Bali and Lombok (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

Bali and Lombok (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

Product Description

DK Eyewitness Travel's full-color guidebooks to hundreds of destinations around the world truly show you what others only tell you. They have become renowned for their visual excellence, which includes unparalleled photography, 3-D mapping, and specially commissioned cutaway illustrations.

DK Eyewitness Travel Guides are the only guides that work equally well for inspiration, as a planning tool, a practical resource while traveling, and a keepsake following any trip.

Each guide is packed with the up-to-date, reliable destination information every traveler needs, including extensive hotel and restaurant listings, themed itineraries, lush photography, and numerous maps.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: DK Travel; 3 edition (February 15, 2010)
• Language: English

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Good, Very Practical, March 7, 2002

By 

Renee Thorpe (Karangasem, Bali) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eyewitness Travel Guide to Bali & Lombok (Turtleback)

Colorful guidebook has marvelous images that create an immediate illustration of Bali and Lombok.

While the practical references are a bit truncated (foreign embassies listed are only Australia and USA; hotel & restaurant listings are scanty), the cultural & special interest tips are excellent.

The guide works its magic by tying photos to text. The reader can zero in on an image and immediately see the relevant text. This is a highly practical format, leaving no mystery as to whether some place or item may be of real interest to the individual reader. Therefore, reader can figure out what he/she wants to see & do without slogging through chapter upon chapter of text.

I spend a lot of time in Bali and I think this is probably the most useful guide for the average traveler to Bali & Lombok. It has quite a few entries....

If you have a limited amount of time in Bali, and an even more limited amount of time to prepare for it, this guide will suit you very well indeed!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gift from the Gods... Bali and Lombok, June 3, 2001

By 

Kean Chhay Chang (Vic, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eyewitness Travel Guide to Bali & Lombok (Turtleback)

Bali and Lombok are just two islands in the Indonesian archipelago... and one of the most popular tourst destination. This book is crammed with wonderful information as well as photographs by well known photographers, maps, drawing etc... of Bali and Lombok. I found it very wonderful that it covered both aspects of Bali and Lombok's culture regarding religion, music, dance etc... The book is much different from Lonely Planet with maps in colour with icons regarding the village and what the villages are well known for. For example the village of Taro in central Bali in Gianyar Regency is famous for it's white breed of Cattle and there is a little bit of information talking about that village. The book covers all of Bali as well as Lombok.

Denpasar Bali's capital contains many sections like the Museum... the market and so many places of interest. For Kuta its beaches which are popular with many Australians and well known for the surfs... Gianyar regency in central Bali was well known for it's cultural and artistic creation. The famous village of Sebatu and Peliatan are famous for their Legong Kraton dancers... wonderful and graceful like butterflies or heavenly nymphs... Klungkung regency in east Bali was home to the powerful rulers with the title of "Agung Dewa" and most revered... Klungkung was a historical city and site where the golen age of Balinese history began the mass exodus of many Hindu-Javanese fleeing Islam came to the royal court bringing their traditions and tansplanting it in Bali while the ancient art form disappeared from the island of Java as a whole...

Lombok hasn't been developed to tourism yet but it is slowly starting to. The island is very lovely with it's lush green rice fields and wonderful people who are of Balinese race and Sasak origin... They produce wonderful crafts like clay jars, pots, weaving etc... If you want to know more you will need to read or grab hold of the book yourself...

There is even a section on food and the types of food eaten with lovely photographs of food and things to buy in Bali... This is great and I guess it is too good to be true too... Excellent work and research I must say went into making this book... 

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for an overview of Bali's attractions, February 27, 2008

By 

MT "Tropicboox" (Bal Harbour, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bali and Lombok (Eyewitness Travel Guide) (Turtleback)

The Guide is great to get an overview over the many attractions in Bali - lots of pictures and some nice overview maps of the island's regions. However, the descriptions are on the short side and it does not contain detailed street maps that could be useful for orientation. But overall a nice introduction! 

