In Reply to: Four First Timers, 50+ posted by Peb on Tuesday, 18. January 2005 at 08:17 Bali Time:
1. Gather then paste BTF info into a small note bookie restaurants, tours, shops,language for basic survival, I also took larger printed sheets that I had and would look over them at night.
2. Make a simple currency conversion table just needs to be aprox as 1000 is only 12c or 13 c. I make it rupia to dollars eg
5000= 75c
7000= $1
20000= 2.80
Make up a couple as you will wear one out in the first few days
3. Don't convince yourself on the way from the airport that you are going to die in the traffic- enjoy the first time scenes
4. Don't buy anything the first day - just look & smile
5. Go to Geneva Handicrafts ASAP and there you can buy all sorts of things at fixed prices Jl Raya Kerobokan No 100 Kuta www.genevahandicraft.com
6. Find a driver you can feel comfortable with - not a pushy one - remember you are the boss you are paying for service(I can recomend one you may want to contact and meet) he won't insist on taking you to all the places he gets commission on . If there were 4 of you using him for a day you could all contribute 750000($11) per day and he would give you day trips - shopping trips and nice company . He will also drive you to a bank escort you in and sit with you while you change money safely. let me know if you want the drivers details we have used him and trusted him with our family's safety.
7. Have at least 1 breakfast at La Luciolas La Luciola - On the beach at Pettitengget. Jl. Laksmana - to die for and worth it even if breakfast is included
8. If you are early rises like me visit the local markets on the corner of Melassti & Legian (big tin fence around it)amazing - I bought fruit & flowers there many times
9. If you go to Ubud go on to a little village called Tegallalang- amazing the cheep prices and the very different things - I bought xmas decorations (wood)and lamp shades nd lots of diferent things.
Also an excellent palce in Ubud for lunch is Cafe Wyan .
10. Have plenty of beauty treatments and massages (so cheep) I always use the Melasti Spa but thats cause its where I stay you can e-mail them spabali@biz.net.id for a list of treatments and prices.
11. Have the Sunday baked dinner at the Garden View cottages Padma Utara phone 751559 and book - 45000 ($6.70) all you can eat
12. Eat at as many places as possible some budget some more expensive
13. Get something made - there are many tailors recommended on BTF i use one in Jl Padma called Komang Sri . I had 2 casual pant suits made - took the old favourite and tailor told me how much material to buy - he gave me 2 widths and off to Dempasar I went - each suit cost 180000 to have made up took 3 days and were wonderful
14. Don't be frightened to have conversations with all - the young people love a yarn even with a "mature gal"
15. Don't carry lots of cash - use the hotel safe - I used 2 small cheep wallets - I carried 5000's 10000's & 20000's in one and 50000's & 100000's in the other - I looked at the 50000 as nearly $10 - I didn't carry all my cards and licences etc only money and my Visa card or ATM card but not both at once - I have a Visa & a savings card and they are linked so if I lose one I can still withdraw money
16.Don't be frightened to say no (tidak)
17.Don't stress over 1 or 2000 rupia -it's only 30 or 40 cents
18. Don't end up sounding like the pitiful people you will hear bragging about how much they paid for things.
19. If there are no tea making in your room go to the Matahari and buy a plastic jug or buy a cup prong before you leave home (I take some teabags and equal with me and an old mug )
20.Don't take too many "good clothes" it's very casual and very hot and you will buy plenty there
Better get dinner- hope this helps- let me know if you want the driver details or anything else
ENJOY! ENJOY!