In Reply to: Help! posted by Cassie on Thursday, 8. October 2009 at 14:18 Bali Time:
A copy of a list i sent to my overseas friends(15 visiting in 10 days) who have never been to Bali, it is specific to our hotel in some areas
Do's and don'ts
• DO NOT TAKE TOO MANY CLOTHES WITH YOU. Only take some underclothes and a small selection of cool clothes...you will buy most of your needs in Bali
• Travel insurance.....ensure you are covered
• Visit the bomb memorial at the end of Poppies #2 on Legian St 202 people died here; 88 Australians
• Do NOT drink water from any tap...only bottled water;this includes cleaning your teeth
• Take a good supply of all your medicines and copies of doctors prescriptions
• There is a very cheap laundry near our hotel...see Mike or Mark for location (Nona)
• Keep a copy of your passport #s and credit card details separate
• ATM's are everywhere.. watch out for skimmers, transactions fees apply
• Do not fill out any questionnaires on the street or else you will get many phone calls from salespeople ,
• Immigration forms...put Masa Inn as your accommodation...or else you will get lots of phone calls
• Be careful about swimming off the beach...bad rips
• Always keep a good supply of small money with you..20,000, 10,000, 5000 and 1000 bills, taxis and many shops do not have change (they do, but say they don't)
• Be VERRRRY careful when changing money, only use money changers in front of our hotel or down the road up the steps near the beach there are also many ATM's around
• Any sort of physical violence will result in a court case and gaol !!!
• Do not touch people on the head
• The left hand is unclean... only pass things to Balinese with your right hand
• Keep your money/bags secure and out of sight, there are some Javanese pickpockets around who will pick your pocket or snatch your purse from the back of a motorbike
• Keeping your money in order of size in your wallet/purse...it is easy when you first arrive to pay 100,000 Rp for a 10,000 Rp item or 10,000 for a 1000 item, especially at night
• Be careful....10,000 and 100,000 Rp notes are quite similar
• Only use Bluebird taxis whenever possible...ensure the metre is set when you get in the cab: 5000 Rp flagfall
• Always walk in a straight line when walking on roads without a pavement...motorcycles are everywhere ....look left and right when crossing roads....this includes one way streets
• Shopping: in shops that are not fixed price DO NOT ASK THE PRICE OF SOMETHING UNLESS YOU WANT TO BUY IT...once you ask the price, the negotiations have started, when they will not come down any more you have to buy or walk away, start negotiations with 1/3 of asking price
• Tipping is not usual in Bali, but small tips are given for very good service, service and government taxes are usually added to your bill.
• Do not walk on religious offerings on the pavement, do not touch people on the head, do not use your left hand to give things to Balinese, hands/fingers raised to call someone is an insult to Balinese, fingers should point downwards when calling someone
• The hotel has safe deposit boxes for each room at the rear of reception
• The hotel has an outside massage area (use only Santi or Wyan )or use air conditioned spa room
• Hand sanitizer is recommended, use before eating and after touching many items
• Use taxis for private trips, the use of bemos (private vans and cars) will usually cost you much more...when approached by these drivers say 'jalan jalan' ....I'm walking
• Do not let porters at the airport touch your bags...this is a big rip off; they will overcharge you
• We will arrange transport to and from the hotel to the airport if possible, if too many people arrive at one time, use taxis.. cost about 50,000rp to Hotel...there is a taxi booking booth in front of the arrivals gate, there are many money changers at the airport if you need rupiah for the taxi, but only change a small amount of money here...rates are poor
• Be careful when buying wooden goods, check for worm holes, your customs/immigration people may take them away from you or have them fumigated.
• There is a pool bar at the hotel..., you can book food and drinks to your room
• If you visit temples your arms need to be covered, the temple will also hire you a waist sash
• There are many large supermarkets, shopping centres inc Carrefour in Bali
• WiFi is available at the hotel and some restaurants
• Visa on arrival at Denpasar airport will cost you $25 US each; I suggest taking $25 US in US currency with you. Euros can be used, but airport officials will overcharge you.
• Departure tax at airport is 150,000 Rupiah each...I suggest putting 250,000+ Rupiah in your passport soon after arriving...this will pay for your departure tax and any food drinks at the airport.
• If your flight is delayed you can use one of the airport lounges that serve free food and drink and have comfortable seating, pay no more than 100,000rp each
• Do not carry any liquids in your hand luggage when departing Bali....they will all be taken off you apart from 1 to 2 things like perfume (all under 100ml)
• Bali airport can become VERY busy, arrive at least 2 hours before your departure
• Use Prada lounge at airport when waiting for your plane...free food and drink 100,000 rp
• Ensure you have at least 6 months left on your passport
• You will get ripped off in Bali, how many times....is up to you
• Medical problems: use BIMC hospital Tel; 761263.....quite expensive but good
• Check your bill when paying for things...this includes the hotel we are staying at
• The Police Department set up a special 24-hour Tourist Police Hotline which is tel 224-111.
Mark