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Demons Forever wrote: Shark, I agree can't stand the Javanese.

I stay away from the "touristy" spots like Kuta.

Nusa Dua for instance is terrific.

Might be a bit quiet for you but for an oldie like me it's perfect stacks of great restaurants around including Benoa where Mead has one.

Security is terrific, security to get into Nusa Dua then security to get into all the hotels.

If I ever went back there it would be to Nusa...should have done it last time. Wouldn't be too quiet for me DF....I'm an old fart too!!

Will only go back to Bali if I stay in a Villa again. Stayed in one a couple of years back, just outside Seminyak with 4 other couples. Went into Kuta twice. Not enjoyable. Spoke to a group of locals when we were sheltering from the rain. They don't like Australians. We go over there and treat them with no respect.

Haven't been to Nusa Dua, might need to check it out.

The Villas are becoming popular, they are generally in more secluded spots away from places like Kuta. A lot of Australians are either building them or buying them. Advantage is you can share with another couple. Cuts the costs further. We recently went with 2 other couples and had a great time. Safety in numbers as well.

If you have a family do yourself a favour Nusa Dua is a good safe spot.

TS, I would suggest they were probably Javanese.

Balinese are wonderful particularly if you are nice to them, the odd tip here and there.

We always get a Balinese cab for the duration and make sure we tip him well particularly if he doesn't own the cab.

They happily wait all day for you.

For about $500k you can have one for the day to take somewhere like Ubud or the Elephant sanctuary that is run by an Australian. That's a must a ride on one is awesome.

Been to Bali the last 3 years. Stayed at the Hard Rock which is an excellent hotel especially if you have kids. Loved it, love the people, and yes it is a very affordable holiday. Looking forward to my next trip there.

Must admit though the young crowd do our reputation no favours.

I go to Bali 2 or 3 times a year with the Wife & kids & have loved every trip, stay at Sanur & never had any trouble, where else can you walk around the street anytime of day drinking Bintang with just shorts on & not a worry in the world. You make your trip what you want it to be in the end.

Bali is a good cheap holiday, but there is another where I have been a couple of times. Langkawi in Malayasia (off their west coast). Last trip there was about 3 years ago. It's vey quiet, great cuisine (any type), lovely people and would be a great getaway for newlyweds or people with a young family. Prices are cheap and there's no duty. You can hire a car for $30.00 a day (little Kancel I think they were). You can drive around the island in 2 or 3 hours. Shopping is great and I recommend it to anyone looking for a quiet break with no hawker hassles. As I said, I haven't been there for 3 yrs thereabout, but I imagine prices wouldn't have changed that drastically. Then a few days in KL on the way home...such an amazing city!

Imo Bali is ok only for a cheap holiday & if you have young kids its not too long a flight. As shark said Langkawi is a much better place as is Kota Kinabalu, also in Malaysia/Borneo. But imo Koh Samui & to a lesser extent Krabi (both in Thailand), sh*t all over all of them...

...& you get to spend one night in Bangkok