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Bali Tips and Hints
 
These notes are intended mainly for first time visitors to Bali but may contain useful information for all.
The notes are also for guests  at Bali Holiday House but feel free to print them off.
If you ask advice from regular Bali visitors you will get a variety of answers, the opinions expressed here are purely my own.
 
Weather
The weather is hot the whole year,  daytime temperatures of 30°C in the daytime and 25°C at night. The major difference is the humidity, which in the wet season can be very high and uncomfortable.
The wet season is usually November to March. However El Nino has changed the timing slightly.
During the wet season the typical pattern is torrential rain showers lasting about 1/2 hour, fortunately they are often at night or late afternoon leaving the days clearer for tourist activities.
If it is raining a good idea to get a driver and do some shopping.
Even in the wet season there can be several days of sunshine with no rain at all and conversely in June and July the dry season there can be rain.
 
Money and What to take
Most people take cash.  All major currencies are easily exchanged Au$, US$, £, €, ¥. The place I ALWAYS change my money at is P T Kuta Central, they have big blue and red signs. The main office, more like a bank, is about 400m from Bemo Corner, away from the beach. Large amounts of cash can be exchanged at the main office. P T Kuta Central also have agencies in Kodak shops.  They give a print out of your transaction and you can count your money as many times as you like. I have NEVER known them to be wrong. NEVER go to money changers at the back of shops or in dingy places or those that offer higher rates than any one else. They will rip you off. They have quicker hands than a magician and money just vanishes under the counter.
 
Money -Indonesian bank notes
Indonesian money has many 0000's and some of the notes are similar colours, the 10 000Rp and the  100 000Rp are shades of reddish purple. Take time to check when you are paying and receiving change. I keep large denominations in one pocket and small in another. I also never bring out wads of cash so that sellers can see. I try to take out just what things cost.
 
Money - ATMs
ATMs are easy to find. Beware they operate slightly differently in that the card comes out after you have taken your cash and finished the transaction. You would be surprised at the number of cards left in the booths. Most ATMs have a low amount you can take in any one transaction, sometimes as low as 1 250 000RP ( about AU$140 ). My bank charges Au$4 for every transaction so getting a decent amount of cash costs. I can get the equivalent of AU$1000 in UK and USA fir AU$4 fee but in Bali it costs AU$36.
 
Money - Credit Cards
Most major stores take Credit Cards. Some shops charge 3% but Crrefour and Matahari do not. I always tell my bank I will be in Bali and they watch for any fraud.
 
Money - at the villa
The villa is very safe and the family totally honest. I only take out what I need for the day and lock the rest in the wardrobe. Note Balinese have a lock fetish - locks on everything.
 
General supplies
Almost everything is available in Bali and cheaper than UK, Oz, USA and Europe ( except cameras, computers and electronics). The supermarket near the villa is very good and caters for westerners as there is a huge ex-pat community in the area. When you want w larger selection there is Carrefour in Sunset Road or Hypermart in Bali Galeria.
 
Medication
Medication is readily available and many prescription drugs can be bought over the counter. They will often sell you a couple of tablets rather than the whole packet ( Balinese cannot afford to buy full packets ). New Guardian Chemists are opening all over the place.
 
Drinking Water
DO NOT drink the tap water. Drinking water is provided at the villa in the cooling machine. I use the drinking water to clean teeth. Ice etc in restaurants is regulated they MUST use bottled water.
 
Bali Belly
Fortunately, with the regulation of drinking water and ice, Bali Belly is not as common now. There are medications available - it may be a good idea to have some ready - just in case. Many cases of Bali Belly are merely the result of change in diet when on holiday, possibly eating spicier food and  more fruit etc. Really Bali Belly should be called Travel Belly as many tourists get minor stomach ailments wherever they travel.
 
Traffic
Traffic is horrendous. I think there are traffic rules but I have not managed to work out many. Where one lane is marked several cars will travel side by side. Motor bikes weave in and out of minute gaps. Cars and motor bikes are within centimeters of each other. A motor bike may have a whole family of 4 or 5 on board. Everything is carried on motor bikes including beds. 
Basically close your eyes. The Balinese operate to their own rules, they know what is going on even if it looks like chaos.
Think seriously before you decide to drive yourself.
 
Crossing the road
Crossing the road is an experience  and a skill you develop very quickly. When you see a small gap step out and SLOWLY cross the road waving your hand as though drying nail polish,motor bikes and cars will go around you. NEVER DART across the road it confuses drivers and riders - you must be predictable in where you are heading.
 
Clothing
Most people only take casual clothing and footwear, sandals or thongs ( Oz for flip flops ), and lightweight clothing. Clothing is cheap in Bali but sizes can be a problem, a ladies size 8 is extra large in Bali! Large European sizes are difficult to find. They are available in the more expensive outlet stores. Some tourists who go to the most expensive restaurants do take more formal clothing.
 
Transport
Transport is cheap in Bali. Wayan Kodang, phone 081 337 569 165, will give you great rates. As with all drivers negotiate a price BEFORE you get in the car. Wayan's rates are 350 000Rp for up to 5 hours and then 50 000Rp for every extra hour. His prices are all inclusive you will not be asked for fuel money at the end of the trip.
 
