Review of Ayodya Resort Bali 5*

I welcome all travelers! I want to write a small report on the results of a recent trip to the island of Bali in the hotel Ayodya Resort» («Ayodya Palace»). Time of visit: 22.03.09-06.04.09. Don't want to repeat all previous written And declined as well, I will try to make the main emphasis on the issues that can help the tourists to make the right choice in organization of a trip and save some money. Who don't want to read long, I recommend you go to the end of the text and read the Grand total of my experiences. Voucher A ticket purchased through the company «southern cross». The choice of this company was carried out according to the results of small monitoring research of the proposals of tourist companies of the city of Moscow. Was also considered the option of travel «savages» with pre-booking required number of nights over the Internet, including via this website. It turned out that this option turns more expensive than through the «southern cross». As a result, a «southern cross» was ordered only «наземка» for 2 people: booked a room in a «club» of the hotel (Ayodya Palace on 14 nights ($2480), bought insurance ($30) and ordered a unilateral individual transfer «airport-hotel» ($50). The company did a good, intuitive website, all questions were solved quickly and clearly. Flight The flight to Bali was carried out on Singapore airlines. This company was chosen based on the experience of last year's visit to the same period in Vietnam, when were unable to buy tickets on the «Ethiopian airlines» and were forced to look for other options «delivery tel» to the destination (which have no regrets, because. Did not discover airline № 1 in the world, and along with Singapore, using the stopover of the company). Therefore, the question about the company-carrier hasn't even been discussed. Moreover, in this period the «Singapore airlines» have been selling tickets discounts, so the flight was cheaper than the Charter of «Transaero». Tickets bought through the website of the Singapore airlines and cost $ 724 euros apiece in both directions («Transaero» for my Charter takes about $1300), access was given to the choice of connecting flights to Singapore, seats on all flights and even food menus on planes! Recommend! Himself flight will not describe: very helpful, both by aircraft and service. Singapore airport «Changi» worth to pay special attention and time. Last year us a few hours for inspection is not enough, therefore, in this trip we specifically chose connecting flights so that it was time to take a closer look to the airport. Welcoming the company — the Asia collection», the partner of the company «southern cross» in Bali. On leaving the airport was a man with a plate on which were written my name. They put us in a van with air conditioning and taken to the hotel. The road takes about half an hour. On the way, at our request, made a stop, and with the help of a guide buy local SIM card, which we enjoyed during their stay in Bali. Hotel The hotel itself we liked very luxurious swimming pool with fountains in front of the hotel, in front of the entrance to the main lobby sits constantly playing on a bamboo «металлофоне» local native, which can be getting together with and knock hammers with him, a huge main lobby, with live music in the evenings, nightly procession with drums and other noise instruments, обходящая all hotel with the purpose of acceleration of evil spirits and torch-lighting around the building, fish and iguanas, floating in inland lagoons at — all this and much more adds a special touch to the stay in the hotel and creates a specific mood. Hotel is really old, but it обшарпанность is felt mainly in the rooms. Very nice furniture, and still looks quite well (see, remnants of luxury «Hilton»). The people were a lot until the end of March (end of the «low» season), and from the beginning of April it became noticeably more freely. Room So, was selected as the club looking for Ayodya Palace Garden View. Issue price plus $40 per day relative to the same option for accommodation in the dormitory building. Club wing closest to the sea housing with its lobby, mini-restaurant and pool functioning only for guests, Ayodya Palace. When checking in, we were asked to settle in room, overlooking the hotel's courtyard (odd numbers) and not below the second floor. Despite the fact that the us was already prepared another room, our request was satisfied with absolutely free and fast enough. In a club room (relative to a standard (visited) there is a window aperture with blinds between residential and shower bathrooms, additionally installed a couch on the balcony, there is a musical center, a tea-coffee set with electric kettle and overlooking the garden and tea-coffee sugar and tin of biscuits, two sets of dressing gowns (Terry and waffle), Terry same Slippers, two sets of gel-shampoo-conditioner bath and shower, two sinks, daily updated sets of personal hygiene, including razor with shaving gel. In room daily reported fruits. Some