BALI - some questions

[Leejnd]

Like what?

I looking at almost EXACTLY the same trip to bali 7-8 days with a non diver, but I am going in August, so i am looking for what else there is to do in dive areas As of right now, I am planning to do day trips from Sanur to keep my girlfriend happy. 2 hours drive at least to all the good sites it looks like. :sad:

I feel your pain! This has been my dilemma as I've been researching this trip, since I'm traveling with my Mom, who is a non-diver. The problem with the Tulamben and Amed areas, where some of the best diving is, is that there really ISN'T anything for the non-diver to do...well, other than hang out at the pool of wherever it is you're staying.

However, from what I can tell, there really are things to do for my Mom at and around the Mimpi resort at Menjangan. It's right next to the Bali Barat National Park, and there are tours that can take you into the park for treks and safaris - here's a link to info about that:

http://www.mimpi.com/mimpi-menjangan-balibarat-parktrek.html

There are also villages nearby with shopping, and a traditional market in village of Pejarakan. If your girlfriend is into snorkeling, there are various snorkeling trips she could take. And finally, the spa at the Mimpi resort is supposed to be a good one...and it sure has great prices!

The Mimpi has two resorts, one in Tulamben and one in Menjangan, and the one in Menjangan looks much nicer. It also happens to be on the grounds of a natural hot springs, the Banyuwedangand hot springs, and the resort has a number of pools and baths with these waters flowing through them. With all this nearby, my Mom is satisfied that she'll have enough to do while I'm off diving.

So based on my research, I think that it would be best to spend at least a couple nights at the Mimpi in Menjangan. (There are other resorts and hotels nearby, but they don't have their own dive ops, plus I couldn't find twin beds at all of them.) The Mimpi has a couple of great dive/accommodation packages that also include your meals, so that's the route I'm going. After doing all the price comparisons, I've determined that they really are price savers.

Now keep in mind I haven't even BEEN to Bali yet, so YMMV! I tend to research my vacations to death, though, and this is what I've learned so far. Good luck with your planning!

 

[Travelnsj]

I dove the Liberty wreck last September had a little better vis than Catherine...about 50-60'...also did the 2 other sites on the beach there....VG diving.....I could not believe how the tanks were transported from one end of the beach to the other....On top of womens heads:11: ....they were half the size of me.....feeling guilty...I offered to help....they waived me off...LOL...do not forget to go and see the Mola Molas.....This year I am going to stay in the Amed area at www.bayucottages.com for 4 days (on my way to Wakatobi) and go back to the Liberty wreck....VG diving

 

[LekicINC]

Thanks LeeAnne, I too like research my trips to death. I guess thats why are on the boards way before our trips. Have you considered staying in Sanur? Hoping not to hijack the thread. Hopefully this information helps the original poster as it seems we are in the same situation.

 

[Leejnd]

We're actually doing this trip as a three-pronged thing -- we've got three weeks there. The first week is in Seminyak, second week will be at the Mimpi, and the third week in Ubud. I looked at Sanur, but from everything I read, it seems a bit too antiseptic to me...too landscaped and "resort-ish". I tend to try to stay away from places that are just too commercialized, and that seems like it might be too commercialized for me. Of course it's hard to make such decisions when you haven't been there to see for yourself, so you have to go by what you read.

We're a little leery of the Seminyak area too, because it's so close to Kuta, which I guess is pretty commercialized as well, but it sounds like it's a bit more exciting than Sanur. I'm still researching, but that's where I'm at now.

Oh, and btw, with regards to places where you can dive and your girlfriend can keep occupied, have you looked at Candi Dasa? It's a pretty small town, but there is a nice little village there, and nearby there's a village that's reknowned for its crafts. And there's diving very nearby, and a couple dive ops in town. I was planning on staying there, until I learned of the Mimpi up in Menjangan.

 

[LekicINC]

ahh, three weeks very lucky. I have only 18 days for the whole trip, and some will be in malaysia. thus a max of 8 days. I totally agree with Sanur, however, it seems the be the "diving hub" in south bali, where most of the action is. My girlfriend is not too interested in cookie cutter tours or shopping, be she loves markets, temples general culture stuff. I will check out that village because she loves Crafts! I like all that stuff too, but I like diving better Its only a half/hour ride from ubud, where she wants to stay, so its a comprimise. I, too, dont really recommend hanging around there. I heard Seminyak is similar to Sanur in that regard. No? NOT meaning to Hijack, if this is not helpful please tell me and we will move the thread i guess.

Thanks again, LeeAnne. nice knowing someone is in the same situation.

 

[kneptoon]

Mimpi Menjangan is a great choice. Much much much better than the sister resort in Tulamben. The dive op is great. I haven't seen better snorkeling anywhere else in Bali. I really don't know what to recommend beyond diving in that area. The resort is really so relaxing it is hard to leave. Ubud is wonderful for the non diving experience of ethnic Bali. Sanur is not really as bad as you think. Very lovely hotels, interesting shopping and decent(not over the top) night life. La Taverna on Sanur beach is inexpensive and hard to leave.

 

[Leejnd]

Yikes! I just made my reservations today for Mimpi - I elected to go with their 3+3 package, which is 3 days in Tulamben, and 3 days in Menjangan. Now I'm reconsidering...maybe I should just do the whole time at Menjangan. How MUCH nicer is the Menjangan Mimpi over Tulamben?

I appreciate the feedback on Sanur. I haven't made any of my other reservations yet...maybe I'll take another look at it.

 

[kneptoon]

Mimpi Tulamben was a bit of a disappointment after Mimpi Menjangan. The Menjangan resort is really extraordinary. We booked in with the intention of staying 3 nights and ended staying a week. We booked into Tulamben for 3 nights and ended staying just one. I know that the Liberty wreck is well thought of but I was disappointed after the hype. Menjangan has some very good diving. The coral gardens on the far side of the island are always great. The wall dives on the south side are current dependent. When the current runs the soft coral blooms and there is an abundance of schooling fish of every variety. The same dive without the current is just not the same dive. No soft coral and much fewer fish. Most taxis will run you from the airport for about $50 each way. This is pretty reasonable considering the drive is around 4 hours. But a beautiful drive. The resort charges around $70 for an airport pick up as I recall. If you get a driver you like you can book him for further excursions. From Sanur we booked the same driver everyday for trips to Ubud and to the volcano. From there you can book a driver for around $30 for 5 or 6 hours. Bali is really a bargain and the topside culture is worth the trip even without diving. We're trying to go our third time in three years this May. Hopefully with a trip to Komodo.

 

[kneptoon]

PS We plan a few nights at La Taverna in Sanur just to recover from the flying.

 

[Leejnd]

Kneptoon, thanks for the info -- you've convinced me. Besides what you've posted, I've been reading elsewhere that the Liberty and the diving around Tulamben just doesn't compare to Menjangan. So I'm going to change my plans and spend all 6 nights at Menjangan.

I did go back and do more research on Sanur, but I think we're going to stick with Seminyak. If I was traveling with my husband, we might enjoy the peace and solitude of Sanur...but I'm taking this trip with my mother, so we're looking for a little more to do than hang out on the beach or at the pool.

Thanks for all the info!