In Reply to: Trip to Bali posted by nac on Tuesday, 29. December 2009 at 01:24 Bali Time:
Google the 5 star Kartika Plaza Hotel, it is 5-10 minutes from the airport, you can get a taxi from the taxi kiosk at the airport 50,000Rp (US$5).
You can exchange US$100 at the airport money changers and get a reasonable rate, that should do you until you get orientated.
The Kartika Plaza is right on the beach, central to everything and it will pay to book any hotel you want to stay at in Bali.
You can do all your bookings online or over the phone and will have to supply credit card details, but only give them the details on the front of your card and the last three digits ONLY on the back, NEVER give the front and ALL OF THE BACK details of your card, if you are unsure book through a travel agent.
There is a currency converter at the top of the Bali Travel Forum Homepage next to where you posted your messages or just Google "Currency Converters".
There is also a "Search " button on the homepage where you can access information on just about anything Bali, hotels, restaurants, shops etc.
For more information on Bali, one invaluable site you should use is "My Bali Guide".
I also see that you are a military serving member, so you should check that both your country and Indonesia will allow you to visit.
Hope this helps,
Hoolz