so heading to Bali next spring for the first time, going to stay around ulu watu. Anyone got any tips on where/when to surf, things to do/avoid, etc?
Get away from the coast for a bit and development and go inland to experience the actual culture. Nothing like it. Get up to the volcano areas, assuming they aren't erupting. You are staying at Ulu's so you can surf there, of course. Other good more manageable spots on bukit spots are Balangan and Impossibles. If you are on your game and you can handle big hollow lefts over very, very shallow reef, with crowds, try Padang and Bingin. Stay out of Kuta...Like Daytona Beach but with idiot drunken aussies. I thought drunks in US were bad...One night is enough just to see it, unless you are there to really party down. Drive up east coast for Keramas, west coast for Canguu area, good surf in both depending on swell angles. You can rent scooters, or hire a driver. I like getting my own driver. They are cheap and will sit and wait for you anywhere, all day long. Saw many people wreck on scooters, some pretty banged up. Take fast boat to Nusa Lembongan also. Good island with 3 amazing surf spots. Rent scooter there, go over yellow bridge to Cenigan Island and explore. If more time go to Penida. Great diving/snorkel on Lembongan. Make any reefs I've seen in Hawaii or Caribbean look like dead rocks. Go to Ubud, see the monkey forest. Amazing place. Rice paddies, etc. Avoid meat on stick as mentioned. You WILL get Bali Belly at some point on trip no matter how much you try to eat well. If you have more time, go to G-land or Desert Point...different islands, bigger commitments to go there. But plenty to see on Bali, and endless surf. Good luck.
Thanks man, that's good stuff. We will be there for around a week so not a ton of time of time. I had my eye on balangan/impossibles, planned on avoiding kuta for sure. possible day trip to canggu. do you have any drivers/companies you recommend?
Nyoman Darna has been my driver for 17 years. He is very good He may or may not be healthy then. When he is not feeling good I go with Nengah Suarma. He is excellent but I try to give business to Nyoman. https://www.facebook.com/nyoman.darna https://www.facebook.com/nengah.suarma
Once you get past the $1,000.00 airfare (plus or minus), it’s rather cheap. Two people can live extremely large on one hundo a day each. Live pretty good on fifty a day each. Possible to get by on as little as 10 a day if you’re willing to rough it.
Also, Balinese music drives me insane. Ten times more annoying than those World Cup horns the Saffas were blowing.
