Have you done Christmas in Bali?

[wilco]

I have been to Bali many many times and if you act sensibly and don't put yourself out there, you wont have any problems with the Police. You really think they are going to target well behaved people?

Sadly, I dont think its quite so simple. In western countries sure, but corrupt ones, not on your life!

 

[globalexplorer]

I spent 4 weeks in Bali last xmas and new year with my wife, three kids and other family members and we had a fantastic time. We stayed in Seminyak at some villas called Rumah Cantik and the price was very reasonable (less than $200AUD a night from memory). I don't know where everyone else goes in Bali but in the 4 weeks we spent there we didn't encounter a single Aussie yobbo nor any of the other things people seem to complain about but then again, I wasn't out at pubs to all hours of morning. We did some tourist things (waterbom park etc), walked around a lot, relaxed by the pool in the villa and put on a huge lunch for 30 orphans on xmas day at a local hotel so that they could have a break from the orphanage, get some presents and play in the pool for a few hours - personally it was the most rewarding xmas I have experienced. The only frustrating part was that leading up to xmas and new year the locals would be firing off fireworks until very late at night, every night and it would happen right outside our villa which got a bit annoying after a few nights! On the flip side, it gave the kids a chance to buy and shoot off some pretty big fireworks which is something they obviously can't do in Australia.

 

[Timba-Jet]

Does anyone know if there are normal supermarkets in Bali where we can pick up supplies? French cheeses and pates would also be good - though I am unsure if there are deli's etc there (maybe i'm just kidding myself on that one! haha).

Also, as it isn't a Christian nation, will everything still be open and running over the Christmas break

Hi Hayden

I visited Bali for the first time in June this year, stayed in Sanur. There was a decent supermarket selling alcohol, meats, fish, meat, fruit n veg (called 'Hardy's') as well as a gourmet deli selling French style goods & wine.

If Sanur has it them places like Seminyak should also have them.

Agree with other posts, dinner by the sea at sunset @ Jimbaran beach is great. Plus the bonus of plane watching.

 

[cathrynbahen]

I've done Bali for Xmas and it was wonderful. Business as usual for restaurants etc. Most relaxed Xmas we have ever had!

 

[Austman]

Agree with other posts, dinner by the sea at sunset @ Jimbaran beach is great. Plus the bonus of plane watching.

I'm going to differ a bit here. I've stayed many times at the InterContinental which is next door to the Jimbaran beach cafes. I think lunch on the beach at Jimbaran is the way to go. In the evenings it can be a tourist scene - with tour buses etc. But in the day it's almost empty - bliss!

If you do go at night, go late-ish (ie after 9pm) after the tour groups etc have gone.

 

[auspal]

I'm just about to find out for myself, waiting to board a VIrgin flight, and really looking forward to it.

 

[auspal]

We had a lovely holiday, weather not the best at this time of year though. Hotel was fabulous, and decorated very Christmasey, I think it is a good option . NYE celebrations were well planned also .

 

[Pushka]

Nice to hear you had a great trip. Weather can be very hit and miss this time of the year in Bali. Our Christmas was hot hot hot for 10 days, then on the day we left the heavens opened up and floods everywhere.

 

[haydensydney]

Thanks everyone!

Went to Bali, thought it was "interesting" - don't know if I will be back in a hurry. The supermarket concerns of mine weren't concerns at all really.

Bin Tang in Seminyak has most usual bits and pieces that you would need for a normal meal. Quite expensive on the "over and above" typical items, but generally OK. Bin Tang was about 5 mins away from our villa.

Carrefour between Seminyak/Kuta however is where it's at. Its huge. Like a Tesco. Or those of us who aren't in the Europe loop, its like Woolwoths and Kmart and Dick Smith and <insert store name> in one big shop. Great for selection. The best selection of wine and champagne that I found in Bali. A $8 bottle of white cough in Australia costs about $25 in Bali. A $40 white costs ~$90, and Veuve/Moet costs about $110/$100, though I got my Moet on special for about $90 a bottle - as much as I detest Moet, I wasn't going to be hugely fussy. Cheese selections are cough. Proscuitto (spelling?) was hard to come by. Found lobsters, Australian Beef and US Scallops there, so quite OK from that perspective.

Christmas was a non event in Bali. No one really blinks an eyelid at the holiday over there. It was very relaxed.

 

[haydensydney]

PS It is so hot at Christmas time. When going out for a walk, the sweat would burn my eyes. It was either sweat, or exhaust fumes from the constant swarm of scooters :mrgreen: - hard to tell. Never again at that time of year!

 

[auspal]

We stayed at a lovely resort in Nusa Dua with its own private beach. Lots of visitors would suggest that it is artificial and that you are missing out on the 'real Bali ' and I can understand that view point. Nusa Dua is a tourist enclave with a good shopping centre and restaurants ( Bali Collection) with free shuttles from the nearby hotels. Discovery Plaza in Kuta is a multi level shopping centre with lots of bargains, all at fixed price as well.

Alcohol prices were not a problem as we stayed in a club level suite and had two hours of free coughtails, wines, spirits, beers and canapes every evening.

However we caught a cab into the 'real Bali' a couple of times for a very cheap rate, and we hired an airconditioned vehicle and driver for 8 hours and went out to the rice paddies and countryside and drove through the small villages for $50 US. I think if you do your homework first then you know what to expect.

I probably wont be rushing back to Bali in the near distant future, but it was a good option for overseas travel, not spending half of the holiday flying,

 

[The Rok]

I probably wont be rushing back to Bali in the near distant future, but it was a good option for overseas travel, not spending half of the holiday flying,

Its very handy if you live in Perth.

 

[auspal]

Yes, you could almost fly over for a long weekend with some of the cheap airfares

 

[The Rok]

Yes, you could almost fly over for a long weekend with some of the cheap airfares

Hmmmm, must look at points plus pay. Got 120K points left.