The good life for Westerners in Bali includes massages and spa treatments, and I was ready to feed the local economy with my hard earned greenbacks. My daily schedule in Kuta was rather simple:
AM
- sleep in
- enjoy free breakfast at accommodation (very common offering – usually some combination of eggs, toast, pancakes, coffee/tea/juice)
- use internet
- spa treatment (something different each day – haircut, manicure, pedicure, aromatherapy massage)
PM
- traditional Indonesian food for lunch at restaurant for $2
- hang out, siesta, nap, shop
- go to beach if it looks like a good night for a sunset (tons of locals and tourists alike would head that way once the sun headed down, and it became cooler out)
- eat a $2-3 dinner, with $1-2 drinks optional (while watching a movie if eating at Swell – I caught 40 Year Old Virgin, Anchorman, and Dodgeball)
- sleep
I learned a difference of only a dollar or two can really change the quality of the massages. The cheapest are offered by the ladies on the beach, who can be rather aggressive. Those are a negotiable $5/hour. The beach is too hot, sandy, and hot for me to enjoy it though. I had one by a pool for about $5, which was OK, however I decided to take it up a notch and go indoors.
The little menu above was for a place in the shopping area known as Kuta Square that struck a good balance between cost and quality. Air conditioning, aromatherapy, candles, and a comfortable table were well worth the extra few dollars ($7-8 total).
Yes, you can live like a King (or Queen) in Bali if you have a bit of money. If costs remain so low, I may need to build a spa component into my Asian budget!
Planning a trip? Go Backpacking uses and recommends:
- G Adventures for small group tours
- Skyscanner for researching flights
- Hostelworld for booking hostels
- Airbnb for renting rooms and homes
- Rail Europe for train passes
- World Nomads for travel insurance
Hi !
I just read your blog for the first time ( following from nomad4ever.com ) . Thanks for the great info and tips !
I noticed an images from Arenal in Costa Rica – I was just there a few months ago ! I look forward to reading all about Bali !
Amanda
Welcome Amanda! It was great to meat mr. nomad4ever in person – truly cool guy. I hope you’ll continue to comment – it makes it feel as though I’ve always got support out here on the front lines. Can’t wait to share some more!
Hi !
I just read your blog for the first time ( following from nomad4ever.com ) . Thanks for the great info and tips !
I noticed an images from Arenal in Costa Rica – I was just there a few months ago ! I look forward to reading all about Bali !
Amanda
Welcome Amanda! It was great to meat mr. nomad4ever in person – truly cool guy. I hope you’ll continue to comment – it makes it feel as though I’ve always got support out here on the front lines. Can’t wait to share some more!
Front lines????
ok… totally inappropriate metaphor. I doubt that you’re anywhere NEAR doing battle with your lovely masuse. (ok, Kango Suz is a little jealous. just a little bit….)
But I’m glad that our comments help. Makes it feel like we can get a little bit of vicarious living even though most of us are still stuck behind desks. Keep up the good life!
Front lines????
ok… totally inappropriate metaphor. I doubt that you’re anywhere NEAR doing battle with your lovely masuse. (ok, Kango Suz is a little jealous. just a little bit….)
But I’m glad that our comments help. Makes it feel like we can get a little bit of vicarious living even though most of us are still stuck behind desks. Keep up the good life!
Good job
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