Reviews (3)

Fantastic guide
I'm just back from Bali and took three guidebooks. The Lonely Planet guide was far and away the best. It was funny and in the best guidebook tradtion, it did a great job of stearing me away from popular places like Gunung Agung and Besakih Temple - which are two of the worst tourist traps on the island. The author seems to have actually spent time posing as a tourist in these places to uncover all the scams. The rest of the book does a good job of finding all the new places to go for dinner and drinks in hot places like Seminyak. Make this your only Bali guidebook.

Asia 101
This book will help you find your way around. No problem. The maps were very good. I would have appreciated more restaurant and shopping reviews:ie.. What to look for in the way of bargains found only in Bali, how to tell if you are being ripped off, that kind of help.On that matter, you can tell it was written by a man.In fact this book felt more man friendly than woman friendly. I too, like the above reader, live in Asia.I take my family when I travel.Lonely Planet doesn't cater to my "crowd". I wanted to be told to avoid specific locations or tourist traps and to be told not to miss other places, and I felt sorta let down.I think the author could have given better information on hotels.For instance I found our hotel on line.The book didn't help at all there. For more family oriented guides I usually go with Frommer's (wish I would have had it on this trip).If you venture anywhere in Asia, you must do your homework and that means Internet, and generally more than one guide book. I would recommend this as a companion guide.We liked Bali so much we are going again in 6 months.
Bali Bali Bali!
When I used to work in Korea, one of my best vacations was to Bali. Despite a strange and sudden stomach ailment, I managed to enjoy this tropical paradise. And the LP Guidebook was my faithful companion, showing me where I could track down a good burger when the local food proved too exotic for me. It also tipped me off about the best watering holes.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Indonesia    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Bali Island (Indonesia)    3. Guidebooks    4. Lombok (Indonesia)    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Travel / Australia & Oceania   

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel / Asia / General   

Reviews (1)

bali made easy!
an exceptionally practical guide to travel in bali and lombok.on a recent month holiday to bali, i used the book from cover to cover.the information is accurate and the maps came in very useful whilst negotiating the other road users in my rented jeep.i will certainly buy a roughguides for my next trip and have peace of mind that what is written is correct. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Bali Island (Indonesia)    3. Guidebooks    4. Lombok (Indonesia)    5. Reference - Guides (General)    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Travel Guides    9. Bali    10. Travel & holiday guides    11. Travel / Asia / Southeast   

Reviews (2)

Beautiful & Informative!
This book contains excellent background information and descriptions of obscure attractions written by a team of expert authors along with photos of stunnning quality.
The best guide on culture and history
I think this is an exceptionally good quality guide book for those who travel to Bali not just to lie on a beach or surf, but also for its amazing cultural and historical heritage, where every village and temple have their own story. The closest I can compare it with is Eyewitness Guide on Bali, but there is definitely more information in this guide. There is also an abundance of beautific pictures but they don't take full pages so you get much more text not sacrificing the aesthetics. This is a book for people who want to feel in a new place not like stupid foreigners but rather informed observers, understanding their performances, rituals, lifestyle, etc. You'll know exactly what village or place you want to stay in and why.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Bali    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (2)

Fantastic Help
Just got back from my first Bali trip and this book was a fantastic help. It is a rare thing when everything you read in a book is true - but everything was exactly the way the book said it would be. From the surf line-ups, breaks, crowds, tide influences, people, food recommendations, language - everything! Plus the free beer vouchers were a great bonus, worth far more than the book cost! Peter Neely has done a great job cramming so much info into the book, and all of it was spot on! I can't thank him enough. Maybe one day I'll bump into him in Indo somewhere - I'd love to buy the guy a beer! Hey, if you're a surfer going to Bali, you'd be mad not to get this book.

REVIEWS - What the Surf Mags say about "Indo Surf and Lingo"
Australian Long Boarding says:
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Subjects:  1. Bali    2. Language self-study & phrasebooks    3. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (5)

