A Travel Guide Website May Show You Some Attractions
There are numerous no outlay Vacation Website Travel Guides available. These can wage you a aggregation of multipurpose aggregation whether you desire to movement to South America, Australia, Japan, or a lowercase famous pass positioning on a bonny shoreline.
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Website Suggestion
If you’re unsafe where to holiday, motion the pages in a movement pass website may exhibit you whatever attractions. An cyberspace pass pass same Frommers cyberspace pass website for example, offers pass recommendations much as a cruise, coast activities, and dewy sports, out-of-doors and adventure, as substantially as thought parks, season activities and agency trips. Your employ in this cyberspace stake is meet to encounter a inviting intent patch datum digit of these categories.
Some cyberspace website guides may substance videos consisting of the movement locations that the possibleness individual has queried. Frommer’s website, unitedly with another cyberspace movement pass websites, affords the traveller ‘lifestyle advice’ for their holiday. This can let advice for families, honeymooners, seniors, merry and lesbian, grouping with a disability, singles, students, and females.
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Bali Sports
Surfing in Bali
Bali has year-long surf and has become famous as a surfer’s paradise. Kuta is the place to start out, as you can rent or buy boards there while scouting out tips on sites and tides. Popular spots, in rough order of difficulty, are Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Sanur, south of Kuta off the airport reef, Canggu, Lalang Linggih, Medewi, Uluwatu, Paclang-paclang, and Nusa Lembongan.
For protection from the harsh tropical sun be sure to wear sunscreen and a T-shirt. Tend to coral cuts on feet and fingers immediately and constantly. They take forever to heal.
Scuba-Diving and Snorkeling in Bali
Bali is a great place for snorkeling and scuba
diving. You can dive in the vicinity of Sanur and Nusa Dua, but the most exiting scuba-diving locations are in more remote places. Pulau Menjangan in the west is a favorite, as are Candidasa, Padangbai, Tulamben, and Amed in the east. Other spots are Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Lovina. Inquire locally.
The calm waters of the Bali Sea make Singaraja a good site for snorkeling.
Contact, among others:
-
- Bali Marine Sport
Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai, Belanjong, Sanur, - Baruna
JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai 300B, Tuban, - Dive & Dive’s JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai 23, Sanur,
- Graha Santi
JI. Danau Poso No 1, Sanur, - Oceana
JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai 78, Sanur, - Also, contact Sail Sensations at Benoa Marina for day sailing to Nusa Lembongan with snorkeling, diving and surfing.
- Bali Marine Sport
Other Water sport in Bali
Some companies have booths at the popular water sports; locations. Prices may vary according to the time of year and location. Typical prices:
Banana boat: $15 per person/round.
Diving: $50 per person, half a day.
Jet Ski: $25 for 15 mins. In Nusa Dua, Bedugul and Sanur.
Paddle canoe: $11 per person/hour.
Parasailing: $15/round. In Nusa Dua, Bedugul and Sanur.
Rafting. Rafting has become a popular way to discover the most unknown parts of Bali: its gorges. Try:
- Bali Adventure Rafting
J1. Tanjung Mekar, Legian Kelod, Kuta - Sobek
JI. Tirta Ening No 9, Sanur, - Bali Safari (Telaga Waja River)
JI. Hayam Wuruk 88A, Denpasar, - Ayung River Rafting (Ayung River)
JI. Diponegoro 150B-29, Denpasar,
Sailing. You can also charter one of the many outriggers which line the beaches. They charge between $10 – $15/hour according to the beach. For fishing, diving or sailing trips, many companies now operate from Benoa Harbor. Try:
- Bali Camar Yacht Charter
- Beluga
- Up-market hotels also offer yachting trips to neighboring islands.
Snorkeling: $20 per trip.
Swimming. For the safest ocean swimming, go to Sanur, Nusa Dua, or Lovina Beach on the north coast. The currents all along the southwest coast (including Kuta and Legian) are extremely strong. Swimming there is at your own risk. Even at waist deep, you can get ripped under. There are no lifeguards on the beach.
