Helpful Hints

Top Tip *Always keep your drivers number handy in case you need him


What do I take ?... :
Not much. Your suitcase should be at least ½ empty for all the clothes and souvenirs you are going to bring back. Bali is a very relaxed place and you will not need any fancy evening wear as its not required. You will also find that when you are there you will be wearing things that you wouldn't be caught dead in at home. ( remember those hawaiian shirts from the 60's? )

Visas, Passport & Immigration :
There is a visa that needs to be paid when you arrive in Bali called the Visa On Arrival. When you disembark the plane you will enter an arrivals hall. Its here that you need to line up to get your VOA. You should have $25US cash with you per person to save the hassle of using a credit card.

After that, you can pick up your luggage from the carrousel and go through a bag inspection point before exiting the airport. If you have transfers booked, they will be waiting outside the doors here for you. Do not be surprised if your luggage has already been removed from the carrousel and is sitting on the floor. This is common in Bali as there is not allot of room on the carrousels.

When you pick up your luggage there will be "porters" hanging around waiting to see if you want help. Just politely say "No, Thanks". This is a service you will need to pay for and $10 is not uncommon to the unsuspecting tourist.

Make sure that when you fill in the immigration form and you proceed through custom's in Bali , that when you are given a small piece of the form ( COPY ) back in your passport that you don't LOSE it as this may cost you a major headache and some cash when you go to leave Bali. You need it then !!!


Unless you have travellers cheques there is no need to carry your passport around. I suggest you lock it away in a safety deposit box in your hotel OR some where you are comfortable that it is safe. ( Jot down your passport number and visa number on a piece of paper just in case. Its better to lose that than your passport. )

There is nothing to fear going through immigration in Bali. I have never had my bags checked once and quite often the exit desks are empty. Just walk through and keep going to the outside doors. If they ask you to open your bags, check all the locks first and then gladly open your bags for inspection.

Cash :
Larger notes attract a better exchange rate AUS , CAD and US notes in $50 and $100 denominations , are easily exchanged anywhere. Your hotel should have a safety deposit box available free of charge for security. USE IT !!! ( I generally split my sending money into my VISA card and cash. Mostly cash ) DO NOT CHANGE YOUR MONEY BEFORE YOU GO !!!!!!!(the rate is much better over there, make sure to take crisp $100 notes from the bank, they trade better)!!!!!!! - We took $1000 in cash and just used the machine on the last few days as a back up.

Top Tip *Another tip, and a method I have used before is putting money into envelopes for each day. Its no hassle at all and it was very handy. That way we didn't overspend and didn't run out!


ATM's :

Although there are a few ATM's ( Automatic teller machine's ) around in the Kuta area and a few less in Sanur , There is a limit of 1,250 000 Rp a day withdrawal ( App $150AUS ). So if you don't want to be finding an ATM every day or second day , I would forget about this option. How true this is I am not sure, but both our drivers (kuta locals) told us the safest machines to get your money out of is the BCA ATM machines. (They are everywhere in Bali). On JL Kartika, (near Waterbom park) you will see a row of about 4-5 machines all in separate booths. He showed us the sign for BCA (its blue) and told us the other machines have problems and tourists often loose their cards ... never to be seen again. (ONLY USE THE BCA MACHINES, YOU WILL NOT HAVE A PROBLEM). We had no problems whatsoever using these BCA machines, (we also used it outside the bali hai resort and spa where we were staying) although we were holding our breaths the first time.

Credit Cards:Visa , Amex , Bankcard are all excepted credit cards and can be used in 90% of the stores and Hotels ( Some hotels may ask for a 3% surcharge for using a credit card but you can generally argue this or retrieve it from your credit card company. Great if you need to have some "stand by" cash in case you find that bargain of a life time or wish to make a large purchase and would rather keep your cash for day to day purchases OR for piece of mind. If you do lose your cash or travellers cheques you have something to fall back on. ( I generally split my spending money into my VISA card and cash. )

Travellers cheques :
Handy if you are taking a large sum of money and it is insured when you purchase this style of currency Downside : Not as good an exchange rate.

