In Reply to: HELP - FIRST TIMER NEEDS QUESTIONS ANSWE posted by kellysgoingtobali on Wednesday, 18. February 2009 at 16:05 Bali Time:
Hi there kellysgoingtobali, Have a wonderful trip. I am going back in September for my 20 something time over the past 25 years and can't wait. I'm guessing you are staying in Sanur - too far away from the Hustle & Bustle for me but nice.
You are right, should have no problem if you change money at the Kodak shops or any reputable Money changers. Plenty around, avoid the little shops that advertise a higher rate - not worth it.
The last 2 trips I have taken a stroller ($30.00 odd bucks from target) same one has done both trips & is still going strong.
Bartering - (and yes this is what are told what we are doing when trying to get a good price from the Balinese people - not bargaining)
I was told in one of my very early trips to always divide the starting price by 4 and start there at 1/4 of the original then go from there and don't go over 1/2 unless you really want it or feel that it is a reasonable price. And yes it has worked as a great guide. Once you buy something you can always try purchasing from another stall and bettering your previous price though.
Conversion - you could write up a little ready reckoner that you can keep on you for reference before you go. Myself I just mentally convert @ either 7,000 or 7,500 Rupiah which I find easy now but remembering back we did a ready reckoner the first couple of trips and then moved on to the mini calculators but don't bother with either now.
Baby Sitting - A lot of Hotels offer Babysitting services and if you search the Forum you should be able to get a number of great babysitters from previous posts.
Money bags ; Well I do still use this some days. I don't find myself getting surrounded by children now like I did in the mid nineties (was horrific back then) but still would always Hold on to the front of my money belt if this was to happen. Something I have not encountered in more recent times but maybe I have just been lucky.
I watch the exchange rate and it has been sitting between 7,000 and 7,500 Rupiah with variances both ways at times.
Anyway Good Luck and Enjoy. Maxy