The pools at most of the major hotels are open to non-guests for $155. Beluga in Nusa Dua has great pools. Other good public ones include Oongan in Denpasar and Penyu Dewata in Padang Galak near Sanur; all charge $3. Bukit Jati and Samplangan near Gianyar have large public pools which charge small fees.
Water skiing: $25 for 15 mins. In Nusa Dua, Bedugul and Sanur.
For a great day fishing trip in the deep waters around Nusa Penida, try Simone III. Sails from Benoa Marina.
Biking & Hiking in Bali
These are the best ways to get to know the hinterlands of Bali intimately. Beware of sunstroke: start off early in the morning, and avoid the heat of the day. Sunglasses, a hat, sarong and sash are useful, as are a map or a clear geographic notion of your destination. Bottled mineral water is available all over the island.
The best areas for biking and hiking are around Ubud, Kintamani, the back-country of Lovina and Candidasa. Mountain bikes usually cost $6.50-$2 a day, except in Nusa Dua and Sanur where prices are inflated. Always check the bike: brake failure half way down a volcano is no fun.
Bali Adventure JI. Tanjung Mekar, Legian, conducts bike tours. Hiking tour services are available in Kintamani, Candidasa (Tenganan) and Tirta Gangga. Bird watching tours of Ubud are organized by Victor Mason, publican of the Beggar’s Bush in Ubud Call Sobek for details.
Bali Golf
Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club, village of Pancasari, Bedugul, nestled in an ancient calderas. An hour from Denpasar, it has an international hotel and restaurant.
Bali Golf and Country Club, Nusa Dua. Within walking distance of Nusa Dua’s main hotels.
The Grand Bali Beach, Sanur (ex Bali Beach Hotel). Has a small 9-hole course, used mostly by hotel guests and Balinese. Also has mini-golf for $2 per hour.
Nirwana Bali Golf Club. Situated next to Le Meridian Hotel, this magnificent 18-hole ocean side course overlooks the famous Tanah Lot temple.
Bali Food and Drink
Drink lots of fluids. The equatorial sun takes out a lot from you and dehydration can be a serious problem. Symptoms are infrequent urination, deep yellow/orange urine, head aches.
Tap water in Indonesia is not potable and it should be brought to a full boil for ten minutes before being considered safe. Indonesians are themselves fussy about drinking water, so if you’re offered a drink it is almost certainly safe.
Most Indonesians do not feel they have eaten until they have eaten rice. This is accompanied by side dishes, often just a little piece of meat and some vegetables with a spicy sauce. Other common items include tahu (tofu), tempe (soybean cake) and salted fish. Crispy fried tapioca crackers flavored with prawns and spices (krupuk) usually accompany a meal.
No meal is complete without sambal a fiery paste of ground chili peppers with garlic, shallots, sugar, and sometimes soy sauce or fish paste. Fruit, especially pineapple and papaya provide quick relief for a chili-burned mouth.
Cooking styles vary greatly from one region to another. The Sundanese of West Java are fond of raw vegetables, eaten with chili and fermented prawn paste (lalab / sambal trasi). Minihasan food in North Sulawesi is very spicy, and includes some interesting specialties: fruit bat wings in coconut milk, sambal rat, and dog. In the more isolated parts of the archipelago, the food can be quite plain.
In most Indonesian restaurants there is a standard menu of sate (skewered barbequed meat)–most common are ayam (chicken) and kambing (goat), gado-gado or pecel (boiled vegetables with spicy peanut sauce) and soto (vegetable soup with or without meat). Also common are Chinese dishes like bakmie goreng (firied noodles), bakmie kuah (noodle soup) and cap cay (stir-fried vegetables).
In most larger towns you can also find a number of Chinese restaurants on the main street. Some have menus with Chinese writing, but usually the cuisine is very much assimilated to local tastes. Standard dishes, in addition to the bakmie and cap cay mentioned above, are sweet and sour whole fish (gurame asem manis), beef with Chinese greens (kailan / caisim ca sapi), and prawns sautéed in butter (udang goreng mentega).
Indonesian fried chicken (ayarn goreng) is common and usually very tasty-although the local -grown chicken can be a bit stringy. Then there is the ubiquitous nasi goreng (fried doe); the special (istimewa) comes with an egg on top and is often served for breakfast.