Money Exchangers WARNING :

There are, we regret to say, some dishonest moneychangers in Bali. From fixed calculators to miscounted money, the speed at which they work defies belief. Whatever trick they use, you end up with less rupiah cash than you should have. Having said that, the Balinese are fundamentally honest and helpful people. There is a totally reliable chain of moneychangers called PT Central Kuta (blue signs with white writing) that also give good exchange rates. We only changed our money at PT Central money changers. You will also see signs at the KODAK shops with PT central money changers written on them. These are also safe. Your driver should be able to show you where these shops are. There is one at the entrance to Matahari supermarket section. The lady never minded at all that I stood there and counted 6.7 million rp. x 2. She gave me a receipt and all was correct. There are lots of PT Central money changers in Bali.


OTHER MONEY CHANGERS - Don't rely on their calculators. Ask what size notes they have , if they only have 5,000Rp or 10,000Rp notes there is a very good chance they are going to try and rip you off. ( Look for 50,000Rp or at least 20,000Rp notes.) The less notes you receive , the less you have to count and the less chance of being ripped off. Try and Always change an amount that will give you a round and easy figure to work out in your head.

EG: $100AUS @ 5200Rp to the Aus$ = 520,000 Rp
10 x 50,000 notes + 2 x 10,000 notes
OR 104 x 5,000 notes
(that's 12 notes to count OR 104 what's easier ? )

Look for the guys that charge NO commission and ask again when you are in the shop if there is a commission. Be wary of any money changer offering a surprisingly high exchange rate. Take them on if you wish but be the last to count OR touch your money , as soon as you are handed the cash for the last time and before you walk out the shop...count it again!!! Understand before you start exchanging money with money changers , exactly how much you will receive back.

Be wary of changers ending with 90RP they will quickly swap a 50,000 for a 5,000.

EG $100AUS @ 5490 = 549,000
They will give you 10x 50,000 OR 500,000 Rp in one form or another and say because its 49 at the end , do you have a 1,000Rp note and we will give you a 5,000Rp back. If you are confused by all the 000's you may quickly say okay..and you just lost 45,000Rp


Luggage:


This is always a dilemma in Bali. You never have enough luggage allowance for all the shopping! You will each have around 20kg. Make sure you do not exceed this as you will be slugged with overweight luggage allowance - guaranteed! They are not flexible on this. Most large hotels have scales in the lobby so you can check your luggage weight. They have be known to weigh your hand luggage as well but often you can get away with extra weight in your hand luggage.


Laundry:


There are many laundries in Bali and it is cheap to get your washing done! They will smell lovely and tag all your clothes so that they know which ones are yours. Forget using the hotel laundry service, its very expensive.



Internet Cafes:


They are everywhere in Bali! You will find them just about everywhere and they are very cheap to use. Some even have international phones that you can call on and be billed by the minute.
http://www.balicyber.net/


Humidity :
If you aren't used to humidity, it's like sticking your entire body in the oven with the Sunday roast. Don't over do things on the first day or two, till you acclimatize. It helps if you DON'T have the room air conditioner at its polar setting. Have it a few degrees cooler than ousted but not so that your sunglasses steam up when you open the door for room service. This will also help stop the common problem of catching a cold from constantly being in and out of your room. Keep up your fluids by drinking at least 3 liter's a day. [ I make no suggestions on what to drink , but remember that alcohol also dries you out ] Also see : Video camera's and Humidity, further down.




Hair Dryer :
NO, you do not need to take your hair dryer : Your hotel should have a hair dryer if not in the room ... on request from house keeping.


Electricity :
220V , 50 Cycle and the plugs are dual round prongs of the European variety. Adapters are available at some hotels OR can be purchased at Matahari's ( supermarket ) for around 35,000 Rp. If you are taking anything of great value like a mobile phone , video camera or laptop computer that need batteries re charged , take along a surge protection plug OR 4 way power outlet (power board) with surge protection. This way you only need 1 adapter but have 4 power outlets.


Video Camera's & Cameras:




One thing video camera's & cameras don't like is sudden humidity. Every camera has a humidity detection sensor built in to prevent the camera from shorting out. This will probably come on the first day in Bali. It's nothing to worry about as it will clear in around 45 min's when the camera acclimatizes. To save you any hassle , when you arrive in Bali , place the camera outside for a while at a table while you have a drink or bite to eat , then when you take it back to your room place it inside a cupboard OR anywhere it doesn't get direct cold air from your air conditioner or you will have to start the process again.


