In Reply to: HELP please Didiaust...... posted by bunbury gal on Tuesday, 10. January 2006 at 19:49 Bali Time:
I try not to bombard the rest of the readers by printing this very often so I mostly email it to new forumites - Here's the latest
DI's Do's & Don'ts
Last updated 29/10/05
Do Cut and Paste BTF information onto a word doc then literally paste sections into a small note book -sort into groups ie restaurants, tours, shops,language for basic survival, I also sorted into areas too like shops in Seminyak, Legian , Kuta & Ubud . I also took the larger info folder that I had gathered and I would look over it at night. In my book I also had a wish list and sizes of things - like cushions , kids measurements etc . I carried it almost everywhere with a trusty tape measure . I also had a space to write down names & addresses of shops etc that we would pass enroute to somewhere else- then I could go back later.
Do make a simple currency conversion table. Best to have rupiah to your currency.
Cheat Sheet to make conversion sheets http://www.oanda.com
and also Filo's sheets are great http://www.filosbali.net/CheatSheetsW.htm
Make up a couple as you will wear one out in the first few days . I keep mine in a plastic sleeve attached to an elasticised expanding string (just like the id tag some wear at work) or take a simple small calculator and simply divide the rupiah cost of the item by the rupiah exchange rate - this will give you the dollar cost eg cost 200000rp for dinner - exchange rate for $AU is 7100 - divide 200000 by 7100 and that's how much in $AU ie $21.17 aprox
Do take care when exchanging money . I only exchange in $100 lots so that all I have to do is add 2 ( 00's) to the exchange rate. If it is 7500rph to the $ you should get 750,000rph. There are many stories about cleaver money changers. I insist on large notes or I won't deal and I am always the last to touch the money. I do not chase an exchange rate to save a few dollars because you are often duped. Many recommend the Kodak shops to exchange.
Don't carry lots of cash - use the hotel safe - I used 2 small cheap wallets - I carried 5000's 10000's & 20000's in one and 50000's & 100000's in the other - I looked at the 50000 as nearly $10 - I didn't carry all my cards and licences etc only money and my Visa card or ATM card but not both at once - I have a Visa & a savings card and they are linked so if I lose one I can still withdraw money . I wear denim shorts and my wallets can be chained to my pockets or chained to my shoulder bag via silver curtain rings I have sewn in - very simple to do and I like having hands free.
Do remember that ATM'S don't return your card till after your money so if you take the money and forget your card it may ask do you want another transaction and anyone can press YES without needing to know your pin.
Register your travel plans with DFAT (Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade) https://www.orao.dfat.gov.au/orao/weborao.nsf/homepage?Openpage . Takes 4 or 5 minutes per person. Have your passport ready for reference.
Do take an extra bottle of water to get you through the airport formalities. Can be a long hot process sometimes. I always take a couple of ½ frozen bottles in one of those material thermo lined lunch bags.
Don't point your bags out to the airport porters - just go and retrieve your own and politely decline their help . If they do insist on carrying them payment should be no more than 5000rp or a gold coin per bag. . I believe the advertised rate is 1500rp per item.which is a pathetic amount as the sign is an old sign. It is rumoured that if you use porters when leaving Bali you may not get slugged with excess baggage.
I did use airport transfers the first time I returned after a long absence and I guess it was the safest but I would never again - so expensive $25 + p/p is what the TA will charge you . You can get a Taxi for 25000 to 40000. I am happy to pay my organised driver $10 - 75000 to know someone is waiting and I am leaving straight away. I have heard some amazing stories about waiting hours at the airport for other passengers to be found by the shuttle driver and those passengers have already left.
Don't convince yourself on the way from the airport that you are going to die in the traffic- enjoy the first time scenes and smells .- you will remember them for the rest of your life. Tell the kids to count how many bikes with 4 or more people on them.
Do try to use the reliable, metered taxis - the light blue ones. They have "Bluebird Group" on the windscreen and "Bali Taksi" on the doors. Always ask that the metre run and try to have a general idea how much it will cost - before you get in say 'how much to ---------?'. Before you leave your hotel ask how much might it cost - many guests or reception staff will know. Remember that light blues are not in every area so don't wait forever for a cab that's not going to come. I give all taxi's my business but I insist on the metre running or I negotiate a price.
