Bali Travel Forum

Dear members

1.I will be in Bali from 21 -29 Jan.2008. I would like to know what is the cheapest means of transport from the Airport to Puri Bagus Hotel Candidesa. I was quote a US35 with a driver for 4 pax. However I'm travelling alone, unless I can share with somebody, that will be a bit expensive for me.

2. I would like to stay in Ubud for a night. Prefer a hotel in town that cost less than US20. Any suggestions and contact addresses ?

3. Is there any cheap hotels (below US20) with bathroom attached in Kuta or Legian area. I stayed in Bali Summer (behind Hard Rock Hotel) before, but rates had gone up. I heard about Express Legian Hotel, Jl Legian and Bali Bungaloo,Jl Pantai Kuta, is it OK and how much ?

4. How much is the rent for a car one full day with a diver, is US50 expensive ?

Thank you. Looking forward for some help form VT members who are an expert on Bali.

Khalid

Hi
The cheapest means to get to Candi Dasa from the airport is to walk. (HA Ha only joking).

There are public buses from Kuta to Denpasar, then you change terminals, then you get a bus to Batubulan, from there you can get a bus to Candi Dasa. It will take you about 6 or 7 hours to get there.(around 50,000 rupiah) And it depends on what time you are ariving. The buses don't run after 6:oopm.

If you have been quoted 35$US for transport then that is a really good price, you won't get it fo much less than that. I think it will be more expensive especially on your own. The driver has to make allowance for his coming back empty from Candi Dasa (about 3 hours driving back to Kuta.)

$50 USD for a car with driver for a day is expensive at the moment, you should get around 40$USD it all depends on where you want to go in the day, and for how long you want the car for. But around 40$US is a good price.

Cant help with the hotels 20$US with bathroom attached is pretty cheap. And not so many around now, the ones like that are very basic and probably don't have bathrooms. You need to consider uping your budget.

Prices have risen recently, and are going to go even higher. The world oil prices are having an effect throughout the world let alone Indonesia. In fact it might even be that there is going to be Rationing for fuel introduced here pretty soon. So you may even find it difficult to get transport in January, unless the oil prices fall.

Hope you find something.

Dear BesarRahasia,

Whats the BIG SECRET ? (joking only , in Bahasa Malaysia, BesarRahasia means BigSecret)

Thank you for your info. Most likely I'll take the US$35 offer to Candidesa.
(if I'm lucky maybe I can get someone to share the trip )

As for the car rental, I will try my luck later. After all this is my third trip here. I might spend my whole time in Kuta area, after returning from Candidesa and Ubud. Though I got a few friends here, I'm a big shy to ask for favour.

As for the budget hotel, I received e-mails from Rosani, Prani Legian and Legian Express Hotel- all quote me below US20 nett breakfast included. I'm interested about Legian Express, Jl Legian as it is not too far from Poppies Lane if I'm not mistaken. Last year I stay at Bali Summer Hotel, behind Hard Rock .What do you think about these hotels, especially Express Legian ? I am alone and what I need is a clean, safe room with bathroom. I dont care so much about the size of the room and other hotel facilities and services. I hope is near the shopping area and it is save for me to come back late at night, as I love the night life in Kuta. Please advice.

Greetin form Malaysia

I have sent you a private email.

Sorry Kahlid
As I said previously, can't help you with the hotels, notin my range, and I have never been to any of them. But if you have been quoted under 20$ for a room then you should take it, but maybe be prepared to get a suppliment charge later, because prices are going to rise very soon, (some already) because of the increase in Fuel charges. This effects all prices for everything.

I hope someone can help you with the hotels information, and I hope you manage to get to Candi Dasa without too much expense.

Hi Besar Rahsia,
Thank you so much. I am already in contact with a few hotels that charges below US$20. The trouble with me, I travel alone. Thus lodging can be expensive. If I travel with another person, with US$20 I can get a room that is worth US$40. Same thing with transport, a US$35 charges, if I can share with another friend will only cost me US$17.50. This will be my last time going alone. Need your advice though, as I probably will be staying at Legian Express Hotel, Jl.Legian, maybe a kilometer away from Poppies Lane 11, would it be OK for me to return late to the hotel by walking or should I take a taxi ? I like to venture out at night for window shopping and listening to live music.

Terima Kasih

Khalid

Hi
It depends on how late you call late, most of the shops are closed around 11:30 and there isn't that much to see window shopping, the music especially on Legian Street goes on until the very early hours, probably wise to get a taxi if it is after midnight, Don't take that the wrong way it is quite safe for a single female to walk around even late at night, but to be honest it would be better to get a taxi. Bluebird are the best (on meter so not too much problem with overcharging),.

Have a great time over here

Dear BesarRahsia,
I have been following this forum for the last 2 years. I'm really impressed by your advises and knowledge on matters concerning Bali. If I'm not mistaken you are not Balinese but you did more than the Bali Tourism Board and the locals (Balinese) to promote this beautiful island. I hope you will continue to do so.Most of the time it will take others to appreciate what you have. I had contacted a few local tourism agencies to use this forum to help people discover more about Bali. Unfortunately not many have done so.

I will be in Bali from 21 - 29 Jan. 2008. Perhaps if its ok with you we can meet for a cup of coffee. Most likely I'll be in Kuta from 24 -29 Jan. If its ok please give me your contact no. so that I can call you. Most likely I'll just hang around Kuta on those dates. You can e-mail me...khalidmatdin@yahoo.com or on my vt.e-mail.

Thank you.

Regards
khalid
Malaysia

Thank you for your kind words, as you guessed I am not Balinese (as you can probably see from the picture on my home page, taken a few years ago to be honest, but my wife says I look a lot younger and fitter now, HA HA, probably being married to her has something to do with it) but I have been adopted into their culture and way of life. It was a very special day for me when they performed the ceremony, which means I am born again and grew up to be adult all in one day. (they perform the various ceremonies throughout the day, in order for me to develop as a Balinese person)

I am in Bangkok over Christmas and New Year checking on some hotels over there, but we are back for around the 11th. I have sent you an e-mail with my number, please call when you are in Kuta and it would be good to meet.

Take care have a safe journey, and a good time over here

Regards
Besar Rahasia

Dear BesarRahsia,
Have a good time in Bangkok. I haven't yet received your e-mail to me either via my yahoo.com or vt.e-mail.

Thank You
Khalid