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| | GAY BALI (Indonesia)
| About Bali
|  The exotic, unique, volcanic island of Bali (The Island of the Gods) is the only Hindu part of mainly muslim Indonesia, and is very popular with gay (and other) tourists, who come both for the beaches and the island's unique culture. The main gay area is around Seminyak, Legian, and Kuta. The Balinese are very open and friendly by nature, and very helpful.
Citizens of ASEAN countries can visit visa free for 30 days, while nationals of some other countries can get a 30 days 'visa on arrival' for US$25. Please check with the Indonesian Embassy to know if you are eligible. On arrival at Denpasar airport, you must pay the visa fee in Rupiah or US$ before going to immigration. Clearing immigration can take up to an hour if the airport is busy.
When changing money into Indonesian Rupiah, check the exchange rate carefully as most exchanges are done by authorised money changers, and the rates can vary quite a lot. Check the money you receive very carefully. We advise that you don't change too much each time, as when changing Rupiah back into your own currency you will make a big loss. Try to budget so that you spend all your Rupiah before you leave, BUT DON'T FORGET you need 100,000 rupiah in cash per person for airport departure tax.
Also, in hotels and resturants, watch out for the (legal) 21% tax and service charge that is added to bills, while some other establishments such as spas add 15% service. Dragoncastle's villas in Bali include these charges in the quoted prices.
Generally, shopping is very cheap (perhaps the cheapest in Asia) and you can bargain hard in most places. Some shops and the department stores have fixed prices, but there are often sale bargains. You can buy good quality clothes such a traditional batik, silk, cotton, wood and stone carvings, and much more.
| Getting Around
| In the south of Bali, taxis are very cheap and easy to find. They have meters that start at 4,000 rupiah (about 40 US cents); Bluebird taxis are the largest and most reliable company to use, and you will see their blue cabs everywhere in this area.
Outside the far south, the best way to get around is either to take a tour, or hire a car with driver. You could hire a car to drive yourself if you have an International Drivers License, but hiring a car with a driver for 10-12 hours is incredibly cheap, and you can then relax and enjoy the sights.
| What to See and Do
|  Bali is a big island and there is a lot to see and do. The main tourist areas are cluster around Kuta in the south west. This is where the main surfing beaches can be found, with many hotels and guesthouses, shops of all kinds from tatty souvenirs to expensive boutiques, plus the good Mata Hari department store. Traffic and noise can be a problem, and the crowd is a bit hippy/surfer type.
Nearby Legian is a little more restrained, and just 15 minutes from Kuta is Seminyak, with elegant hotels and restaurants, boutiques, clubs etc, but also some very good local restaurants and reasonable villas. Seminyak is ideal as it is quiet, has a decent beach, gay bars, and is a short taxi ride from Kuta.
On the south east is the newly developed area of Nusa Dua with many 4 star hotels. Just a little north is the island's capital of Denpasar; a city of wide, tree lined boulevards with many government and business offices, plus several good museums, bars, restaurants etc.
Getting away from the resorts, you will find terraced rice fields, Hindu temples, wonderful and unique Balinese architecture, plus you can watch traditional Balinese dances at any one of the many shows. There are deserted beaches (mainly with black volcanic sand), rain forests, etc. You can go rafting, diving, surfing, trekking, and so on. You can hire a car and driver at cheap rates to show you the sights you or he suggests, or take organised tours.
You should try Indonesian food for a new and very delicious experience; try the famous Nasi Goreng, the world's best satay, or any of the many other great local dishes.
Visit Mount Batur, an inactive volcano in the north of the island; have lunch on the terrace of a reaturant and enjoy the stunning views of the valleys, volcanic peak, and beautiful lake.
The very picturesque Tanah Lot temple was built in the 16th century on a huge rock 100 yards off Bali's West coast and is surrounded by the sea during high tides.
The 'Mother Temple' in Besakih is Bali's most holy and Indonesia's biggest Hindu temple. It was build in the 11th century 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) up the slopes of Mount Agung.