Don't buy anything the first day - just look & smile - They can pick a new arrival a mile off - unless you
Do go to Geneva Handicrafts ASAP and there you can buy all sorts of things at fixed prices Jl Raya Kerobokan No 100 Kuta www.genevahandicraft.com Closed Sundays, Some people like to book the taxi to return & pick them up.
Do keep all dockets & receipts - not for exchange purposes but for future reference - esp if you intend to return- I make a list when I get home of addresses & phone nos etc This is how many of the forumites share their info.
Do find a driver you can feel comfortable with - not a pushy one - remember you are the boss you are paying for service. (I can recommend one you may want to contact and meet) he won't insist on taking you to all the places he gets commission on . If there were 4 of you using him for a day you could all contribute 75000 $11) per day and he would give you day trips - shopping trips and nice company ( Fuel has gone up so this may not be enough now). He will also drive you to a bank escort you in and sit with you while you change money safely. Let me know if you want the drivers details. We have used him each trip and trust him with our family's safety.
Do have at least 1 breakfast at La Luciola- On the beach at Pettitengget. Jl. Laksmana - to die for and worth it even if breakfast is included in your hotel tariff. (hash browns amazing).
If you are early rises like me visit the local markets on the corner of Jl Melassti & Jl Legian (big tin fence around it)amazing - I buyt fruit & flowers there and gifts of sweets for the hotel staff. I also buy the drivers a local newspaper.
If you go to Ubud go on to a little village called Tegallalang- amazing the prices and very unusual things - I bought xmas decorations (wood- very light) and lamp shades so cheap and lots of different things. About 15 minutes from Monkey Forest road. Beautiful scenery on the way too. Also an excellent place in Ubud for lunch is Cafe Wyan set in beautiful gardens .
Have plenty of beauty treatments and massages I never do it at home but so cheap . I usually use the Melasti Spa but that's cause it's where I sometimes stay. You can e-mail them spabali@biz.net.id for a list of treatments and prices.
Have the Sunday baked dinner at the Garden View Cottages Padma Utara phone 751559 and book - 45000 ($6.70) all you can eat . Also a Baked dinner at Bali Aussie Wed & Sun
Eat at as many places as possible some budget some more expensive .(The first time I went we mostly ate at the hotel - boy did I miss out) There are plenty of good places where it can cost you between $5 & $10 and some really amazing ones that will cost $20 + but here it would be $100 to $150. My favourites are Ma Jollys and Papas but there are so many . I have been to ones that are strongly recommended on BTF and been disappointed but as Darryl says 'you never never know if you never never go'
Do be aware that there are a number of seafood restaurants in Jimbaran Bay that are not very honest with their weight /scale system . Some people check them with a bottle of water - a 600ml bottle of water weighs aprox 600gms.
Do check out Bali Deli's website before you go - www.balideli.net .There are a couple of other good delis too - Mamma's Jalan Legian.They have all sorts of yummy goodies www.bali-mamas.com and also check out Dijon deli http://www.dijon-bali.com
Do get something made - there are many tailors recommended on BTF. Last trip I use one in Jl Padma called Komang Sri . I had 2 casual pant suits made - took the old favourite and tailor told me how much material to buy - in 2 different widths then off to Dempasar I went - each suit cost 180000 to have made up- took 3 days and were wonderful . I decided to buy nothing here just take photos and go to Bali each year . So if you see some one lurking in the ladieswear at Myers with a camera say 'hello Di' Only downfall with Komangs is it's not AC
Don't be frightened to have conversations with all - the young people love a yarn even with a "mature gal" - all a chance to learn and practise their English
Do decide to learn 1 simple phrase each day . perhaps start with 'Nama saya_ _ _ _ ' 'My name is _ _ _ _' or 'lihat saja' - only looking or 'terima kashi' - thankyou - there you are - 3 days worth as a starter
Don't be frightened to say no (tidak) and don't start bargaining if you don't intend to buy. If the seller agrees to your price it is expected that you will purchase and remember you are Bargaining NOT Bartering (unless you swap something)
Don't stress over 1000 or 2000 rupia -it's only 20 or 30 cents but one or 2 meals to the person you are trying to bargain with.
