Been to Bali lately?
 

For those of you who've been to Bali lately... My fiancee and I are looking to visit for our honeymoon, but she's a bit nervous about the past bombings and articles saying new acts are likely soon.

Did you feel secure on your visit?

bali aug 16-24
 

I just got back to NY from Bali . The first time i went to Bali was Sep 2001 , I am from NYC . I also was in Bali during 2nd bombing there, in Kuta sq and Jimbaran. Indonesia is a 3 rd world country , so one must always be aware ,mainly because of roads , fire exits , food etc.....
The people of Bali are awesome and friendly , in tourist areas sometimes a bit too much .. transport , massage etc.. ... To feel safer I guess you could avoid the big clubs ,and bars . Most places have 'security' , though it is far from perfect .

the people will never make you feel uncomfortable. The Balinese themselves are dependant on tourism, and are very aware of being a possible target ,with its many western tourists. All the previous acts were done by outsiders.

To feel extra safe i guess i would avoid main Kuta area , where the crowds are , and enjoy Ubud , or other quieter beach areas . I am going back , i would tell friends to go back too.

I have also visited Bali many times over the last 10 years both before and after the two bombings. I agree that the island has a magical, spiritual quality that few other places I have ever been. Despite the two previous terrorist acts, Bali is still relatively safe; however, I was there in July 07 and noticed that it was very quiet with few tourists, and as a result I was harassed non-stop for transport, massage, drugs, watches, etc. I believe that most of these touts are from Java and not the local Balinese.

I did not experience as many problems while in Ubud.

I would definitely suggest Bali as a vacation destination but with the caveat of staying clear of the Kuta area. Bali has some beautiful beaches and great food (my favourite is Made's Warang in Seminyak) and the positive aspects are far more than the minor inconveniences. I think you would have a great time for your honeymoon.

sorry but Ubud is just as bad as Kuta and trust me the Balinese love to blame Jave for everything

Ubud , and off beaten paths are definately more peacefull
 

Well I will agree that you will find touts at areas where there are tourists gathered. I disagree with the comparison of ubud to kuta . I have spent nights in Lovina , Ubud, Ahmed , Sanur and Bedugul along with the Kuta area . . At the larger sights , like Ula Watu and Tahah Lot , there are many but walk on Monkey Forest Rd (ubud)for a hundred yards and then Jl Kuta for 100 yards , there is no comparison .

Yes , i feel comfortable in Bali . and yes i do get annoyed in Kuta . But Kuta itself is lacking in Balinese culture , and I dont travel to indonesia to go shopping in Kuta.

Yes , i do agree the Balinese like to blame outsiders for all problems (lombok, javanese) , but ... they are usually right . The local authorities have done periodical checks of Indonesians to see if they are local residents.(id card checks) NOt exactly freedom . but , many of the touts (not the best jobs, ayam (girls) are from other parts of indonesia) The Balinese believe in Karma , and for the most part, dont want to embarrass themselves among family or the gods .

I was there last in end-March 2007. Certainly felt comfortably normal; people genuinely warm as always, the resorts and villas we stayed in (Seminyak, Ubud, Uluwatu) were oases of calm.

Good luck with your trip planning.

Respect the culture
 

I was in Bali in May.

The impression I got from the locals I talked to in Ubud was that they liked the Westerners who came to Ubud as they seemed to respect the Balinese culture. They hate what is happening in Kuta and don't even regard it as part of Bali anymore.

If you act like a loud drunk tourist then you'll be a target but if you try to fit in with balinese life they will welcome you with open arms.

As for the threat of another bombing. ... that rumor has been going around for a while and sure, it could happen but if you stick to the real Bali and avoid nightclubs, loud bars ( there's an Australian one in Kuta that encourages all kinds of degenerate behavior), then even if there is a bombing, you won't be anywhere near it.

It certainly wouldn't stop me from going back. I just got tired of constantly being asked if I wanted transport ( in Ubud and around Kuta, Seminyak) or if I wanted to buy a cheap Rolex or if I wanted to go sailing etc etc etc - the touts are what would stop me from going back, not the threat of another bombing

How far is Ubod from the Bali Conrad. Can you do a day trip to Ubud?

As far as feeling safe and secure, my husband and I honeymooned in Bali in June of this past year, and we couldn't have felt more safe. In fact, the drivers of our cars would point out where past bombings had taken place and then tell us how security has been ramped up and what other measures are in place since then. We felt that there was plenty of security present and that the locals acknowledged that there had been bomb blasts in the past, but we did not feel overwhelmed or threatened by the presence of security. Although I hesitated to visit the part of Jimbaran beach where a bombing had taken place in 2005 (lots of fish restaurants on the beach that looked good but we skipped!), overall I felt quite comfortable. I would certainly go again!

I will note that we also stayed away from touristy spots like Kuta. We stayed at the Four Seasons (both Jimbaran and Sayan) and did our activities nearby to our hotels.

1 - 1.5 hours by car depending on traffic/time of day. Do yourself a favor and spend a night or two in Ubud.

My SO and I just spent a wonderful one week vacation in Bali. We felt safer in Bali than we are walking the streets of Manhattan.

All entrances to hotels and resorts are highly guarded. They even have security check for cars entering the beach eateries along Jimbaran Beach.

Maximize Ubud
 

Last year my girlfriend and I spent 4 days at Conrad Bali and 4 days in Ubud. We felt that 4 days was enough at the Conrad but definitely wanted more time in Ubud...I'd try and stay at lest 3 or 4 nights in Ubud...a daytrip will definitely not do it justice!

I went through the same concerns a few months ago, but decided to go ahead with the trip. I was glad I did.

It definitely "felt" safe to me, but of course it's hard to sense bomb attacks (maybe animals can do it, the same they can sense earthquakes?). I figured that the odds of a bombing when you are there, in your location, are very very small. And, afterwards, you can brag about what a brave adventurer you are.

For God's sake, Bali is not Baghdad :confused:

we were there in August. We stayed in Sanur and Ubud. It was our second visit and we are planning on returning next summer. We never went to Kuta. Bali is beautiful. The first time we went we only stayed in Sanur and travelled round about. This time we felt the Ubud stay made our holiday. A daytrip is not enough. If nothing else you have to go to one of the dance performances in the evening. They are stunning!