In Reply to: not looking forward posted by polgara on Wednesday, 20. April 2005 at 05:43 Bali Time:
Hi Polgara,
A couple of hints for you to get yourself adjusted.
Firstly your friend who went in January probably picked the worst time regarding the weather. As it is smack bang in the middle of the wet season the humudity can make place seem even hotter than it is. As you are going at the start of the dry season you will find the humidity (while still there) nowhere near as demanding. If you avoid any long walks or shopping during the middle of the day, the weather won't be a problem.
As for the hawkers and street sellers we were told on our first trip (some 9 trips ago) for the first couple of days venture out in the early evening. This is becuase of the following:
a) it's cooler
b) alot of the real pesky street hawkers etc have headed home
c) the store owners are alot more relaxed once the sun had gone down and the heat of the day has dissapeared. You tend to see the kids out the front of the shops playing which is great to stop and play along
Get yourself a couple of local t-shirts, shirts etc on these early night trips and when you are then ready to head out in the day wear that stuff. You will find that the local hawkers won't be anywhere near as pesky as they will look at you think you have been on the island for a couple of weeks and just offer you their wares and walk away after you say no thank you. The hawkers and time share salesman etc tend to go after the newbies who they feel they can get the best deal out of.
The above worked a treat for us. With a tan after a couple of days by the pool and some local clothes etc the locals were happy with a simple no thank you.
Enjoy your holiday.
DST