What do you
wish to know before visiting Bali?
Author, Ekarini
Photo: The Cave temple at Ungasan Bali by Ekarini
I post this
again and again, to answer some common questions.
Bali island is the global winner of its 2017 traveler’s Choice Awards for
destinations. Travel to Bali is not so
difficult. If you are a newbie traveler,
Bali is the perfect place to start. Bali
is a small island in the Indonesian archipelago with thousand temples and it
has it all what you need for your holiday gateway.
“No matter
what style of holiday you're looking for, you can find it on the Bali island.”
Travelers
Photo: The Cave temple Ungasan by Ekarini
It is just
like to travel anywhere in the world, it is very useful when you know what to
expect on the site. As a travel guide
and travel management, I have been taking tourists to many places in Bali, and
I would love to share some tips. This
list may help you to have an unforgettable trip on the island.
1. Canang Sari is everywhere.
What is the
Canang Sari? The Canang Sari: Balinese flower offerings you will see all over
Bali island. Everywhere you go on the
Island, and you will see beautiful offerings, consisting of flowers, rice,
fruits, and cakes in a small square woven basket originally made from
coconut leaves.
The Balinese
believe that any place that receives regular offerings accumulates sacred
energy, eventually becoming sacred itself.
Watch your
step when walking down a street in Bali and you'll see hundreds
of offerings, lovingly and thoughtfully crafted pieces of art. You don’t want to step on them.
Photo: The Canang Sari offering by Ekarini
2. Every day finds festivals and
ceremonies
In Bali,
there’s almost always some kind of ceremony going on on the island and
you’ll definitely want to see and experience of Balinese vibrant life. You don’t want to miss the celebrating
passage of life, temple ceremonies, and the spectacular village cremation ceremonies. Also, don’t miss a full moon ritual every
month of Balinese calendar.
3. Balinese belief
Bali
is an amalgam of indigenous animism, Buddhism and the Hinduism of India.
As the influence of the Hindu religion permeates all aspects of life in
Bali. The Balinese believe in one God (Trinity: Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa) with
3 manifestation of God as a creator, preserver, and destroyer. The
Balinese believe that everything that exists as a duality. The existence of
this duality is what brings a cosmic balance to the universe. So, if there’s
good, evil must exist to bring balance. Birth balances death, joy balances
sorrow, young balances old, positive balances negative, health balances
sickness, and so forth. The universe constantly adjusts itself to bring about
the perfect equilibrium. This called Rwa Bhineda literally means
“two opposites”
4. You will meet Balinese name: Wayan,
Made, Nyoman, and Ketut
You might
wonder why every other man, woman or child is named Wayan, Made,
Nyoman, and Ketut. . It was created to distinguish each
person’s birthright order in the family.
The firstborns are named “Wayan“, the second eldest is “Made,”
third is “Komang” or “Nyoman”, fourth is “Ketut”
and the fifth back to Wayan.
Both men and
women use similar names. A woman is distinguished by a “Ne” at the
beginning “Ni” (Ni Wayan), while a man is specified by “I” (i.e.
I Wayan). Personal names can be attached to the birth order names,
but there is no family name in Bali.
5. Buy a traditional Balinese outfit
You
definitely don’t want to miss the ritual and ceremonies in Bali, so mingle with
locals and wear the traditional outfit and experience Bali traditionally.
Photo: The Nusa Dua beach by Ekarini
6. VISA:
Nationals of
169 countries can visit Bali visa-free (for 30 days), while Visa on Arrival
applies for others at USD 35 (extendable once).
7. WEATHER:
Wet season:
October-April; Dry season: May-September; Best time to go: May-August.
8. Getting around in Bali is easy
DRIVING:
Drive on the left.
RENTALS:
International drivers' license required to drive and rent cars and
motorbikes.
TAXIS:
Blue Bird Taxi (+62 (0)361 701 111) is most popular and reliable - all of their
taxis are metered.
Private
drivers:
I think having a private driver is the best choice to travel around
the island. It is worth to have somebody
to drive you, so you can just relax and
enjoy the view.
Download
GO-JEK
The locals
have turned online app called 'Go-Jek'. Through Go-jek you can
order food, shopping and courier
services, but most often it's used for hailing a taxi or motor-taxi. Definitely
one to consider if you stay in Bali for a long holiday. Grab for online app transportation, it is like
Uber.
