Bali - yes/no?

[traveller]

We were planning a trip to Bali in December. But with the recent outbursts by millitant muslim extremists in Indonesia. We are not sure whether we should go or not. Any opinions on how safe a place Bali is?

[DP]

Bali is Hindu, so you should be safe to go.

[Bali High]

I just returned from Bali.

Only two things felt endangered: the contents of my wallet and the well-being of my liver.

Of course, once the US starts bombing the snot out of various Islamic nations, traveling in Indonesia could be dicey per se, but as others have noted, Bali itself is majority Hindu. That plus its dependence on the mighty tourist dollar puts the island in a different category, in my opinion.

[BAD]

bali is a load of crap.

so expensive .. everything is in USD. had buffet breakfast at the Sheraton that cost about $90 sing for 2.

all hotels are a con. much better off elsewhere.

the beaches are pretty bad, and the water is cold.

and there is nothing to do, but lie in the sun. which you can up here in sing.

oh, and the shopping is crap. just a whole island full of fake rubbish, and not even cheap.

the roads are hell, so dangerous and busy. travelling from sanur to ubud took about 3 hours and saw 2 accidents.

recommend The Chedi in ubud. very nice resort.

[Junebug]

Bad, you sound like you are in a bad mood...

I am on the mailing list of baliwww.com. Here is their latest newsletter:

Bali Governor: "No Sweeping Against Foreigners in Bali"

Responding to the sweeping against Americans that will be committed by hard-line Islam Defenders Front  (FPI), Bali Governor Dewa Beratha in his written statement circulated to media on Friday, September 29,  guaranteed that no sweeping against the Americans and other expatriates in Bali would ever occur.

More http://www.baliwww.com/wtc_info/

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I think there is no reason to shy away from Bali!  

[This message has been edited by Junebug (edited 01-10-2001).]

[Bali Maybe]

Any other thoughts on Bali? I was going to send my in-laws there for four days, but if it really isn't much . . . funnily enough from the literature Ubud sounded a better fit (less beach and more culture) but the travel agent advised against it. Comments???

[New York City Girl]

There's plenty to do in Ubud: Great shopping for art (an artist village is just next to Ubud), traditional dance performances each night at The Palace (center of Ubud) for about US$2!  Beautiful rice terraces within cycling distance.  Your in-laws could get a driver to the volcano and Lake Batur.  Beautiful temples - one in the Monkey Forest right off the center of town with lots of cavorting monkeys! The upscale resorts (The Chedi, The Four Seasons)are wonderful spas.  Great restaurant right in town (Casa Luna Cooking School is one of the best!)

So...go for it!      

[This message has been edited by New York City Girl (edited 01-10-2001).]

[This message has been edited by New York City Girl (edited 01-10-2001).]

[Fat Bob]

Bali is excellent. What do you want to do? You can do it!

Laze by the pool, go diving, go walking up a volcano, take photo's of monkeys sitting by the side of the road, lovely temples of all shapes and size, rich history, basically a really nice place.

And Bad, anyone that even thinks of paying US$90 for breakfast must have "sucker" written right across their forehead. I never even had to pay US$5 for mine. (Unless of course it was a champagne brekkie!)

[worth the risk?]

According to the AWA website there is a travel advisory that U.S. citizens not travel to any parts of Indonesia.

[BAD]

Udub was very dissappointing ... it is basically just 1 street about 1km long with a whole load of crappy arty places selling touristy stuff at toursity prices.

all the locals just trying to cash in on the supposed Bali art !! that i do not really belive. It is just hyped up because there is not much else to do in bali.

as for the rice terraces .. yes ok, but having been to nepal, it is not quite the same.

it is worth going to bali, just to stay at The Chedi for a few days though.

[Bali lover]

BAD - you seem to be in a really BAD mood still!

There is definitely a lot of things to do in Bali if you open your eyes!

[traveller]

Thanks for all your input. We're going to book our holiday and make a final decision nearer the time - you never no what may happen before December. Sounds like a great place and I really wouldn't want to miss out.

[nev]

The only advise I can give you about Bali: hire a local guide. They are quite cheap, about S$50-60 per day and they even provide transport. They can even do the bargaining for you (you have to bargain if you go shopping in the traditional markets).

It is quite true that Bali is expensive (for foreign tourists). But if you find the right guide and the right place to stay, it can be heaven on earth.

PS. If you go to Ubud, don't miss the Antonio Blanco Museum. Fantastic! And the restaurant just across the creek from the museum is incredible!

[DP]

Traveller - Bali is delightful and culturally rich - you should go.  A word of warning though - be prepared for some rain in December.  The absolute best time to visit is July/August.  Ubud is great - you don't have to spend all your time in the main shopping street - take a mountain-biking tour - if you do the easy option, you drive to Kintamani, and cycle DOWNHILL through all the little villages and end up at Ubud.  Great fun.  You can also do white-water rafting from there, though if you are inexperienced, don't attempt it if there has been heavy rain - tourists have drowned before now.  Where to stay?  Kamandalu Resort is built around a rice paddy - villas with pools and quiet location plus good value compared with others.  It used to be a Banyan Tree.  If you want top of the range, Four Seasons at Sayan. Kupu Kupu Barong is popular.  There is a good budget hotel, which I forget the name of now, but will look it up and post again.  For beaches, Jimbaran is the nicest I think - the Intercon is there, or if you like local-style, the Pansea is a few hundred yards down the beach, and cottage-style.  Or you could go to Four Seasons which is situated on a headland overlooking Jimbaran.  Could tell you lots more if you want it.

[DP]

Traveller - the name of the budget hotel in Ubud is 'Bali Spirit' - it's a small Balinese-style hotel on the edge of the Wos River.
Good value hotels at Sanur Beach are Puri Santrian or Griya Santrian - can give you recommendations for other beaches - let me know.