In Reply to: which language - Bahasa, or Balinese? posted by draughtsman on Friday, 20. February 2015 at 23:32 Bali Time:
I would seriously recommend sticking to Bahasa Indonesia. Basa Bali is much easier to learn after having some competence in Bahasa Indonesia. Despite what you may hear from other people, the days when when mouthing a few phrases in Basa Bali will make you an instant "hit" with the locals are long gone. It has become a very sensitive issue. If you are seriously studying it will appreciated, but as a casual visitor there is no need to go the great trouble. In comparison, the national language is much easier to learn.
Cheers.