"We also went to Padangbai, a dumpy town on the east coast between Ubud and Tulamben where we had a blast. The locals were awesome and we wound up playing cards with them and drinking whatever crazy liquor they have around there. I had a nice snorkel - didn’t get to dive there as I was flying the next day, but I understand there are supposed to be giant mantas in that area. I was there in April, so maybe you’ll be close enough to the time they’re visiting Bali."
Most of the boats doing Manta Point and the Mola-mola dives leave from Padang Bai (Bai = bay), we used Absolute Scuba which is an SSI shop, rooms and op were okay, food not but there are other places to eat within a block. Many places have a pit under the table for your legs, don’t do it, these are bug infested!
To visit Ubud and some other places for shopping and two temples three of us hired a local cab for USD$30.00 for the day, he will ask what you are shopping for and take you to his favorites plus a place for lunch. We were looking for shirts and carvings, he took us to where the carvings were done, not just sold. Yes he gets a cut from them too but they had nicer stuff than the vendors in Ubud.
We were traveling with a dive club and gave the staff the clubs T-shirts, Bali has a cast system much like India and giving them our shirts meant we considered them equals which put a huge smile on their faces. Of course giving them your clothes frees up more space in your luggage for stuff from Ubud :)
Enjoy, Bali is an amazing place and I can’t wait to go back!