About Bali
Bali, a small Indonesian island off the W coast of Java , attracts over 1 million tourists every year. Famed for its great natural beauty,a spectacular landscape of volcanoes, rice terraces, rain-forest and beaches. Visitors are also fascinated by Bali 's unique culture & traditions, strongly influenced by Hindu, the island's main religion.
Official language: Bahasa Indonesian. There is also a local Balinese language based on the Hindu cast system. Basic English is widely understood in tourist areas.
CLIMATE
Tropical monsoon climate, Hot & humid.
Average temperature 25-30C, 5 degrees lower in high areas. Wet season: Oct - Apr. Dry Season: May - Sep High Season Lebaran - end of Ramadan, Independent Holidays(Aug 17) During Indonesian holidays, it is almost impossible to take reserved seat for trains and buses.
Jul-Aug - European holidays, Christmas, New Year- Australian holidays. Prices are more expensive. Bargaining possible outside of high season.
EXCHANGE No commission charged.
Moneychangers rate often higher - Moneychangers in Kuta offer the best rates in Indonesia but Cheating by moneychangers is common in Kuta. Know how much you should get and count your money very carefully.
Cheating techniques: 'fixed' calculators that have been pre-programmed, missing off zeros, rounding numbers down, etc.
Better rates often given for higher denominations. The best rates is cash rate at money changers.
Rate at Airport: About 5% lower than ones in town.
Traveling Money: Generally a mix of options is best - T/C's, some cash in foreign currency (US$ is most popular) and/or a credit/cash card. If you are planning to stay in rural areas you may not be able to change T/C's or find an ATM facility.
T/C US $ is the standard, but checks in all major currencies can be changed. American Express & Visa are the most common. Generally no com. charged. Bank rates are higher for T/c's than cash, moneychangers generally give higher rates for cash. Rates are higher in Kuta.
Cash US$ is most widely accepted. Cash is useful when leaving/entering a country or when banks & moneychangers are closed.
Moneychangers rates are higher for cash than T/c's, they're also give better rates for larger notes - 100's & 50's.
Credit/Cash Cards ATM's can be found in all big cities and many tourist areas. (Listed in local info)
Cash advances against a card can be made in many banks, usually there is a service charge of around Rp5,000 or 5%. Credit cards can be used in some hotels, shops, restaurants & travel agents, sometimes charge - up to 3%.
With ATM machine , usually no charge.
! Warning Credit card fraud occurs, particularly in tourist areas.
! Warning Visa - Delta system in operation at some ATM'S.
IMMIGRATION/VISA
Passport: must be valid for at least 6 months from date of entry.
Visa: At most entry points, 1 month visa is issuced. $25. (Should have an onward ticket but this rule is not strictly enforced.?)
Visa Extension: (Officially not possible. However there are a few report that it is possible to extend at the Immigration in Denpasar though ITIS has not confirmed it yet.)?
! Warning Bribing is common practice in Indonesia.
If you arrive at immigration without an onward ticket you may be asked for money, particularly late night and early morning when there are few people around.
Transport around Bali:
Denpasar is the bus(Medium size) and bemo transport center for Bali. Bemos cost 50% more than buses. Over charge is very common for both of them. Major bus station, Ubung in Denpasar and Singaraja bus terminals post the fare list on the window of the office. For some route, it is almost impossible to take a bemo/bus with local price.
Taxi: Metered taxis in Kuta, Sanur, Denpasar. Ojeks: Motorbike taxis. Bargain before getting on. Bemo: Mini-vans run on set routes in towns & inter city.
Price varies according to distance, bargain hard. !Warning: Bemo drivers usually overcharge tourists. Getting local price is almost impossible. There are 2 payment methods: 1) Do like the locals, don't bargain, pay when you get off, - check Bali transport list for prices or ask locals.
2) Negotiate a price before getting on. Either way it will probably be a hassle. You will be asked to pay more if you have a backpack. Shuttle Bus:
Regular services between main tourist centers on Bali and Lombok. 3 times as expensive as public bemos but very popular - convenient and hassle free. It's possible to stopover at certain towns on a through ticket - eg Padangbai to Kuta, can stop-over in Ubud on route. Must check with office. 2 main shuttle bus operators - Perama & Nomad. Can book at travel agencies and hotels. Pickup at hotels.
