I know this might not have a lot to do with bali itself, but it might just help someone that is thinking of living in Indonesia or bali.
If you do decide to extend your stay for more than a touristy visit, PLLLEASSEEE make sure you have all the correct documents or visas because they will catch you out..
They are getting tough on people who dont have the correct documents etc to enter or exit the country.
Last week, on the 26th of June, here in Jakarta two days before going over to bali, late in the afternoon i got a knock on the door of my apartment. Outside were about 10 men dressed in uniforms from the local district offices...they were looking for illegal people and doing visa checks etc..
lucky at the time i did have my work permit with me. (the office usually keeps the original) they studied it carefully and said this expires next month, i said i know and the office is currently in the process of getting a new one. they said that they would be back to check. And i believe them, as the apartment admin had everyone been the most recent visas etc into the office. otherwise they'll be in trouble as well, for harbouring illegals...
There have been several raids here in Jakarta recently, of small hotels where backpackers hang out as well and several people have been caught out,sooner or later the same thing will happen in bali.
I know of someone, who stayed here illegally for about 3 years (their own fault i suppose for doing such a stupid thing) and had to pay up to 25,000 USD to actually be able to leave the country...
the experience did shake me a little, because i have been living here for so long and its only happened to me now, espeically when you think your safe from "raids" living in an apartment block.
so just thought i'd let everyone know :)