Finding answers for a Bali tourist

Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree message board is one of the busiest on the web. Once is a while it can be intersting to see what comments people post. One recent post asked a question which I thought would be fun to answer.

‘I’m travelling to Bali — Kuta Beach and staying at the Hard Rock Hotel, in a few weeks. As a recently single, straight, mid-40’s, American male, what can I expect to find to do — both daytime activities and night-time. What are the best places to meet other single tourists (female, of course), and what kinds of activities are suggested? What are the good tourist things in the Kuta area? What should I watch out for????’

Here’s a few thoughts off the top of my head:
Daytime activities in the Kuta area include sunbathing / swimming on Kuta beach, taking a surfing lesson, bungy jumping at AJ Hacketts at Double Six, shopping for clothes, DVD’s, exploring the local food in small warungs, such as Nikmat, Bamboo Corner, or the famous Made’s Warung. Hard Rock Hotel has a great pool / beach club, which is a good place to lay back and relax. Kuta has many small spas, so a massage might help you get into the Bali mood. Watching sports at Stadium Cafe, Deejay’s Cafe and All Stars Cafe could be fun.

Nightime activities, as regards meeting women, include sitting on the white steps, outside Kondra internet cafe on Poppies II. This is a hangout place for backpackers, who chat and share a few drinks. Hard Rock Hotel itself is a favourite with Japanese, Tawainese, Singaporean tourists, while Bounty, Paddy’s and MBarGo are popular with Aussies. Of course there is some cross over, but that’s mainly the deal.

As far as other things to do. You do go rafting in the Ubud area. This time of year is good, and my friend Devin enjoyed himself a few days ago. An evening temple dance, at either the palace in Ubud, or Uluwatu would leave one with magical memories. If nature is your scene, get out of the Kuta area and go snorkeling in East Bali (Amed, Padangbai), hiking, Gunung Agung, Abang, Catur, Batukaru, take a day trip to Nusa Lembongan on Bali Hai Cruises, or do a painting / cooking course in Ubud.

If meeting women is the goal, the Kuta / Seminyak area is the place, as the nightlife scene is most active in those areas.

Things to avoid include fraudulent money changers (don’t look for the best rates, look for the most professional looking office), people doing street-side surveys (they’re selling time-share), never buy drugs in Bali, avoid buying all your gifts on the first day (wait till you’ve had a look around and understand the pricing better).

What tips would you offer?