BALI TRAVEL TIPS

If you traveling with a Lap Top,
while traveling the world,
in Bali
the easiest way to hook up to the internet
is using TELKOMET

Type in for user name: telkomnet@instan
and the password: telkom
the dail up number is: 080-989-999

If you have a direct line,
it is cheaper than going to an intenet cafe.

If you are in a hotel, ask before,
what their local call rate is.

This does not apply to
Flexiphone systems.

Before you go....

One can spend endless time
researching on the web
information about traveling to Bali.

But sometimes the best
resources of information
are from travelers like yourself
feeding un-biased information to questions.

You can found three Forums which,
are particularly helpful.
One being:

http://micbali.proboards21.com/index.cgi

which provides photographs
of hotel rooms, restaurants
and tips from fellow travelers.

If there hasn't been a traveler,
who has stayed at a particular hotel,
adding their comment,
then Mic provides links to various
sites that have information
and prices for the hotels.

Another Forum is:

http://www.balitravelforum.com/index.html

where answers are provided to questions
on any tourist topic
concerning Bali.

In a day,
a whole branch can be up to date,
leaving you wonder if these people
sit in front of their computers dreaming about Bali
all day long,
while back at home.

But warning,
if you say anything negative,
you may get attacked!!!

And then there is:

http://www.travelforum.org/bali/main.html

Also frequented by Bali daydreamers,
but maybe not as often.
Then again.....


Hope that all your queries can be responded,
with this bit of information.

Upon your arrival to Bali,
your fist concern may be money.....
of course.

There are various money exchange counters
upon exiting customs
where changing a couple of hundred dollars is recommended.
Just to get that out of the way.

A few things to bear in mind are:

1) Bank note/bills
get better exchange rates
than traveler's checks

2) Larger notes e.g. $100 or $50's
get better rates than $1's, $5's, $20's, notes.

3) Notes that are old or ripped
are usually not accepted.

When traveling to Bali we recommend that you don't take too much gear - particularly clothing, as it is cheap and plentiful when you get here. The weather can be hot and the basic clothing to wear is light, cool and casual .This includes going out to restaurants and daily street wear. Take an empty suitcase and fill it as you go. Forget the washing until you get home ( Although in many of the smaller hotels and local laundries you can get your clothes washed and pressed at really good prices).

Carry a couple of knapsacks onto the plane as they’ll be handy to carry around gear during your holiday. Your kids can pack this with some of their favorite things to keep them busy at the airport and on the plane on the way to Bali.

Reconfirm your airline reservation 24 hours prior to departure because airline carriers frequently overbook. Your hotel receptionist will do this for you.

ATM's are the best way to get cash you can get it as you need it. Best to always take cash with you when you go shopping because not all places in Bali accept credit cards. Avoid displaying large sums of cash in public. Credit Cards are a great way of paying
in finer hotels and restaurants.
But beware, American Express is NOT widely accepted.

Nor is Discovery.
Stick to the Visa or Master Card.
But a 3% fee may sometimes be added on in some venues.
DO NOT pay with a credit card
in the shadier stores or venues.

It is better for you and your family to catch a taxi when you want to go somewhere. Alternatively you could get a private driver and car.  They will drive you wherever you wish to go.

We all hear a lot of stories about "Bali Belly". The advent of purified bottled water has taken the island by storm. You can buy the water at many of the small supermarket shops around the place and it is relatively cheap. Use it for drinking and brushing your teeth and avoid tap water at all costs.

Most of the good restaurants use it to prepare food and use ice made with purified water in drinks. As with most trips use good hygiene and common sense and you will be OK. When buying bottled water always check the seal is intact and purchase a recognized brand of water.

WHAT TO PACK?

• "Wet Ones" are useful everywhere.
• Tissues come in handy if the toilets are undersupplied.
• Sports drink bottles are great, so the kids have access to water at all times.
• A calculator for quick exchange rate conversion.
• Goggles for the pool - the chlorine can be very strong.
• Sunscreen. You will need to apply regularly to avoid sunburn. It really isn’t worth getting burnt early in your holiday!
• Can/stubby holder- you can get on the Island but it is easier to take one.
• Have a dental checkup before you go if you have any doubts about your kids teeth.
• A pack of cards/ A good book.
• A torch.
• personal insect repellent, if there are a few mozzies around at night.
• Stuff for cuts and grazes - betadine.
• Ear drops for swimmers ear/pressure on the flight.
• Cold/flu preparations (changes in temperature and air conditioning often result in colds).
• Headache / fever tablets.
• See your doctor for diarrhea/nausea medications - many are not suitable for children. We suggest red cordial as an alternative.
• Its easy to get dehydrated in Bali , take some rehydration salts- Gastrolyte.
• Hangover cures?- don't forget the Berocca.

