In Reply to: some advise pls posted by andycam on Tuesday, 2. June 2009 at 18:20 Bali Time:
Take as much cash as you can afford to lose - once it's gone it can't be replaced. I can't afford to lose much money so I rely mostly on Travellers Cheques, with some cash & cards as a back up. TC's are readily & easily replaced, cash isn't.
Sure, you need your passport to change TCs - but there is usually a good money changer close to all hotels - change TCs, back to hotel to put passport in safe. Carry one or two $50 notes with you if you are lucky & find yourself on a shopping roll. Easy peasy.
With all the posts here lately about ATMs skimming & scamming, I'll use credit & debit cards for emergencies only. For over 25 years I have mostly used TCs & the minor inconveniences are irrelevant compared with having the huge problems of having all my money in cash & having it stolen - it happens.