Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
around for international calls, as prices do
vary), and arrange collect calls for a small fee.
red-and-yellow flags. If they say the water is
too rough or unsafe to swim in, they mean it.
Red flags with a skull and cross-bones signal
no swimming allowed.
KUTA, LEGIAN & SEMINYAK
0
1 km
0
0.5 miles
A
B
C
D
7
3
4
Tourist Information
Other places that advertise themselves as 'tour-
ist information centres' are usually commercial
travel agents, and some can be helpful, especially
for booking tours, activities and transport.
Tourist Information Centre
(Map pp96-7;
Berewa Beach
5
To Berewa (9km);
Canggu (10km);
9
Echo Beach (18km);
Pererenan Beach (25km)
Perahu
Theft
This is not a big problem, but visitors do
lose things from unlocked hotel rooms or
from the beach. Going into the water and
leaving valuables on the beach is simply ask-
ing for trouble (in any country). Snatch thefts
are rare. Valuable items can be left at your
hotel reception.
Jail
1
Batubelig Beach
6
Kerobokan
8
766180;
%
Jl Raya Kuta;
8am-3pm Mon-Thu, 8am-1pm Fri)
Handles Kuta and the rest of Bali. Help is limited, however.
It's best to have specific questions.
Hanafi
(Map pp96-7 ;
h
756454; www.hanafi.net; Jl
Pantai Kuta 1E) This gay-friendly tour operator and guide
operates from a small veterinary clinic he shares with his
sister. He's a valuable source of information on the gay
scene, can also organise tours and has a small café here.
%
Teluk Kuta
Seminyak
Water Pollution
The sea water around Kuta is commonly con-
taminated by run-off from both built-up areas
and surrounding farmland, especially after
heavy rain. Swim away from streams.
SIGHTS
The real sight here is of course the
beach
.
After that, it's a lot of streets, alleys and hub-
bub - which can have their own fascination
for wanderers, browsers and gawkers. You
can find the odd non-touristy site like an old
Chinese Temple
(Map pp96-7; Jl Blambangan)
.
Reflecting the international character of the
2002 bombings (see p102), people from many
nationalities pay their respects at the
memorial
(Map pp96-7 )
. Listing the names of the 202 known
victims, including 88 Australians and 35 In-
donesians, it has an emotional effect on many
who view it. Flower arrangements continue to
arrive daily. Across the street, a vacant lot is
all that is left of the Sari Club. Plans to turn
it into a memorial park (www.balipeacepark
.com) have so far proved difficult.
AC TIVITIES
From Kuta, you can easily go surfing, sailing,
diving, fishing or rafting anywhere in the
southern part of Bali, and be back for the start
of happy hour at sunset.
Many of your activities in Kuta will centre
around the superb beach. Hawkers will sell
you sodas and beer, snacks and other treats,
and you can rent lounge chairs and umbrellas
(negotiable at 10,000Rp to 20,000Rp) or just
crash on the sand. You'll see everyone from
bronzed international youth strutting their
2
To Denpasar
(7km)
Pemecutan
Travel Agencies
Many travel agents will arrange transport
or car and motorcycle rental. They also sell
tickets for tourist shuttle buses, Balinese dance
performances, adventure activities and a vari-
ety of tours. Most will also change money and
many can also book airline tickets.
Cevin Tour & Travel
(Map pp96-7 ;
Seminyak Beach
See Seminyak Map (p118)
3
INFORMATION
Periplus Bookshop........................
1
D5
7437343; Jl
Double Six 23) A reputable agent, popular with expats.
DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
Although the streets and
gang
are usually quite
safe, beware of a dubious gang linking Poppies
Gang I with Jl Pantai Kuta. Scooter-borne
prostitutes (who may hassle single men late at
night) consummate their business here. The
continuing economic downturn has brought
many illicit activities out into the open. Walk-
ing along you may hear: 'massage' followed
by 'young girl' and the ubiquitous 'transport'
followed by 'blow'.
%
UPS.............................................
2
D5
Legian
Beach
SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES
Legian
Umalas Stables.............................
3
A1
SLEEPING
Legong Keraton............................
4
A1
Villa Seri.......................................
5
B1
EATING
Fruit Market..................................
6
B1
4
Warung Gossip............................
7
C1
SHOPPING
Asia Style......................................
8
B1
Bali Galleria................................(see 1)
Kuta
JJ Bali Button................................
9
C1
Kuta Beach
TRANSPORT
2
Bemo Stop.................................
10
C5
Pelni...........................................
11
C5
1
To Sanur
(13km)
Hawkers
Crackdowns mean that it's rare to find carts
in the Kuta tourist area, but street selling is
common, especially on hassle street, Jl Legian.
The beach isn't unbearable, but the upper part
has souvenir sellers and masseuses (who may
grab hold of you and not let go). Closer to the
water you can sunbake on the sand in peace -
you'll see where the invisible line is.
5
See Kuta-Legian Map (pp96-7)
10
Tuban
Beach
11
Tuban
Teluk Kuta
Sur f
6