Bali Handbook
Bill Dalton, internationally acclaimed American travel writer, tour leader, and founder of Moon Publications, wrote the bible of Balinese travel drawing on twenty-six years of Indonesian experience (thirty visits and a total of six years spent on the islands).Jam-packed with incredibly detailed information, the first 310 pages prepare you for the journey of a lifetime with chapters on the land (topography, environment, and climate), flora and fauna (domestic animals, birds, reptiles, sea life, endangered species, flowers, trees), history, government, the economy, and local industries.Dalton quenches your thirst for cultural knowledge with chapters on the people (the caste system, marriage, children, village life), the language (plus a glossary of words and short phrases in Bahasa Indonesia), and religion (priests, temples, cremation ceremonies).Balinese creativity is honored with additional units on traditional and modern art, crafts (woodcarving, maskmaking, stonecarving, textiles, plaiting and weaving, gold and silver works), music, and the performing arts (dance venues and schools and the wayang kulit shadow puppet theatre).Dalton gives you everything you ever wanted to know about Bali, from white raja Mads Lange to the toothfiling ceremony to shaggy Barong masks. BEST GUIDE BOOK EVER ON BALI!!!
Having been to this magical place 5 times now and perusing many travel books on this land. I would place this as the number one book of choice for the area. The background of history and the covrage on the people make this the best trvel tomefor this destination. It will give you a solid foundation and a good idea on what to expect when you arrive there. Even if you do not end up going there you would save alot of bucks by just vicariously experiencing it theough the shear reading of it!!! Best Bali Guide
I was so excited about my first trip to Bali that I used 4 guides.By far, the Moon Guide helped me most to understand Bali and the Balinese. I was even able to impress the cab drivers with my new found understanding ofBalinese religion, culture and customs. Although I disagreed with many ofthe hotel and restaurant recommendations - the real reason for visitingBali is to get in contact with a culture that exists nowhere else in theworld.This book will help you do that better than any other. The sectionon quick indonesian language is very helpful and the Balinese love touristswho try to adopt their language greetings. The maps are mediocre, but thereare no good maps of Bali - most roads are nameless and unsigned.Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Bali Island (Indonesia)    3. Guidebooks    4. Mexico    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. ASIA    8. Bali    9. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (3)

Great reference for a great place to visit
I was fortunate enough to travel to Bali in 2003, it was so worth the jetlag and my LP was extremely helpful.I was lucky to stay with my friend at his home in Kerambitan during part of the trip and recommend visitors to try and go off the beaten path away from tourist centers if possible.I was traveling with a friend and since we are both students we were really interested in seeing sights and performances more than surfing and snorkeling.We managed to make it over a lot of the island including Lake Bratan, Lake Batur, Besakih, etc. etc.This book was helpful for navigating our guides and drivers to the places we were interested in seeing, as well as knowing exactly where we were heading.The cultural information is really good and really important to read before you go since Balinese culture is not only very interesting, but also really complex. Just be wary of being hassled by guides at Besakih, especially if you don't want one.But this book gives the ins and outs really well.I really prefer LP over other travel guides.

Good Reference Material/Starting Point
This is a good guidebook and fairly accurate.In a country like Indonesia, however, things change quickly so use this book as a reference not as a bible.Do you own research and talk to other travellers.Since the LP Bali is the default travellers' guide to this region, most of the restaurants and hotels covered are not the best values.Many get a steady stream of customers just because of a good review and never bother to maintain the facilities.The best deals require a lot of footwork and bargaining!Learning some bahasa indonesia always helps.The language section is adequate but the phrasebook is much better. Well up to standard
I am Balinese and live in Ubud.Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Former Soviet Republics    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Bali    6. East Timor    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (1)

Diver Dan
This book is a color, well-written, no-nonsense look at the many Bali sites by two Bali veterans. Rock is a veteran Indo-Pacific photojournalist who published Bali's first guidebook back in the late 1980s. Hinderks is a professional instructor and divemaster who has worked in Bali and Indonesia for years. A good combination that allows thoughtful insights to each site and the choice of many locales to dive. Bali is covered well from east (places like Sanur, Candi Dasa, Padang Bai, Tulamben) to west (Pemuteran, Menkangen, etc.). Nusa Lembongan, Ceningan, Nusa Penida and the wonderfully laid back Gilis in Lombok are also included.Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Australia & Oceania - General    3. Scuba & Snorkeling    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Water Sports    7. Indonesia    8. Sub-aqua swimming    9. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Asia - Southeast    3. Subjects & Themes - Travel - General    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Indonesia    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (7)

Music Lover
I first heard Gamelan was coming out of the oldest temple on the Island of Bali, near Ubud, and was reading this book at the time. I purchased the book at the Jakarta airport and was hooked by the first paragraph. I think that this is a wonderful, insight into the island, the music, it's people and culture. If you have a love for exotic music and or artform, this historical work is a captivating read. My only regret is that Colin McPhee never went back to his beloved Bali.

A good read
I am Balinese and live in Ubud, about 10 minutes walk from where Colin McPhee stayed, when he came to Bali in 1931. My aunt worked for him. Quite an interesting and well presented account of Bali
It's a very interesting book in regards to what I have actually read. It seems to have accounts on Balinese culture. I found it enjoyable and interesting to read because it not only talks about Balinese culture but about the conflict and clashes within the village like the little dancer named Sampih and his dance teacher Nyoman Kaler. Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Composers & Musicians - General    3. Historical - U.S.    4. History & Criticism - General    5. Music    6. Travelers    7. Bali    8. Non-Western music: traditional & "classical"    9. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Asia - Southeast    3. Bali (Province)    4. Commerce    5. Guidebooks    6. Indonesia    7. Shopping    8. Singapore    9. Subjects & Themes - Travel - General    10. Travel    11. Travel - Foreign    12. Bali    13. Travel & holiday guides    14. Travel / Asia / General   

Reviews (2)

Great travel guide
I read the history background like a novel.The cultural information such as the drama, the dances, the religion, the art etc. is great.The photos are great too.I am back from Bali and I just take this book with me.