There are restaurants everywhere in Indonesia that specialize in food from Padang, West Sumatra. This spicy, and very tasty cuisine has a distinctive way of being served. As many as 15-20 different dishes are displayed in the glass case in front of the restaurant. You tell the waiter what you want and he sets a whole stack of the little dishes in front of you. At the end of the meal, you are charged for what you have eaten and any untouched plates are put back in the case.
As tempting as fresh vegetables may be, avoid eating garnishes or raw salads unless the vegetables are air-flown/imported.
The beers available in Indonesia are Bintang and Anker, both brewed under Dutch supervision and rather light (perhaps appropriately for the tropics). With electricity such a precious commodity, however, in out-of-the-way places the only way to quaff it cold is to pour it over ice.
Balinese Specialties
Balinese specialties include roast pork (babi guling) in which the pork is rubbed with turmeric, stuffed with spices and roasted over a spit, and roast duck (bebek betutu), where the duck is stuffed with vegetables and spices, wrapped in banana leaf and either smoked or steamed.
Balinese brews include tuak (palm beer), arak (palm brandy) and brem (sweet rice wine).
Balinese Fruits
Tropical fruits are plentiful and delicious. Bali is known for salak, which has a brown snakeskin covering three segments, two of which contain a large brown seed. It tastes like a cross between an apple and a walnut. Manggis (mangos teen) is pure heaven hidden within a thick purple-brown cover. The juicy white segments almost melt away. In season November to March.
Warung Bali (street Stalls of Bali)
Restaurant kitchens do not necessarily have healthier food preparation procedures than roadside warung. The important thing at a warung is to watch and judge whether or not the cooks inspire confidence. Warung rarely have a supply of running water, so beware.
The first portion may not fill you up, so a second portion can be ordered by saying ‘Tambah separuh” (add half portion). But only the price is halved. The amount of food is more like three-quarters. Finish off with a banana and say ‘Sudah” (I’ve had plenty, thank you). The seller will total up the prices of what was served you and ask you how many krupuk, tempe, etc. you added; so keep track. The total will come to between Rp3000 and Rp7,500 (30 cent to $1.25).
Vegetarianism
Say “saya tidak makan daging” (I don’t eat meat), “tidak pakai ayam”(without chicken) or “tidak pakai daging”(without meat). Dietary restrictions are very acceptable and common due to the various religious and spiritual practices involving food. However, finding food that truly has no animal products is a problem. Often meals which appear to be made exclusively of vegetables will have a chunk of beef or chicken in them to add that certain oomph. Tempe (fermented soybean cakes) and tahu (tofu, soybean curd) are excellent sources of protein).
Bali Health
Before You go
Check with your physician for the latest news on the need for malaria prophylaxis and recommended vaccinations before leaving home. Frequently considered vaccines are: Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus (DPT); Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR); and oral Polio vaccine. Gamma Globulin every four months for Hepatitis A is recommended. For longer stays many doctors recommend vaccination to protect against Hepatitis B requiring a series of shots over the course of 7 months. Vaccinations for smallpox and cholera are no longer required, except for visitors coming from infected areas. A cholera vaccination is recommended for travel in outlying areas, but it is only 50% effective.
Find out the generic names for whatever prescription medications you are likely to need as most are available in Indonesia but not under the same brand names as they are known at home. Get copies of doctors’ prescriptions for the medications you bring into Indonesia to avoid questions at the customs desk. Those who wear spectacles should bring along prescriptions.
Hygiene
Hygiene cannot be taken for granted in Indonesia. Away from the tourist areas few places have running water or sewerage. Most water comes from wells, and raw sewerage goes into the ground or the rivers. Tap water is not potable and must be boiled.
Most cases of stomach complaints are attributable to your system not being used to the strange foods and stray bacteria. To make sure you do not get something more serious, take the following precautions:
Never drink unboiled water from a well, tap or bak mandi (bath tub). Brush your teeth only with boiled or bottled water, never with water from the tap or bak mandi. Bottled water is available everywhere and usually called “Aqua”, which is the most popular and reliable brand name.
