Shirley
both of them had high quality accomodation at great prices. Both are cheap day to day- but Bali is cheaper! Food is fabulous in both places. Both are very spiritual. Bali though just has the most breathtaking scenery( literally- you just can't believe what you come across.) One thing Thailand would score on are the beaches- it definitely has better ones. Our beach at Sanur however, was kept clean and was full of local life which I loved. I just thought that Bali was paradise( and I'm going back next summer)We are combining Bali with KL which I see is also on your list- flying with Malaysian Airlines.

Yes, forget white sands, etc. It isn't Buddhist like Thailand and the stall sellers are slightly more persistant. It's a wonderful place and well worth a visit.
Unless you are away for a year, you have about 3 years of holiday on your wish list, Shirley. lol. I wouldn't combine Vietnam with anything else - it's a big country.

You are right Chris I would only do Vietnam in 1 holiday, as I want to go to HCMC , Nha Trang, Hoi An and Hanoi.

Bali sounds lovely Fiona, I was surpirised when you said it's cheaper than Thailand.
How many nights are you staying in KL and how many in Bali?

Thanks, shirleyV

4 nights in KL and 9 in Bali( hopefully 3 of those in Ubud but I'm having problems trying to get the hotel I want there. )1 night in KL is on return to split the journey up.

Which beach hotel have you chosen in Bali?

the Puri Santrian Shirley

That hotel looks good Fiona I know you have stayed there before.
Have you booked the hotel DIY or with a tour operator? I have just looked at flights to Bali and they are over £1000 so I reckon I may look at prices for a package.

Shirley V / Fiona

We were last in Bali 2002 at the time of the first bombing (never knew it had happened as we were eating in Bumbu Bali in Benoa).

You cannot compare Bali with Thailand. Both are unique. I have heard that many people find the Balinese more 'persistant' in their efforts to sell. This has not really been my experience. Food is great, hotels very good, beaches - not up to the best of Thailand but still OK, scenery and atmosphere - stunning!

We have decided to give Thailand a miss this year as the past two years (firstly in Koh Samui and this year in Hua Hin) we felt that the Thai people (and the country) are changing rapidly.

We will be going to Bali (with a stopover in Singapore) in Sept / Oct (not yet booked). Returning is probably the highest recommendation we can give.

Shirley V - if you like the Anantara in HH you will find a host of 'garden' hotels in Bali. The local temples are picturesque but very 'grey' compared to the colourful Wats in Thailand. If you tried / enjoyed the Spa at the Anantara, then Balinese Spas will be up your street (and cheaper).

Fiona, we intend to book the Bali Hyatt in Sanur. Do you have any knowledge of this hotel?

Both of you - enjoy Bali, we intend to...........

Peter

Its set in large, beautiful grounds. We did not go inside but I have to say that the buildings looked a bit like concrete blocks and a bit dated. Alot of people do rave about it but there are those who have been disappointed. I think if we went we would go to the Regency rooms. It would certainly be a lot easier to get sunbeds in the Hyatt as opposed to the Puri Santrian, where you had to be up early to "book" them!

The sellers were definitely more vocal in Bali but then, when we were there, they were still suffering from a downturn in trade and the Aussies were boycotting it. They were just trying to make a living.

hi

we have 2 holidays a year 1 is always back to bali the place we call home

seen most of thailand, malasia. combodia we think that bali is the best the people must be the best we have met any where in the world and we have met some great people

we always stay in sanur at a small family hotel just off the beach

the staff are now our extended family and over the years we have seen there children grow

hope to be of some help
mags

Thanks Anker Bali is starting to sound a strong possibility, I am a little worried over the terrorist situation , but other than that, it sounds absolutely brilliant.

How is Sanur for shopping and sightseeing ?

Thanks again, shirleyV

Bali's worth a try, if just as a change from Thailand (especially if you are thinking of our summer months).

We stayed in Tanjung Benoa area just beyond the manicured confines of the Nusa Dua resort area which was OK, the beach was nothing special, hotel (Aston Bali) was fine. We did the usual trips out to Ubud and the the volcano, and round various temples. Would have done more but the OH got laid down with the most viscious bout of food poisoning which meant we could not really leave the hotel for about six days. Fell victim to currency exchange scam involving sleight of hand on a couple of occassions.

We combined it with Singapore, so used Singapore Airlines who quite often do good deals to the region. We did our package for around £650 for the fortnight travelling in June.

Found the scenery to be be similar to that of Northern Thailand.

Shirley
re your earlier question- I tried to DIY it and could not come up with good prices. We are going with Travelbag this time. Last time we went with Qantas holidays through Singapore. They were good in that you only have to book a minimum of 5 nights at one of their hotels and can book whatever you want for the other nights. We chose our own hotel in Singapore.

It's very true the Aussie's are giving Bali a miss... mainly because DFAT have a travel warning on Indonesia including Bali. Since the 2002 bombing the travel warning has not been lifted, just reissued. The level of warning remains the same since 2002.
I'm given to understand the British FO have lifted their travel warning on Bali. In the meantime Thailand is booming.
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Indonesia
Cheers Geri

Shirley, try looking at airline's own websites - often lots cheaper than expedia, opodo, etc. I've just saved over £300 by doing this.

hi

sanur is great for shopping the market runs the stretch of the beach with loads of great eating places right on the beach
lots for shop on the main street also

we always feel safe in bali even going to kuta security has been stepped up so do not worry on that score

we book our flights from dial a flight
then just email the hotel telling them when we are arriving and they pick us up from the airport

just do it and enjoy you will have a wonderful holiday

i booked 2 days on way out to singapore then 10 days bali and then 2 days on return to singapore again,staying in the club rooms at the puri santrian and holiday inn atrium singapore.this worked out at 1200 each,using singapoe airlines,on 18th september 200 flying from manchester. .i wa s happy with this price.