Bus Travel

Some of the TOP Hotels in Bali

Bali's most famous and crowded resort is Kuta beach, a six-kilometre sweep of golden sand, with plenty of accommodation, shops and nightlife. Nearby Sanur is much quieter, but most backpackers prefer the beaches of peaceful east-coast Candi Dasa and traveller-oriented Lovina on the north coast. The island's other major destination is the cultural centre of Ubud , a still charming but undeniably commercialized overgrown village, where traditional dances are staged every night of the week and the streets are full of arts-and-crafts galleries.

Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa : The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa is a luxury property strategically located only 15 kilometers away from the... Nusa Dua
Aston Bali Resort & Spa : The Aston Bali Resort and Spa is a luxury hotel located on the waterfront facing golden sandy beaches... Tanjung Benoa
Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel : Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel is situated in the coastal village of Sanur, an ideal location from which to explore... Sanur
Sanur Paradise Plaza Suites : The Sanur Paradise Plaza Suites is located in Sanur Village just two kilometers from the Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel....Grand Bali Beach Hotel also is a nice hotel in Sanur.
Swiss Belhotel Bali Aga : The Swiss Belhotel Bali Aga is a deluxe property strategically located only 20 kilometers northeast from the Ngurah Rai... Nusa Dua
Grand Hyatt Bali Hotels located in Nusa Dua and The Oberoi Bali located in Seminyak, Maya Ubud located in Ubud, The Alilia Ubud, Chedi, Hard Rock Hotel Bali located in Kuta beach, Melia Bali located in Nusa Dua and Padma Bali located in Kuta

Bus travel: Beware of pickpockets who are thick on the buses of Sumatra. Indonesians' sense of garishness is reflected in their multi-colored Chevrolet 'chicken-catcher' private buses which are often painted bright colors to make them distinctive. They often have names such as Guntur (thunderbolt) and Ki/at (lightening), thus Bis Malam Kilat is Lightening Night Bus. If you take local buses they pick up all the locals even if the bus is already full. If you take the Mercedes buses, they don't pick up many extra passengers and they have better suspension (also cost Rpl-500 more). You can cross Sumatra lengthwise in the dry season in 5 or 6 days if you meet all your connections. If you don't want to rupture you spleen, however, 2 weeks should be allowed. In the wet season it might take you a solid month. There could be many lengthly delays during the rainy season when river levels at ferry crossings are swollen too high for the vehicle to board the unweildy rope-bound wooden rafts which are used as ferries, hauled across the river along a steel hawser slung between the two banks. If bridges are out in South Sumatra you can often catch the next barge downriver, a memorable journey, to a town where you can wait more comfortably for another bus. Swim in the rivers while waiting (up to 3 days) for your bus to cross. Try A.N.S. bus company, about the most reliable, but their seats are built for bigger asses. Next best is A.L.S. For less wear and tear on your big ass, it's imperative that you get a seat in front of the back axle of the bus. Also your luggage is safe from theft up front where the whole bus can keep an eye on it. Sometimes a rope is strung out in front of you to lean on for relief or to sleep on, if you can. On a Sumatran bus you'll have a guaranteed breakdown at least once, a comic repair show, and endless Indonesian music played right over your head at full distorted volume. You're bogged in mud, driven over logstrewn cow paddocks, your head crashed against the ceiling (if you're over 5 ft. tall), your ass resting on spikes. Like being inside a cement mixer, you spend more time airborne than on the seat. Bus sickness is rampant and companies thoughtfully dispense plastic bags. A stoker usually rides with the driver to do running repairs, errands, and to collect fares. The driver eats 5 times a day at Padang-style restaurants along the way and there are untold stops for drinks. On some North Sumatran runs, the drivers even race each other with passengers as unwilling spectators. If you're coming up from the south by bus, break the ride up and take 1-2 day rests. This way you can appreciate South Sumatra and enjoy your trip more and not have it associated only with pain. The first leg would be Tanjungkarang to Palembang, then from Palembang to Padang, then from Padang to Lake Toba or Medan. Book immediately on your bus out as soon as you get in a town. Always ask the local people or other travelers what the true fare is before buying your ticket. On long bus journeys you could pay as much as Rp1000 over the usual fare.