Tuesday 9 December 2014

Bali 2014

I went to Bali last week with a friend.  Just using this space to pen my thoughts.

1. Seminyak shopping is expensive.

2. Be prepared to attract attention, guys asking you, want a car? good morning? hello~? As far as I could tell, they won't do anything but be careful.

3. Things are relatively cheaper.  Simply because of the exchange rate.  SGD : IDR was 1:9,350 last week.

4.  The exchange rate is NOT better over there.  Only less than 5 money changers were offering rates above 9.350 and from I have read online.  It is risky to change at these changers.

5.  Be ready for the humidity.  We went during the rainy season, so it was quite bad.  Sweat is good, keep repeating that.

6.  Seminyak is teeming with tourists.  Shops are meant for tourists.

7.  Suluban Beach has surfer dudes, Fin's Beach Club has rich Indonesians and Chinese, Padawan Beach reminded me of Tanjong Aru (in Sabah, Malaysia) in that it was crowded and not pretty.

8.  Seminyak beach is not worth going for the beach but perhaps the sunset will be nice (we didnt get to see it, on account of the clouds).

9.  More expensive places (think Potato Head, Samara Resort where Fin's Beach Club was located) check your bags and/or car.  For Fin's as we went by car, they had something like a metal detector.  Probably increased security after the bombing many years back.

10. People are generally rather friendly, whether the locals or the tourists.

11. Uluwatu is pretty, but again, tourists.

All in all, it was a good experience.  We stayed a little far from Seminyak town, at Jalan Bumbak.  What I realised walkin around town is that there are MANY hotels/villas/resorts just an alleyway away from the center of town.  I might try those if I ever go back to Seminyak.

It appears South Kuta is where the nice beaches are.  I would go there just to lounge a few days, if i get the chance.

But if I do return to Bali in the near future, the plan would be to try (1) the Bali Safari Resort - google it; and (2) stay at Ubud and do some yoga, eat, pray, love people~


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