Ice in Bali is made in government-regulated factories and is deemed safe for local immunities. Confirm that the ice is made from boiled water before relaxing with an ice drink.
Plates, glasses and silverware are washed in un boiled water and need to be completely dry before use.
Fruits and vegetables without skins pose a higher risk of contamination. To avoid contamination by food handlers, buy fruits in the market and peel them yourself.
To mandi (bathe) two or three times a day is a great way to stay cool and fresh. But be sure to dry yourself well and you may wish to apply a medicated body powder, such as Purol, to avoid the unpleasantness of skin fungus, especially during the rainy season from November to April.
Exposure
Many visitors insist on instant suntans, so overexposure to the heat and sun are frequent health problems. Be especially careful on long walks. Wear a hat, loose-fitting, light-colored, long sleeved cotton clothes, pants, and use a good quality sunscreen (bring a supply with you). Do not wear synthetic fibers that do not allow air to circulate. Tan slowly-don’t spoil your trip. Drink plenty of fluids and take salt.
A likely traveling companion. Called “Bali belly” locally. In addition to the strange food and unfamiliar micro-fauna, diarrhea is often the result of attempting to accomplish too much in one day. Taking it easy can be an effective prevention. Ask around before leaving home about what the latest and greatest of the many remedies are and bring some along. Imodium is locally available as are activated carbon tablets (Norit) that will absorb the toxins giving you grief.
When it hits, it is usually self-limiting to two or three days. Relax, take it easy and drink lots of fluids, including rehydration salts such as Servidrat (local brands are Oralit and Pharolit). Especially helpful is water from the young coconut (air kelapa muda) or strong, unsweetened tea. The former is an especially pure antitoxin. Get it straight from the coconut without sugar, ice or food color added. When you are ready, start with bananas, plain rice, crackers, tempe (fermented soybean cakes), and bubur (rice porridge). Avoid fried, spicy or heavy foods and dairy products for a while. After three days without relief, see a doctor.
Intestinal Parasites
It is estimated that 80 to 90 percent of all people in Indonesia have intestinal parasites and these are easily passed on by food handlers. Prevention is difficult, short of fasting, when away from luxury hotel restaurants and even these are no guarantee. It’s best to take care of parasites sooner rather than later, by routinely taking a dose of anti-parasite medicine such as Kombatrin (available at all apotik) once a month during your stay and again when you get on the plane home.
If you still have problems when you get back, even if only sporadic, have stool and blood tests. Left untreated, parasites can cause serious damage.
Cuts and Scrapes
Your skin will come into contact with more dirt and bacteria than it did back home, so wash your face and hands more often. Cuts should be taken seriously and cleaned with an antiseptic like Betadine solution available from any pharmacy (apotik). Once clean, antibiotic powder (Sulfanilamide) or ointment, both available locally, should be applied. Cover the cut during the day to keep it clean, but leave it uncovered at night and whenever you are resting so that it can dry. Constant covering will retain moisture in the wound and only encourage an infection. Repeat this ritual after every bath. Areas of redness around the cut indicate infection and a doctor should be consulted. At the first sign of swelling it is advisable to take broad spectrum antibiotics to prevent a really nasty infection.
Malaria is very rare in Bali, particularly in the southern tourist areas, but if you’re heading beyond the island take a prophylaxis. Mefloquine (Larium) is recommended as it is effective against both Chloroquine and Fansidar-resistant varieties which are present in Indonesia. Prescription runs from one week before departure through four weeks after leaving the infected area. Malaria symptoms are fever, chills and sweating, headaches, and muscle aches.
The other mosquito concern is dengue fever, spread by the morning-biting Aedes aegypti, Especially during the rainy season. The most effective prevention is not getting bitten (there is no prophylaxis for dengue). Dengue fever symptoms are headache, pain behind the eyes, high fever, muscle and joint pains and rash appearing between the third and fifth days of illness. Within days, the fever subsides and recovery is seldom hampered with complications. The more serious variant, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), which can be fatal, may be the reaction of a secondary infection with remaining immunities following a primary attack.
Cases of Japanese oncephaltis, a viral infection affecting the brain, have occurred recently and are added cause to take protective measures against mosquito bites.
