Balivayatravel.com - Travellertips #3

More Traveller Tips:

Internet/E-mail: Internet cafes are springing up all over Bali (and, realizing that the majority of travelers use Hotmail, have a direct link to same), but the connections can still be painfully slow, particularly early to mid-evening when everyone in Indonesia (so it seems) is checking their e-mail. Since the cafes charge by the minute, you can rack up quite a bill just trying to read your mail. Go at off hours and if the connection seems slow, sign off and come back again some other time. Many hotels also will let you use their Internet connection to read e-mail.

We recommend: Bali@Cyber Café & Restaurant,Jalan Pura Bagus Taruna,

hchua@idola.net.id; http://www.singnet.com.sg/-hchua/café.htm

Language: The Balinese speak both Indonesian and Balinese--the former when out in public, the latter at home. English is widely spoken throughout Bali, particularly in the major tourist areas. While not everyone is fluent, most of the people you will be dealing with will speak enough English that you can communicate with them.

Post Office/Mail: Your hotel can send mail for you, or you can go to the post office in Denpasar (Jalan Raya Puputan Renon, tel. 361-223568). Other branches are in Kuta, Ubud, and Sanur. For big items, there are packing and shipping services in all major tourist areas. Cost is determined either by size or weight.

Taxes: Most hotels and restaurants add a "plus-plus" to the bill--a 10% and 11% combination of sales tax and service charge, for a total of 21%.

Telephones: As many hotels charge a great deal even for using your calling card, you are better off using Wartels, privately owned public phones. There's one in every tourist center, though some work better than others. Some also have Internet services.

Time: Bali is Greenwich Mean Time plus 8 hours, except during daylight saving time, which they do not observe. That's 13 hours ahead of Eastern standard time in the U.S., and 16 hours ahead of Pacific standard time.

Tipping: Tipping is not required, and not even encouraged. Most restaurants include a "service charge" in the "plus-plus" added to the bill. If you feel you must tip when dining, just leave a very small amount. More often than not, the recipient will be surprised.

Toilets: Western style toilets with seats are becoming more common than the Asian squat variety, though cheap losmen/homestays and some less touristed public places still have the latter. Always carry some toilet paper with you or you may have to use your hand (the left one only, please) and the dip bucket available.

Water: Avoid tap water in Bali unless properly boiled. Bottled water is available everywhere and restaurants in tourist areas seem to use it as a matter of course, but you should always ask to be sure.

Embassies/Consulates: United States: Jl. Segara Ayu 5, Sanur (tel. 361-288478); Jl. Hayam Wuruk no. 188, Denpasar (tel. 361-233605). Australia: Jl. Prof. Moch, Yamin 51, Denpasar (tel. 361-235092). Canada: Wisma Metropolitan I, 5th floor, Jl. Jen. Sudirman, Kav. 29, Jakarta (tel. 021-510709). Great Britain: Jl. Thamrin 75, Jakarta (tel. 021-330904). Germany: Jl. Pantai Karang 17 (tel. 361-282009).

Italy: Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai Jimbaran (tel. 361-701005). Japan: Jl. Raya Puputan 170 (tel. 361-225472). Netherlands: Jl. Raya Iman Bonjol 599 (tel. 361-751571). Denmark: Jl. Jaya Giri VIII/10 (tel. 361-235098). France: Jl. Raya Sesetan 46D (tel. 287383). Sweden: Jl. Segara Hotel Segara Village Sanur (tel. 361-*288407). Austria/Swiss: Jl. Pura Bagus Taruna Legian Kaja tel. 361-751735).

Tourism: approx. 4 million visitors per year

Have a great and safe Trip and enly your holiday here in Bali & beyond