of the additional «club» of privileges (free of charge) : the ever-present fruit in the mini-restaurant, juices-fresh to order in any combinations and quantities, tea, coffee and biscuits at any time, a refreshing drink at lunchtime, complimentary cocktails (including alcoholic) in the evening with a set of канопе and cakes. As a result, after a cocktail in the evening the needs of the daily bread did not arise. Beach In the club of the hotel near the pool were always available sun beds cooked beach towels (white color, which is not allowed on the beach) and umbrellas (on two deckchairs umbrella). Despite this, go to sunbathe we preferred to still on the beach. On the beach at very little umbrellas (although before our departure began to install additional), so you had to hold sunbeds under them at 6.30-7.00. There were also problems with deck chairs (! ), was only saved by the abundance of mattresses, that the people was located directly on the lawns. The last few beach umbrellas are reserved for older people over 60 years of relevant state signs before them. Weather The stay was only two rain, and at night. The rest of the time it was warm (about 30 deg. ) and Sunny. Rain in the daytime we have seen only during excursions in the mountains. Excursions Because of the inflated prices tours with a tour operator, not bought. Went the traditional route: take the car for a day and went on a route that was determined themselves. For two trips looked all over the island with all its attractions. Want to share my subjective opinion: Bali's really nothing to watch, all of the trails are fabricated and are intended only to pull the money from tourists. The main emphasis on visiting the local temples in Bali are countless: they exist in each village, where people have for them and caring. For visiting many of them take a nominal fee. All the Hindu temples, and made almost a carbon copy of volcanic stone, differ mainly only in size. On the second visit you start to understand it, so to drive around the island to see another temple somewhere in the darkness таракани not necessarily. Want to watch free home religion — go right away to the beach, 30 minutes leisurely on foot). There upon the rock is very cute temple! Also not impressed and a visit to the local extinct volcano Kintamani. Driven half a day, then you look at the mountain, and a day to go back. And do not look at that! What really liked: 1. Uluwatu Temple. Interesting not the Church itself, and just a beautiful place in the evening at sunset. Yes and local monkeys enough, by the way, is a brazen, at all times strive to anything you стырить) make a visit to the temple enough of color (recommend for a first visit). The temple can be safely visit after the beach, starting at 17.00 from the hotel. Go about half an hour. 2. Village masters of woodcarving Wt. Only after visiting these workshops begin to understand that the vast majority of timber products sold on the island, especially in tourist areas is a cheap toy. As a result of visited this village twice and had two statues and wooden same iguana from different breeds of a tree. 3. Rafting. Visit the must! Even those who are afraid of water (as my half), will enjoy what I wish you. 4. Park Ubud monkey. The most quiet and friendly monkeys on the island. Take only bring more fruit (prefer bananas, citrus, мангустины). 5. Church on the water Ulun Danu on lake Bratan. If not, visit the other «attractions» Bali, many will not lose. Parks orchids, birds and butterflies is better to visit the Singapore: they are there several times larger, more diverse and more interesting. Java Strongly recommend a visit to the island of Java. In my purely personal opinion, if you manage to get to Indonesia, if there something worth seeing is two Church of the complex, located on о. Яве (one Buddhist — Borobudur, another Hindu — «Prambanan»). Really impressive! Both are located in the middle part of the island near the city of Yogyakarta (not to be confused with the capital of Indonesia Джокартой standing there, Java, only in its Western part). Under the auspices of UNESCO. Individual tour and the room was arranged for us notorious all Buddha (he JRA). Paid $240 per person. 'd left the hotel at 05.30 (departure at 7.00 Bali), returned to 23.00 (departure from Java to 21.00). The flight lasts 50 minutes. The first temple complex (Prambanan) is less than half an hour by car from the airport. As arrived early, people had no pictures turned out great! Borobudur is one hour drive from the airport. The full inspection of each unit takes about an hour and a half. Therefore, the total time required for sightseeing and photography is about 5-6 hours! In the remaining time the local comrades, especially without asking your desires, carry you in the «Palace of the Sultan, jewelry shop, batik and unwind on a trip to the volcano with lava. People! It is not worth your attention ABSOLUTELY! Don't waste your time and money! A trip to the volcano with lava offer for more money for $25-30 per