Portable nets (kelambu) provide protection at night when sleeping; you can buy these in most general stores for $5. They’re a hassle to put up in hotel rooms. Upon request, your room will be sprayed for insects. Be sure this is done long before you are ready to sleep if you want to avoid the smell and inhaling fumes. Aerosols clear out insect intruders, but do not have residual effect. You can also buy slow-burning mosquito coils (obat nyamuk bakar), which last 6-8 hours. Light one before you go out for dinner to drive the critters away. Double Rabbit is one of the more reliable brands. (There are brands which do not contain pyrethrum, so are ineffective. An electric (smokeless) version is also available.
Insect repellents and lotions are widely available and supermarkets do sell OFF! Any chemical repellent container deet (diethyl toluamide) should be applied with caution and never to the face. Application to clothing can be more effective. A local non-chemical solution is citronella oil (minyak gosok, cap tawon).
Aids & Hepatitis B
Surprise! Safe sex is also a good idea. Foreign experts project the HIV~AIDS problem to be one of monumental proportions in Indonesia. Documentation, awareness and education is just beginning. Another area of concern is the Hepatitis B virus which affects liver function and is only sometimes curable and can be fatal. The prevalence of Hepatitis B in Indonesia is the basis for international concern over the ominous possibilities for the spread of HIV virus, which is passed on in the same ways.
Bali Medical Treatment
The Indonesian name for pharmacy is apotik and a hospital is called rumah sakit. Smaller villages only have government clinics, called Puskesmas, which are not equipped to deal with anything serious.
Fancier hotels often have doctors on call or can recommend one. Misuse of antibiotics is still a concern in Indonesia. They should only be used for bacterial diseases and then for at least 10 to 14 days to prevent developing antibiotic resistant strains of your affliction.
Indonesians don’t feel they’ve had their money’s worth from a doctor ($5) without getting an injection or antibiotics. If either is prescribed, be sure it’s necessary.
Ensure syringes have never been used before or better yet, buy your own disposable from an apotik (pharmacy) and take it to the clinic.
Bali Emergency Medical Assistance
Even in the big cities outside of Jakarta, emergency care leaves much to be desired. Your best bet in the event of a life-threatening emergency or accident is to get on the first plane to Jakarta or Singapore. Contact your embassy or consulate by phone for assistance (see below). Medivac airlifts can be expensive. Most embassies recommend that you buy insurance to cover the cost of this when traveling in Indonesia.
International SOS is a well-respected outfit and is considered to have the best response time and operation in Indonesia. International SOS has 24-hour alarm centers in Bali, Jakarta, Singapore, Sydney, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Seoul, Beijing, and Ho Chi Minh City. International SOS Bali has a 24-hour Emergency Room & Clinic at Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai No. 24X, near the Dewa Ruci roundabout and the Bali Galleria Mail Shopping Center. Phone (62-361) 755 768, fax: (62-361) 764 530. For more information on rates and types of coverage, visit their website at www.internationalsos.com
Bali Insurance
Check your health insurance before coming to make sure you are covered. Travel insurance should include coverage of a medical evacuation to Singapore and a 24-hour worldwide phone number as well as some extras like luggage loss and trip cancellation.
International SOS offers a wide range of emergency services worldwide and have numerous large corporate clients. In Jakarta, you can contact them for rates and type of coverage at the two following offices: PT. Asih Eka Abadi, JL Puri Sakti No. 10 Cipete, Jakarta Selatan, Phone (62-21) 750 5973, fax: (62-21) 750 6002; or at Setiabudi Building II, Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said, Kuningan, Phone (62-21) 520 1034/7524. In Singapore, you can contact them at 331 North Bridge Road, #17-00 Odeon Towers, Singapore 188720, Phone (65) 338-2311, fax: (65) 338-7611.
Climate in Bali
The climate in this archipelago on the equator is tropical. In the lowlands, temperatures average between 21°C and 33°C, but in the mountains it can go as low as 5°C. Humidity varies but is always high, between 60 % and 100 %.
