In Reply to: Bali Virgin! posted by sarah_bali on Friday, 7. January 2011 at 15:33 Bali Time:
Some answers similar to others, some answers different. :)
1. Yes, the Safari park is a great day out. I've been twice now and enjoyed it both times.
2. If you enjoy waterslides, then yes, Waterbom would be good. I'm not a big swimmer and really only went on the 'lazy river' ride, so it was wasted for me and I've never felt the urge to go back,
3. Sure. You could always just park in Legian and do a day trip to Ubud, since your total stay is only 10 days. If you like Ubud you could always plan a few nights on a future trip to Bali - if you're like the rest of us, you'll be planning the next trip before you get home from this one. :)
4. I can't answer as I haven't yet been.
5. Don't stress. Change of diet including more fruit and spicy foods will have an effect on you, but Bali Belly is a different creature entirely. Luckily I've never encountered it on 8 trips so far. I usually (but not always) remember to use the hand sanitiser gel, but always stick to bottled water for drinking and tooth brushing. You can buy "Entrostop" from the local 'Apotik' (chemist) if it's needed. You can also buy antibiotics without a script at the apotik if you need them.
6. Tetanus should be updated whether you travel or not - sounds like you're up to date. My doctor said other vaccinations were unnecessary unless I was going hiking through Borneo and such, but not for Bali. I'm considering getting Hep/Typhoid anyway before my next trip.
7. Never been to Thailand, so I really don't know. Friends and family say it's pretty much "same same but different".
8. I use the local "Autan" from the supermarket or convenience store. Cheaper than Bushmans, less slimy and smells much nicer. It has also served me well for preventing bites. I usually use one of those 30 day plug in dealies in the hotel room - also available cheaply from the supermarkets.
9. I take toothpaste and toothbrush as I'll want those before I can go shopping. I also take deodorant as women's spray deodorant is hard to get in Bali, it's nearly all roll ons. Men don't have as much trouble. All other toiletries I buy there and leave behind when I come home.
10. Have fun. Don't expect things to run on time or work out quite how you'd planned - go with the flow and you'll have fun anyway. Don't mistake Rp10K note for Rp100K note. Take your time with money until you get used to it. It's easy to get frazzled and hand over too much, or agree to a price that's higher than you thought it was. Do try local foods, rather than sticking to familiar things you can get at home.