Taxi's :
Feel free to get in a taxi, but ONLY if it is has a meter that the taxi driver is willing to turn on. There are light blue, dark blue and white taxis in bali. The light blue taxis have meters that work properly. The other two either don't have meters or the meters are dodgy or they will not turn it on. Don't fear, if you do not see a light blue one straight away. Start walking. There will be one coming past you within a few minutes. They are everywhere, thousands of them I am sure.


Just ask the driver whether he will turn on the meter before you get in.


International drivers licence :
If you intend to hire a CAR in Bali , this is a must. Always carry your insurance and registration papers with you for the hired car , when driving. It can be dangerous driving in Bali and there are many accidents. You are much better off hiring a driver for your stay or when you want to do day tours as they will be reliable and know how to get in and out of the traffic.




WORDS YOU MUST LEARN (this will get you through your whole trip)


No = Tidak
Thank You = Terima Kasih
Jalan Jalan = Walking (You say this when they hassle you to get a taxi, it means I am walking)




Red Cordial
You may have heard this before I am not sure. Go to Coles or woollies and buy a bottle of "Raspberry Cordial" in a glass bottle. (It must be in the glass bottle and contain raspberry juice. Start drinking a nip of this straight in the mornings 3 days before you leave and everyday you are there. It tastes very sweet, but quite ok. Apparently it has a very high sugar content and creates a lining on your stomach, therefore preventing any germs and the dreaded Bali belly. I did this (on the recommendation of others) and did not get sick once! I can't be 100% sure that it was this that kept me safe, but it certainly didn't hurt me anyway. (Farmers actually use this on cows in Europe to stop them getting gastro and diorreaha - no kidding). This is the most important tip I can give you about the whole trip, whether you take it to heart or not is up to you.




Shopping
The Art of Bargaining


If you have just arrived , get a general Idea of how much people are paying as the sellers are very quick to know who is a "newbie" in town and who isn't . This way you will help avoid the first day rush to buy and then find you paid 2 or 3 times what you should have. Before you start bartering , always have a price in your head that you won't go over . ( Generally 1/4 to 1/3 what the starting price is ) Don’t be too shy about this way of shopping. The first rule , is DONT give a price unless you intend to buy. Once you give a price...no matter how small , you have started the process of bartering and if the seller agrees on YOUR price , it is considered VERY rude to then not purchase the product or object. Once you have found something you like and the seller has given you a STARTING price you then offer a counter attack price. ( Your counter offer should generally be 1/ 5 to 1/ 4 what the seller is offering ) He / She , will of course , claim that this is too low (which it is ) and that they will not make any money from the sale. He / She would then make a counter offer lower than their starting price , and away you go....As a guide , if the seller comes down in 10,000 you go up in 5,000. The Best bargainers will walk away with the best price. Remember as you get closer to your intended purchase price , you maybe haggling over a few cents...but don’t let this worry you , as the Balinese are very good at haggling . If it is a few cents over your intended purchase price and the seller will not relent.....who cares...GET IT !!!


*Note : If a price is offered in Dollars....It is always US$ unless first stated. If buying something small , always double check it before you hand over your money , as the street sellers are very good at sleight of hand and you may end up buying a watch that isn’t working or your finest silver bracelet is now a piece of tin. ( This is NOT common practice , however it does happen )


If you DO NOT want to engage in a bartering contest and are not interested in the seller's wares , DO NOT make eye contact with the seller OR stop and browse through a hawker's offers.




Shopping Times:
Everything opens around 10am in Bali and stays open until very late. It is nice to go out early in Bali for a walk as you may be the first customer of the day and this is seen as a lucky sale. The streets are also less busy.

Supermarkets:
Matahari's : Always stock up here : Check into your hotel , empty the minibar/fridge and set sail for the supermarket. Good range of beverages alcohol / fruit / soft drinks. (including spirits cocktails and mixers ) Great range of Toiletries , food for all types of meals and snacks ... Its also fun looking at all the different items that you cant get at home and you will be surprised by the amount you "wished" you could get at home. [ Kuta : at the end of Kuta Square ] or ask at your hotel for the closest one.