In general, Indonesia experiences two yearly seasons of monsoon winds: the southeast monsoon, bringing dry weather (musim panas – dry season), and the northwest monsoon, bringing rain (musim hujan- rainy season). Often the changing seasons can bring the time of high waves (musim ombak).
The rainy season is normally November to April, with a peak around January/February, when it rains for several hours each day. The rain is predictable, however, and always stops for a time, when the sun may come out. Before it rains, the air gets very sticky; afterwards it is refreshingly cool.
The dry season, May to October, is a better time to come, and especially June to August. This is the time to climb mountains or visit nature reserves; when wild bulls go in search of water and sea turtles lay eggs more often.
TIME ZONES IN BALI
Bali is on Central Indonesian Standard Time, the middle of Indonesia’s three time zones, which is Greenwich mean time + 8 hours. It is the same time in Bali as Singapore, Hong Kong and western Australia.
MONEY
Prices quoted in this book (in US dollars) are intended as a general indication. Since the rupiah’s freefall beginning in July 1997 until the printing of this edition, the financial situation is unstable and prices change daily. The rate used in this edition is Rp9,400 / US$1.
Standard currency is the Indonesian rupiah: Notes come in 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500 and 100 denominations. Coins come in denominations of 1,000, 500, 100, 50, and 25 rupiah. Both old and new issues are circulating. Unfortunately, the new coins are very similar in size, so look carefully. Rp25 are rarely available. In stores small change is often replaced by candies.
Banking
Moneychangers and banks accepting foreign currency are found in most tourist areas. Both private and state banks are open from 8 am-3 pm, Monday to Friday and on Saturday until 11 am.
The bank counters at major airports offer competitive rates. Bank lines in town can be long and slow; the best way around it is to arrive promptly at opening time. Bank of Central Asia (BCA), one of Indonesia’s oldest and largest banks, has reliable service with branches and ATMs dotted right across the island.
Moneychangers in Bali generally give better rates than banks, are much more numerous, and keep more convenient hours. Get a supply of Rpl000 and Rp500 notes when you change money, as taxi drivers and vendors often have or claim to have-no change for big bills. When traveling in the countryside, Rp100 notes are also useful.
Carrying cash (US$) can be a handy safety precaution as it is still exchangeable should you lose your passport, but Indonesian banks only accept foreign currency that is crisp and clean.
Major credit cards are accepted in a wide variety of shops and hotels. But they often add a 3% surcharge. Most cities have at least one bank at which cash advances can be made-look for Bank Duta, BCA and Danamon. Visa and MasterCard are the most frequently accepted.
Automated Teller Machines (ATM) for Cirrus are now at major banks in most tourist centers.
There are no exchange controls and excess rupiah (bills only) can be freely reconverted at the airport.
Tax, Service and Tipping
Most larger hotels and restaurants charge 21% tax and service on top of your bill. Tipping is not a custom here, but it is appreciated for special services. USD$1 or Rp10.000 per bag is considered a good tip for room boys and porters. Taxi drivers will want to round up to the nearest Rp3000.
When tipping the driver of your rental car or a housekeeper of the house in which you’ve been a guest, fold the money, put it in an envelope and present it with the right hand only.
OFFICE HOURS IN BALI
Government offices (except those in Jakarta which run on a five-day work week) are officially open Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 3 pm, Friday until 11 am and Saturdays until 1 pm, but if you want to get anything done, be there by 11 am. In large cities most private businesses are open 9 am to 5 pm. Shops from 9 am to 9 pm. In smaller towns shops close for a siesta at 1 pm and re-open at 6 pm.
COMMUNICATIONS
Indonesia’s postal service is reliable, if not terribly fast. Kilat (express) service is only slightly more expensive and much faster. Kilat khusus (domestic special delivery) will get there overnight. International express mail gets postcards and letters to North America or Europe in about 7 days from most cities.
Kantor pos (post offices) are found in every little village in Bali, open 8 am-2 pm every day except Sunday. The main post office in Denpasar (JI. Raya Puputan, Renon) remains open until 8 pm. Most close from noon to 1 pm for lunch.
Post offices are often busy and it can be a tedious process to line up at one window for weighing, another window for stamps, etc. Hotels will normally sell stamps and post letters for you, or you can use private postal agents to avoid hassles. Look for the orange Agen Kantor Pos (postal agency) signs.