Frommer's Bali and Lombok (Frommer's Complete)

Frommer's Bali and Lombok (Frommer's Complete)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Bali and Lombok, two islands in Indonesia, are ideal for adventure travelers, eco-tourists, and culture vultures. Frommer's Bali & Lombokincludes information on:

• Plan an adventurous vacation, whether you're hiking, practicing yoga, sailing, scuba diving, or surfing your way around Bali and Lombok.
• Explore ancient seaside and cliff-top temples, strolling through rice terraces, learning traditional music and dance, and discovering hidden beaches.
• Find everything from rich Balinese textiles, to classic handcrafts, and unique paintings.
• Book alternative accommodations and seeking out the islands' local side, including staying in family homes and finding the best Balinese cuisine in warungs.
• Plus, enjoy a discussion on the history and culture of both islands, a Balinese and Indonesian language guide, and more!

From the Back Cover

Hungry wave seekers can find breaks in Bali and Lombok's waters every day of the year. See chapters 5 and 15.

• Detailed maps throughout
• Exact prices, directions, opening hours,and other practical information
• Candid reviews of hotels and restaurants,plus sights, shopping, and nightlife
• Itineraries, walking tours, and trip-planning ideas
• Insider tips from local expert authors

About the Author

An intrepid traveler by nature, Mary Justice Thomasson-Croll left the States after 2 years with an NBC news affiliate to take up a post with the Hong Kong bureau. She spent 18 glorious years covering the incredible evolution of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Six years ago MJ (as she is known to friends) moved to Bali and has since fallen in love with the island and its gentle people and ways that are a far cry from her former city life. Writing from her bijoux house on the beach, MJ posts to many publications that include Travel + Leisure, Tatler, the South China Morning Post, and Luxe Guides. MJ holds a degree from Christie’s Fine Arts in London, as well as a BA from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She is currently working on a screenplay loosely based on the events surrounding the handover and hangover of Hong Kong in 1997.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Frommers; 1 edition (March 8, 2010)
• Language: English

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best travel books I've used, August 19, 2010

By 

newyork26 (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Frommer's Bali and Lombok (Frommer's Complete) (Paperback)

I went to a bookstore and browsed all the Bali travel guides and loved the layout of this one. When planning a trip, there is so much information and this book has really helped me sort it all out. What I love is that it has a 1-3 star rating system for sites, restaurants, and cities. This is so helpful when picking which of the hundred temples you want to narrow it down. A lack of a rating system dissuaded me from buying the Lonely Planet. Another thing I liked is the first chapter gives you a list of the 5-10 best temples, spas, restaurants, etc. It also suggests activities such as cooking classes and alternative healing. If Eat, Pray, Love partially inspired your trip, it even tells you how to look up the medicine man. For me, food is an essential part of any trip and the restaurant recs check out nicely with other sources. The only thing that could be improved is travel times, especially since it takes a while to travel on the roads within Bali. Overall, I couldn't be happier with this book, how it's organized and the valuable information given.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good guidebook for Bali/Lombok, October 16, 2010

By 

R. Sherwood (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Frommer's Bali and Lombok (Frommer's Complete) (Paperback)

We used this guidebook extensively on both Bali and Lombok for our recent honeymoon. The restaurant recommendations were spot on! We ended up staying one night in the Gili's as a result of recommendations from this guidebook. There was an amazing Reggae bar in Gili T. There is also a good background section about Bali history. If you are considering a trip to Bali - you should definitely stay on Lombok as well. It's like Bali 20 years ago - with no traffic, just beautiful beaches, great inexpensive food, and the Gili's just a short boat ride away. 

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Frommer's Bali & Lombok, April 14, 2010

By 

Ralph E. Allen "Bird Rocker" (La Jolla, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Frommer's Bali and Lombok (Frommer's Complete) (Paperback)

This book was purchased as a gift for a friend that was traveling to Bali. I previewed the book, thought that it was excellent. After gifting the book to her, she also thought that it was great and we enjoyed talking, utilizing the book, about her upcoming trip. 

