus it's across the road from a shopping mall and a quick walk to Bubba Gump (should we feel like a taste of the USA). I'm not keen on Kuta at all, but this feels like a good way to spend the last day. We will be cleared out before all the nightclubbers arrive in the area.

So that's our plans as they stand at present. Can't wait!

 

[zanzibar138]

Great to hear some updates Wanderlust! It sure is coming up quick.

You'll be disappointed to hear that DH and I have ditched our Indonesia trip. There is a lot going on with AirAsia Indonesia at the moment with the crash and the Melbourne-Bali route not being authorised yet. We hadn't paid for much yet, and the flights are likely to be refunded (but only 24 hours out from our supposed departure date), so we thought it would be better to just start again and be able to make solid plans.

DH found a great deal on flights to the US which will get us status with Virgin, so it's turning out a bit like your Yellowstone trip

 

[aussie shaz]

Wanderlust, we arrived here yesterday. We flew through arrivals. Very glad since reading of some of the horror stories of 2-3hour waits.
So far Club Med is amazing. In just over 24 hours we have swum about 4 times, played Badminton, basketball and table tennis. Hubby has just gone to play a game of golf. Have lounged on gorgeous loungers by the pool, the beach and the bar. And have had drinks by the pool, the beach and the bar. We have had breakfast, lunch and dinner, have listened to live music twice, and are looking forward to the evening show called We Will Rock You.
All without spending a cent!
Will update later once we've experienced everything else here, and on our ventures out to 'The Real Bali'.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Great to hear some updates Wanderlust! It sure is coming up quick. You'll be disappointed to hear that DH and I have ditched our Indonesia trip. There is a lot going on with AirAsia Indonesia at the moment with the crash and the Melbourne-Bali route not being authorised yet. We hadn't paid for much yet, and the flights are likely to be refunded (but only 24 hours out from our supposed departure date), so we thought it would be better to just start again and be able to make solid plans. DH found a great deal on flights to the US which will get us status with Virgin, so it's turning out a bit like your Yellowstone trip

Not disappointed - it sounds like you have done what is best for you

So does that make two trips to the USA this year?

Also, when and where are you going to go?

It's only been about 4 months since we got back from Yellowstone, and I already desperately wish I could return. It's been my favourite place in the USA to date.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Wanderlust, we arrived here yesterday. We flew through arrivals. Very glad since reading of some of the horror stories of 2-3hour waits. So far Club Med is amazing. In just over 24 hours we have swum about 4 times, played Badminton, basketball and table tennis. Hubby has just gone to play a game of golf. Have lounged on gorgeous loungers by the pool, the beach and the bar. And have had drinks by the pool, the beach and the bar. We have had breakfast, lunch and dinner, have listened to live music twice, and are looking forward to the evening show called We Will Rock You. All without spending a cent! Will update later once we've experienced everything else here, and on our ventures out to 'The Real Bali'.

So great to hear that you're enjoying yourself. I hope the whole holiday is fantastic

 

[Princess Jes]

Hello all.

It's great to see your plans coming along Wanderlust.

I've just recently found out more about the wedding I'm attending in Bali (Ubud) in August.

It's at the Royal Pita Maha (gorgeous looking resort, but quite pricey... I could stay at the YC for the same price per night, or there abouts...)
the wedding is on Aug 13, and most people are heading there on the Thursday or Friday before and leaving the day after, so 7-8 nights.

We are tossing up whether to stay at the same resort as the wedding or find somewhere else nearby, hopefully where a few other guests of the wedding will be staying.

I'm not sure I know anyone who has stayed in Ubud, most people have stayed in the cheaper, more touristy areas of Seminyak, Kuta and Nusa Dua.

Still not thrilled about this trip to be honest... but I'm very much looking forward to our 5 nights in Fiji in April! (though I had to inform my husband that Fiji is NOTHING like Thailand/Bali... there will be no gun shooting, no cheap knock off markets like Patong and it's a family resort type holiday)

 

[zanzibar138]

Not disappointed - it sounds like you have done what is best for you

So does that make two trips to the USA this year?

Also, when and where are you going to go?

It's only been about 4 months since we got back from Yellowstone, and I already desperately wish I could return. It's been my favourite place in the USA to date.

Will still be the first week of March, except we've tacked a couple of extra days on and then flying time. We'll have 8 nights altogether. We've only booked our flights to LA so far, but the plan is 3 nights in San Jose del Cabo (Mexico), then a 4 night road/train trip starting in Albuquerque making our way to LA, then finishing off with one night at DLR.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Will still be the first week of March, except we've tacked a couple of extra days on and then flying time. We'll have 8 nights altogether. We've only booked our flights to LA so far, but the plan is 3 nights in San Jose del Cabo (Mexico), then a 4 night road/train trip starting in Albuquerque making our way to LA, then finishing off with one night at DLR.

