Hotels traffic and crowds in Kuta Bali

After a little shower this morning I did a tour of local hotels hoping to talk to managers about advertising.

I was partially successful in that I got to speak to people. Among the places I visited were Hotel Barong, Bounty, Adhi Dharma, Kuta Beach Club and some others in Seminyak.

For a visitor there really are a ton of options, both in location and in standard. For people wanting to situated right in the middle of the Poppies Lane area, but at a place that is of a higher standard than a guest house Hotel Barong and Bounty are good choices. You can read my report on them and other accommodation on Poppies Lane II here.

Among my tasks was a trip to the printers to check on my business cards and leave a 200,000rp deposit. Indograph is a reputable place and their staff are friendly and efficient. I must say the traffic in lower Jl. Legian and the surrounding streets was again out of control with SUV drivers from out of town trying to turn a 1 lane road into a 2 lane, effectively blocking the motorbike lane and creating all kinds of havoc. It’s a mess. Don’t come down here during the day if you don’t have to.

Kuta had a power outage today which meant no internet. I had a date with Made from Bali Land & Houses who was coming over to fix a few things at the house including the front door lock and the AC. His electrical guy was in Denpasar and was supposedly on his way back, this was at 1pm. By 2.45pm I decided to call him and reschedule. He’s coming tomorrow morning. Heading back to Kuta I was hoping the power was on again but no luck, so I went for a walk to see what the tourism scene was like.

Jalan Kartika Plaza is a big street for newcomers and features large hotels including the Ramada, Kuta Paradiso and the Discovery. It also had Waterbon Park which is great for the kids. Next to Pizza Hut is this contraption. People climb in 2 at a time and get shot about 100ft in the air, spinning and bouncing for the next minute or so. A video record lets them watch their own expressions afterwards. This thrill will cost you 200,000rp.

I tell you it was steamy today! Even the locals were saying ‘panaaas!’

I popped into a bar close to Bakung Sari at Happy Hour and got a beer for 6,000rp. To all my visitors, this is waiting for you.

One good thing about Kuta is there are a ton of places to grab a bottle of water or a snack. Circle K have got the place wired with literally a shop every 100 meters. Their rival in Mini Mart, which carries very similar products, though slightly more expensive.

Down on Kuta Beach the crowds were out enjoying their trip to Bali. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people on the beach at one time. This vendor told me business was no good. Amazed I asked why and she said people are only looking, not buying. Another vendor said most of the visitors are Chinese Indonesians who bargain very hard and try to get the price down to nothing. I guess the dumb ‘bules’ are very much missed, we’re easy targets as we don’t know the prices and probably have never bargained in our lives before.

It is good to see tourists back though and someone must be making money. I hope the visitors have a pleasant trip and come back soon.

I just ate at Warung Lesung Padi, the little place on Jl. Raya Kerobokan owned by Richie from Sumatra. He is ethnic Chinese and this is reflected in his food which is very good. I had rice and 2 choices plus teh bottle for 13,000rp. His wife loaded up my plate with kung pao chicken, sweet and sour pork and the remnants of another dish. It good food and a very nice change from the Indonesian menu. For people in the Seminyak area Lesung Padi offers a fast and enjoyable option for lunch or dinner.

• Balinese dancing on Kuta Beach Bali
• Kuta square Bali
• More photos from Ubud
• Local photos - Kuta Beach and Poppies Lane
• Taking a trip to Nusa Dua Bali

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