Bali 's tourist strip all hustle and bustle

I prefer the Legian end to Kuta end. I think that it is a little more upmarket and this follows that, so is the shopping. There are some very upmarket boutiques in this area. There are also some great handicrafts to be found if you can see past the kitsch. Most hotels are self contained resorts and after battling the hawkers, including an untold number of watch sellers with names like Elvis, the hotel offers a welcome respite. There are also some great restaurants specialising in fresh seafood cooked Balinese style, delicious.

Quick Tips:

Be warned that when shopping, to the locals all plastic bags are colour coded as to your bargaining skills. In other words they know from the colour of your bag from your last purchase whether you are an easy touch or as tough as nails.

Best Way To Get Around:

Although it is hot, the area is compact enough to get around by foot. If at the end of a long day however, it is easy and cheap enough to flag down a taxi.

This is a beautiful hotel located centrally in Legian opposite the beach. It has a fantastic pool area. If you can stay in a deluxe chalet it is worth the extra money. They are much larger and look out onto the beautiful tropical gardens of the resort. Comfortably furnished Balinese style with 2 double beds and private balcony area. Better than the boxy dormitory-like standard rooms. The day spa also offers traditional Balinese massages to really unwind with your choice of exotic local floral oils. The ladies that massage may look small and feminine but they have hands of steel if required to knead out all those knots and stressors. Take me there!

Choose your own lobster, prawns or fish, then choose your cooking style plus sauce if required and the chef cooks it for you.

As you enter the restaurant there are the large grill plates, after you have chosen your seafood this is where it is cooked to perfection.

Reasonable drink prices make this a popular restaurant.

If you are sick of Balinese cooking this makes a nice change. This is a great little restaurant always busy offering your typical Mex dishes with good music. Two levels so if you are upstairs you can watch all the action. The staff really get in to the action with their own singing and bottle throwing a la Tom Cruise cocktail style. There is normally a girl selling shots from her "mini" Bar. Its a fun place to eat.

There is nothing like sitting with your feet in the sand on the beach and watching the sun set slowly into the ocean. Eating the local seafood that has been barbecued on open fires and washed down with an icy cold drink. There are loads of open air restaurants on the beach, pick any one, choose the fish you want and settle back and enjoy.