Even though I'm not familiar with the places you will be visiting, your trip sounds exciting. I do love a good road trip

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Hello all. It's great to see your plans coming along Wanderlust. I've just recently found out more about the wedding I'm attending in Bali (Ubud) in August. It's at the Royal Pita Maha (gorgeous looking resort, but quite pricey... I could stay at the YC for the same price per night, or there abouts...) the wedding is on Aug 13, and most people are heading there on the Thursday or Friday before and leaving the day after, so 7-8 nights. We are tossing up whether to stay at the same resort as the wedding or find somewhere else nearby, hopefully where a few other guests of the wedding will be staying. I'm not sure I know anyone who has stayed in Ubud, most people have stayed in the cheaper, more touristy areas of Seminyak, Kuta and Nusa Dua. Still not thrilled about this trip to be honest... but I'm very much looking forward to our 5 nights in Fiji in April! (though I had to inform my husband that Fiji is NOTHING like Thailand/Bali... there will be no gun shooting, no cheap knock off markets like Patong and it's a family resort type holiday)

I actually considered that Pita Maha resort - it looks stunning. But in the end I decided it was a bit expensive for us and we'd only be able to afford a 1 bedroom. But if you can afford to splash out, it looks great.

I've discovered that there are options in Ubud for almost every budget. If you have a group of you, you can get some good deals on Villas and Holiday Homes. Wherever you stay, getting a driver to shuttle you around is super cheap.

I actually can't wait for my stay in Ubud - it looks like a great mix of busy, interesting shops and picturesque quiet countryside. Plus, I felt a bit like a kid in a candy shop picking all our Bali accommodation - it is all so pretty.
I agree that some places are the price of a room at the yacht club. But while the yacht club is arguably the better location, in Ubud you get a stunning spacious Villa, surrounded by lush landscape and your own private pool. Can you imagine what they would charge for such a room in Disney (in fact, it will be interesting to see what they charge for the overwater Villas at the Poly) .

We are in Ubud for only 4 nights, and I already wish we could extend it at least a week. There is so much I would like to do, while still having time for massages and relaxing around the pool.

 

[HarveyDop]

Hi, recently come here and saw that thread, i am planning to go there this summer, any advice about what i should visit ?

 

[mlaw]

Just found this thread while looking at the Tokyo Disneyland forum. We are getting ready for an adventure in March. Our group includes me, my husband, our daughter, and her husband. My daughter and I had been looking at Asia as a place we were interested in visiting and it was a trip they wanted to do before starting a family. I have been researching and planning for about two years now. I will warn you that we have a crazy itinerary because it might be the only chance I get to travel to that part of the world. We start with an 18 1/2-hour non-stop flight to Singapore with a very long layover so we have a room booked in a hotel within the airport. In the morning, we then fly to Bali. We are spending five nights at the Mahagiri Villas in Sanur. We then fly to Phuket for five nights (number one goal is to visit an elephant sanctuary), two nights in Bangkok, and then almost a week in Tokyo where my husband and I have a vacation package booked at Tokyo Disneyland while my daughter and son-in-law go to Kyoto to see cherry blossoms. I realize how crazy this trip sounds but I am excited about every bit of it. I will be interested to see why there are so many negative comments about Bali. Any advice on things to do, particularly in Phuket, I would welcome. I think Bali will be about recovering from jet lag, enjoying massages, spending time by our private pool and the beach, enjoying the food, and doing a day trip to see temples. Anyway, glad I found this thread!

 

[mlaw]

Sorry, didn't realize this was a board for Australians. Hope you don't mind me crashing and learning from your experience, lol

 

[zanzibar138]

Your trip doesn't sound crazy at all. That's pretty much how Aussies travel all the time because it's so far for us to go basically anywhere. I'm currently in the US on a 4-week trip

Bali cops a bad rap as it's very much a cheap party destination for Australians. I'd compare it to Mexico for Americans. There are nicer parts, and if you just want to laze around at a nice hotel and drink cheap cocktails, it's definitely the place to go. It's been a very long time since I was in Bali, but you should be ok in Sanur - it's mainly Kuta that's the problem (like Tijuana). People also enjoy Ubud - it's probably worth doing a day trip.

 

[mlaw]

Thank you for the reassurance. Hope you are enjoying your time in the US. Stay warm lol