Inviting Bali
October 25th 2006 02:57
Inviting Bali…
I discovered that a good way to enjoy your stay on this beautiful island- especially if you want to experience accommodation with a local influence- is to wait until you arrive at Denpasar airport to book accommodation.
Travel agents have photo books so that you can choose a place that appeals.
Be sure that you book‘all inclusive price’ accommodations as hotels etc. add 21% tax and service charges. That can be a big shock if you are unaware.
My first visit, we chose a medium size hotel in Sanur. It is worth asking if there is a large suite available so that you have more room; in the ‘off’ season you may even be upgraded at no charge. Be sure your room does not get the afternoon sun, which gets very hot!
We were welcomed with a garland of fragrant frangipani and orchids.
Our suite had local furniture throughout. The sitting room had two wooden carved ‘chaise lounges’- one each! We also had small carved ‘elephant stools’ on which we sat or put our bags. The hotel was situated on the beachfront with its own private beach area- or you could also use the pool- we favoured the latter.
In the large gardens between the hotel and beach was a giant chess set that we used in the evening for relaxation. Scattered around were miniature temples to wander around, and covered seating areas where you could just ‘loll about’ and enjoy the scenery.
Across the road were local restaurants where we occasionally took breakfast. Walking out from the hotel was a long street of shops to browse in- all with little plates of ‘offerings to the gods’ outside. There are wonderful traditional buildings and little temples at every turn. Minibus drivers hawk around for custom. Some offer day tours. It is a good idea to ask the hotel for ‘average’ prices beforehand for comparison.
Mini buses, and often taxis, require payment in US dollars- be sure you both agree on a price, and where you want to go, before getting in.
GOOD VISITS: Take a day tour to Ubud- this artisan town is home to many craftsmen offering a wide range of products- jewellery, wood and stone carvings, paintings, batik fabrics and clothing, and ceramics. It is just a short walk around the town and it is a relaxing place compared to the horrendous hustle of the ‘tourist trap’ around Kuta.
Local Barong Dance, one of many local dances performed around the island, this one depicts a story about good and evil. Marvel at the beauty of young Balinese dancers’ skill and grace. The costumes are intricately decorated and colourful- be sure to allow time to enjoy a performance.
Puppet show: ‘Wayang Kulit’. A traditional entertainment using handcrafted puppets painted in gold – these performances can last several hours!
If you like tours, there are many available taking you around mountain villages rice terraces, temples, a volcano, tea and coffee growing areas, and handicraft factories.
Monkey Forest: I include this not because I particularly like monkeys, but some of you might. There is a steep ‘hill’ of steps in this park that is inundated with wild monkeys.
Do not venture to offer food unless you wish to be suddenly put upon by these cheeky and sometimes rough creatures. I found myself being first surrounded by, then followed up the entire length of the steps – they were aware of my fear and played upon it! I was thankful that they did not leap on my shoulder as they did one visitor!
EAT TREATS:
Two famous Balinese dishes are: "Babi Guling" – crispy grilled suckling pig, and
"Bebek Betutu"– duck marinated in spices, then baked in banana leaves. Other basic Indonesian dishes are to be found at the many tiny to medium size cafes to hotel restaurants around most towns.
DRINKS; Most alcoholic beverages are expensive in Bali- especially wine in hotels. You can purchase drinks in supermarkets. The local beer – Bintang is quite cheap in comparison to imported brands. The local "Hatten" wine brand of north Bali offers a choice of several whites and a rose.
GIFT LIST: Take back some jewellery or ceramics. Basket weaving is a popular handicraft and you can see all manner of designs. If your country allows- the woodcarvings are marvellous. There is a prolific artist’s colony in Ubud- many who depict local scenes.
CAUTION: Don’t buy gifts at the airport, as prices are astronomical compared to outside. Again, most prices are in US dollars.
Footnote: On another visit I thought twice about swimming in a 5-star hotel when I saw medium size lizards pulling themselves out of the pool to laze in the shade nearby!
