lobsterbake Posted March 19, 2013 Report Posted March 19, 2013 Just finalized our tickets for Bali! We arrive on afternoon of April 26th. My wife travels a couple of weeks a month for work so FF miles are saved for International trips like this - funny that the miles were earned on AA and every leg we fly Cathay Pacific which I hear is an amazing airline so grateful for One World Alliance. We are so excited to meet Dennis - I have spoken to him and emailed so many times that he feels like family. What a great guy and I am very thankful to be able to take this trip. I told my wife I enjoy talking to him just like a good friend - dont laugh you guys know what I mean. I guess it is his sincerity in a non-sincere world - refreshing. Leave Chicago on April 24th non-stop Ohare to Hong Kong Hong Kong to Bali Bali to Java (Suburbya) Java to Bali Bali to Hong Kong Hong Kong to Ohare non-stop Home sweet home May 5th Update - I edited my original post. We extended our trip and consolidated our flights which will be great so we dont have to stop in Tokoyo or LA. THANK YOU!! for all the great information you guys posted below!! Mark
talisker63 Posted March 19, 2013 Report Posted March 19, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! Bali is great. Must see Ubud, must avoid Kuta at all times. Great food, lovely people. Only drink cocktails in well known places. Beware of home made spirits.
ThreeDJ16 Posted March 21, 2013 Report Posted March 21, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! Man I am jealous. I have an idea, maybe Dennis should have a yearly contest and the winner gets a free trip for two to visit his factory, then be his guest in Bali for a week! Of course the forum admin (cough, cough) should get the first one as a trial run. Just waiting on my ticket Dennis!! -=J
talisker63 Posted March 21, 2013 Report Posted March 21, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! Melbourne to Bali return is sub $750... Jealous? Very popular vacation spot for Aussies Beer is about a $1, food is tasty and cheap, great beaches, wonderful people... Must go book it!
ThreeDJ16 Posted March 21, 2013 Report Posted March 21, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! I don't live in Melbourne, I live in US. Around $2800 per person from Georgia to Bali. -=J
Firemonkey Posted March 21, 2013 Report Posted March 21, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! Nothing a couple million airline miles can't handle
ThreeDJ16 Posted March 22, 2013 Report Posted March 22, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! So you finally hit the million mile goal? Did you get the secret million mile card? hehe -=J
Firemonkey Posted March 22, 2013 Report Posted March 22, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! Million was years ago... I'd be at two now but they changed the way they account for million mile perks last year. In the scheme of things a couple million is not much - I've met people with double digit millions. Mine are all butt in seat miles, though. I don't use their credit cards or other ways to accumulate them, and since I'm always going somewhere for work, I seldom spend them. When i have down time, staying home sounds like a perfect plan!
ThreeDJ16 Posted March 22, 2013 Report Posted March 22, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! Oh man, no secret platinum or gold card huh. Oh, or you just can't tell us. -=J
Firemonkey Posted March 22, 2013 Report Posted March 22, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! Nope. No secret handshake or anything. Just a few more guaranteed upgrades with each million, but even those expire after a year. I already get upgraded anyway, which is why I was giving some upgrades away last month.
mk1 Posted March 22, 2013 Report Posted March 22, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! I am lifetime platinum.....no lifetime executive pllatinum exists....I would ratber stay home too...mostly 4 million.....
kad1979 Posted April 2, 2013 Report Posted April 2, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! Enjoy Bali...I went about 18 months ago and still think about the trip all the time. Beautiful island with the most amazing people! Enjoy! Agreed, avoid Kuta all the time. We stayed on the East side in quiet town called Candiasa. Charming tiny little town with great restaurants!
lobsterbake Posted April 2, 2013 Author Report Posted April 2, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! 2/3 rds of our trip we are in Candiasa - looks like a neat place away from tourists like us lol
JohnL Posted April 3, 2013 Report Posted April 3, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! Make sure you dine at Vincents at least once while you're there. Their garden is wonderful and the food excellent. JohnL
talisker63 Posted April 3, 2013 Report Posted April 3, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! You must go to Water Bom park. It's a water park with slides etc. if you pay entry with Amex you get free lunch and drink vouchers. Go early and grab a bure shelter for a few bucks well worth it but they book out early. Once you have a bure you can order food and drinks to it, Lay back relax and watch the kids slide!
talisker63 Posted April 3, 2013 Report Posted April 3, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! Also dinner at Ku de Ta is sensational but expensive. World class food, gets table with a beach view (grease the maitre de) fantastic cocktails too. Plan on $200+
kad1979 Posted April 3, 2013 Report Posted April 3, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! Dang, I am sooooo jealous. CD is a my favorite part of Bali and we saw almost the entire island. Ditto on Vincents…it is absolutely fantastic! Check out the food…no it isn’t an optical illusion, those prawns are that BIG! And to boot I think that dish cost me about $8-9 US. There are some other good restaurants in town. We enjoyed (in our preferred order) Joglo, La Rouge, and Le 48. Look for Made (ma day) Billy. Ask around...everyone knows everyone in CD. He is fantastic if you want to fish, go to white sand beach, etc… DON’T JUDGE ME HERE. If you are really adventurous and want to see the local culture I would encourage you to go to a cock fight. You will see chickens (in beehives are fighting chickens) everywhere in Bali- it is a HUGE part of their culture. We wanted to see some local culture and had a few of the locals take us into their village. You will head into the jungle town dirt paths and enter the “real†Bali. You will get an amazing glimpse into a Balinese village The only women that will be there will be cooking around the fights. We brought our wives, no problems. Obviously there is gambling but the winner gets to take home the losers chicken to feed his family with. I am serious, if you like different I highly recommend this. Ask locals, you will not be able to find it by yourself. Here are a few pics for you. You are in for a treat. Dang, I want to go back now!!!!!!!!!!!! Villa in Bali- included a staff of 7 or so. Vincent’s If you go to Ubud go here for pork!!!!!!! I saw it on Anthony Bourdain’s no reservation and went to Ubud just for it. UNREAL!!! Made Billy White sand beach….highly recommended. I have heard you can buy a cock to fight in the town set back from the beach…not that I know anything about that? The fight Main drag through CD
kad1979 Posted April 3, 2013 Report Posted April 3, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! One more...no joke hit up the little hot dog stand in town. I forget the name of it but it is run by an Aussie who married a Balinese woman. He is a riot too!!
kad1979 Posted April 3, 2013 Report Posted April 3, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! Oops...White sand beach.
lobsterbake Posted April 4, 2013 Author Report Posted April 4, 2013 Re: Vacation - Bali it is! Converting US $ - where should I convert money and how much do I bring for a week? Seems like many places want paid in American money instead of IDR? Thanks for all the excellent information posted. Thanks Mark
