Monday, April 12, 2004

Site-seeing Denpasar

Touristy places are Lombok, Bali, Kuta, Denparar
  • Airport
  • Busiest city
  • Courses
  • Museum Negeri Promisni Bali (Denpasar), prehistoric artefacts, tools, masks, costumes

The road between Denpasar & Ubud is lined with places making and selling handicrafts

Click to go to the larger pic at Batukaru.com

 

The capital Denpasar is a lively town after dark, when locals visit Pasar Badung, the biggest and busiest market on the island. The word Denpasar means "Next to the Market"



You can get dressed in traditional Balinese costumes and have your picture taken in front of a kitsch backdrop. It's a one hour service and costs $10. For the best backdrops in Denpasar go to Diamond Foto on JI. Thamrin 5, or JI. Diponegoro 100, Blok A-2.
Source: http://www.batukaru.info/travel/photo1.php

Site-seeing Kuta

Click to go to the larger pic at Batukaru.info

Kuta Beach (South Bali) - widest beach, easiest surfing, famous sunset

Kuta is the only place in Bali Click to go to the larger pic at Batukaru.info
where surf breaks over sand instead of coral.

  • Party
  • Rafting
  • Bali Phone Shop - pick up simcard for mobile here (I paid 75,000Rp (AUD$12) with 50,000Rp credit


Kuta & Legian come alive at night with shops and market stalls (handicrafts) & bars, nightclubs and pubs, as well as various cultural performances.

Shopping in Kuta:
DVDS
* In between Popies I & II is a wholesale place. 10,000Rp each for tourists.. no "hard cover" but you can still get the inserts so you can put them in your own covers when you get home, or to fit into the bag ones. I love this place because most of the shops buy from here so it has the most variety and is first to get the new releases.
* Opposite Flora Beach Hotel is Putra DVD, all the DVD's I bought there were 10,000Rp each.
* I bought some for 9,000Rp each at a shop opp. the entrance to the beach Matahari, but I wouldn't recommend going there - they were trying to change the prices at the end of the sale after we had already agreed on the price beforehand.
* There was a great place up-some-stairs that were near the Matahari Shopping Centre, can't remember the street name or how to direct you the right way, so the best advice is to just whisper the words "DVD" in that area, and will have people pouncing on you wanting to drag you into their DVD shops - and THAT gives you bargaining power rather than walking in off the street.
**** In any case, the most you'll pay in Kuta for DVD's is 15,000 which is only about AUD$2.50, so even if you can't bargain or don't want to bargain, you won't get ripped off. (Ubud is another story). ****
Cheap Leather clothes, shoes, and jackets:
  • Merina Leather: 358 Legian St. Can make within 2-3 days.
  • Puma: 11 Kuta Theater St. (off legian) Ph 0361 728216 or email majibpumaleather@hotmail.com
  • Mayong:
  • Ph 62-361-750549, Clung Wanara St, Beside Matahari Sq.
    Designer gold and silver jewellery:
    Jonathon Gallery: 109 Legian St
    (but best to go direct to source rather than by in 'tourist city' Kuta)
    Baby & Kids Clothes:
    Kuta Kids/Kuta Classics - Bemo Corner
    Smaller household furniture items:
    Serendipity Fine Antiques - JL Tunjung Mekan No 176
    Designer Shops:
    Kuta Square

    Nightlife/Bars:
    * Tubes bar/restaurant - located in Popies II is the place where all the surfers hang out, with at least one screen that has surfers/waves all day long, and at least 3 x new-release movies everyday. Open til about midnight everynight.
    * Popies I & II have a few restaurant/bars that have movies or sport and cater for the tourists.
    * Legian St, Kuta (the main shopping street) has the popular Paddies Nightclub (full of drunken Aussies), Bounty Danceclub (full of drunken Aussies and sleazebags and prostitutes), and Apache Reggaebar (full of locals with dreadlocks and a live reggaeband)
    * Seminyak (keep going up Legian St about 3km, and you'll get the "new nightlife". Before the bombing, the nightlife used to always be around the Legian St area, but since has moved up to Seminyak, there are HEAPS of places to choose from, they get started around 11:00pm.
    * Kuta Beach - Apparantly there are a few good ones here, including one that is supposed to be really popular called Studio 66 or something like that, I didn't end up making the effort to go, cos I liked my Apache.. :)
    * Karoke Fri/Sat nights at Kak Man Pub on J1 Teuku Umal


    Tourguides
    Ivan (1st guy on left) - ivanhut@yahoo.com - 081338712818
    Jupri (2nd pic)) - a_joopree@hotmail.com - +628174721627
    I recommend both these guys, but only to those of you who are going to be friendly as these guys are my friends now and I saw the way that some Aussies treated the locals and I don't want to be apart of it :) So if you want some friendly company from some guys that know the area well, then definitely give these guys a call and work out your own custom-tour of Bali with them, depending on your budget, and interests. Both can speak English perfectly.
    I spent a lot of time with Jupri and he is very intelligent, he really listens to tourists so has more of a clue about what they do and don't like (ie: he won't ever hassle you and will only try and help you have a good time), he knows the area well, knows which places to stay at, to eat at, and by listening to you, will be able to custom-make a tour that suits what you want to get out of bali.
    You can usually find both guys hanging around Legian St / Bemo Corner area.