Taxis
Taxis are very cheap and I use them all the time when going around Kuta. Always make sure they use the meter, it starts at 5 000Rp. If they do not switch on the meter get out. Bluebird taxis have the best reputation. I usually arrange for Wayan to drop me off in Kuta and then phone him up 1/2 before I want to come back. For guests at Bali Holiday House a mobile phone is provided to contact Wayan.
 
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in restaurants etc as is common in the USA. Remember the basic wage is about $3 a day. At restaurants I usually round the bill up to the next 10 000Rp. Some restaurants charge a 10% tax and 11% service fee.
 
Souvenirs
There is a great selection of things to buy. ALWAYS BARGAIN at markets and many shops except those displaying "fixed prices" and major stores. Along Sunset Road, near Carrefour there are a number of souvinier outlets that are very cheap and popular. Prices at these places are very competitive. Geneva in Jalan Seminyak has two huge floors of all the things found at the markets and is well worth a visit. Siver jewellery in Bali is good value.
 
Wine and spirits
Wine and spirits are expensive in Bali because they are taxed very heavily. Whisky is $90 to $100 a bottle. Average Australian white wine $40 a bottle. In my opinion the local wines are not worth considering. The local saki, rice wine at about 40% proof is Ok if used as a mixer.


 
 
Bargaining
Bargaining is a way of life and EXPECTED at markets. I have written more about it further on.
 
Street Sellers
Some people find the sellers annoying, especially in Kuta . They have mellowed in the last few years. The best thing is to put your hand up in a "stop" signal or simply ignore them. Do not make eye contact. Mostly they will just ask once for you to buy but there are some persistent ones in Jalan Legian that offer stupid prices to attract you. The more aggressive sellers are said to be Javanese.
Bear in mind that if the stall holders do not sell much in a day their family will have little food to eat.
 
Time share sellers
They are mostly in Kuta near Matahari - they offer lucky cards - ignore them. Sometimes they say they are doing a tourist survey - after you get a phone call from time share people.
 
Laundry
Plenty of laundry places around and very cheap. For guests at the villa Wayan junior or Alit will take washing down for you. Don't forget you are welcome to use the washing machine.
 
Mobile phones
Mobile phones, called hand phones in Bali, are quite cheap or you can take you own, unlocked, to Bali and get a sim card put in for 20 000Rp or 50 000Rp. Texting to Oz is cheap, phone calls can be more expensive. I use Skype on the computer. Other to that there are Wartels ( telephone shops ) less popular now that computers have become popular. Free WiFi spots are very common. For Bali Holiday House guests a hand phone is provided so you may contact Wayan, extra "pulsa" can be purchased for your own use.
 
Departure tax
Departure tax is now 150 000Rp per person. Don't forget your white departure card.
A great idea is to go to one of the lounges Dewi Lounge or Prada Lounge, both ask for 200 000Rp but will accept 100 000Rp per person.
I have heard that 150 000Rp is now the lowest they will accept.
The lounges have free food and drinks including beer and whisky. The seats are more comfortable than those outside They take your flight number and call you when it is time to board. Both have free WiFi.
 
Bargaining
Bargaining is expected except in fixed price shops ( they often display a notice "Fixed price" or "harga pas" ), department stores and supermarkets.
Bargaining is like a play acted out in good humour.
When bargaining always smile and make jokes.
 
I always check the price of things I intend to buy by looking in fixed price shops or asking at a few stall/shops before deciding on the shop/stall I will buy from.
 
Unique items such as carvings and paintings are difficult to price.
 
NEVER go to a stall and say " I like that" or "This looks good", the stall holder will know you are interested in the item and put the price up.
 
I act as though I don't want the item and casually ask the price.
I usually offer about 1/3 of the asking price.
 
The play goes like this.
 
Shopper, "How much is this?"
Seller, "500 000Rp"
shopper ( laughing ), "Wow that is expensive. What is the real price?"
Seller, "450 000Rp"
Shopper, "How about 200 000Rp?"
Seller, "I'll go bankrupt. 350 000Rp."
Shopper ( smile), "Still too much. 230 000Rp."
Seller, "Best price 300 000Rp."
Shopper, "No I don't really need it. 250 000Rp"
Note if there are two of us shopping one will act as though you don't need the item at all, or the colour is wrong etc.
Seller, "Morning price 260 000Rp."
Shopper, "No my best price is 250 000Rp."
At this point you could start to walk away. If the price is OK the seller will call you back. If your offer is too low the seller will let you walk away.
Once the seller agrees on YOUR price you are honour bound to buy.
 
There are several different price levels :-
 
Japanese price - the highest ( Japanese do not bargain too much ).
American prices - about 2/3 the Japanese price.
European prices about 1/2 the Japanese price.
Australian  prices about 1/3 the Japanese price (sellers know that Australians are used to bargaining in Bali and willnot pay the high prices.
Local price - tourists will NEVER get this price - less than 1/5 the Japanese price.
 
The first sale of the day is VERY IMPORTANT and is a sign of how lucky the seller will be that day. The first sale of the day is always offered at the very lowest price possible - just enough to make a profit. This is called "morning price". Following the first sale of the day the seller will brush all their stock with the cash for goo luck.
 
Remember if an object is a bargain to you it is a bargain even if you hear that someone else paid less for it. After all 10 000Rp may sound a lot but it is a little over AU$1.