Bali is not your typical exotic tropical island. Despite what the travel brochures and travel agents say, and the beautiful pics, it's not the paradise with crystal clear water lapping onto palm tree fringed white sandy beaches.

Now we have ruined your perception of the holiday you have planned for years, we can assure you that the beauty of Bali is more the people, the culture and yes... the island has a beauty... but it is more a state of mind than anything else.

Bali is just one of some 13,600 islands in this volcanic chain that is Indonesia.  Situated only three and a half hours north of Perth, it is closer than any Australian mainland capital.

It has a population of some 3.5 million people, yet in many ways, is still primitive by western standards.  This is part of the beauty of Bali, which has gone through many changes over the past 20 years, yet still retains traditional links despite our western need to change everything to suit us.
 

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It is essential to realize that Bali is part of Asia and many things we take for granted here are just not available.  Or if they are it is usually a poor substitute, can be inferior in quality, and to the uninitiated this can be very frustrating.

The most important thing you can take to Bali is your sense of humour.   If you take each day as it comes, don't expect too much, and understand that it isn't Australia and things will be different.  Just relax and enjoy the short time you are there... you will have a ball!

When you first arrive in Bali... The hot and humid air hits you as you get off the plane.  The customs arrival can be traumatic.  All you want to do is get to your hotel and you learn your first lesson... The Balinese are ruled by red tape and authority.  The unending stamp for this and that and the sometimes unfriendly attitude of officials can be intimidating.  However a lot has been done to welcome the tourist in the last few years.  Once through customs it is always wise to change some money at the airport.   Check out the different rates before you leave the customs area.  They are usually quite competitive to the rates in the street.   You never know when you may require money before you can get to change more and if you have local currency it saves giving out Aussie money for goods or services at inflated prices.

Beware porters at the airport.   Most are hustlers and can be extremely rude and intimidating either entering or leaving Bali.  If you want someone to carry your luggage there are signs to advise what to pay.   Some try to extort huge sums of money out of the unwary by threats after the service.   Or throw a tantrum hoping you will throw money at them to get them to go away.  This can get your holiday off to a bad start.   So act calmly, be firm... and pay them what the signs say.  Better still... if you don't want the hassle, carry your own luggage!!

Once outside you may have transfers arranged by your agent.  Usually by holding up your travel documents,  your agent in Bali will approach you to tell you where to wait until he gets all the other tourists that he has to locate.  This can take a while as some tourists can be still drinking in the plane!!   Or casually taking their time inside at customs.  The frequent traveller to Bali often gets his own transfers to save time.   Taxis are available at the airport at advertised rates.  Be aware that if you have a surfboard or more than two people they will charge more.  If you have transfers you will be with other people and you get dropped off at your hotel on the basis of those closest to the airport first.  If you are staying at a distant hotel be prepared for a long trip!

The drive through the back streets to the tourist areas can be a culture shock... Bali can be dirty, noisy and very hot.   As you wind through the narrow streets you may start to wonder where the Bali in the brochures is... No one tells you about this.  But wait,  it gets better.  Kuta is the main tourist area on the west side of the island and can be a real mind opener.  Here you will find most of the night life.   The beaches are more like at home.  There are more markets, and obviously, more people,  hustle and bustle.
The Sanur/ Nusa Dua east side of the island, some 10 kms away,  is more peaceful, isolated and laid back.  Many of the huge hotels of international standard are located here.

Most tourists still stay on the Kuta side of Bali.   There is a lot more to do. Sure, there are more people and more noise and dirt... but that is part of Bali... and you have to get used to it.

Kuta Beach is probably the most well known tourist mecca in Bali.   It is very similar to our West Australian beaches.  It Faces west and has generally similar conditions.  In fact, the swells that hit Bali can come from Australia.  It is wise to treat the ocean with the same respect as at home.  It can be dangerous!

North of Kuta is the popular tourist areas of Legian and further north  Seminyak.  The road patterns on the west side of the island are very simple.  It is virtually one big one way circuit around the main tourist area with lanes winding through the middle.  Once out of this main drag,  the roads all seem to find their way back to Kuta or Denpasar,  the island capital some 10 kms east of Kuta.  It is impossible to get lost.  Every lane will go somewhere.   Ok... You will walk into dead ends and have to go back... but its a perfect way to look around.   But the best way to get your bearings is to just get out and walk!  You can always hail a taxi and within minutes you can be back at your hotel.