This is the equivalent of our woolworths. It also has an upstairs section like Myers as well. Go here as soon as you arrive at your hotel and are settled in. Buy, bottled water, coke, chips, lollies and anything else you think you will need. They have everything including sunscreen, mossie repellent (Pink bottle... AUTAN), shampoos, just like a regular supermarket. So don't take too much with you! Its all dirt cheap over there.




*In the "Baby" Isle (where all the baby stuff is), you will see a product in a small clear bottle, blue lid called "Nuvo" Hand Sanitizer. This is your new best friend. Buy a few bottles of this stuff (about $0.75c) Use it all day every day, especially when you are shopping, before and after you eat, touching money, water etc. It helps with any germs.

Makro Store:
Situated on the Denpasar bypass Rd to Sanur. At Makro you will be able to stock up on many everyday items available in "Bulk" Great if you have a large family or there are a few of you. Makro stocks everything from electronic equipment, fridges, Microwave ovens to noodles, beer, soft drinks, water, fruit and vegetables. They also have a great range of Lollies ( Sweets ) for the children, pens pencils etc. You have to pay 1,000Rp entrance fee p.p. ( in 2001, may be a little more now. ) They will not permit any bags or camera's into the store. There is a taxi rank outside the store in the car park. Situated app 10 mins from Kuta and 15 mins from Sanur it's well worth a visit..... ( Check they take your credit card before entering or have at least 500,000rp in cash on you. hehe


Bringing back Food :
I have brought back sauces , spices and tinned fruit juices unavailable in Australia ( like soursop ) for cocktails. Generally anything that is unopened and in an air tight container are fine to bring back to Australia.

Markets:
The BEST place to barter. You will find one of the largest outdoor markets at Kuta. Remember to bring cash as not many of the market stalls have credit card facilities. You will find that there are hundreds of small shops , all selling similar things , a great place to try out your new found bartering skills. Wood carvings , silver wear , cassette's / CD's , T-shirts and sarongs are a few of the items laid out to tempt you. Generally the t-shirts are copies and therefore bring a cheaper price than the originals , however , they do make great last minute gifts for friends stuck at home. For as little as 20,000 Rp each , you can bring an arm full home and the quality is still very good.


Designer Stores:
Stores like : Reebok , Nike , Hugo Boss , Animale are just the tip of the iceberg for what's available in Kuta Square the location of the largest grouping of Name brand apparel shops on Bali. As these shops have to compete with the markets just outside their doors , you will find specials and sales on all year round. Some of the sales are up to 50% OFF and in some cases for old stock , 70% OFF. Although there is NO bartering involved ( Phew you say ) The prices offered are 1/4 to 1/2 what you would pay at home. The stores are also air conditioned and are worth a pop in just to have a browse and cool off.




Department Stores :
Larger stores in Denpasar however the one above Matahari's in Kuta square and JL Legian in Legian, have a great range. Great place to get a good Idea of the local prices for goods. They also have an honest money exchange counter with good rates. [ Well worth a visit.] You can purchase a dress / trousers from the racks , at very good prices , and have them altered for free while you wait. Ladies will love the prices of the cosmetics, under ½ price and they are the real thing [ Revlon , Clinique and most of the famous brands.]




TimeZone Game's arcade :


If you have kids this could be a good answer to some free shopping time. Both Time Zone game's arcade's are located at the Matahari department stores. Kuta store ( Kuta Square ) on the top floor ( 4Th floor ) and in Legian its on the ground floor.( Matahari store JL Legian ) They are very cheap @ under 20c Australian a Token. OR 1,000Rp ea. Great chance to leave the teenagers with 20-30,000 Rp ( $6-$7AUS ) while you shop in the department stores and they will have 20-30 games , which should give you over an hours shopping. ( The same games in Australia are $1AUS ea go.


Footwear:
A pair of sandals and a sturdy comfortable pair of joggers or walking shoes. If you are going off the beaten track , a pair of hiking boots are highly recommended. Shoe sizes in Bali are smaller than western size's.


Ladies Clothes sizes :
Keep in mind that the Asian people are fairly small and there fore the size range available is from tiny to medium build , Although there are a growing number of stores stocking larger ( Western sized apparel ) You may have to shop around for the bigger size's

Men's Clothes sizes :
Not as big a problem as the Ladies have ... there is a larger range of extra large male attire.