Insight Guide Bali
Insight Guide Bali is an exceptional travel guide. The history is well written and rich with interesting facts. I reads like a good novel. The maps are deteiled with plenty of cross references. There are plenty oftravel tips from riding a bus to how to order food without MSGS. It appearsthat every possible travel issue has been addressed; from how not to getarrested to finding the swank resorts. The book is worth the price just forthe exquisite pictures. I have never seen a travel book with photos asexceptional as these.Usually I purchase a couple of guide books beforegoing to a new location, but this time I will only use the Insight GuideBali. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Far East    2. Asia - Southeast    3. Southeast Asia - History    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides   

Reviews (1)

Best Map of Bali
This is the best map we found of Bali, including those found in travel guides. It is very detailed, listing nearly every village. Points of interest are clearly marked and there are many other designations that are useful for travelers. My only disappointment is that the back side of the map is blank. I would have preferred more insets or travel, geographical or historical information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bali    2. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Asia - Southeast    3. Bali Island (Indonesia)    4. Guidebooks    5. Lombok (Indonesia)    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Travel Guides    9. Bali    10. Travel & holiday guides    11. Travel / Asia / General   

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - South Pacific    2. Individual Artist    3. Reference - General    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Bali    7. Pencil & charcoal drawing    8. Watercolours   

Reviews (6)

At Home in Bali
Australian-born landscape designer and architect Made Wijaya (ne Michael White), resident on Bali since 1973, takes us on a private, guided color photo tour of twenty-four exquisite dream dwellings of the rich and famous.This lush pictorial essay displays the diversity, romance, and mystery of Balinese architecture: gorgeous bamboo and coconut wood barn houses, traditional rice storage bungalows, sumptuous estate grounds, water buffalo hide canopies, extravagant plunge pools, modern beachfront compounds hidden away in pandanus thickets, and royal water palaces.The reader's memory fills in the exotic, background atmosphere of dimly lit, shadowy courtyards; languid open-air pavilions; lava stone shrine silhouettes; the night time tinkle of village gamelan music through the thick foliage--and the sweet Asian smell of heat, flowers, and fire. low quality photography
I agree with Mr. Chiu in one of the previous reviews.I was expecting great photography in this type of book, but instead the book is filled with small, grainy, blury pictures.A much better 'Coffee Table' book is 'Tropical Asian Style', in my opinion.

beautifully photographed book
I would like to comment on a previous review, on this fine book,as a photographer i am happy to see Isabella Giananneschi work as different from the usual "sharp" "crispy" and predictable images,hers is very expressive and for someone who lives for 6 months in a year in Bali, she was able to capture the mood of the place beautifully.I also believed that she should be credited for bringing her work to a higher level of sophistication.this book is a must buy and 5 stars to the photographer and the author for thier efforts! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Asia - Southeast    3. Australia & Oceania - General    4. Interior Design - General    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Vernacular Architecture    8. Bali    9. Houses, apartments, flats, etc    10. Museum, historic sites, gallery & art guides   

Reviews (1)

great.we followed it for our month in Bali
We took Tim's advice to heart, and spent a great month in Bali.We toured the island anti-clockwise and dove and photographed all the sites Tim highlighted.We dove with the operators he suggested, as well as someothers, and found that his suggestions were always always best. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Australia/Oceania - South Pacific    3. Bali Island    4. Bali Island (Indonesia)    5. Deep diving    6. Guidebooks    7. Indonesia    8. Scuba & Snorkeling    9. Skin diving    10. Special Interest - Adventure    11. Travel    12. Travel - Foreign    13. Bali    14. Sub-aqua swimming    15. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (4)

The best dive guide ever
I know that this sounds like hyperbole, but this book is so far above and beyond any other dive guide I have used that I cannot resist. The maps are works of art and acurate, to boot. Reads like a novel
Best dive guide I've read about any location. Get this one if going to Bali.

Best guide for everyone diving Bali
This is an outstanding and reliable resource on diving in Bali. The author writes with clarity. It is an enjoyable read even if you can get out there as often as you'd like. Worth reading! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Bali (Province)    3. Bali Island    4. General    5. Guidebooks    6. Indonesia    7. Marine biology    8. Scuba & Snorkeling    9. Scuba diving    10. Sports    11. Sports & Recreation    12. Travel - Foreign    13. Water Sports    14. Bali    15. Sub-aqua swimming    16. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Bali    5. Travel & holiday guides