A bunch of things were going through my mind today.
One of the things I did today was to check out another one of the hundreds of hotels on the island, this time on Jl. Bakung Sari in Kuta. People have been visiting this part of Bali in large numbers for years and the hotel I visited looked as if it was the first hotel built and had never been renovated.
The range of hotels in the Kuta, Legian, Seminyak area is immense. Add Nusa Dua and you’ve also got big resorts.
These ‘budget’ hotels offer a bathtub, AC, fridge and TV as well as a pool which all sound good, but they can run you several times what an okay guest house in Poppies Lane will cost. Think about this, how many times have you used the bathtub in your house at home? If you’re under the age of 30 chances are not often. So why do you need one in Bali? Air con. You don’t need it between June and November. Fridge, nice for cold drinks but you’re on holiday, why are you in your room drinking when you should be outside enjoying your holiday? TV, why bother coming to Bali if you want to watch Neighbors all afternoon?
My ’sound bite tip’ for those coming to Bali for the first time is this: think about what you actually are going to use and definitely shop around for it.
There are plenty of good quality hotels around but there are also some clunkers.
On another matter the street along Poppies II is starting to look great! The trenches have for the most part been filled in and now we have a new brick road with new drains! That might not mean much to someone coming over for the first time but ask someone who was here a month ago what it was like walking down Jl. Legian or Jl. Pantai Kuta. That’s all changed now and we’re on to a whole new future.
I know 3 ladies, Made, Made and Kadek who used to work in 3 adjacent handicraft shops on Poppies II. One by one they moved away to work in other handicraft shops, Made #1 moved to Jl. Legian, Made #2 to the end of Poppies I close to the beach and Kadek is still on Poppies II. I see them all occassionally and ask how business is. Made #1 on Jl. Legian is doing much better as foot traffic heavier. She also told me her prices are more expensive because of the rent. Visitors for handicrafts should look first in the Poppies Lane area and bargain.
Made #2 is doing a liitle better due to her proximity to the beach, a tourist might want a cheap sarong or pair of shorts at th last minute. Kadek is still plodding along with 1-2 sales all day.
The way domestic tourists from Jakarta bargain is to pick up several items they want and then say ‘I’ll take these plus you’ll throw in 2 sarongs, a bag and a hat for $x. A vendor starving for a sale might be willing to cut their margins down to the bare bones just to get some revenue rolling. There’s only so far they can go when you pick up 1 t-shirt and say ‘how low can you go?’
At the moment there seem to be plenty of tourists in Kuta particularly from Australia and NE Asia. Warung 96 is always packed which is quite amazing because I really serves average food. I see it all the time when an older couple from Melbourne or somewhere ask me where Warung 96 is. Its the power of referal and people all refer their friends there. I’d refer them to Rumours in Seminyak for a great meal that wil cost 20,000-30,000rp.
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Rumors has my vote for some of the best grub, at a reasonable price. Thanks for showing us that one Nick. I miss the Fooktop girls.
Don’t you guys know anything!! Bathtubs are essential for doing your washing, preferably while you are having a shower with the plug in. Can get slippery tho and difficult to explain bruises on buttocks are inevitable!!
I used to lock the bathroom door, throw all the dark clothes on the floor with some washing powder & scrub!!! With a brush & it got so slippery & so much fun!
Then I’d have to rinse & then get the light clothes & do the same….
I could never get all the soap out of the towels though!
They were the only things I’d take to Laundry, unless of course I needed something urgently!!!!
I know it’s so cheap to go to laundry, but I was there for 8 months & on a Budget!!!!
“Those bunch of things that were going through my mind today” were great. True.
Why do you have a bathtub, television, etc. when you may not need them? Reduces the price and mirrors the way you’ll actually be spending your time. May even encourage those who tend to stay in to get out there and smell the culture.