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| Travel Tips |
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Visitors are welcome to attend any ceremony held either
at a family-compound or a temple provided that they are
properly dressed or at least put a sash around their waist
- this means you must wear a sarong and modest clothing
to show respect to the host or Deities of the place visited.
- Sarongs
can almost always be hired at temple gates, or you may be
able to use your own if you have one (always ask). In any
case, a sash may also be required (which is generally hired).
Pay due respect to local customs and dress correctly when
visiting temples.
- However,
at a temple, a visitor is kindly requested not to enter
the main-court during worship-time
- Ladies
menstruating are kindly requested not to enter any temple
or holy place
- Many
places in Bali still trade in the traditional way, where
the buyer offers a price, the seller scoffs indignantly,
asks a higher price, the buyer offers somewhere between
and eventually the sale is made somewhere within the range
of the opening bids.
-
The hasslers: Walking down the streets of Bali's major tourist
villages is often quite a chore. There will always be someone
trying to sell watches, perfume, transport or other items
such as paintings, post-cards or wood-carvings. These are
the inevitable hassles that one must face. To reduce the
stress of conflict, try to ignore unwanted sales-pitches,
keep walking, and retain your composure even under duress
of pressure sales tactics.
- Driving
a vehicle in Indonesia (Bali) is done on the left side.
- Transportation
in Bali was always cheap by any standard. The metered radio
taxis start with a flag fall of Rp 3,000 (plus Rp 1,000
per kilometer), and most trips cost Rp 5,000 to Rp 20,000.
- You
will need a police report to replace a stolen passport or
for your personal insurance claims.
- If
you are stopped by the police for a traffic violation, you
may be requested to appear before a court in Denpasar. A
possible way of avoiding this situation is to offer to pay
the fine on the spot. Obviously, you should not suggest
a bribe to any police officers, however many officers will
be willing to levy an on the spot fine (which may be negotiable
by clever bargaining) so you may avoid a court appearance.
- Don't
leave your valuables on the beach while you are swimming.
- Hotel
rooms aren't a safe place for your valuables-leave valuable
possessions in a safety-deposit box and lock your room.
Many losmen and guest houses allow you to use your own padlock.
- All
travelers to Indonesia must be in possession of a passport
that is valid for at least six months past the date of arrival,
and must have proof (such as tickets) of onward or return
passage. Visas are not required for nationals of many countries,
including, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the
Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom and
the United States of America. For others, tourist visas
can be obtained from any Indonesian Embassy or Consulate.
Your travel agent can assist.
- The
maximum stay permitted for tourists is two months, and is
not extendible. Those intending a longer stay must contact
the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate in their home country
before leaving.
- Receiving
or giving something with the left hand is impolite.
- Always
swim between the red and yellow marker flags on the beaches.
The areas between the flags are patrolled by surf lifesavers.
Swimming outside the flags is a foolish risk, as the placement
of the flags specifically identifies safe patrolled sections
of the beach.
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