In Reply to: First Time posted by gails on Wednesday, 9. November 2011 at 16:16 Bali Time:
going for the first time and with a family. Hope this helps!
Simple Dos and Don't's For Bali
# Do have your $25 US ready as well as customs form filled out on plane
# Don't let the porters at the airport touch your bags at all, tell them politely but firmly 'Tidak' don't believe them if they tell you they are customs officers (they wear a uniform but its not customs) and do not pay them anything at all. Just say Tidak!
# If you need a taxi , go to the booth just out of the sliding doors at the airport and pay for your taxi there and you will get a ticket and pick a taxi to go with
q Do use the light blue taxis Blue Bird
q Do try these places Uncle Norms(Legian) good food, staff entertain kids with tricks, gadgets ect, band played every night from 8pm and food was good. 2nd choice was for lunch especially Green Garden Hotel(Kuta) - great burgers as well as everything else. then Kopi Pot great food, Sheppys for snacks. On the beach (Legian) Zanzibar is good
# Jimbaren Bay for Beach/Food experience in Bali is a must for first time, its mainly fish but they do have chicken. Go at sunset and take some beautiful pics
# Sunday you can go to Echo beach for a BBQ and music - great experience best to be there by 4.30-5pm as we came at 5.30pm and didn't get the best seats.We suggest you get a driver to take you about 150 -200.000 rp each way (for 7 of us in a van) and if you want him to wait for you you can work out a deal. Always ask him for best price with a smile hehe
# For a romantic meal for the two of you Ku De Ta is beautiful. Prices are Aussie price not bali but a posh atmosphere and the place where all the beautiful people go , dress nicely here.
# Do have a shot of rasberry juice every morning and after lunch or dinner if yr tummy is a bit upset so there will be NO BALI BELLY
# Do keep a bottle of water near the sink for brushing teeth - do not use bali water
# Do go to Ketuts for fixed price shopping if your not in the mood to barter.
She is down the Melasti end of Garlic Lane , when you get there ask forketuts shop its down a laneway and the last shop in the line.
# GENEVA is great for presents ,housewares ,jewelley and knicknacks get a taxi and he will take you (about 10 min ride)
# BALI SAFARI PARK is a must with kids book at your hotel or down the road from your hotel, ask around to get an idea of best price.
# Do bring a mortein mozzie zapper to use in your room if mozzies are a problem.
# Bring small roll on of Aerogard and small anti bac hand sanitizer and small UV cream for in your bag in case you get caught out and a bout( for a family I suggest you bring 2-3 sanitizers and replace as you use one up )
# Make sure at money changer s that you use your own calculator to work out how much you will get and count it out again your self before money is handed over. Ask others at your hotel where they go.
# Do get your departure tax money 150,000rp each changed early in your holiday and set aside in your room safe with passports so that you don't have to run around on your last day
q Do learn a few words in Indonesian (don't worry if you don't it took up to my third time before I would speak but its good fun )
o No - tidak
o Yes - ya
o Thank you - Terima kasih.
o Your welcome - sama sama
o What is your name? - Siapa nama anda?
o My name is... - Nama saya...
o How are you? - Apa kabar?
o Good - bagus
o Excuse me - permisi (said pearmisi good when you want a waiters attention or someone to move out of your way)
o food - makam
o drink - minum
o chicken - ayam
o fish - ikan
o pork - babi
o fruit - buah
o rice - nasi
o delicious - enak
o Bill - billnya
o Goodbye (to someone leaving) - selamat jalan
o Goodbye (if you're leaving) - selamat tinggal
o What's the price? - Berapa harga?
o How much? Berapa
o Expensive - mahal
o Cheap - murah
o I don't want (it) - Saya tidak mau
o I have no more money - sing la pis (this is not spellin just how you say it)
o Good morning (till ~ 10am) - Selamat pagi
o Good day (till ~ 3pm) - Selamat siang
o Good afternoon (till dusk) - Selamat sore
o Good evening (after dark) - Selamat malam
o Good night, sleep well - Selamat tidur
o Beautiful or pretty - indah
o if taxi beep beeps you - say ‘jalan jalan' meaning your just street walking
Enjoy your holiday!