I remember being a newbie and feeling so overwhelmed not knowing where to turn to find the basics. I hope that my tips help newbies out a little with a short cut to make your holiday sensational not just great.
Please note these are based on MY own personal experiences of MY FAVOURTE THINGS for you to weigh up and consider. I encourage all experienced forumites to post in their own thread on tips to show their personal perspectives rather than disagree here with my personal opinion.
First of all Bali is not fool proof. The battle of extreme good and evil is common in Bali. It IS possible to put your blinders on and dodge the ugliness of Bali entirely so that you can focus on the insanely special goodies available to you. Watch the forum daily. Remember that the more homework you put into your holiday the more rewarding it will be. Having a 'She'll be right attitude' on your Bali holiday is like expecting great results without having done your homework for a test. Education is key. You are already one step ahead by discovering this forum.
When I hear that someone didn't fall in love with Bali I am not surprised that they all stayed in the Kuta, Tuban or Seminyak areas. These areas may be great for a quick visit but they also need to balanced out with the real Bali. IMHO break out of your comfort zone and explore more than just one or two areas. This seems a bit difficult at times but I assure you the lifetime precious memories and experience will out shine the short term logistics.
Be aware that the traffic problem is increasing significantly and can spoil a holiday. Consider staying in the rural areas (the real Bali) or you will spend a lot of time of your precious holiday stuck in a car in the steamy heat feeling frustrated and drained. The traffic this time around was insane. Thankfully new roads are currently being built which should lessen the traffic jams in time :D
Bali is still on red alert for bombings which is another good reason to avoid crowded areas besides the fact that you get better service in quiet areas and there is less traffic.
Think carefully about the time of year that you intend to travel. The Aussie winters are a perfect time to escape to the blue sunny skies of Bali. Alternatively during the Aussie warm weather Bali experiences their wet season. This means that there is less sunshine with more dampening cloud, the traffic is worse due to flooding and the ground and steps are far more slippery. Many people do go at this time but be aware that you are spending a lot of money to for less than ideal conditions which many not offer first timers the best first impressions of Bali. Bali converts would say that any day in Bali is a great day:) This is a personal decision, just be aware if you have a choice.
Continue to do your home work on the forum to seek out those hotels with that special Bali magic and soak in the rewards. No where in the world has so much to offer on one small place. The Balinese should be deeply proud of their very special homeland.
There are a few 'sister' hotels in Bali, the Komaneka, Hyatt and Santrian group to name a few. It is a great way to experience another aspect of Bali for a free day visit as they are all unique. As they say a change is as good as a holiday!
Sunrise and sunset are the most spectacular times of the day in Bali. It is worth making the effort to plan ahead and pick your magical spot for these times. The beach path is especially stunning at 7am in the morning at Sanur. At 10am in Bali you will start to feel the heat so plan as many early morning activities as possible. Take a hint from the Europeans and have a siesta by the pool during the hottest part of the day.
Wherever possible for short trips hail a blue bird taxi and ask them to put on the meter for you. For longer trips hire a private driver to see the sights that suit you at your own pace. Resist joining an organised tour as you will find yourself stuck in hot traffic conditions picking up and dropping off all of the rest of your group which is very draining in heat and probably not how you envisioned spending your precious holiday time.
Bring plastic look-a-like wine glass on the plane. There is something very wrong about enjoying refreshments from a thin and thin plastic airline tumbler to kick start your holiday :P
You can use the ATM at the baggage collection area IF YOU WISH. Once you leave the air port terminal door turn left and buy some water. This will give you some tipping money for your suit case assistant at the hotel. Go to the right of the terminal door and look for the fixed price taxi stall. You could also deal with money changers near your hotel but this could also be a pitfall experience.
Do not let the porters take your bags unless you have small money to pay them. Beware, some drivers look like porters which makes things a little tricky.
If you do have the correct money they can be quite handy.
Travel light. Pack carefully for each activity. This takes planning and needs to begin many weeks ahead so I can have time to buy those extra pair cargo shorts or bathers or dresses that look dry even though we have just been swimming. Do use the laundry services in Bali. Your clothes will be returned to you looking better than when you first bought them :D
Do make yourself aware of the warnings about motor bikes, being offered or taking drugs, drinking alcohol (eg arak) health risks and take precautions.
Think twice, even thrice about driving in Bali even on motor bikes. Accidents are common especially for tourists who don't know the roads well.
Do take the health warnings seriously. Research your vaccinations carefully. It is possible to claim your vaccination costs on your insurance.
Do protect yourself from mosquitoes and Dengue Fever by using a 30% DEET spray AS WELL as taking Vitamin B tablets 2 weeks before you leave and while you are in Bali.
