In Reply to: First Timers posted by nat on Monday, 6. June 2005 at 14:30 Bali Time:
DI's Do's & Don'ts
Last updated 4/6/05
Do 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 sorted into areas too like shops in Seminyak & Ubud whereI wanted to buy things. I also took the larger info folder that I had gathered and I would look over it 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
Do make a simple currency conversion table just needs to be aprox as 1000 is only 14c or 15 c. I make it rupiah 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) or take a simple small calculator and simply divide the rupiah cost of the item by the rupiah exchange rate - this will give you the dollar cost eg cost 200000rp for dinner - exchange rate for $AU is 7100 - divide 200000 by 7100 and that's how much in $AU ie $21.17 aprox
I did use airport transfers the first time and I guess it was the safest but I would never again - so expensive$20 + p/p is what the TA will charge you . You can get a Taxi for 20000 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 who have already left.
Don't convince yourself on the way from the airport that you are going to die in the traffic- enjoy the first time scenes and smells .- you will remember them for the rest of your life.
Do try to use the reliable, metered taxis - the light blue ones. They have "Bluebird Group" on the windscreen and "Bali Taksi" on the doors. Always ask that the metre run and try to have a general idea how much it will cost - before you get in say 'how much to ---------?'. Before you leave your hotel ask how much might it cost - many guests or reception staff will know. Remember that light blues are not in every area so don't wait forever for a cab that's not going to come.
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
Do keep all dockets & receipts - not for exchange purposes but for future reference - esp if you intend to return- I make a list when I get home of addresses & phone nos etc This is how many of the forumites share their info.
Do 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 75000 $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.
Do 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 tariff. (hash browns amazing).
If you are early rises like me visit the local markets on the corner of Jl Melassti & Jl 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 prices and very different things - I bought xmas decorations (wood- very light) and lamp shades and lots of different things. About 15 minutes from Monkey Forest road. Beautiful scenery on the way too.
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 it's 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 . Also a Baked dinner at Bali Aussie Wed & Sun
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 to ones that are strongly recommended on BTF and been disappointed but as Darryl says 'you never never know if you never never go'
Do check out Bali Deli's website before you go - www.balideli.net .
Do 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 . So if you see some one lurking in the ladieswear at Myers with a camera say ' hello Di'
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
Do decide to learn 1 simple phrase each day . perhaps start with 'Nama saya_ _ _ _ ' 'My name is _ _ _ _' or 'lihat saja' - only looking or 'terima kashi' - thankyou - there you are - 3 days worth as a starter
Don't carry lots of cash - use the hotel safe - I used 2 small cheap 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 . I wear denim shorts and my wallets can be chained to my pockets or chained to my shoulder bag via silver curtain rings very simple to do and I like having hands free.
Don't be frightened to say no (tidak) but don't start bargaining if you don't intend to buy. If the seller agrees to your price it is expected that you will purchase 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 but one or 2 meals to the person you are trying to bargain with.
Don't end up sounding like those pitiful people you will hear bragging about how much they paid for things. It's 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 a cup prong (I take some teabags and equal with me and an old mug ). I also take a flat double adaptor.
Don't take too many "good clothes" it's very casual and very hot and you will buy plenty there. I take some clothes wear them the last few days & leave them there.
Don't be like me the first trip and wash everything out in your room - getting the laundry done is a couple of dollars - so get it done every couple of days.
Do take a couple of pairs of swimmers/costumes as they take a while to dry. I also take an old thin beach towel and leave it there too.
Do get a map of the vicinity of your hotel with a few blocks of streets and carry it with you esp the first few days.
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.
Do carry tissues or toot paper everywhere - it is constantly improving but some places still don't provide it.
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'
Don't take heavy fancy designer suitcases. I weighed my nice new suitcase to discover it was 7.4kilos. I sure ditched it when going to Bali . I now take large foldable zip up ones so lightweight I can bring 7 more kgs back .
Do take travel space bags - amazing what you can pack into them.
Don't drink the tap water or clean your teeth in it . Be careful of using straws in some sus places - there have been claims that some places recycle straws. Ice is safer now but drinks floating in the large blocks of ice & slurry in eskys is to be avoided
DON'T buy any drugs from strangers on the streets or in pubs - many are undercover police -' don't be a drip forget the trip' and be satisfied with getting pissed. Drunkenness does not carry the DEATH PENALTY
ENJOY! ENJOY!