Personally Jax if your thinking of Sanur then the middle of Sanur near the Griya Santrian is a good spot with lots of shops. markets and restaurants.

Further down near Puri Santrian is nice too but a longer walk to the middle.

Google earth the Sanur area and check it out.

You'll have to post a pic of your new hot bod in a bikini and Dave in a mankini

Cheers Geri

I have got to say that last July I found the weather particularly cool at times. Sepember was a little warmer. December last year the weather was wonderful, only had extended rain for a day once in a week

Cheers,

David

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Smile and the world you are travelling in will smile back at you

It was the puri santrian that I once looked at and quite fancied.

David when you say quite cool what do you mean?

I need the mankini LOL

Might make a suitcase out of the escess !!! ugh!!

Might wait altogether and take a trip to Oz been promising for ages and we know quite a lot of people there.

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Jax, for me it is cool in Bali when I feel the need to put another layer on in the evening, when a light shirt or T is not enough. I was really commenting more on the past July compared to previous ones when the weather has been delightful at that time of year. My favourite time there weather wise is June through to end of September, although it is all good in its own way. By the way, I stay in Ubud which is a little cooler at night.

Regards,

David

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Smile and the world you are travelling in will smile back at you

We have stayed at Sanur and liked it. Its much quieter than Kuta but some good hotels and restaurants are close to hotels and the beach area. You can always get transport into Kuta if you need more choices for shopping. I think Thailand is heaps better and cleaner than Bali.

I have noticed a real change in Bali and the attitudes of locals regarding "clean" since 2006. On a visit in 2006 my partner found the whole place very "down" and rubbish very prominent, so much so that she had decided not to return. But she did, in 2007. The rubbish issue had been addressed and we found attitudes all round to be very different. The local tourist trade was returning and new businesses starting up, particularly in Ubud. In 2005 & 2006 we were discouraged to see so many empty business premises, so different from what we have experienced ever since.

Regards,

David

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Smile and the world you are travelling in will smile back at you

I think that when you have been to Thailand a lot and think of going to Bali there is a big issues of comparison.

I worry that we would be making the wrong choice with Bali as it is even further for us to travel. it may be an option when we go out to Oz as a stay over on our way I am thinking.

I found that even in Vietnam I was comparing all the time.

I don't like filth or attitude. we are foodies and like to be able to have a wander, like a good beach, being able to go for a walk ( not a hike, a walk !), a drink in the evening, we don't need to be running around every 2 minutes seeing things, like a nice hotel room, big beds, don't like being hassled too much, can put up with a bit but not too much, like to feel relatively safe.

Does Bali fit the bill?

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

I have been to Nam twice in the last 2 years and much prefer Bali - and I loved Vietnam!

As long as you minimize your time in Kuta all will be good!

Regards,

David

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Smile and the world you are travelling in will smile back at you

very hot last month we went...

No it doesnt fit the bill!

Why? Because Bali is an island and Thailand is a country!

The coultures are totaly different and Bali at most is all about making money out of tourists from the moment you step off the plane.

Go to any tourist area and you will be hassled to buy and followed down the beach on your nice walk until you do! you may never walk the beach again?

Every second person is a timeshare tout and everybody else sells cheap watches and silver.

The beaches are not all that cop but they have some great surf.

If you dont have your wits about you you will be overcharged for everything,short changed everytime you change money and given a sob story by most about how they cannot aford to live.

Jaxw17,you know we love Thailand,well we also "love" Bali,but after 9-10 nights we are packed and ready to go,4 weeks in Thailand and we dont want to go home!

We can go to Bali often because it is only a 3 1/2 hour flight and there is an airline price war on at the moment.

Usually it costs almost as much to fly to Bali as Thailand.

I havent been to Thailand this year but have been to Bali twice this year and going again in August,why? because it is so cheap to fly there from here and cheaper than Thailand if you know the ropes.


Just like in Phuket and Samui, people are heading away from tourist areas in Bali to try and get a more relaxed holiday with a local feeling.

if you dont choose the right place in Bali you will find yourself in the same boat trying to find the right place!

Take a look at "Noosa Lembongan" nice Island just off the coast of Baliand great for a few nights.

July is the dryest and hottest i have experienced Bali.


Personaly knowing where you have been in Thailand and that you also compare, so too you "will " compare Bali to Thailand!


We first went to Bali in the very early 80,s and before we went to Thailand and if I was flying all that way from the UK I would choose Thailand over Bali.

But you also have to discover for yourself though,Just as i dont like Phuket or samui in Thailand because they are too touristy,I like Kuta in Bali because it is too touristy?

You may love Bali and want to visit all the time.

If I won a free holiday to Phuket,Samui or Bali I would choose Bali.

If i won a free holiday to Thailand or Bali,I would choose Thailand.


Come for a visit to Australia if you are going to fly all that way and do a stopover in Bali and then one in Thailand on the way home.

I came in 1981 and never went back home to live, nice and close to both Thailand and Bali :)