Poste Restante service is usually reliable, but it is advisable to choose more important towns such as Kuta or Ubud. Some post offices ask for ID and may also charge a fee before handing over your letters.
Telephone and Fax
Long distance phone calls, both within Indonesia and international, are handled by satellite. Domestic long distance calls can be dialed from most phones. To dial your own international calls, find an IDD (International Direct Dial) phone and dial “001″ or “008, ” otherwise you must go via the operator, which is far more expensive.
A magnetic debit (kartu telpon) phone card can be purchased at hotels, post offices and many other outlets. This is used on card phones, which are increasing in popularity, eliminating the need for small change.
If your hotel has no IDD link you have to go to the main telephone office (kantor telepon), use a silver card phone (kartu telpon) and pay an uninflected rate or use a private postal and telephone service: Wartel (warung telekommunikasi) warpostel / warparpostel. These small “telkom shops” are all over Indonesia and the most convenient way to call international (you avoid hotel price hikes). They are often run by well-trained, efficient staff and offer fast I DID services at near standard rates. Open daily 8 am -10 pm or 11 pm; some open 24 hours. Rates per minute are about $2.30 to the Americas and $3.10 to most European countries. Night rates are slightly lower.
International calls via MCI, Sprint, ATF, and the like can be made from IDD phones using the access code for your calling card company. Recently, special telephones have been installed in some airports with pre-programmed buttons to connect you via these companies to various countries.
Faxes can be sent and received at wartel offices and most main post offices.
E-mail and internet services are available at many wartel, the main post office and an increasingly number of cyber cafes.
Courier Services
Some of the big international courier outfits operate in Indonesia, along with some domestic ones. TNT Express Worldwide and Elteha International are probably the most reliable in Indonesia. Bali offices include:
- PT. Khrisna Bali International Cargo
Jl. Blambangan 8x Kuta Bali Indonesia ( 80361 ) - Elteha International
J1. Diponegoro, Komplek Pertokoan Diponegoro Megah, Denpasar - Indo Exspres
J1. Raya Sesetan 37, Denpasar - Federal Express
JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai 100X, - MSA
JI. Hayam Wuruk 128, Denpasar, - TNT Express Worldwide
JI. Teuku Umar 88E, Denpasar, - UPS
Jl. Imam Bonjol 336K, Denpasar,
ELECTRICITY
Most of Indonesia has converted to 220 volts and 50 cycles, though a few places are still on the old 110 lines. Ask before you plug in if your are uncertain. Power failures are common in smaller cities and towns. Voltage can fluctuate considerably so use a stabilizer for computers and similar equipment. Plugs are of the European two-pronged variety.
When to travel
The best time to visit Bali is during the dry season, April to September. Humidity is down and nights can be cool. Australians visit in droves at Christmas and during May-August school holidays. Europeans arrive in July and August. Indonesians come at Christmas/New Years and during the June-July school break. Book well in advance for cheap flights and accommodations during these periods.
FOREIGN CONSULATES IN BALI
The Australian consul in Denpasar also represents citizens of Canada, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Japan also has full consular services here. All others are consular agents or honorary consuls.
- Australia JL. Prof. Moch. Yamin 51, Renon, Denpasar, Phone 235092, 235093, fax: 231990.
- British (Honorary) JI. Merta Sari 2, Sanur Phone 270601, fax: 270572.
- Czech Republic (Honorary) JI. Pengembak 17, Sanur Phone 286465, fax: 286408.
- France Jl. Raya Sesetan 461, Phone 287383, fax: 287383.
- Germany (Honorary) Jl. Pantai Karang 17, Sanur, Phone 288535, fax: 288626.
- Italy (Honorary) J1. Bypass Jimbaran, Phone 701005. Japan JI. Raya Puputan Renon 170, Denpasar, Phone 227628, fax: 231308.
- Mexico Astina Tour, Jl. Moh. Yamin 1A, PO Box 150, Denpasar, Phone 223552, fax: 244568.
- Netherlands KCB Tours, JI. Raya Imam Bonjol 599, Phone 751517, fax: 752777.
