25 replies to this topic

[ROBSKI]

Hello All, I have noticed we have many Bandits on here that frequent Bali.


Well my wife Monica and I usually go to Thailand but are thinking of going to Bali in 2013.


Now were happy to join others on here who want to make it a Bandit holiday


Questions:


1 What’s the best time of year to go?


2 Where do you prefer to stay?


3 Cheapest flight options?


Will probably think of more questions as we go but I just wanted to get it out there and see what people think?
Might have to design a nice T-shirt for the trip too....


Ok it will be great to see what you all think


Discuss..


Rob and Monica

[Suzyk]

I absolutely love the idea. I am normally a Thailand person too, but since moving to Adelaide, Bali would be a better idea cause at least there are direct flights to Depensar.

Never been so no idea what time, or where etc.

I would love to go, but as a shift worker and an air traffic controller that are understaffed I already have my leave allocations for 2013. I'm happy to tell my dates if people are willing to work around me.

I think that the best idea will have one dedicated person from each state as the 'main' person and do a group booking. That would probably be cheapest.

Problem:
Because Bali is a domestic destination, everything has to be paid in full upon booking. Where places like Thailand and Malaysia can be booked ten months in advance for 1$150 per person and people can pay it off as they desire up to four weeks prior to departure.

I'm thinking a fully contained resort so we can see each often for meals (oh the poor hotel, will have lots of people eating only a cup a time and not expecting it haha) and exercise together etc.


Lastly COST. Probably the big one. My trip to Thailand ex Melb, costed me $2000 for 14days. That was flights, accom, food and shopping etc. I think we should be looking at around $1000pp for flights and accommodation including breakfast. Virgin is the only carrier from Adelaide to Bali. Will be interesting to see what others think too.

[rockabette]

Time of the year doesnt bother us as Im already used to the climate living in Darwin. We like Bali but must mention that Vietnam is 10 x times better, nicer and cheaper. Unfortunately Jetstar has now scratched their direct routes to Vietnam from Darwin AND our next trip was for the 8 March, the same day as my surgery so we are not going.

We love culture, the arts, cooking, good dining, privacy and scenery so we rented an entire house in UBUD privately from an American doctor.

From Ubud you're closer to go white water rafting, visit temples, monkey forest, the local zoo (not the expensive tourist one), go to cooking classes as there are heaps in ubud, markets and lots of really nice restaurants. We found that when we spent the day in Kuta eating out was more expensive as there is more tourists.

You also dont get hounded as much as you do in Kuta.

This is the house we rented

http://www.balihouseubud.com/

[ROBSKI]

Wow some interest already..lol

rockabette: We are actually going to Vietnam then Thailand in July so that will be interesting, never been to Vietnam before.

Susyk: small world, my brother inlaws brother inlaw has recently moved from Makay to Adelaide as an ATC but I can't remember his name...lol

Some quick logo ideas..hehe

[rockabette]

You will love Vietnam... Im sad we are not going in March but we have way too much going on. Just ironic that my surgery got scheduled the same day we were meant to leave.

How long are you going for? We went for 2 weeks and definately not long enough. Although we travelled south to north. We bypassed Nha Trang as the place comes across like it would be the same as Kuta. Need at least 4-6 weeks in Vietnam if not more.

Anyways... Im up for Bali if you dont mind 2 x heavily tattooed ppl in your group!!! I just added you on facebook so you can check out our bali (ubud) and Vietnam photos.

[Babs64]

love the idea of Bali. Living in Perth we have the added benefit of only taking 3 and a half hours to get there. off to Thailand in May for the first time so looking forward to that. best time weather wise for Bali bout Jul to October, although can have severe thunderstorms in October too. We like Legian, less pestering than Kuta but have been recommended Seminyak where we have booked in August. Will keep my eyes and ears open for any other replies, sounds great to me. Anne. PS love all the logos :-)

[gall-less]

I LOVE this idea.
My husband and I have never been but intend to go next year.
Please keep us posted on the progress of this idea and we will try to make our trip same time if this goes ahead. :-)

[Suzyk]

Robski - Not a hard guess there as we only have one person from Mackay, Patrick (Patty) Normoyle. Small world.

In 2013 I only have May and Christmas off, but I will be going home for the first time in 4 years for christmas.

So I have May 2nd - May 23rd off. Can we work with that? (Sorry my industry is such a pain in the ...)

I love the logos too btw. I vote the Green one cause I like the colour. Or the Palm tree one!

Rockabette, I love the idea of the house, but if we are looking at 10+ people we probably won't all fit. Also love tattooed people, as I am tattooed myself.

