In Reply to: Bali 1st Timer posted by SheilaDownUnder on Sunday, 30. March 2008 at 20:34 Bali Time:
There is nothing I know of which is quite like your first arrival in Bali. The warmth, the smells, the sounds and the sights will all assail your senses. Make sure you are alert to them and they will stay with you for years and brink a smile to your face and warm feelings.
Within an hour or two the friendly Balinese people will make you feel at home and any fears will evaporate. Just be as cautious as you would be when you go out at home and be aware that you are in a different country with different values about some things. Even if you make a small slip in manners the Balinese will understand and accept and forgive instantly. They will have seen it all before.
Declare all your wooden stuff and put it in one bag so it's easier and quicker for Customs to check. Tap stuff as you buy it and look for fine dust that might fall out onto a clean surface and for small borer holes. If you see any do not buy that piece; the cost of fumigation is too frightening. Even fumigating it yourself with flyspray and sealing it in a tight plastic bag will not save you at Customs if they find it - and if you try to hide anything and it shows up on their x-rays they will almost shred your luggage looking for it, or anything else they think you might be trying to conceal. Hours later when they let you go you'll realise it was not worth it.
Do not try to bring back any bannana products (usually leaves in photo album covers) or hyacinth river weed which is often woven into fabric products such s cushion covers and table runners. It looks like a piece of smooth brown string.
Any spices that just might have a smidgen of life in them will be confiscated as will any that are not in a clear, labeled and sealed bag.
The Dynasty is great (there is only one a far as I know but it trades under two names as do many such businesses) but occasionally attracts groups of young people who can't hold their booze and pester guests who can. At these times avoid the vicinity of pool bars! Hotel management of course will not want to interfere with the 'pleasures' of any guest so you'll probably be on your own when you complain. This can happen at any hotel of course and is worse at the end of the football season.
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