Help My nephew and neice are off to Bali for the first time and I'm trying to compile a list to give them some idea of what to do and not do any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated
ARRIVAL IN BALI
Have to get visa at airport in Bali on arrival $25US or around $32 AUS hop of plane walk quickly to the visa counter and pay money, move 2 steps and have visa stapled into your passport by another man, if a lot of people are lined up at this counter there is another just down a bit further on your left, continue on to customs, line up here smile nicely and have your passport stamped, continue through to baggage pickup, find right bags but be aware that porters will try and carry your bags for you, just politely decline as you will have to pay them if they do. Continue thru and find your transport to the motel.
MONEY CHANGING
Use only authorised changers I find that Kodak shops are the best to change money in or the moneychanger on Bemo Corner. Don't use the ones that offer a higher exchange than all the others as these are properly the dodgy ones and will charge commission. Be the last one to count your money as some of the moneychangers are like Houdini and can make notes disappears before your eyes.
Also there is a moneychanger in Matahari supermarket, which is fine.
Take a small calculator with you so that you can double check on the amount of money you are receiving.
The Kodak shop on the corner of Kuta Art markets we always find to be good and honest.
TRANSPORT
We take Blue bird Taxi's (Light blue) only or Bali Taxi's (Teal green) as we find that all of them are metered (ask if their meter works) just round the final fare up to the nearest 1,000 or so. Have small notes as most don't have change.
As for hiring a driver you only have to walk two steps out of your hotel and you will be asked numerous times if you want transport (negotiate with one of them for ½ day or full day rate) around 80,000 ½ day to 200,000 for full day.
EATING
You don't have to get dressed up to eat out just tidy shorts, t-shirt, sundress, sandals or thongs.
Melasti café just up from Bali Garden Hotel- not bad food reasonable price and entertainment every night.
Stadium bar good food reasonable price.
Ramayana on the corner near the kuta art markets good food reasonable price
Rajas near the entrance to Matahari s good food-reasonable prices
The bounty good food reasonable prices- try one of the cannonballs to drink even better if you get happy hour 2 for 1
Nagasari good food reasonable prices.
Indo national- Run and owned by 2 Aussie's Kerry and Milton good food reasonable prices and if you need a fix of good old Aussie food they will even do mashed potato and gravy for you.
Glory's great ribs but ring stingers other food is good as well they will pick you up and deliver back to the motel if you ring them in the hot little car worth it just for the ride in the car I'm sure the driver has more fun than us.
Pantai seafood on the beach down near the Dynasty Hotel good food-good prices and wonderful to watch the sunsets.
Poppies Restaurant in poppies 1- great food and good prices, lovely gardens
TJ Mexican in poppies 1 good food reasonable prices
Kories good food but a bit on the expensive side
Planet Hollywood Good food but expensive
Hard rock hotel Great food but expensive we usually go there last night as a treat but go in anyway and have a look at the pool.
Lots of other places to eat that are fine but to numerous to mention.
DO NOT
Do survey's or take prize cards off anyone in street as these are time share touts, you will get sucked into a 6 hour presentation on timeshare, they will tell you you have won a video camera or a free holiday to get you there DON'T GO.
Don't clean teeth in tap water use bottled water only and close your mouth when having a shower.
Do not take passport out on the streets with you leave it and your return plane ticket in the hotel safe.
Do not swim at Kuta Beach very bad rips and the lifesavers are more interested in the pretty blonde than an old person drowning in the sea and it's hard ducking the turds and floating rubbish.
Do not buy anything made with banana leaf, as customs in Australia will take it off you
Check all wood for borer holes.
I put any wood I purchase into a garbage bag and spray with baygon and leave for a few days sealed.
Don't carry large amounts of cash with you you can always go back to the motel for more money
ROADWORKS
Very bad at the moment, be aware at all times where you are walking don't get distracted looking into shops as you might end up to the neck in sh...... or skewered on steel pegs.
WHAT TO TAKE
Respect Good manners, Patience, Respect and a sense of humour
Bandaids Rid Tropical strength Imodium
Antiseptic Spray or cream Gauze bandage
Sunscreen very expensive in Bali Airsick Tablets
5 pr undies 3 pr shorts pair thongs or sandals
3 t-shirts sundress
3 singlets 2 sarongs
2 pr swimmers anything else needed you can buy there
CROSSING ROADS
Traffic in Bali is horrific with no road rules what so ever
Wait for a small break in traffic be decisive, step out, hold up hand to stop traffic, watching out for motorbikes coming up the inside of cars (I always find a small prayer at this time helps) and run like buggery until you are safely on the other side.
Don't take any notice of pedestrian crossings, as most drivers don't know what they are for.
At all times be aware but have fun and remember you are the visitor in someone else's country with completely different ways of life than ours.
We find that shopping until lunchtime then relaxing until 5 or so and then starting again is the best way, as you will wear yourself out in the heat
Try and use the toilets in the hotels or good restaurants, as mostly all others are squat loos that don't flush and just make you sick.
Put your wallet in front pants pocket and don't wear handbag slung over shoulder as motorbike riders can wiz past and yank it off your shoulder. I find wearing a small backpack on the front instead of back the best
regards
Kim