At Amun beach in the east, you can enjoy the unique experience of viewing the coral and underwater life from the comfort of a purpose built submarine.
| Places to Stay
| Putu Bali Villa & Spa
Jalan Petitenget 72X, Seminyak
 Very gay friendly resort with realistic priced cosy private villas, pool, internet etc. Great service, friendly helpful staff. 1 or 2 bed villas with double beds, kitchen, huge baths, shower, toilet, TV etc. Excellent value for money and close to gay beach, bars, etc. |
Live Online Hotel Reservations
| Bali Intan Village Hotel
Petitenget Beach
| Bali Au Naturel
Jalan Pantai, Buleleng, Bali
Phone +62811388681
Excusively gay villa on north of island
| Puri Wimpy Villa
Basangkasa, Seminyak
| Sparatacvs Bali Hotel
Jalan Pura Telaga Waja, Petitenget,
Phone : +62 361 738944
Fax : +62 361 738945
"Spartacvs is a modern hotel for gay men only, no women & children admitted, we can offer our guests discretion, comfort, privacy and security, in a 100% clothing optional environment."
| Subak Sari Boutique Hotel
Jalan Subak Sari Berawa, Cangg
Phone +62 361 742 9103
Gay owned
| Tamu Sesah
Exclusive gay private villas
| Bars, Cafes, etc
| Bali Beach Cafe
7 Jalan Sahadewa, Legian, aboit 50m from Hulu Cafe.
Gay owned bar.
| Benny's Cafe
Jalan Double Six, Blue Ocean Beach, Legian Kaja
| Bonita's
(Opposite Putu Bali Villa), Jalan Petitenget 2000X, Seminyak
731916
The flamboyant and friendly Bonita is your host at this pretty garden restaurant serving fabulous Indonesian and western dishes. Also ask about the private massage at very reasonable rates! Open daily 7am until very late.
| Callego
Petitenget Beach, Jalan Taman Ganesha 9, Kerobokan Kelod (Seminyak).
730370
(See under gay beaches also)
In a garden setting right next to the beach, with loungers, bar, cafe, massage. Very popular with gays.
| Double Six Disco
Jalan Double Six, Seminyak
Gay friendly on Sunday night.
| Hulu Café
23A Jalan Sahadewa, Legian (near the beach)
0817 470 8730; email: mpbeachboy@hotmail.com
Drag shows every night except Monday.
| Kudos Bar & Lounge
Jalan Dhyana Pura, Seminyak
| La Lucciola Restaurant
Jalan Kayu Aya Beach, near The Oberoi
Popular with gays, right on the Petitenget beach next to Pura Petitenget temple, a little expensive by local standards but worth it for the great beach view and delicious Italian food. All male staff.
| Mixwell
Jalan Dhyana Pura, Seminyak, close to Q Bar.
Show bar
| The Oriental
Jalan Sri Rama, Legian
Cabaret/Drag show
| Q Bar & Discoteque
Jalan Dhyana Pura, Seminyak
| Venus @ The Moon
Jalan Petitenget, Seminyak
Gay friendly western restaurant, & bar, very modern and stylish with giant screen TV, live DJs etc. Excellent food
| Gay Beaches
| While no beach is exclusively gay, two beaches in particular are very popular with gays: The first is Ganesha or Petitenget Beach on Jalan Petitenget (Road) in Seminyak. Walking from the road into the beach, turn right and walk about 150 meters until you get to Callego Cafe & Spa. This is a very popular meeting place for gays, and there is some cruising in the nearby forested area. Another beach popular is the Blue Ocean Beach at Kata
| Sauna, Massage, Fitness
| Amoaras Spa
Seminyak, Kuta
Gay owned spa
| Antique Spa
Umalas, Kerobokan
Gay friendly but mixed.
| Callego
Petitenget Beach, Jalan Taman Ganesha 9, Kerobokan Kelod (Seminyak). (See under gay beaches also)
Reflexology, Accupressure etc. Popular with gays.
| Gallery Spa
Complex Sari Jimbaran, Block Kemuning No. 6, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua
Phone 0815-577-8212
| M Spa @ Paul's Place
Jalan Laksmana 4A, Seminyak
0361 736 715
(Located at the rear of 'Paul's Place')
The only exclusively gay spa in Bali. Various body treatments from well trained young masseurs. A little expensive but the four-hands "Meng Massage" is well worth it for a healing and sensual experience. Appointment needed.
| Shopping & Services
| Bali Boy
Travel & other services
| Bali Friendly Hotels
| Bali Gay Association
Jalan Pulau Ceningan No. 10B.
Phone: 0361 234 - 079 ; 0812 - 390 - 6481
| Gay Bali Tours
| Odyssey Submarine
Amun Beach, Bali
0361 759777
Nothing gay about this, but the chance to see the coral reefs and underwater life from inside a real submarine built in Canada. We were impressed with the service, and safety aspects of this unusual tour. Basic price of US$69 includes hotel pickup and return (about 2 hours each way from Kuta area), and an excellent buffet lunch.
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