It is wise not to walk in dark alleys at night...  But remember that it is no worse than at home...  If you wouldn't do it here,  don't do it in Bali!

The people are very friendly.   You can always ask directions if you get lost. Don't panic!!

Most hotels are reasonable by western standards,  but remember that you are in an Asian country and the standards are not as high as at home.  What you regard at home as minimum standards of cleanliness and comfort can be seen in Bali as superior, with many levels below!  Rooms can be pretty basic.   It is wise to book into a hotel that has a few comforts.   Like TV!   Make sure it is satellite... Or unless you understand Indonesian  it's not worth having.  Many hotels have in house movies.   And while you may be going to Bali to party, shop, or  whatever,  it's always handy to relax in front of telly.

Make sure you have air conditioning and that it is part of the package you are paying for.  Same with a refrigerator in your room.  Some people prefer a fan, however, after a hot day of shopping or on the beach... the good ol' modern aircon is welcome!  It is wise to make sure that you don't have the aircon blowing directly onto you... it can make you very ill!   Most people leave the aircon all day so it is cool after a hot days activities... some hotels have systems that shut off when you leave the room and it takes a half hour for the aircon to work when you turn it on.

Generally, most hotels charge exorbitant prices for food and drinks purchased in house.  Most people empty out the fridge in the room and fill it with drinks purchased outside.   There are plenty of markets or stores where you can stock up on necessities.   Like that drink or chocky you always seem to want at 3 AM!!  The mini bars at hotels are traps... Just a drink here, or a choc bar there... and when you leave you get this ridiculous bill that always seems to be arguable.

Check with your agent before you book for these if they concern you.

Food in your hotel,  while it is assumed to be safer than out in the streets,  can be a trap.  Usually it is expensive... attracts a 21% tax... and is highly priced to start with!  There are many places to eat that are reasonably clean... but do not expect the same standards as we have here.  It is a good guide to look for Australians in a restaurant.  Ask around...  We have recommended a few in our ratings board.

Your swimming pool at your hotel is usually the centre of activity.   You will meet people around the pool.  Don't be afraid to ask questions!   Don't forget... they were all first timers once!

Most people are only too happy to share their experiences with you.  Ask where they bought things,  what restaurants or bars they go to... where the food is good...  Or even go to our comments pages here where we hope people will share their experiences!  You may even consider commenting yourself!!

Most hotels have safety deposit boxes.  Use them!  Many holidays are ruined by money being stolen!  It is wise also to allocate a certain amount of money each day and carry only that around with you.   Get an envelope for every day and leave it in the safety deposit box until the day.   That way the most you can ever lose is one day's money!

Beware drinking the water!   Bottled water is fine.    Most hotels boil water and place a jug in each room.   Check with housekeeping.

Beware the money changers in the streets!  This is one area that the authorities have to do something... and quickly!   Almost all money changers rip you off.    If you find a good one who is honest... go back... tell your friends.   If you find a bad one... tell everyone!   While you may think you are pretty streetwise, these guys are experts!  They can move money around and you just cannot see them.   They count it out in front of you... yet before you go away and recount it,  it's usually short.  The worst part is that they prey on the young and the elderly.  If you see an exchange rate that looks high... it probably is and is usually too good to be true!  The most honest dealers often don't have the highest rates.  You must count and recount every exchange... They even have calculators that are rigged.   Take your own.  And don't be bullied or intimidated by them.   Never let them handle your money after you have counted it.  Always be the last one to count... and take your time!  These guys are good!!!

Be wary of the beach... Bali is generally safe  but it is a different place than you are used to.  There can be very dangerous rips... you might not even see them.   Many tourists drown in Bali because they do not observe simple rules of survival.

Never drink on the beach and swim!!  The sun, combined with alcohol can delude you into taking unnecessary risks.

• Use plenty of sunscreen.  Even a few minutes out in the glaring sun can give you bad sunburn that can ruin your holiday.

• If you are not an experienced swimmer... always swim between the red and yellow flags. Rip tides in Bali can appear from no where in minutes... be wary!
Surfers can get heaps of surf info at surf shops!   "TUBES" bar in Poppies Lane has free tide charts.   As a rule,  the local breaks work best on high tide, so a tide chart is essential!!   (And the beer isn't too bad there either!)