    Ivan, Me, JackoMe & Jupri



    Tours
    eco cycling tour AUD $58 per person, min 2
    It is a "downhill" cycling tour. I'm definitely going to do it next time, in the end, I got a bit too lazy to do anything, so make sure you organise your tours in the first week :)
    This is the little brochure I got, but Nick, a guy I met over there, said that it was really worthwhile and that he had a ball. "Cycling past local craftmen at work, through a landscape with lush and fertile vegetation. This amazing tropical island is still rich with distinctive customs and culture. The smiling faces of the Balinese await your arrival, an invitation to their traditional compound and temple. Fabulous refreshment stops! Continue cycling amongst fields of local fresh fruits and vegetables. Higher altitudes offer scenic views of the beautiful mountains and terraced rice fields. A pleasant walk brings you to the village of Gulingan, Mengwi, famous for its traditional Balinese Cooking Lessons. Enjoy your delicious meal, sit back and experience this wonderful tropical Bali"
    Pickup Time - 7.45am, Telephone: (62) 361 237 782, they also have a hotline: (62) 361 248082

    More
    Surfing, Sailing, Diving, Fishing, Rafting, Camel Rides, Horse Riding
    Massage (bargain down to 10,000 Rp 1/2 hr, 20,000 Rp - 1 hr) if backyard dodgy rather than proper salon.

    Site-seeing Lovina

    Dolphin Trip - Approx 30,000 Rp
    go out on a boat at sunrise

    Djani's Restaurant (ph 41708), 2 hr cooking course (in English), including shopping in the morning market and preparing of about 5 or 6 traditional recipes
    Cost is 100,000 Rp per person, min 2 people

    Yoga & Meditation Classes - Hotel Celuk Ajung (ph 41039)
    Cost US $7 - 1 hr session

    Agung's Massage (ph 42018)
    Massage and Body Scrub 41,000Rp for 1.5 hrs

    Site-seeing Ubud

    Click to go to the larger pic at Batukaru.info
    • Market
    • Language Courses
    • Arts
    • Cooking
    • Balinese Music & Dance
    • Massage, Manicure, Body Scrub
    • Arts, Crafts, Antiques
    • Painting & CarvingClick to go to the larger pic at Batukaru.info
    • Gunung Kawi (ancient, strange stone statues cut into cliffs)
    • White water river rafting
    • Ubud is Bali's Culinary Capital - best food
    • Temples
    • Neka Museum (Ubud) history of Bali art
    • Museum Puri Lukisa (Ubud) fine art in gardens
    • Walking around the Rice fields
    • Monkey Forest
    • Jungle Trek (leaves from Ubud, but site-sees the Reserve) US$49
    • Breakfast with the Birds (Bali Bird Park & Ubud) US$35

    The road between Denpasar & Ubud is lined with places making and selling handicrafts



    Massage
    There are heaps of salons in Ubud, heaps!
    If you want to relax, head there for a great deal.
    Don't use the street people here :( Don't make my mistake (read my diary for more).
    But the salons made me forget all that and really soak it up.

    I went to Verona Esthetic Salon & Body Spa in Monkey Forest Rd.
    Prices:
    Total Experience Package (260,000Rp - AUD$42) which includes 1hr 45 min Massage, Body Scrub, Face Mask, Facial, Hair Creme Bath, Rose Petal Bath with Ginger Tea and Fruit Salad, Manicure & Pedicure. Hours of luxury and pampering :)
    If you choose 3 items from their list, they will do a special price for you, some examples of individual items are:
    1hr 45min Massage + Body Scrub = 90,000Rp (AUD $14.50)
    1hr Sunburn treatment = 90,000Rp (AUD $14.50)
    1hr Balinese Massage = 60,000Rp(AUD $10)
    1hr Acupressure Massage = 75,000Rp (AUD $12)
    45min Reflexology Massage = 50,000Rp (AUD $8)
    1hr Facial = 75,000Rp (AUD $12)
    Manicure (inc French) = 50,000Rp (AUD $8)
    Pedicure = 50,000Rp (AUD $8)
    1 hr Hair Creme Bath = 60,000Rp (AUD $10)
    Hair Brading (short 125,000 - med 175,000 - long 225,000)
    Waxing from 50,000Rp to 200,000Rp (AUD $8-32)


    Other places to go in Ubud:
    Puspa Salon in Monkey Forest Rd
    Shoulder Massage = 35,000Rp (AUD $5.60)
    Manicure/Pedicure = 35,000Rp (AUD $5.60)
    1 hr Massage = 55,000Rp (AUD $9)

    Denita Beauty Salon at 59 Hanoman St
    1hr Massage = 50,000Rp (AUD $8)
    1hr Facial = 50,000Rp (AUD $8)
    Hair Braiding (short 100,000 - med 120,000 - long 140,000)
    Waxing from 35,000Rp to 195,000Rp(AUD $5.60 - $31.50)
    1/2 hr Manicure = 30,000Rp (AUD $4.80)
    1/2 hr Pedicure = 35,000Rp (AUD $5.60)

    Oh yeah, and most of them are open til 9pm and some will even provide transport to/from your hotel.