In summary, an excellent travel document.

Lonely Planet Bali & Lombok (Regional Guide)

Lonely Planet Bali & Lombok (Regional Guide)

Product Description

“The mere mention of ‘Bali’ evokes thoughts of a paradise. It’s more than a place; it’s a mood, an aspiration, a tropical state of mind.” – Ryan Ver Berkmoes, Lonely Planet Writer

Our Promise

You can trust our travel information because Lonely Planet authors visit the places we write about, each and every edition. We never accept freebies for positive coverage, and you can rely on us to tell it like we see it.

Inside This Book…

11 weeks research
2 expert authors
62 maps
308 Bintang beers consumed
Inspirational photos
Clear, easy-to-use maps
Comprehensive planning tools
In-depth background
Easy-to-read layout
At-a-glance practical info

From the Publisher

Who We Are
At Lonely Planet, we see our job as inspiring and enabling travellers to connect with the world for their own benefit and for the benefit of the world at large.

What We Do
* We offer travellers the world's richest travel advice, informed by the collective wisdom of over 350 Lonely Planet authors living in 37 countries and fluent in 70 languages.
* We are relentless in finding the special, the unique and the different for travellers wherever they are.
* When we update our guidebooks, we check every listing, in person, every time.
* We always offer the trusted filter for those who are curious, open minded and independent.
* We challenge our growing community of travellers; leading debate and discussion about travel and the world.
* We tell it like it is without fear or favor in service of the travellers; not clouded by any other motive.

What We Believe
We believe that travel leads to a deeper cultural understanding and compassion and therefore a better world. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 404 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet; 13 edition (April 1, 2011)
• Language: English

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Reference Material/Starting Point, December 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Lonely Planet Bali, Ninth Edition (Paperback)

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.

Nightlife is making a big comeback with the reopening of Paddy's Reloaded (did they really need the weapons terminology?) and the return of the young aussie crowd. Check Bounty for the college age crowd, Seminyak for the posh/club crowd.

You can also avoid the moneychangers altogether by going to the BCA ATMs. Look for the ones that give you bills in 100,000 Rp denominations. You get a more reasonable maximum with these machines.

The activities sections are good, particularly the surfing one. They do a poor job of covering Lombok however, if you are planning on heading out there for an extended stay, I would recommend the LP Indonesia. Be forewarned though, the constant soliciting outside of the Gili Islands in Lombok is extremely tiresome. For scuba, skip Gili altogether and head to Flores or Sulawesi (or even back to Bali's Menjangen). Many of the sections are blasted out and the whole place is overfished.

Finally, if you want to book a boat trip to the Komodo Islands, you have a couple options, the pricey Perama boats (better and more luxurious boats) or the cheapo independent boats (very basic converted fishing boats). The second option is very very basic - you sleep on dirty mats and the snorkeling equipment doesn't work. The food is pretty good though and you do get to all the major sites with no hassle. If you don't mind all this, you can book these boats pretty much anywhere on Lombok. The dragons are all worth it - we saw a couple fighting over a mate.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well up to standard, August 23, 2003

By 

murni@murnis.com (Ubud, Bali) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Bali, Ninth Edition (Paperback)

I am Balinese and live in Ubud.

As I am involved in tourism, I always keep a close eye on guide books to make sure that they do not give any incorrect information, either generally in respect of Bali, or in particular, in respect of my own restaurant, shops and accommodation in Ubud.

I am pleased to say that the text is remarkably accurate - as are the maps - which is not easy in the fast changing world we now live in.

The sections on Balinese culture are concise and very helpful to those visiting the island for the first time. Balinese culture is complicated and the visitor will benefit greatly from the explanations in this book.

There are also some nice photographs. Recommended.

Lonely Planet Bali Encounter

Lonely Planet Bali Encounter

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

What Will You Bali Encounter Be?

