In Reply to: 20 questions posted by Punk_Mum on Tuesday, 30. September 2008 at 11:28 Bali Time:
Hey there punk mum,
Just got back last week from our first time in Bali. All members of the forum were so kind to me before we left, so hopefully I can pay it forward to you, here goes.......
*Safari Park
I didn't go to the Safari park as our driver Sonny said that the Bali Zoo was a lot cheaper. We had an excellent time there and the meet and greet was awesome. They bought the animals into the open air restaurant and you could touch and hold all the birds, bats, baby sloth thingie?, Tupai (big furry fluffy looking animal) and the best was playing with the baby tigers. They give you time to hold them and take plenty of photos and once you pay to enter the park, there are no extra costs involved. I have heard that at some of the zoos over there, you have to pay extra for photos and to touch the animals, but it was all free here. I would absolutely recomend Bali Zoo for value for money.
*Phoning home:
Phoning home for us was a bit difficult for the first few days because no-one had told us about the dial tone in Bali. Their dial tone is the same as our engaged signal here in Australia. So therefore we thought that everyone was engaged every time we called. We printed off a page from the forum archives that was posted and took it with us for reference while we were there.
We took an old mobile that was not locked into a plan and bought a XL phone card over there. If you take the phone into one of the shops, they will do it for you. We rang home and talked to the kids every night using the "0100" number and our credit lasted a long time. If you want to check how much credit you have left, you can call *123# and it will show you on your screen. There is a delay over the phone line, and it will sound like it is engaged.....but just hold on a bit longer and you will get through. We got a good tip with the +61 and +62. If you think of Australia as being number 1 and 2 is Bali is your second home it makes it a bit easier. Definately take a copy of it over with you.
*Nice place to eat:
If you are looking for good value for money, We ate at a small restaurant called "The Gong" We had 4 main meals, 3 beers and a softdrink and it came to 102,000. Cant ask for more than that. A lot of young backpackers eat there as the meals are so cheap, so it is best to get there before 7pm as it gets packed out. If you dont like what you have ordered, you can afford to order something else! There is another restaurant called "Au Gong" but it is different. The gong is in the laneway in between Poppies one and Poppies two, near the Kuta Townhouses. We were with another couple who have food alergies and the cook was always happy to cook their meal exactly as ordered. We ate there 4 out of 8 nights that we were there. Great food and cheap cheap cheap.
*Designer goodies:
EVERYWHERE! I got stung on the first day with a handbag that I paid way too much for. I would recomend not to pay any more than 120,000 for a normal handbag, as this is the average going price(I wish someone had told me that before I went) You can probably get one cheaper if you are good at bartering. Please check all the zippers and where the handles are attatched as my first one fell apart in 3 days. So many beautiful bags to choose from. Would recomend looking for the first few days to check out the variety before buying one.
*Fixed prices:
There are two great shops that I know of that have fixed prices and are very cheap. It saves all the hassle of giong to many different shops to find what you are looking for and they are very helpful.
Ketut has a shop,
Ketut Nurani
Art Shop 14 (9)
JlSaha Dewa Gg.Sorga No.2
Legian Kelod Bali.
Ph (0361) 763410
This shop greets you with a cold bottle of water (free) and will get something in for you if they don't have it. All of the things in this shop are the same as most of the shops all over Bali. Her shop is down a small lane and a driver or taxi will know where it is.
In a lane on the opposite side of the road is a fixed price shop where you can get all of your Billabong, Roxy, Quicksilver etc. Average price for a Billabong shirt is around 45,000rph and is fixed. She is fantastic and has a wide variety all stacked in sizes so it is easy to find what you are looking for.She is known as "Miss Debbies"
Yanthi Clothing shop,
Saha Dewa St.No IA
Legion Kelod-Kuta-Bali
Ph (0361)759964 755320
081558004109.
We went to these shops and did most of the shopping in one morning and we saved a lot of time and money this way!
I would recomend looking around for a few days first and find what you want, and then get all your shopping there.Best thing I did in Bali and will do the same next time.
There is also another fixed price place to shop called Geneva.
If you are looking for gifts to take home for friend, this is great too. The bottom floor is full of furniture and then two more floors of handicrafts. Very cheap too.
3rd and 4th floor by elevator
Jl Raya Kerobokan 100
Kuta Bali Ph 62361 733 571
ph: +62 361 733 6374.
*A good driver:
We used a driver called Sonny.
home: 081 999 124 311
0361 7605545.
He was recomended to us by a friend who lives in Bali and has been using him for the past 8 years. He is very trustworthy and you can even leave you camera and wallet with him and he will guard it with his life. He speaks english very well and has a great sense of humor. We were driving along and singing songs with him. You dont need to worry about him ripping you off in price as he charges the going rate, and he is a pleasure to be with. If you use him, say hello from Sharon and Darren. We tookl him to the zoo with us as he has never seen the animals, and it was a blast to see! H had his first chicken burger!
*Ciggerettes:
The ones I think you are talking about are called 123's. They smell like a mixture of rollies and cloves and the taste of cloves stays on your lips for ages. A bit strong for me but worth trying for the experience.
*Weight for home:
Our friend lent us a set of fishing scales that were light weight and digital. We could weigh our luggage in our room and check how we were going along the way. Brilliant and not expensive at all!
Hope I have helped you in some way and not bored you to tears! Sometimes it's the little hints that help a lot. Hope you have a great holiday.
Sharon.
P.S. There are so many shops selling the Roman Sandals over there. They buckle up to the knees. Your sister will love them!