9. CURRENCY:
USD 1 =
about IDR 14,000
10.
ATMs:
ATMs
dispense IDR 50,000 or 100,000 bills; withdrawal fees using foreign bank cards,
Visa or Mastercard varies and can be high. Beware of skimmers and rigged units,
and remember to take your money and card after each transaction.
11.
Don't
drink the tap water
The tap
water in Bali is not safe to drink, so you need to buy smaller bottled water or
a big jug of water with dispenser.
12.
Super
Strict Drug Laws
The
super-strict drug laws in place in Indonesia, when you are getting caught
smuggling drugs will face a death
sentence.
Please don't
do it. Seriously!
Photo: Monkey at the Cave temple Ungasan by Ekarini
13.
A
lot of small laundry mart in the town
Of course,
anything you order within your hotel is a lot more expensive than if you go and
explore it down yourself. Especially laundry, there are so many places in the
town, expect to pay per kilo.
14.
Bargain
on the beach
Don't be
afraid to bargain. It is very normal at
the beach when some hawkers sell you some products. It may be fun experiencing to haggle the
price. Start your bargain for a half
price. Remember, be polite!
15.
Learn
few local words
Even though
fast majority Balinese people speak English, it is so fun and rewarding when
you can communicate with the locals using the Bahasa Indonesia or Balinese
words.
You will find some funny words and learn the everyday
slang. Even being able to say 'hello,
how are you' Apa khabar?, 'thank you'
Terimakasih, and 'please' will be
really appreciated in Bali - and it will go as a fun and worth the bartering
process!
16.
Cheap
massage
Bali is
famous for new age capital, so get your full body massage while holiday in
Bali, and you will want more. Why? The
price is so cheap compare than back home. For anywhere between RP. 100,000 and
150,000 around $15-20 you can get a one
hour full body massage. It means full
one hour of bliss and health.
17.
Not
all people in Bali are Balinese
Don’t get
confused, in Bali there are some people
from outside Bali who work or doing crime in Bali… So, if you get robbed in
Bali, the robbery is probably non Balinese.
Photo: The Nusa Dua beach by Ekarini
18.
Tipping
When you’re
happy with the service you can tip the housekeepers, waitresses, and
bartenders, but it’s not expected though.
I like to tip them because I mostly happy about their service and the food price is cheap, this is just
my appreciation for their great service
in Bali.
19.
Coffee
is not refilled in Bali
I saw one
time a tourist had a big argument with a waitress in the restaurant when the
waitress who could not explain it that coffee was not refillable. I had to be in the middle of the argument, so
I explained it to that tourist that in Bali is not like other countries where
you can refill your cup over and over again unless they put a special sign on
the buffet table.
20.
Sunset
is not like other places in the world
You see
sunset anywhere in the world! You will find sunset in Bali is very
special. Many travel agents arrange special
sunset tours, so you will catch the right moment in the spot you choose like
the Tanah Lot, the Jimbaran Bay, Kuta beach, the Rock Bar at Ayana resort,
Tegal Wangi beach, the Uluwatu temple, Peti Tenget beach at Seminyak, Lovina
beach in Singaraja regency, Echo beach Canggu, Lembongan island (one of Bali’s
virgin islands), 707 Beach Berm at Batu
Belig beach, La Planca at Seminyak, WooBar, La Lucciola, La Laguna at Canggu
beach, Finn’s Beach Club, The Lawn is set on the vibrant Batu Bolong Beach,
Pererenan Beach, Double Six Rooftop, El Kabron at Uluwatu, and many
more.
- Don’t forget to visit other tiny untouched islands
around Bali while visit Bali
Bali has
three other islands beside the big island.
If you would like to experience the virgin of Bali, you should visit
Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan.
Here you can enjoy spectacular sunsets, snorkeling, enjoy mangrove
forest, and serenity of the beach because there are not many tourists
here.
- Easy to find WiFi, but not always free
There are
very few budget hotels in Bali have an internet connection and those that do
have internet are usually on dial up! But most big hotels have internet part of
your stay. Some internet cafes you can
visit, but they are expensive in the tourist area. If you want to shop around for internet café,
go to the internet café where the locals
hang out. My family and I bought a hotspot connection around $30
and plus the time (called: Hotspot Mobile Wi-Fi Smartfren, Andromax M3Y), You
pay as you go, and faster than internet café around. I watch videos, check email, Skype, etc.…
Happy
Travel!
