Final thoughts on Bali:
When we first arrived, we were disappointed because we had imagined the movie version of Bali. After being there for a while, we came to love the people, we enjoyed learning about their lives and culture, and we grew to like Bali. We definitely preferred the feel of Ubud over the tourist areas of Kuta & Sanur, and we wish that we had spent more time in Ubud. If you plan to go, never believe anyone who tells you that Ubud is cooler than Kuta as the hottest days and nights we have ever spent have been in Ubud. That being said, we did enjoy Legian Beach and our stay at Sinar Bali Hotel, and we enjoyed meeting and talking to other tourists. The main tourist areas are so crowded and full of traffic, but there are many areas of Bali & Lombok that are very beautiful. We definitely recommend exploring both islands and not just staying in one spot.
Once on the ground, Bali is a cheap destination. For Americans, it is the time and expense of traveling to Bali that is the problem. While the Balinese are warm and friendly, the hawkers are relentless and wear you down to the point of exhaustion. While we understand that they are merely trying to earn a living, they destroy some of Bali's charm. Kuta and the boardwalk of Sanur are lined with shop after shop; all basically selling the same things. Many times we may have browsed in a shop or looked at their wares, possibly making a purchase, but because we were so harassed, we didn't dare even act interested. Fortunately we were isolated and protected inside the Sinar Bali Hotel compound and we think this is one of the reasons we stayed at the hotel so much. In addition to the hawkers, leaving the hotel compound was exhausting because the sidewalks are almost nonexistent or are in such deplorable condition that they are dangerous, forcing you to walk in the street most of the time. Motorcycles & cars park on the sidewalks and motorcyclists drive on them with impunity. It is often safer just to walk in the street but one must always remember that even if it is a one way street for cars, motorcycles can drive in any direction.
On Lombok we learned that while we like the less touristy areas, those areas also lack many services and choices to which we've become accustomed. Bali does have a large amount of western (primarily Aussie) food choices due to the large number of Aussie tourists.
We will never, never, as long as we live, forget our snorkeling experience at Bunutan Beach (behind the Ayuerveda yoga studio and organic restaurant). The coral and fish were breathtaking! And we hope to stay in touch with many of the people we met during our stay in Bali. We will also remember Bali as the place where we learned that Connor had been accepted by LSU Medical School. It was fortuitous that we were Skyping with Gina's mom & Connor when his acceptance letter arrived and we were able to watch him open it and experience that moment with him.
Finally, we recommend the Sinur Bali Hotel Jl Padma Ultara, Legian, Bali, Indonesia (0361) 751404 sinarbali@dps.centrin.net.id.
