There is “Kampung Bule “ or “Tourist Village” near Hard Rock, Kuta Bali. That was my friend told me when we visited Kuta beach some years ago. I was so curious that time but we had strict schedule so I could not explore the area. Since then, I promised to come again.
I can make it this year. Taxi driver took me from the airport to Poppies Lane.. Indonesian people call Poppies “kampung bule” because mostly people you meet here are foreign tourist and Indonesian call them “Bule”. Honestly, I felt that I was stranger and that alley belongs to bule. We went around the whole area before finding a cheap room in Poppies Lane 2. Poppies area is divided into two: Poppies Lane 1 and Poppies Lane 2. You can reach Poppies Lane from Legian Street or Kuta beach. This alley is located between Kuta beach and Legian Street. After putting down my bag in hotel room, the exploration began. I walked down along Poppies Lane 2 to the north and at the end of the alley, I arrived at the monument of Bali Bomb Tragedy in Legian Street.
I start thinking that Poppies Street is really perfect for backpacker with the following reason:
The are a lot of hotels, inn, internet cafe, souvenir shops, surfing board shops, places to eat, bars, night clubs along the street. Those facilities are much cheaper than other resort in Bali. You can get a room with the price about US $ 7. If you run out of money , you can get food only with US$ 0.50 on beach.
You can walk to the Kuta beach. It takes only 5 or 10 minutes to reach the beach. Poppies Lane is near the airport, only about 15 minutes driving.
Poppies Lane is perfect place for people who come to Bali for the first time and do not know much about destination in Bali because there are many travel information along Poppies Street and they provide some tour packets. They also provide daily tour. Along the Poppies alley I saw the board telling us about the daily tour: price, destination, time to pick up and how many seat left (tour in group). This is what make Bali is different from other areas in Indonesia.
For you who prefer going anywhere and anytime, Poppies Lane provides a lot of motorbike rental. The good thing is you can take surfing board on it.Surfing and hanging out with friends are everything for young people and Poppies lane has got that.
In short I can tell you that with low cost, you can get amazing and unforgettable memories in Kuta . At least, that what I have got.