What made Bali for me? - the people; ever smiling, cordial and cheerful even when their appeals to purchase were declined.
….read on again tomorrow….
I discovered that a good way to enjoy your stay on this beautiful island- especially if you want to experience accommodation with a local influence- is to wait until you arrive at Denpasar airport to book accommodation.
Travel agents have photo books so that you can choose a place that appeals.
Be sure that you book‘all inclusive price’ accommodations as hotels etc. add 21% tax and service charges. That can be a big shock if you are unaware.
My first visit, we chose a medium size hotel in Sanur. It is worth asking if there is a large suite available so that you have more room; in the ‘off’ season you may even be upgraded at no charge. Be sure your room does not get the afternoon sun, which gets very hot!
Our suite had local furniture throughout. The sitting room had two wooden carved ‘chaise lounges’- one each! We also had small carved ‘elephant stools’ on which we sat or put our bags. The hotel was situated on the beachfront with its own private beach area- or you could also use the pool- we favoured the latter.
In the large gardens between the hotel and beach was a giant chess set that we used in the evening for relaxation. Scattered around were miniature temples to wander around, and covered seating areas where you could just ‘loll about’ and enjoy the scenery.
Across the road were local restaurants where we occasionally took breakfast. Walking out from the hotel was a long street of shops to browse in- all with little plates of ‘offerings to the gods’ outside. There are wonderful traditional buildings and little temples at every turn. Minibus drivers hawk around for custom. Some offer day tours. It is a good idea to ask the hotel for ‘average’ prices beforehand for comparison.
GOOD VISITS: Take a day tour to Ubud- this artisan town is home to many craftsmen offering a wide range of products- jewellery, wood and stone carvings, paintings, batik fabrics and clothing, and ceramics. It is just a short walk around the town and it is a relaxing place compared to the horrendous hustle of the ‘tourist trap’ around Kuta.
Local Barong Dance, one of many local dances performed around the island, this one depicts a story about good and evil. Marvel at the beauty of young Balinese dancers’ skill and grace. The costumes are intricately decorated and colourful- be sure to allow time to enjoy a performance.
Puppet show: ‘Wayang Kulit’. A traditional entertainment using handcrafted puppets painted in gold – these performances can last several hours!
If you like tours, there are many available taking you around mountain villages rice terraces, temples, a volcano, tea and coffee growing areas, and handicraft factories.
Monkey Forest: I include this not because I particularly like monkeys, but some of you might. There is a steep ‘hill’ of steps in this park that is inundated with wild monkeys.
Do not venture to offer food unless you wish to be suddenly put upon by these cheeky and sometimes rough creatures. I found myself being first surrounded by, then followed up the entire length of the steps – they were aware of my fear and played upon it! I was thankful that they did not leap on my shoulder as they did one visitor!
EAT TREATS:
Two famous Balinese dishes are: "Babi Guling" – crispy grilled suckling pig, and
"Bebek Betutu"– duck marinated in spices, then baked in banana leaves. Other basic Indonesian dishes are to be found at the many tiny to medium size cafes to hotel restaurants around most towns.
DRINKS; Most alcoholic beverages are expensive in Bali- especially wine in hotels. You can purchase drinks in supermarkets. The local beer – Bintang is quite cheap in comparison to imported brands. The local "Hatten" wine brand of north Bali offers a choice of several whites and a rose.
GIFT LIST: Take back some jewellery or ceramics. Basket weaving is a popular handicraft and you can see all manner of designs. If your country allows- the woodcarvings are marvellous. There is a prolific artist’s colony in Ubud- many who depict local scenes.
CAUTION: Don’t buy gifts at the airport, as prices are astronomical compared to outside. Again, most prices are in US dollars.
Footnote: On another visit I thought twice about swimming in a 5-star hotel when I saw medium size lizards pulling themselves out of the pool to laze in the shade nearby!
What made Bali for me? - the people; ever smiling, cordial and cheerful even when their appeals to purchase were declined.
….read on again tomorrow….
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