Be sun smart even more so than you would be at home. Sunburn is painful.
Pack antiseptic and band aids. We rarely use band aids at home but somehow we always seem to need them in Bali.
Do not drink the tap water. Take TRAVELAN tablets to protect yourself from Bali belly. Take new brightly coloured tooth brushes to remind yourself not to drink the tap water.
Be aware that Bali has been experiencing tremors from earthquakes. Be aware that running outside to see what is going on is a natural instinct but keep your distance from any tiles that might fall off the roof.
Buy yourself an SLR camera.
When you are having an out of body 'I can't believe I'm in paradise' moment pinch yourself soak it in then take a video of your surroundings and put it on your desk top at home. It is wonderful to feel those warm fuzzies all over again when you unexpectedly stumble across it on your desk top.
Pack reef shoes. Many of Bali's beaches have rocks or washed up coral which can be quite painful. Sea urchin's could potentially be even more painful.
Every time that you feel 'ripped off' just think about how much a similar thing would cost you at home and slap yourself on the hand for being so silly :P
Also think about how much better your experience would be if you put yourself in the other person's shoes. Once upon a time I feared intense overwhelming sellers. Now upon reflection I should have taken a moment to put myself in that person's shoes and given them the minimal amount that they are after so I could have walked away feeling good about helping out another human being and minamise the intensity. Sometimes little kindness goes a long way FOR YOUR OWN PEACEful experience. Being 'ripped off' no longer concerns me, I have made some happy memories by asking for a photo for my 'donation' and I sleep a lot better at night.
(Btw Rude sellers who yell or grab you are the exception should be ignored completely and in that case swiftly flee and say a prayer for their poor desperate souls and give thanks that you are not in their shoes.)
Above all these tips and every tip you have read have a great sense of humour, always smile and laugh things off. You are in the isle of smiles. Enjoy your holiday and the characters that you will come across.
ReCONSIDER the need to buy any wooden items or anything made of plant materials. I cannot express the joy of skipping past the inspection line after an exhausting flight and be one of the first ones free when I am so anxious and eager to escape the airport after being cooped up in that plane for so long. If YOU DO wish to buy these items make sure that there are no insect or insect damage to be seen and pack them in a clear plastic bag in an easily accessible bag for inspection. Make yourself familiar with the list of no go items eg banana leaf albums, etc.
Holidays for me are not about relaxing (I can do this at home and it is free!) they are about going breaking the routine of my mundane life and collecting as many special memories and treasures along the way that the world has to offer.
MY TOP MUST DOS IN BALI
The Ayana Hotel in Jimbaran Bay - Check out the aquatonic spa pool + the Rock Bar + jetty dinner
Uluwatu temple and fire dance
Safari Park
Bali Zoo + Reptile Park and Bird Park
Bali Off Course trek
The Monkey Forest in Ubud + shopping on Monkey Forest Road + Sari Organik Restaurant
The Royal Pita Maha Hotel in Ubud
Infinity pool dinner at Kupu Kupu Barong
Rice Paddy Romance dinner at Chedi in Ubud
Snorkel straight off the beach at Amed from the Coral View Hotel
Lovina sunrise dolphin cruise and hot springs (+ Snorkelling in Pemuteran)
Climb Mt. Batur at sunrise (Lake View Restaurant at Kinitmani)
C- Bali - Cycling and canoeing - see the real Bali
Lembongan Island (Eat at JoJo's on Mushroom Bay, walk to Devil's tears, eat at the Sandy Bay Beach Club and go snorkelling)
Turtle Conservation and Education Centre
Get your nails painted.
Tanah Lot and the Pan Pacific Nirwana Hotel dinner http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g294226-i7220-k5767290-These_Are_A_Few_Of_My_Favourite_Things_in_Ubud_3-Bali.html
Sanur beach path + Bali Hyatt in Sanur for breakfast
Nusa Dua beach path + blow hole
Google 'Smedles' and the activity you are interested in and you might see more of my photos.
Congrats on finding this forum. I hope that you have the most amazing time. Please do take the time to pay this forward by writing back and tell us all about it. I miss magnificent Bali already and I am already craving new ideas for my next extravaganza.
Good luck planning your new adventure. Remember that shopping for and hand selecting different aspects of your holiday is a great privilege and therefore also great fun!!
Until then...
Semoga harimu menyenangkan :D!!
PS Don't forget that these tips do not reflect the opinion of ALL travellers to Bali but following these guidelines has saved me quite a bit of unnecessary and tiring hassle and have helped me make my time in Bali absolute pleasure :)