Renting cars and motorcycles can be a trap... Ask around first.  Find an honest dealer.  You can often hire these in back lanes at very competitive rates.    Never drink and drive in Bali!    It's just not worth it...

If you drive... use the horn!!   It's not like here.   Here you might get into a fight tooting all the time but in Bali it is considered courtesy!

A bike should cost around $3 a day.  But try it out before paying for it.  A lot of them are pretty crappy and the owner may try to get you to repair pre-existing damage when you take it back.

Hawkers are not as bad as they used to be...  Most are now made to be located inside roadside shops and not on the footpaths.   It used to be  so you had to get off the path to get by.   Most are reasonable.  You can have a fun with most.   Don't get aggressive... they are only trying to make a living. Bartering can be fun!!

Never promise to buy something from them later just to get rid of them... you will regret it!!  They will remember and hound you till the moment you leave.  They will sit outside your hotel gate and make your holiday a misery till you give in and pay their price to get rid of them!  Don't listen to people who say you offer half the price you are quoted when buying in Bali... the Balinese have heard that too!!!  At the end of the day you must be happy that what you are prepared to pay is a good price.  The Balinese seller may go into a laughing fit at what you offer...  and tell you that you will bankrupt him and more!   It is all part of the game... and it is a game...  Often the goods offered at a first price of 50,000 rupiah will end up costing as little as 5,000.   So don’t be fooled by all the conning...

And remember...  Everyone pays too much for something...   Even those who have been to Bali 100 times.   If the bartering isn't enjoyable and you are not having fun, simply, don't do it.   It's not worth getting upset over what in the end is only a few cents.    Remember too that to us it's only a matter of cents sometimes... While to the Balinese it can be the difference between eating that day and not.

The traders on the beach can be very ruthless to new tourists.   It is highly recommended that you don't buy anything off the beach until you understand the currency and the prices of goods.  Many young tourists end up in tears as a result of pressure and intimidation by beach hawkers...  The often heard,  "You promise to buy!",  at prices inflated by up to 500% and threats to call the police can often can ruin a holiday.  Never be intimidated by hawkers.  Be friendly... but walk away if they are unreasonable.   Check around with other tourists about prices if you are considering an item before you barter.

Don't be afraid to call their bluff about the police.   If you get hassled, call a cop!   Let them know you will.   After you get a bit of colour, they tend to leave you alone, and go on to attack ‘new blood’.

Look around for the best prices doing the tourist stuff...   Most hotels have tourist desks, but remember they are usually on commission.  Try to wait a few days to do things that cost money.   A few days round the pool listening to other Aussies will make you into the seasoned tourist really quick!

There are so many things now to do in Bali that it is not possible to address them all here.

We hope that people will support our home page and enter comments about everything!   We don't mind!   Tell others what impressed you about Bali.  What you liked and didn't like.   Even while in Bali  go to a internet cafe and drop us a line!  We have a chat line even.    We hope that West Australians will support the page.

Some final tips to the first timer...
 

• Take out insurance... for the peace of mind, it's worth it.

• Even though Bali is quite safe now  it is worth getting the necessary needles and taking the usual medications and advice freely available.  Bali Belly is still prevalent.  The change in diet can have a detrimental affect on your system.   Recommended to take is red cordial... Seems to work especially well with kids.   Start a few weeks before you go and take a strong drink every morning.   Old wives tale perhaps... but too many people swear by it!

• If driving in Bali  go to the RAC and obtain an international driving license. Don't risk driving unlicensed!

• Don't do drugs of any description.  Most tourists are offered drugs in the street... never even discuss it with anyone... you can be set up and the penalties are very severe.

• Avoid being the ‘ugly’ Australian.   We have all seen them...  The worst things that have happened to the Balinese people and culture have been done by tourists.  Be polite to them.  Respect their customs and their way of life.


So,  that's a bit of what we can advise!   Most of it you have to learn for yourself.   And that's the best part!   No one can live your holiday for you!  Take on board what you hear,  but everyone is different. What we like you might find disgusting... haha!!   But there is no place like Bali for a relaxing holiday... just remember that sense of humour.

Have fun!!!

Bruce and Barbara Cresswell