In Reply to: Help my Debate posted by ShaneA on Thursday, 9. November 2006 at 07:12 Bali Time:
with a crisp, clean AU$50 note each. You'll get your change in Rupia at a fair rate and then you'll have enough for your taxi fare to your hotel [assuming that you're first stop is within a reasonable distance to the airport] and a couple of cold drinks, before you need to do any more money changing.
If you've already bought US dollars in Australia for the VOA, then that's something you've learned for next time. And if you've already paid for transfers to your hotel, then you've paid a lot too much, so that's something else you'll know for next time. But if you do need a taxi, there's a taxi office just a few metres on the right as you leave the airport building, with the prices to most close destinations posted on the wall.
Some tips on moneychanging in Bali. Take your own calculator and use it to work out the amount. If you're changing an AU$100 note, the calculation is easy. Use a Kodak shop or wartel. Or if you tell us where you're staying, someone will probably be able to give you a good place near there. Check a few moneychangers' boards for exchange rates. If some seem too good to be true, then they probably are. An unusually high rate probably means that they will want commission and will likely try to cheat you as well. This type of place will usually give you lots of small notes and try to confuse you, so don't be part of it. Most of the reputable places are OK, but always be the last to both touch and count your money anyway. Sounds complicated, but you'll soon be doing it OK.