Don't end up sounding like those pitiful people you will hear bragging about how much they paid for things. It's fun to get a bargain but the bragging sometimes means that a child eats one less piece of fruit or goes without shoes one more month
If there are no tea making facilities in your room go to the Matahari or Bintang Supermarket in Seminyak and buy a plastic jug or a cup prong (I take some teabags and equal with me and an old mug ).
Do consider buying a power convertor ( Euro adaptor ) as only 220 volt not like Aus 240 volts. Most rooms only have enough points for things already in the room so consider taking a double adaptor or small power board to charge mobile phones, cameras etc. Can purchase at large bag shops , some say also at Matahari.
Don't take too many "good clothes" it's very casual and very hot and you will buy plenty there. I head straight to the tailor and in 3 days I have new clothes. I take some older clothes wear them the last few days & leave them there.
Don't be like me the first trip and wash everything out in your room - getting the laundry done is a couple of dollars - so get it done every couple of days.
Do take a couple of pairs of swimmers/costumes as they take a while to dry. I also take an old thin beach towel and leave it there too.
Do get a map of the vicinity of your hotel with a few blocks of streets and carry it with you esp the first few days.
Don't buy 12 pairs of ' Reboks' like I did and carry them home only to find the sons & hubby won't even wear them fishing. The warning is try everything on and check the bag to see you are given the correct merchandise . I have had watches break as soon as I clipped them on BUT I have some watches still going since 1999.
Do be aware you will on many occasions be offered a free gift or similar (timeshare seminars). It's up to you - you may wish to sit through a 2 hour presentation. You can say 'sudah membeli' (already bought) or if they have the survey say 'sudah menulis' (already filled it out).
Do consider carefully before getting Henna Tattoos as there are many chemicals substituted for henna including a toxic chemical/dye called phenylenediamine- PPD. Many people have reported serious skin reactions but this poison may also affect other organs. Some forumites have reported hospitalisation.
Do carry tissues or toot paper everywhere - it is constantly improving but some places still don't provide it.
Don't be frightened to buy from Ricky Martin, Mel Gibson or Bob Hop - just jot down all the beautiful names and it's a great memory trigger later. Hello Vera and Gordon Blu are 2 of my favourites and another was my driver hearing a young bloke his age saying to his friends 'I'm Knacked!' and Buda says to me 'No he's not - he's got clothes on'
Don't take heavy fancy designer suitcases. I weighed my nice new suitcase to discover it was 7.4kilos. I sure ditched it when going to Bali . I now take large foldable zip up ones so lightweight I can bring 7 more kgs back .
Do take a couple of material shopping bags- I have a wonderful shoulder bag that holds as much as 3 plastic bags and my hands are free
Do take travel space bags - amazing what you can pack into them.
Do consider using a mobile phone but check to ensure that your sim card is not blocked by your provider( you will be unable to use another sim). Global roaming can cost a fortune so not a good option. I take an 'old' mobile & purchase a Bali Sim card available everywhere - you get a new phone number . For 50000rp you get 20000rp to 250000rp credit but can top up . Overseas sms aprox 500rp - Local sms 300rp . O/S calls 6000 rp per min - Local 1300rp per min. All aprox . To call Bali +61 to call home +62 drop 0 then the number
Don't drink the tap water or clean your teeth in it . Be careful of using straws in some sus places - there have been claims that some places recycle straws. Ice is safer now but drinks floating in the large blocks of ice & slurry in eskys is to be avoided.
Do take a set of floaties for your child as some pools are not too kiddie friendly.
DON'T buy any drugs from strangers on the streets or in pubs - many are undercover police -' don't be a drip forget the trip' and be satisfied with getting pissed. Drunkenness does not carry the DEATH PENALTY .
ENJOY! ENJOY!