Kid's Clothes :
What a range , you will not have any problem finding clothes for your kids & teenagers OR your entire neighborhoods kids. The Balinese people adore children and they more than show this in the 100's of designer clothes labels available for children. Great choices at the markets as well Bumbag / Money belt.

As the value of the Rupiah is falling , you will need something to keep your exchanged money in and I found a "bumbag" or "money belt" very handy. You can either take one with you OR purchase one there for Rp 10,000 or less.

Look for the guys that charge NO commission and ask again when you are in the shop if there is a commission. Be wary of any money changer offering a surprisingly high exchange rate. Take them on if you wish but be the last to count OR touch your money , as soon as you are handed the cash for the last time and before you walk out the shop...count it again!!! Understand before you start exchanging money with money changers , exactly how much you will receive back.

Travel insurance :
A must . From as little as $70 AUS per person , you can cover yourself for 8 days travel ( Whole Family cover is available ) If you are from Australia and travel frequently , ask about Executive travel insurance. This will cost around two times more than a fortnights family insurance , however it will cover you AND your family for a full 12 months. [ Including internal travel. IE : those Easter or Christmas holidays interstate.]

Duty Free :
There isn't much at the airport in Denpasar and what there is , is the same price as you would pay at an Australian airport prior to departure. So If you would like to have that bottle of scotch , rum or whatever in your room , I suggest you get it before you leave Australia. Especially if you like wine. ( red or white ) Wine is VERY expensive in Bali. Perfume/Aftershave , although it is available in Bali , the perfume on the streets is a copy and at times bad copies. Any electronic gear. There isnt a great range available in Bali and what is available is either the same price or a little under. [ Its best to spend the extra $10 and have the warranty in Australia.] If you smoke , get them in Australia as well , although there are now export cartons of Winfield blue and B &; H available in Bali for around $12 a carton they aren't quite the same flavour.


Buying Furniture :
The moisture content ( humidity ) in the air in Bali is very high , so unless you come from a tropical area with a high moisture content , be carefull not to purchase things with large wood panels. This is because , once you get it home it will start to dry out and large splits may start to appear due to the lack of moisture. If you can , buy teak but make sure it is teak and not treated pine OR buy kiln dried timber to avoid the cracking. ( this maybe hard as they will claim everything is kiln dried ) Unless you pay a large price for quality dont buy a dining table , they tend to fall apart at home. Warning: If you plan to order things to be made. Don't pay for it until you have seen it packed in the container and definitely be there for the packing and closing of the container.

Medical:
Tourist Medical Centre
Bali International Medical Centre (BIMC) was opened on the July 1998 and has been established primarily for tourists, travelers and expatriates living on Bali. This international standard medical facility, operated by Australians, is centrally located just five minutes outside the main Kuta area, between Nusa Dua and Sanur
Their home page is at : http://www.bimcbali.com
BMC Address in Bali is

Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai No 100
Kuta, 80361, Bali
Tel :62-361- 761263 Fax :62-361- 764345

First Aid Kit / Bali Belly :
A kit similar to what you may have in the car. Something small that may contain "immodium" anti diarrhoea tablets , "charcoal" tablets taken if Bali Belly is suffered, "dettol" ( antiseptic ) for cleaning any cuts and abrasions, panadol, anti fungal powder, insect repellant , some burn cream ( for relief from sunburn ) and some bandaids. There are chemists in Bali , however not all drugs are available. *** If you can, take a bottle of Raspberry Juice Cordial usually found in the "Cascade Brand" in Oz.( Not Raspberry Flavour ) For some reason this has been proven to help prevent and cure stomach problems. "Bali Belly" It worked for us.

Your Dr, Before you depart
If you are in any way worried about what you may catch in Bali , a trip to your local GP will help with any prescribed drugs you may wish to take and he will be able to help with any recommended Inoculations that maybe required by your country. ( Malaria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A & B are recommended if you are going to visit remote areas of Bali. )

Things to Avoid !!!!!



Immigration :
Make sure that when you fill in the immigration form and you proceed through custom's in Bali , that when you are given a small piece of the form ( COPY ) back in your passport that you don't LOSE it as this may cost you a major headache and some cash when you go to leave Bali. You need it then !!!

