Posted by jg on Saturday, 10. October 1998 at 08:42 Bali Time:
In Reply to: up-coming trip to Bali posted by Susan on Friday, 9. October 1998 at 21:09 Bali Time:
just pack the bare minimum - you will need the extra room in your suitcases on the way back !!! Casual clothes is all you need 95% of the time, and these are so cheap in Bali, so you don't need to bring much.
As for money - my personal preference is cash & ATM cards, all the hotels provide safes, so you can keep your cash there.
Tipping - the hotels add 21% service charge, but as most food ect are so cheap by western standards, I found myself tipping most places. Afterall, the people there are so nice you just can't help to fall in love with all of them, and leaving a tip of Rp5,000-Rp10,000 after a meal means little to me ($1) but to them is a lot of money.
Safety in Bali was of no concern to me - I walked around Kuta & the beach late at night on my own (35yo male) but I never felt as there was any danger - yes, you will get offered ANYTHING, but if you say no, they soon leave you alone again.
The most important thing to remember when in Bali is that what makes it such a magical place is the local people, make sure you take every opportunity to talk to them - the waiters at the resturants, the barmen, the shop keepers ect - the more you get to know them, the more you will enjoy your trip.