In Reply to: Customs and food posted by debim on Thursday, 27. January 2005 at 18:58 Bali Time:
heres my do' & don'ts list - still working on it
Cut and Paste BTF information onto a word doc then literally paste sections into a small note book -sort into groups ie restaurants, tours, shops,language for basic survival, I also took the larger whole info I had gathered and would look over them at night. In my book I also had a wish list and sizes of things - like cushions , kids measurements etc . I carried it almost everywhere with a trusty tapemeasure . I also had a space to write down names & addresses of shops etc that we would pass enroute to somewhere else- then I could go back later
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
This is at 7000 to $1
5000= 75c
7000= $1
20000= 2.80
Make up a couple as you will wear one out in the first few days . I keep mine in a plastic sleeve attached to an elasticised expanding string (just like the id tag some wear at work)
I did use airport transfers the first time and I guess it was the safest but I would never again - so expensive$20 + . you can get a Taxi for 30000 to 40000 and a bemo for not much more . I am happy to pay $10 - 70000 to know someone is waiting and I am leaving straight away. I have heard some amazing stories about waiting hours at the airport for other passengers
Don't convince yourself on the way from the airport that you are going to die in the traffic- enjoy the first time scenes .
Don't buy anything the first day - just look & smile - unless you 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
Find a driver you can feel comfortable with - not a pushy one - remember you are the boss you are paying for service (I can recommend 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 trust him with our family's safety.
Have at least 1 breakfast at La Luciola- On the beach at Pettitengget. Jl. Laksmana - to die for and worth it even if breakfast is included in your hotel tarrif
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
If you go to Ubud go on to a little village called Tegallalang- amazing the cheap prices and the very different things - I bought xmas decorations (wood- very light)and lamp shades and lots of different things.
Also an excellent place in Ubud for lunch is Cafe Wyan set in beautiful gardens .
Have plenty of beauty treatments and massages I never do it at home but so cheap . I always use the Melasti Spa but that's cause its where I stay you can e-mail them spabali@biz.net.id for a list of treatments and prices.
Have the Sunday baked dinner at the Garden View cottages Padma Utara phone 751559 and book - 45000 ($6.70) all you can eat
Eat at as many places as possible some budget some more expensive .(The first time I went we mostly ate at the hotel - boy did I miss plenty) There are plenty of good places where it can cost you between $5 & $10 and some really amazing ones that will cost $20 + but here it would be $100 to $150. My favourites are Ma Jollys and Papas but there are so many . I have been o ones that are strongly recommended on BTF and been disappointed but as darryl say 'you never never know if you never never go'
Check out Bali Deli's website before you go - www.balideli.net
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 - in 2 different widths then off to Dempasar I went - each suit cost 180000 to have made up- took 3 days and were wonderful . I decided to buy nothing here just take photos and go to Bali each year
Don't be frightened to have conversations with all - the young people love a yarn even with a "mature gal" - all a chance to learn and practise their English
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 .
Don't be frightened to say no (tidak) but don't start bargaining if you don't intend to buy and remember you are Bargaining NOT Bartering (unless you swap something)
Don't stress over 1000 or 2000 rupia -it's only 30 or 40 cents
Don't end up sounding like those pitiful people you will hear bragging about how much they paid for things. Its fun to get a bargain but the bragging sometimes means that a child eats one less piece of fruit or goes without shoes one more month
If there are no tea making facilities in your room go to the Matahari and buy a plastic jug or buy a cup prong before you leave home - can buy at large bag shops (I take some teabags and equal with me and an old mug )
.Don't take too many "good clothes" it's very casual and very hot and you will buy plenty there
Don't be like me the first trip and wash everything out in my room - getting the laundry done is a couple of dollars - so get it done every couple of days
Take a couple of pairs of swimmers as they take a while to dry
Don't buy 12 pairs of Reboks like I did and carry them home only to find the sons & hubby won't even wear them fishing. The warning is try everything on and check the bag. I have had watches break as soon as I clipped them on BUT I have some watches still going since 1999.
Don't be frightened to buy from Ricky Martin, Mel Gibson or Bob Hop just jot down all the beautiful names and it's a great memory trigger later. Hello Vera and Gordon Blu are 2 of my favourites and another was my driver hearing a young bloke his age saying to his friends 'I'm Knacked!' and Buda says to me 'No he's not - he's got clothes on'
ENJOY! ENJOY!