Don't makes jokes about anything during the customs / immigration process.  They do not take this lightly.

Local Water :
Do not under any circumstances drink the water. Do not brush your teeth in it, do not open your mouth in the shower. Bottled water is very cheap from the supermarket and is available in 4 Ltr down to 300 ml sizes. Drinks with ICE , I have never had a problem drinking drinks with ice but I dont eat the ice after the drink is finished.

When Bargaining:
Never make an offer on a item with no intentions of purchasing it. Once you have made an offer , you have started the negotiation process to acquiring the item. ( commonly known as bargaining ) It's a very big insult to NOT purchase the item once you have made an offer. Especially if you get the item down to the price you offered.

Hawkers :
If you are walking the streets and you dont want to be hassled by the street hawkers , avoid looking at their wares and eye contact with them ... be polite , say no thank you , smile and keep walking. At times they have also been known to call you in your room about tours etc because you filled out some form at reception. Just politely say "No thanks". This is quite a common occurrence in Bali. Don't be surprised if the driver the hotel sends to pick you up at the airport is part of a tour company and calls you during your stay to talk to you about tours you should book.


Please remember, trying to sell things to tourist is a way of life in Bali so it is important that you accept this is the way things are and are prepared to be hassled somewhat.



Arguments :
Avoid a heavy confrontation with the locals. This is seen as a loss of self control and is looked down upon in Asia.




Drugs :
DONT !!! Its very simple...don’t buy any drugs from locals , this includes marijuana. The police have locals that will sell you the drugs, pocket the money and then report you , get the drugs back from the police and resell them to another sucker. The penalties in Bali are VERY severe and the prison certainly isn’t a luxury condominium. Be especially aware in the disco’s in and around Kuta. Take precautions when drinking late at night in these areas and if you are a lone female – watch your drink at all times.

Alcohol:
The local beer in Bali is Bintang.  It is a very nice beer and very cheap.  Be careful not to get yourself completely intoxicated in Bali.  This is very frowned upon and you could end up literally anywhere.  Spirits are sold in Bali but are not cheap and often watered down.

Alone at night :


Avoid the back streets if you are under the influence – Male and Female. Although I have never had a problem travelling at night , I have never travelled the back streets drunk either. It's just a precaution I think is worth mentioning. The streets are very safe in Bali if you stick to main thoroughfares.


Bag Snatchers:
This is certainly not the norm and nothing to be worried about but unfortunately there are more and more petty crimes in Bali. Avoid walking on the footpath with a bag over the same shoulder as the road is on. There are reports of people on motor bikes riding past and grabbing your bag from your shoulder and riding off into the sunset while you are picking yourself up off the road. While on the subject - take care of your bumbag and watch out when little children surround you selling postcards and beads.




Balinese rice offerings :
The streets at night will be littered with good luck offerings to the gods by the Balinese people. Its nice to avoid standing or kicking their offerings. I think Its a basic politeness to respect their belief's.

Eneven Footpaths:
Watch your footing on the footpaths in Bali. The concrete is often not too stable and very uneven.


Car Insurance :
Don't drive a car or ride a bike without insurance. Insurance is obtained from the point of hire. Also carry the vehicle's registration papers with you at ALL times.

Finally:
The above mentioned “Things to avoid” are a precautionary warning and although some of these things do happen, you would have to be very unlucky for it all to happen to you. Most of it is common sense to the seasoned traveler but I would rather mention some of the "pitfalls" of travelling to a 3rd world country than have you discover them without a warning or the ability to take precautions.




Do NOT tell the locals this is your first trip, say you have been there before. Otherwise they will hassle you a little. Everyone will ask you this question & also what hotel you are staying at.


This is the basics ..... the most important stuff and will get you through your trip.





Emergency Use


If you have an emergency, go directly to the
Australian Consulate.  Jl. Prof. Moh. Yamin Kav. 51,

P.O. Box 243, Renon, Denpasar Tel. 0361-235092 or 235093, Fax 231990.

Western Medical Centre
Bali International Medical Centre (BIMC)
Jalan by Pass Ngurah Rai No 100X
Kuta, 80361, Bali