Keep the ticket with you. They allow 5-10% discount for your next trip. Car/bike rental:
Self drive is a great way to get around and explore the island. But driving in Bali is stressful and accidents are common.
Motorbike rental from Rp30-50,000/day. Prices are negotiable, especially for extra days. Check if insurance is included. Wear a helmet & protective clothing..
Bicycles Rp10-20,000/day
Indonesia is a country of islands. If you want to explore real Indonesia, you have to travel cross a sea. Pelni ships connect between remote islands. Traveling with these scheduled boats may be interesting. However it is hard to take them because they don't run frequently, delaying is usual, and it is very uncomfortable because of the low quality.
Traveling with "Adventure Cruise" , traditional sailing boats, may be a good option and gives you a great experience to know the real Indonesia. You also can have opportunities of diving in many spots where independent divers normally cannot reach and trekking/hiking on islands such as Komodo island which costs lots if you take normal tours. Some of this cruise tours are one way so you can come back overland avoiding taking a back track.
There are many boat owners/agents are operating in Indonesia.
The agent below is one of the largest one.
SongLine Cruises of Indonesia: Jalan Kebon Sirih Barat I #43, Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia, T 021-315-8720
USA HP 813-625-5392
info@songlinecruises.com, http://www.songlinecruises.com/
Their budget boat starts from $40/day including 3 meal and some activities. The office is in the middle of Jl. Jaksa area
FOOD
Rice (Nasi) is the basis of most Indonesian meals.
Noodle (Mie) is common in Chinese dishes.
There are many regional specialties.
More expensive international dishes are widely available in the tourist areas.
Street hawkers and Warungs offer the cheapest local food. Check the level of hygiene first
Balinese Specialties
Lawar - Chopped and shredded Papaya, Jackfruit, green beans, coconut and leaves, served with other dishes;
Babi Guling - Roasted pork, stuffed with herbs & rice;
Betubu bebek - Smoked duck; Bubuh Injin - Rice pudding with coconut & fruit
Indonesian Specialities
Sate- charcoal-grilled chicken or mutton pieces usually served with peanut sauce
Nasi goreng- fried rice
Nasi campur- cold rice served with meat, vegetables, tofu and fermented beans
Gado gado-salad with peanut sauce and prawn crackers
Cap cai - fried vegetables
Ayam goreng - fried chicken
Mie Bakso- noodle soup
Rijsttafel - rice with as many as 15 different side dishes.
Deserts
Pisang goreng - banana fritters
Bubur - sweet black rice with coconut milk
Es buhah & es campur - crushed ice with fruits and condensed milk.
Drinks
Kopi - Coffee, local coffee is excellent and cheap, from Rp200. More expensive nescafe and expresso is also available
Fruit juices/shakes are available in every travelers-style restaurant.
Bottled beer, & soft drinks are available everywhere.
Fruits
Rambutan: similar to a lychee, has hairy, red skin.
Durian: huge, smelly, spiky fruit
Nanka (Jack-fruit) similar to Durian, used a lot in cooking.
Manggis (Mangosteen) round, purple fruits with soft white clusters inside - delicious.
Belimbing - star fruit.
Tap Water
Not drinkable. Buy mineral water or purify/boil.
Ice
Ice is generally safe because it is government regulated, but the handling of ice may not be hygienic
CUSTOMS
Visitors everywhere should try to observe local customs in order not to cause offense.
Listed below are some basic Indonesian customs.
See South East Asia customs page for more details.
Toilet: Squat toilets are normal. Toilet paper is not common - Locals wash with their left hand.
Left hand Considered dirty for reason above.
Always use your right hand to give/receive anything from anyone.
Tipping: Not usual except for porters and at high class hotels & restaurants.
Service tax is often added to bill.
Dress: Modest clothing is appropriate particularly when visiting temples.
Cigarette etiquette: When passing lighted cigarette to someone,Hold the lit end in your palm. It is offensive to point the lit end at other people.
At Temple: Everyone should wear a sash when entering a temple. A sarong is also necessary if legs are not covered. Sash/sarong rental is common at temples but you might as well buy a set.
Women who are menstruating & people with open wounds shouldn't enter temples.
During ceremonies: visitors should show respect, be discreet with cameras & videos.