Catching the perfect wave at Ulu Watu

Shopping for a boutique bargain in Seminyak

Learning to prepare your very own Balinese banquet at a cooking course in Tanjung Benoa

Getting swept up in magical Ubud, one of Asia’s most romantic destinations

Shaking it up on a dance floor in Kuta

Discover Twice the City in Half the Time

Detailed regional and town maps for easy navigation

Our expert author recommends the best sights, restaurants, shops and entertainment Unique itineraries and highlights help you make the most of your short break

Locals reveal Bali’s secrets: from the birth of surfing to the art of rice farming

Product Details Paperback: 160 pages Publisher: Lonely Planet; 2 edition (November 1, 2010) Language: English 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars great travel book, March 24, 2010 By  Jo A. Kilby - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Lonely Planet Bali Encounter (Best Of) (Paperback) this book is current and up to date. small enough to carry around with you too. Reviews on shopping, eating, accomodations and things to do in each area....A must have if you are going to Bali 3 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect small travel book., February 22, 2009 By  S. Winn (Oceanside, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This review is from: Lonely Planet Bali Encounter (Best Of) (Paperback) This little book holds so much information. It gives history and standard information about Bali as a whole. Then it explains city by city. In each city section they have the best of: eating, shopping, what to do and places to see. There are even price ranges on the restaurants, spas and temples or museums which is great too. The culture is also explained which is very important because Bali is filled to the brim with culture. They point out the best surf breaks and how to get there, along with if "this beach" is 4-6 feet, then "that beach" is 6-8 feet and so on. It helps you with the currency exchange and if you need to get a visa. Which I didn't know about until I bought this book. This book is very informative and small so you can take it with you on your Bali adventure.

The Rough Guide to Bali & Lombok 6 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

The Rough Guide to Bali & Lombok 6

(Rough Guide Travel Guides)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Make the most of the cultural and natural richness of Bali & Lombok with this comprehensive and up-to-date guide. The full-colour introduction takes a stunning look at many of the islands’ highlights, from the dramatic cliff top temples to the sparkling white-sand beaches. There are new features on Balinese pop music, volcanic landscapes, traditional and modern performing arts and coverage of the islands’ chic side with fashionable spas, designer boutique hotels and exceptional shopping, plus family-friendly destinations and activities. Whatever kind of traveller you are, from beach comber to eco-tourist, on a budget or money’s-no-object, you’ll find the accommodation, restaurants and experiences that are right for you. Extras include advice on where to dive, how to arrange treks up the island’s volcanoes and the top surf breaks. The Rough Guide to Bali & Lombok gives you all the practical advice you’ll need for a great adventure.

About the Author

Lesley Reader and Lucy Ridout have together, nearly thirty years worth of experience writing about Asia. Lucy Ridout is the co-author of the Rough Guides to Thailand, Thailand''s Beaches & Islands and Bangkok. They are also co-authors of the Rough Guide to Bali and Lombok.

Product Details

• Paperback: 488 pages
• Publisher: Rough Guides; 6 edition (September 15, 2008)
• Language: English

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful!, November 7, 2009

By 

Scott D. Ash (Atlanta, Georgia, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Rough Guide to Bali & Lombok 6 (Rough Guide Travel Guides) (Paperback)

This was the one book I used during my visit to Bali in January 2009, after having purchased it and the Lonely Planet guide. What made this book so much more useful was the vastly better details on restaurants and lodging in towns and villages away from the "Banana Pancake Trail," easy-to-use maps, and Rough Guides not joining Lonely Planet in adopting a "preaching greenie" tone. 

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book, July 19, 2009

By 

Clembert (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Rough Guide to Bali & Lombok 6 (Rough Guide Travel Guides) (Paperback)

I've used these guides in the past. I do like to have a sort of basic nuts-and-bolts guidebook when I travel but I find Lonely Planet to be so popular that everything they recommend is overwhelmed with other LP readers. That's nothing against the LP books which are almost always really good, but I sometimes feel their popularity can make for a less than great travel experience. You know, a "backpacker" guest house or whatever might be totally mobbed because of its mention in LP and the just-as-good place down the street has no customers because they didn't get included.