    Site-Seeing - More Ideas

    General Rules
    Touristy places - Lombok, Bali, Kuta, Denpasar
    Sun, Sea, Beach scene - Kuta, Sanur, Lovina
    Balinese Art, Culture, Good Food, Market, Rural walks - Ubud
    Busiest city, Transport, Courses - Denpasar


    Beaches
    Kuta Beach (South Bali) - widest beach, easiest surfing, famous sunset
    Mushroom Bay (Nusa Lembongan) super snorkelling

    Museums
    Neka Museum (Ubud) history of Bali art
    Museum Puri Lukisa (Ubud) fine art in gardens
    Museum Negeri Promisni Bali (Denpasar), prehistoric artefacts, tools, masks, costumes

    Outdoor Activities
    Walking
    - Rice fields around Ubud
    - Trekking up the 2 great volcanos (Gunung Batur and Gunung Agung)

    Rafting
    Surfing
    Diving & Snorkelling
    - safe snorkling @ Amed

    Scenery
    Penelokan (Central mountains) amazing volcanic views, lakes, and lava
    It's a bit of a walk down to the cliffs, but put a visit to the 11th century Hindu carvings and tombs at Gunung Kawi on the top of your "to-do" list. This is one of Bali's best sights and the shady river setting is ideal for a picnic. There's always plenty of vendors around selling fresh fruit and simple food. Perfect. source: roughguides


    Click to go to the larger pic at Batukaru.infoClick to go to the larger pic at Batukaru.comTemples & Monuments Gunung Kawi (Tampaksiring) - shirines cut into cliffs Pura Besakih (East Bali) - Bali's "Mother Temple" Pura Luhur Viv Watu (South Bali) - clifftop temple Pura Rambut
    Siwi (West Bali) - clifftop temple






    Highlights of Bali tour
    AUD$35 per person - 9am-5pm - min 2, but you can go alone with another couple that the tour company organises, like I did. Company is Tour East
  • Kintamani Volcano/Mount Batur
  • making of a Gamelan Orchestra
  • Archaelogical Museum
  • Sri Batu (cheap saffron!)
  • Panglipuran Village
  • Bakit Jati (nice views!)
  • an expensive lunch at Kintamani Restaurant (85,000Rp) but all-you-can-eat

  • 62 361 725833 or saptadps@indo.net.id
    I went on it, I wouldn't go on it again, but if you are going to go on this tour, I would recommend that you do it in the first couple of days of arriving in Bali as it gives you a good overview of the Balinese culture. I went in my last week, after being there almost a month and didn't appreciate it as much as I could've, but I still had a good day.

    Just across the water from East Java sits Bali, the longtime jewel in the crown of Indonesian tourism, a tiny island of elegant temples, verdant landscape and fine surf.

    The biggest resorts are the party towns of Kuta and adjacent Legian, with the more subdued beaches at Lovina and Candi Dasa appealing to travellers not hell-bent on raging nightlife.

    Most visitors also spend time in Bali's cultural centre of Ubud, whose lifeblood continues to be painting, carving, dancing and music-making.

    The islands east of Bali – collectively known as Nusa Tenggara – are now attracting bigger crowds, particularly neighbouring Lombok, with its beautiful beaches and temples.

    East again, the chance of seeing the world's largest lizards, the Komodo dragons, draws travellers to Komodo and then it's an easy hop across to Flores which has great surfing, and the unforgettable coloured crater lakes of Keli Mutu.

    South of Flores, Sumba is famous for its intricate fabrics, grand funeral ceremonies and extraordinary annual ritual war, the pasola.

    Lombok - Music & Dance (has dances not found elsewhere in Indonesia, but not marketed, exclusive to luxury hotels and village of Lenek)
    Religion 90% Islam/Muslims

    The peak tourist season is between mid-June and mid-September and again over the Christmas and New Year season.

    Villages:
    Celuk - noted for silver and goldsmithing
    Mas - woodcarving

    The Bali Barrat National Park = flora & fauna, hot springs, guided jungle treks, animals (monkeys, deer, reptiles, birds).

    Shopping bargains:
    Seminyak
    Kemarin Hai Ini: 1200BC JL Raya Basangkasa - Iron and Homeware Pieces
    Legian
    Nacha Natural: JL Legian Kaja 456 (Gifts)