You need to purchase a visa on arrival which is US$25pp (you can also pay in rupiah). The queues can be longer than the ones in Mary's kitchen when she has made a cheesecake, so you can organise a VIP service to get around this. Your hotel or villa can organise this, so ask them for an airport transfer. On top of the US$25, another US$30 or thereabouts will get you the VIP service. They will organise for someone to meet you off the plane with a sign for your name, purchase the visa for you, and take you through the VIP fast track. This can never be a bad thing, it's how we roll. You can always just go through the normal channel, but it is advisable if you are travelling with kids to take advantage of this service. Otherwise, you can use it just because you are fabulous.
If you are staying at a villa it is normal for the staff to ask for your passports on arrival, they need to register guests with the local authorities.
There is also an exit tax of INR 150,000 you pay on departure at the airport per person.
There is also an exit tax of INR 150,000 you pay on departure at the airport per person.
WONGA
Jim on his first trip to Bali changed up enough Malaysian Ringgit to pay off the debt of a third world country. After explaining to him that Asia wasn't a country, Bali was in Indonesia and he'd need Indonesian Rupiah, he then confused his zeros. Its a family trait, I enjoyed a very expensive bottle of red wine courtesy of Rob for the same reason. Rupiah to USD is around 8,000 to 1 for an easy guide. There are plenty of ATM's, in particular a couple near the baggage claim when you get off the flight.
TIPS AND TAXIS
Taxis are plentiful and now all have meters so make sure the driver turns it on. Drivers are cheap for the day also, and your villa or hotel will provide them easily. Some villas will include a driver and you just have to pay him extra if he waits around till the early hours to bring you home from whatever dodgy nightclub you have stumbled across.
Tips to drivers etc is up to you but for a hotel porter around 5-10k is fine. We always leave a tip for villa staff also and they split it between themselves.
HAGGLING
Have some fun haggling with the street vendors and vendors on the beach. They are only trying to eek out a living so don't get too aggressive. Having said that can become annoying, so take it all with good humour. Jessica and Mary will give haggling lessons every afternoon shopping in Seminyak, if you really want to see how its done. They'll show you how to pay double the first price you initially offered, and you'll find the vendor driving a BMW instead of a moped the next day.
HAGGLING
Have some fun haggling with the street vendors and vendors on the beach. They are only trying to eek out a living so don't get too aggressive. Having said that can become annoying, so take it all with good humour. Jessica and Mary will give haggling lessons every afternoon shopping in Seminyak, if you really want to see how its done. They'll show you how to pay double the first price you initially offered, and you'll find the vendor driving a BMW instead of a moped the next day.
WATER
Don't drink it from the tap or you might find it quickly coming out of other places! Drink bottled water, avoid ice unless you know its been made from distilled water (the villa and hotels will do this) and be careful of salads.
MEDICAL SERVICES
We have spent more time in the Bali Clinic than we have at the beach. After some particularly overenthusiastic shapes being thrown on the dancefloor at Double 6 Club, Emma was taken by the Bali Booze bus to the hospital, and had her lip stitched up after putting her teeth through it. She can confirm the quality of care was fantastic. The staff were particularly tolerant of the HK crew who, while very concerned about their mate, turned the waiting room into a mini-disco, spilling beer and danish pastries all over the floor.
There are a number of hospitals in Bali and we have used BIMC Hospital in Kuta, and also Bali Clinic in Seminyak for ear infections, a visit for Henry and god knows what else. Doesn't look much but they are very competent.
There are a number of hospitals in Bali and we have used BIMC Hospital in Kuta, and also Bali Clinic in Seminyak for ear infections, a visit for Henry and god knows what else. Doesn't look much but they are very competent.
KIDS
The Balinese are so good with children that you'll want to take them home with you. The Balinese that is, not the kids. Hotel or villa staff will organise babysitters for you and we have left Henry with them on more than one occasion and they have been wonderful. We can also suggest some babysitting services (go on, you know you want to):
Also if your villa doesn't have enough high chairs, cots etc and hubby doesn't want to drag it all in the luggage try www.balibaby.com or www.balibabyhire.com
TRAFFIC AND RUBBISH
Both can be horrible in Bali. Unfortunate, but just so you know.
TRAFFIC AND RUBBISH
Both can be horrible in Bali. Unfortunate, but just so you know.