[ROBSKI]

I'm happy for a May trip, would only be 4 days there and two days travelling for us. I work 4 on and 4 off so I could probably wrangle a couple of days either side.

I have tattoos so I dont have a problem with others having them.

Will check my roster to see what we can do...

Robski

[Nicolalia]

I,m keen too,!! Maybe a mod can pinn this thread so it doesn,t get lost?

[Coralie]

I am in too peoples and I love this logo cause I think we all deserve a holiday after our fantasic work

[teach]

Sounds like a brilliant idea. Can Kiwis join??
Donna

[bellasmum]

Sounds fantastic. I am addicted to Bali and spend a month there every year! May is a lovely time to go because the wet season has finished. I will already be in Bali with hubby in May 2013 so may just have to meet up with everyone who goes!

[Newlife]

We stay in Sanur...11times... So pretty ...we are hoping to head off to Thailand this yr for something different.. any suggestions on what to do and where to stay in Thailand would be fantastic

[buckets3eyedfish]

Great Idea.. Having worked there for 2 years in Jimbaran Bay (Intercontinental Hotel) I am quite familiar with the place. My brother has a house in Sanur with his lovely wife to be (April 4th, 2012) and 2 boys. I honestly have lost count of the times I have been but would have to be upwards of 60. If you need any help with the logistics don't be afraid to ask, I am sure many Perth bandits have spent many a holiday there as well would be only to happy to suggest places of interest.

I like the idea of private villas, however when travelling in large numbers (fingers crossed many will come) it may be best to either hire out a whole family run hotel (20 or so rooms) or look at a large resort. I agree Kuta should be avoided at all costs. If you must stay close by then perhaps look at Tuban or Seminyak. My pref is Lovina or Sanur.

Rob - I like logo # 2 and 4
anytime is a good time of the year - it will rain anyway so it doesn't really matter

As for flights - well it depends on where you are flying from - Air Asia are the cheapest as low as $150 return to $350 (and with the newest planes) Garuda - although older they have had some good specials out lately $298 return from Perth..Other carriers such as Jetstar and Virign go from Perth and are competitive. I guess it comes down to what time of the day suits you.. Last count there are about 14 daily flights to Bali.

If you check out http://www.wego.com.au/ this is a search engine that will search all online travel agencies (wotif, lastminute, expedia, jetabroad etc etc) instead of searching 50 different ones. Also when looking at accomodation choices - you are never going to suit everyone and everyones budget - so I might suggest that you pick an area and let people choose where they would like to stay (perhaps 3-4 choices and diff budgets). You can then set up a central meeting point for activities and dinners etc ...

Newlife - As for Thailand - my other great love, I guess it depends on what you want to do and what time frame do you have? Do you want to party till dawn or relax or get some culture into you.. I spent 4 months backpacking around (incl visa runs) thailand in 07. There are many beautiful places away from the tourist traps like Pattaya, Bangkok, Koh Samui and Phuket.

[Newlife]

We stayed at bumi ayu in sanurs a few years back and had 27 rooms to our group.. Was awesome. Hey buckets I ave 16 and 12 yr old and were going to pop over for a week with them and hubby..in oct Looking at Phuket karon beach.. kids are very used o ali so wondering if there is something like water sports, action kids stuff and culture.. Not party life

[buckets3eyedfish]

Last visit i stayed at Centara Villas - half way between Patong and Karon (very quiet private pool villas) - so probably not what you are after..having said that when I backpacked through there you probably are not into 80 baht a night shared rooms either

Seeing as you want family orientated activities I would look at places like Le Meridian - closer to Patong that Karon but they have good kids facilities

other places that may interest you are

Pacific Club Resort - Karon
Movenpick Resort - Karon
Hilton Phuket
Sheraton Grande Laguna
Ramada Resort - karon
Laguna Beach Resort
Holiday Inn Resort
JW Marriott Phuket Resort
club andaman beach resort
Talay Karon Beach Resort

All these hotels/resorts are kid firendly with kid based activities/programs

As for activities - check with the hotel upon check in or any of the tour guide stalls in the street. You will need to check each resort site for water based sports etc..

Hope that gives you a starting point

[grinningchook]

buckets3eyedfish, on 19 February 2012 - 06:11 PM, said:

I honestly have lost count of the times I have been but would have to be upwards of 60.

Drug Mule ???

[buckets3eyedfish]

something like that chookhead

[girlbaby41]

we are going this year sometime - just waiting on others to confirm dates. Going on a cruise next year so won't be up for Bali again.
have a great time though