Getting angry: You should avoid anytime because it means insulting. Getting angry or razing voice does not solve any thing.
SHOPPING
Department stores and markets have fixed prices but bargaining is usual in markets, stalls and tourist shops.
! Warning Hassle from hawkers is very aggressive in places like Kuta & Kintamani.
Souvenirs
Batik, Ikat, ethnic-style clothing and sarongs, puppets, masks, jewelry, woodcarving, basket ware, paintings and ceramics. Ubud & Kuta are the main shopping centers.
Voltage/Plug type 220 volts, rounded 2 pronged.
CULTURAL PERFORMANCES
The highlight for many visitors are the superb, highly professional gamelan music & dance performances, based on the ancient Hindu Ramayana & Mahabarata myths.
Though local performances often last many hours, there are many shorter versions performed in the main tourist areas.
Ubud has the largest program. A calendar of performances, explanation & price list, are available from tourist offices & travel agencies.
Music:
The Gamelan orchestra plays at many temple ceremonies, dance and wayang puppet performances.
Gamelan is made up of mainly percussion based traditional instruments.
Dances:
Kecak Also known as 'monkey dance', is a very exciting, male dance.
Though it was first performed in the 30's, it has much earlier origins in Sanghyang trance chanting.
The music accompaniment is not the usual gamelan but a male choir, chanting the distinctive Ke chak-ke-chak sound that gives it its name.
Based on a Ramayana story of King Rama's attempts, with the aide of a monkey army, to rescue his wife Sita, held captive by King Rawana.
Legong An elegant, classical dance accompanied by gamelan, in which the principle dancers are girls or very young women.
Legong tells the story of the plight of Princess Rangkesari, held prisoner by King Lakesmi and Prince Daha's attempt to rescue her.
Barong & Rangda A trance dance that tells the story about the fight between good and evil, good in the form of Barong, a humorous character played by 2 men in a lion-like costume (like a pantomime horse).
Evil in the form of his opponent the Witch Rangda.
Marine Activities
DIVING
Indonesia has many excellent spots through out archipelago because most of them are far from the main tourist area.
Bali: Most common and popular islands. Try east part of the island. Many agents are in Kuta. They take you to various spots around Bali. Padanbai, Candidasa, Amed and Tulamben in E of Bali has many agents.
Lombok: Gili islands are very famous. But recently these 3 islands became too popular.
Flores: Best island which tourists can reach relatively easily but most of the travelers will not come to this island yet. Most of the spots are almost untouched. Agents are at Laban Bajo, west end of the island.
The rest of the Indonesia islands have excellent spots. We do not have any information at this moment.
Adventure Cruise: You may take a boat trip from islands to islands. On the way you can dive at many untouched spots. See Adventure Cruise in National Transport section above.
SURFING
Kuta Beach in Bali is very popular. Many surfer's shops. Easy to rent a board. But for surfers looking for big waves may go to Kuta Lombok on the next island from Bali. Spot X is west from Kuta.
FESTIVALS
The temple is the center of Balinese festivals and ceremonies.
Most festivals in Bali follow either the Hindu-Javanese, Waku Calendar - 210 day year divided into weeks of 10 days or the Hindu Saka Calendar of 356 days.
Many festivals are held around the full moon period in April and at end of September.
Waku-Calendar Festivals
Odalan festival Held by every temple on its anniversary, every 210th day, lasts 3 days.
With over 20,000 temples on Bali, there are many opportunities to see this festival.
1st day - Procession of the village women to the temple. The women wear traditional clothes, and carry offerings of fruits and rice cakes arranged in a pyramid, on their heads. The food is left at the temple for 3 days then eaten. Gamelan, dance and wayang puppet performances are held in the evenings. Cockfighting also takes place.
Galungan (Balinese New Year) 10 day festival. In honor of the creation of the world.
1st Day - Food offerings are taken to temples. Barong dancing takes place in the evening..
Kuninggan Last day of New Year holiday, ancestors are honored. Temples are decorated with flowers and offerings are made.
Pengerupuk Last day of Balinese Year, according to the Saka calendar. Purification and sacrificial ceremonies at temples are carried out.Priests chant to get rid of demons. In the evening torchlit parades take place featuring monsters and demons. Best in Denpasar.