person. We surrendered for $20 from a nose. Brought us to the gorge with stones (the trip takes just over an hour), said that this valley was lava, and at this point it stopped. The volcano itself even to be seen. And all! Therefore, the issue of a visit to the data of «sights» and duration of travel is recommended to negotiate departed to the IRB. In the end, at 19.00 we were dropped off at the airport with the best wishes for more than two hours (! ) Afghans waiting for the plane. Summary: really this trip such money is not worth it, and the time required for sightseeing (temple complexes just about 6 hours. Therefore, if you want to visit Prambanan with Боробудуром, you have a little tourist experience, if you can associate a few words on imported (preferably English), then go in Bali collection, buy yourself airline tickets to Yogyakarta (tickets cost about $65 (750.000 rupees) per person roundtrip), take in Java, taxi, and you will be happy at least two times cheaper than through local tour operators», and the time spend two times less. (Upon arrival in Java, by the way, can check-in for the return flight. ) If you want to hear more or less detailed story about these temples, listen to legends and tales of the Buddha and Shiva, then look for a good guide who can tell you all this at a normal Russian language. Only it will cost more money. And it is better to sit in the Internet, obtain information and boldly go on Java! Rates, money At the end of March for 1 us ruble was given to 11, 500 local money. Balinese aborigines gladly accept both, but in rupees is slightly cheaper. The airport was quite a decent course, even better than in Bali collection, so on arrival can easily change money for the first time. From exchangers Nusa Dua can advise exchanger in the village Буалу (first from the right side) and exchanger opposite sushi restaurant Фукутару (but it should go). A car with a guide and a driver, we rented for $40 for the whole day. Gasoline in Bali cost of 4, 500 rupees per liter ($0, 4). Dinner on average cost $30 for two without alcohol (I can advise «Тропикану»). Taxi to the airport costs about $10, which we took advantage out. Guides Local guides Bali enormous amounts of. Start offering their services directly at the gates of the hotel. I write only about those with whom communicated personally. Simon — met us at the airport, the representative of the Asia collection. The impression that he's a newbie and I started working recently or it attracted only for our meeting:. Badly speak Russian, had forgotten to bring prices of the company on excursions, the hotel all didn't realize that we need to go in the club part (there own private reception), not a hotel, rushed us to see off, despite the fact that the return transfer us not purchased. Its services have not been used. Putu — the representative of «Asia collection, but we communicated with him in private. Recommend to everyone! All trips, including rafting, organized through it. Quiet, very friendly, punctual, mandatory, can speak Russian pretty well, not cheat price, not carries on its прикормленным shops, not imposing anything. Jura (Buddha) — flew through it to Java. Very nice to speak Russian. The Buddha is not seen, talked on the phone. He sent his agent through whom we made out. Prices are average, takes a prepayment for the planned excursions. Malik agent Jurassic (Buddha) on о. Ява. Fluent in Russian, is actively exploring our language, for which asks a lot of questions on the correct pronunciation and склонениям. At the same time натаскивает his nephew, prepares an assistant. Attitude towards tourists benevolent, but slightly indifferent. Total (with my purely personal point of view) : 1. Accommodation in the club of the hotel Ayodya Palace» is the most optimal in terms of price-quality. 2. Bali is worth to visit:. Rafting, and monkey Park in Ubud village carvers Mac Shrine on the water Ulun Danu on lake Bratan. All this can be «packaged» into a single trip in one day. If you have the time, then on the way back you can visit the temple of Tanah Lot. I would also recommend to meet the sunset in the temple Uluwatu. All other «attractions» special attention deserves. 3. Necessarily go on о. Ява for exploring the temple complexes «Prambanan and Borobudur. To save time and money, I recommend to do it yourself without the involvement of local tour operators». 4. Flight to Bali recommend implementing company «Singapore airlines». Ticket cheaper to buy via the Internet with payment plastic card. For those who fly this company for the first time, I recommend to use the program Stopоver company, and to stay in Singapore for 2-3 days with mandatory attendance о. Сентозы, bird Park and the zoo. I would also recommend to highlight a few hours (not less than four) for a tour in Singapore airport «Changi». His narrative finish. I wish you all a nice trip and a good rest. Any questions — write on E-Mail: aleks-arg@rambler. Ru I'll try to answer them, it is still not completely forgot: the years, you know.