In Reply to: First time traveller to Bali posted by IanDurrant on Thursday, 25. May 2006 at 20:51 Bali Time:
Hey Ian,
I'll be travelling over to Bali from the UK (the Channel Islands) mid June too, but I've been quite a few times before so can try to answet some of your questions!
You can change sterling with no problem in Bali, whether it is actual sterling notes (I'd take £20's, £50's might be too big to change in some places) or sterling travellers cheques. Just be extra careful when you do change money at the money changers - work it out before you go on a calculator or on your phone, and count it before leaving the shop, as there are a lot of scams going on.
The nightlife has been quieter than it was before the bombings, but I was there on and off for three months last summer and there are some places that are just always busy e.g. Paddies, Embargo, Bounty, Apache the reggae bar. If you want a good night out, I'm sure you'll find one. I was there in October when the last bombs went off, and the nightlife was extremely quiet the following week (people were just a bit scared to go out really) but I'm hoping that it has picked up since then. I've got a couple of local friends that have texted me and have said that the nightlife is picking up quite a bit.
As for seeing the island, a driver is a good idea (you can get one for the day from 250,000rp+) - the price depends on what you want to see, how far you want to go, and how much you bargain. I know that petrol prices have been hiked recently so you might havw to pay a little more. You can hire a car/jeep yourself, and I have heard people saying that the riads arent *as* bad once you clear the mayhem of Kuta, but the roads are still pretty mad everywhere to be honest. I know that La Walon Bungalows on Poppies 1 hires its jeep out at a fairly reasonable rate. Just be prepared to pay the cops bribes when they stop you (common practice with tourist drivers).
As for the World Cup, there is a pretty good 24 hour sports bar next to the Secret Garden on Poppies 1. Otherwise, the Stadium in Kuta is meant to be pretty good for the footie.
Oh, and as for malaria - you dont really have to worry as Bali and Java are the only areas of Indonesia that arent considered risk areas for the disease. If you go to Lombok, there is more risk. Still be pretty vigilent in Bali with your repellent though as dengue fever can still be caught in Bali, and that is pretty dangerous (potentially fatal).
I'm sure you will have a wicked time, I absolutely love Bali - I went backpacking for 5 months last year to loads of amazing places, but Bali is still my favourite place in the world. if you have any specific questions before you go, feel free to email me (just click on my name and remove the no spam bit). I'll reply until the 13th, when I set off myself!