So, whatever, the Rough guides are pretty popular too but a bit less so, and they're really more or less the same as LP in terms of quality, so nothing really to lose. Hopefully mitigates the problem I mention above. As for Bali, this was also I think the most recently published book oriented to a more budget type traveler (though it isn't limited to that type of customer at all).

I've been to Bali and Lombok a few times, but it has been a while, so I just wanted a little something to help with whatever might have changed. Will try to update this review when I return in a few months. I suppose soon we'll only be using i-phones or netbooks or whatever for this sort of thing...but internet penetration isn't all that it could be in places like Lombok, and thank God too...who would want to be called or emailed in a place like that while you're trying to relax? 

Periplus Guide to Bali: The Island of the Gods (Periplus Adventure Guides)

Periplus Guide to Bali: The Island of the Gods 

(Periplus Adventure Guides)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Far from the madding crowd, Bali is the fabled tropical island where an ancient civilization thrives in the modern world. Whether you come here to trek the volcanoes, visit the island's many temples or simply laze on the beach and enjoy the nightlife, Bali provides the adventure of a lifetime.

Product Details Paperback: 332 pages Publisher: Periplus Editions (June 15, 2005) Language: English ost Helpful Customer Reviews 21 of 21 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The best guide on culture and history, June 5, 2006 By  Anna Fastenko (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Periplus Guide to Bali: The Island of the Gods (Periplus Adventure Guides) (Paperback) 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. For practicalities you'll have to get Lonely Planet or Rough Guide though. 16 of 16 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful & Informative!, June 24, 2006 By  Laszlo Wagner (Hungary) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This review is from: Periplus Guide to Bali: The Island of the Gods (Periplus Adventure Guides) (Paperback) This book contains excellent background information and descriptions of obscure attractions written by a team of expert authors along with photos of stunnning quality. Practical information is found separately in the back of the book, and is somewhat dated. However, with Bali well set-up for tourism, you will easily find accomodation/transport of your choice anyway. Highly recommended, even as a 2nd guidebook if you already have another guide stronger on practical details like Lonely Planet or Rough Guide.   10 of 10 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars visiting bali? one of two books to carry, May 5, 2009 By  wch "wch" (colorado) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Periplus Guide to Bali: The Island of the Gods (Periplus Adventure Guides) (Paperback) Periplus doesn't publish "places to shop" or "places to stay" or even "things to see" guidebooks. Others, particularly Lonely Planet and Rough Guides, are better bets on these topics. If, however, you want a solid, relatively short, well-written overview of the culture, history and art of Bali, you can't do much better than "Guide to Bali". Fully two-thirds of the book's 332 pages are dedicated to these topics, first in an island-wide overview and then by region and major town. The last third does a decent job covering travel practicalities, again island-wide and by region/town. The first two-thirds is why you buy a Periplus guidebook (the last third is why you don't absolutely have to carry another guide on your trip): to have a collection of two page single topic essays that, together, gives you the background you need to decide what you want to see and where you want to go in Bali. The writing is clear, informed and, more often than not, highly opinionated in a "been there done that" sort of way. It is fun to read and in-depth enough to be helpful without being overwhelming. What you won't find here are reviews of restaurants and hotels, thousands of stock photographs or sn overly optimistic (or pessimistic) view of Bali and its people. Rightly enough, you may get the sense that the editors are not overly fond of tourists that demand Ubud be an "indigenous" version of London or Los Angeles. This is also not a guidebook for people that tend toward guided tours and cloistered hotels, though it is certainly not "Bali On Five Dollars a Day". If I re-read just two guides on Bali before my next trip, this will be one of them. I highly recommend it for the travelers that like to know just enough to strike out and explore on their own.