Most  medical items can be purchased in chemists/supermarkets but you may not be able to understand the labels/directions so it's best to take your own , where possible.

If you have younger children , you may like to consider packing the following :

• Disposable diapers
• Formula milk
• Some people take a stroller on their trip. They actually swear by how invaluable it is on their trip. Others comment that the sidewalks in Bali are not really set up for these, they are uneven and often have a lot of kerbs. They say if you are moving around better to use taxi's.

Please Note..

• Nude bathing is prohibited and impolite on the beach.
• Use sarong and appropriate cloth when you enter a temple.
• Most of Balinese food is spicy.
• Drink only bottled or boiled water - tap water may give you tummy trouble.
• The ice in drinks is safe as it is government controlled
• The dogs in Bali are not pets and wander the streets. It is best not to try to approach or touch them as they can often be snarly and you wouldn't want your kids to get bitten

Tips On Shopping For and With The Kids

For Play station games the biggest range of games are at the Games Station store on the third/fourth floor of the Ramayana Shopping Complex in Denpasar. Although you can pick up cheap play station games just about anywhere just be reminded that they are copies and they don't come with instructions. Generally you will have to have a computer chip fitted into your play station machine you can pick these chips up here, prices vary from Rp50,000 to Rp100,000.

CD computer games available everywhere as well as a good selection of VCD and DVD movies.

Sports shops are popping up all over the place. Joggers can be good value - but you need to shop around, there’s a good range of Adidas, Converse, Reebok and Nike.

Huge range of clothing stores from Osh Kosh, Cool Stuff, Kuta Kidz, Kids a Go Go, Kahuna Kids  to famous surf brands such as Quicksilver, Billabong, Surfer Girl and Stussy.

Lots of music shops where you can buy latest release CDs for around Rp.75,000.

Shopping in Bali can be a true amusement.
Prices are cheaper than back at home
and there is a large selection of items to choose from.

But too often you will see that items are not marked with prices.
This is where the guessing game begins on how much you will be charged.

When they ask you where you are from,
you can preferred to saying that your country,
which to them means a clear US$ sign,
and prices will definitely go up to maybe double or triple.

Another sign of which they will go by is
the shopping bag that you may be carrying from any prior shopping.

A black or striped plastic bag means you have bought something from a less expensive store.
A white, reinforced plastic bag means you bought something from a medium priced store,
and a brown bag with the name of the store
means you bought from a finer store where things are more expensive.

So when shopping,
depending on your budget
and how much you are willing to buy
keep in mind the shopping bags you are carrying around
may determine on how much you will be asked to pay.

Indonesia. Money

Many street changers,
if not most of them,
will not only try to cheat you,
but they will succeed!

These street moneychangers are the experts
in all of the tricks ever dreamed up
anywhere in the world,
including re-wired calculators
and super slippery fingers.

Always count your money
without being distracted
with an accomplice over your shoulder
and always be the last to touch your money.

If someone else picks it up,
even if only to hand it to you,
then sit down and count it again!

Watch out for the “zeros”.
It relies on confusing you
about so many zeros in the sums.
You get 5,000 Rp notes
instead of 50,000Rp
or 1,000’s instead of 10,000’s.

So carry your own calculator,
and patience when counting.

Enjoy a private tour with us on your visit to Bali Islands. Our moto " Pay Less and Get More "

Our name is Abadi Agus & Team. We're guide and professional driver offering personal services here in Bali for different types of travelers. Enjoy a private tour with us on your visit to Bali Islands.
Our based in Jln.Raya Ubud, Gianyar 80571 Bali - Indonesia.
Phone : +62818359905
E-mail : balinejanitour@gmail.com
You'll see lots more with our team, as opposed to all other methods of sightseeing. We know the best way to arrange the day, We are highly flexible and know all the best routes. This will be your private and personalised sightseeing tour to suit your tempo and interests. Changes to the day's plan, according to the options available, can be accommodated to suit your requirements. Your safe, considerate and steady driver offers a late model mini-van that has all the latest safety features.
Even when there are maximum daily charges they are all-inclusive per car, and not per person. There are no extra charges other than meals and entrance fees, which are not included.
Quick Respond!!