Did I mention that we are heading back to Bali in 77 days? To be specific 1838 hours. Can you tell that I'm a little excited!!??
This will be my 4th or 5th trip to Bali in recent years, and every time I get there, I'm already planning my next trip back. The people, the culture, shopping and relaxation - I get into a zen like feeling the minute that I land at the airport.
So you've never been to Bali but are thinking of going? All I can say is GO! It's 5.5 hours flight from Melbourne, a couple of movies on the plane and you are there. I love hot weather so it's right up my alley chilling in the heat, relxing by the pool, massages, food, shopping and more massages!
Here is my 5 min quick tip cheat sheet for your first visit:
Money
Change over a couple of hundred dollars at the airport in Australia to Rupiah - just enough so that you can get drinks, a meal and some massages when you arrive
We always just take out debit card and use the ATM’s at the Circle K stores {they are like 7 Eleven’s here}, from memory you can pull out about $100 worth of Rupiah at a time and then I don’t have to worry about carrying around or storing a whole lot of cash.
Upholstery
Nearly every second shop is either a Upholstery, Leather or Massage shop so there are a whole lot of options of where to get these.
When I want to get stuff made up {it’s dirt cheap there!}and I already have clothes or cushions that I have at home, I take them with me and get the shop to make up what I want in the colours, material type etc…. {I like my work pants so I usually take a couple that I always wear and get them to duplicate the style for me}
Always always always negotiate the price! They will always start high and will usually say “ what do you think?” as they are waiting for your first offer. Let's say you think all the cushions you are prepared to pay $50 for them start low - $15 and work your way up.
Massages
You will find Massage places everywhere!!!
They are dirt cheap usually around $5 for a whole body massage for 1 hour.
I always tip the girls directly at the end of the massage at the time of payment as they all work on commission
Scams
You will see little kids coming up to you with wrist bracelets to sell
You will also see women holding little toddlers on their arms begging for money
Politely say no thank you and move on - this is a SCAM - The women usually pick up the little kids from orphanages for the day and drug them up with stuff to make them look sleepy {it’s run like organised crime}
Same as the little kids with the braclets
If someone stops you and asks if they can have a minute of your time - NO THANKYOU!
This is most likely someone seeking you out for a TIMESHARE scam - they’ll also ask you where you are staying - make up a resort!
They’ll want to show you a brochure and possible give you a scratchy where you will win an instant prize - get invited to a meeting and then they do the hard sell on you for TIMESHARE. Waste of time and energy - just a no thank you and walk away
Buying stuff
Everything is for negotiation in the stalls, If you want to buy something in a stall - start low and then negotiate.
DVD’s are $1
TShirts $5 -$10
For touristy stuff there is an awesome place we go to in Kuta which is like a massive Kmart but cheap as chips and a whole shop full of everything Bali - every taxi man knows where Krishna is in Kuta.
Heres the link for Krishna where we go to get our nick nacks http://www.tourguide-bali.com/information/bali’s-typical-souvenir-stores
getting our tourist on!
Scooters
DONT GO ON THEM OR HIRE THEM! - Half the tourists that do are half drunk and is a sure way of causing massive accidents- traffic is mayhem and there are no road rules. The Blue Bird taxis cost nothing - but make sure when you get in one to ensure that they have put the metre on - if it’s not on ask them to turn it on - we catch taxis everywhere and it costs us $2 - $6 taxi trip
Places to Eat, Drink and be Merry {my version of Eat,Pray,Love}
Jimbaren Bay
Great place to have a sunset dinner on the beach with yummy seafood!
A bit on the pricey side for Bali standards but we paid for dinner for 2 - yum seafood and candlelit dinner about $150 a couple of years back
Echo Beach
We have been going to Echo beach now for the last couple of trips
It’s not on the beach but on a cliff face and a BBQ style Seafood Buffet - Yum!
Seminyak
That’s where a lot of expats reside and is classed as the ladida area of the Legian strip
Some nice restaurants that we have enjoyed :
Rumours Restaurant
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g469404-d945952-Reviews-Rumours-Seminyak_Bali.html -
Naughty Nuris
A Fancy Fancy bar is Potato Head in Seminyak - be prepared though to wait in a line to get in though unless you have made a reservation
Be prepared though to pay high prices - Aussie prices and more for drinks and food - it’s not our cup of tea but heaps of people rave on about it
For a nice meal on the beach front in Legian we like Blue Ocean http://blueoceanbali.com
Also, wine is expensive in Bali - and i love my white wine - but when we go there I drink beer when we are out and about and cocktails at the resort
So many gorgeous places to see and a million things to do - even if it is just for a short and sweet break away from the hussle and bussle of your day - I'm sure if you visit you will be a convert like me!
Gorgeous UBUD
oxoxo
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