- Norway & Denmark JI. Jaya Giri Vill/10, Denpasar, Phone 235098, fax: 234834
- Sweden & Finland Segara Village Hotel, JI. Segara, Sanur, Phone 288407, fax: 287242.
- Switzerland Swiss Restaurant, JI. Pura Bagus Teruna (JI. Rum Jungle), Legian, Phone 751735, fax: 754457.
- United States of America, Jl. Hayam Wuruk 188, Phone 233605, fax: 222426.
Passport Loss
If you lose your passport, it will be difficult to get new documents to leave the country unless you have the proper official forms from the police. Always keep a photocopy of your passport, visa and driver’s license separate from the originals. You can then prove your identity to your consul in Bali in case of theft or loss.
When theft occurs, report to your consulate. Verification of your identity and citizenship takes two or three weeks and involves going to the immigration office in Denpasar.
WHAT TO BRING ALONG
When packing, keep in mind that you will be in the tropics, but that it can get cold in the mountains. Generally, you will want to dress light and wear natural fibers that absorb perspiration. A medium-weight sweater or wind breaker is also a must as is a sturdy pair of shoes. Suits and ties are almost never worn.
Don’t bring too much, as you will be tempted by the great variety of inexpensive clothes available here. Most tourists find a cotton batik shirt more comfortable than what they brought along. If you visit a government office, men should wear long trousers, shoes and a shirt with collar. Women should wear a neat dress, covering knees and shoulders, and shoes.
For those wanting to travel light, a sarong purchased upon arrival in Indonesia ($5-10) is one of the most versatile items you could hope for. ft serves as a wrap to get to the bath, a beach towel, a waist sash which is required dress for Balinese temples, pajamas, bed sheet, fast drying towel, etc.
Indonesians are renowned for their ability to sleep anytime, anywhere; so they are not likely to understand your desire for peace and quiet
at night. Sponge rubber earplugs are available from pharmacies in the West or from the in-flight airline toiletry kit. Many consider them the most important 4 grams they carry.
Tiny padlocks for use on luggage zippers are a handy deterrent to pilfering hands. Some come with combination locks. Flashlights may come in handy, although these can be easily purchased locally.
Bring along some pro-packaged alcohol tow elettes (swabs). These are handy for disinfecting your hands before eating, or after a trip to the kamar kecil (lavatory). Also available at local supermarkets.
In the majority of Indonesian department stores and supermarkets you can find Western toiletries. Contact lens supplies for hard and soft lenses are available in major cities. For gas permeable lens wearers it is still necessary to come well-stocked.
Dental floss, tampons, and sanitary napkins are available in Western style grocery stores like Gelael and Hero that are fast becoming common in Indonesian cities. Kondom (condoms) are available at all apotik (pharmacies). Bring sunscreen and Insect repellent, although these are also available locally.
Passport photos may come in handy for applications/permits (for parks) or even as gifts. On your travels you will meet people who are kind and helpful, yet you may feel too embarrassed to give money. In this kind of situation a small gift is appropriate. Chocolates, biscuits, pens, stationery from your hotel, even your T-shirt with foreign designs are appreciated.
PLANNING A TRIP TO BALI
While the spiritual heart of Bali lies in the mountains, the tourist heart of the island lies in the south where, the major tourist enclaves of Kuta, Sanur and Nusa Dua are located. This is the focus or at least starting point for almost all visitors, especially those arriving by air.
Those lodging in any of the three above-mentioned areas, find it easy to make day trips to most of the popular tourist destinations, including Gunung Agung and Besakih temple, Kintamani, Singaraja and Lovina, Candidasa, etc. It is also easy to make overnight trips to these destinations or plan a circular route, starting in the south, visiting point of interest over several days and returning to the south for shopping and ultimate air departure.
The ports of Benoa, Batubulan and Padangbai are launching points for boat journeys to islands east of Bali.
Abundant transportation, numerous tour desks and travel agencies offer overwhelming information and options. It’s best to read first, ask questions and then decide what you want to see. Decide whether to drive yourself by car or motorcycle, hire a driver, guide or take an organized tour to maximize your experience of Bali.