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Bali, Indonesia
INDONESIA >> ISLAND OF BALI
by Teena Hughes
Located eight to nine degrees south of the Equator in Indonesia, Bali is azure blue skies, turquoise ocean, rainbows of coral reefs, tropical fish, luscious green palm trees, lush gardens, impressive volcanoes and riots of colourful Balinese clothing. It's a must-see island guaranteed to please the adventuress in you.
The Balinese people are the warmest, kindest people I have ever met on my travels. Even the traffic doesn't bother anyone as they drive slowly enough to let all other drivers into the flow. A gentle beep lets everyone know another car or bike is about to move over. For the spiritually inclined, this tropical paradise is a perfect place to visit to get in touch with nature, peace and tranquillity.
After landing at Denpassar airport, make sure to cash a couple hundred dollars into Indonesia Rupiahs (RP) so you'll be able to pay for your taxi or bus ride to your hotel. Just outside the airport entrance is the taxi booking office. Queue up and see the posted prices to specific areas, pay your money, take your receipt, and find your taxi driver. I stayed in Candidasa on the east coast and the two hour journey cost me 200,000RP (US$23-25)
P.S. Prepare yourself for the heat and humidity as soon as you step outside the airport. It's a great idea to carry a folding fan in your backpack -- with a bit of wrist action you can create a little coolness.
The village of Candidasa is off the beaten track -- quiet, quaint, and peaceful. I stayed at the Dewa Bharata Hotel located right on the ocean. There was a pool to enjoy as well as handheld showers (hot & cold water) and ceiling fans (air conditioning is available but not necessary). The rooms here are rustic and clean, and the staff members were like a model family - always happy and helpful. Rates were approximately US$23-25 per night/twin share. Website: www.indo.com/hotels/dewa-bharata-cdasa/, Tel: 0363-41090.
Ubud is the mountain village populated by artists, with lots of inexpensive accommodation lining the main shopping street called Monkey Forest Road. Ubud Terraces and others close by cost approximately US$17-19 when I was there.
In Candidasa you can have a massage by the pool on the edge of the ocean where local Balinese women charge $US3.50 - 5.75 for an hour of heaven. Or, for an experience not to be missed, visit the Dewi Salon for manicure, pedicure and massage by the owner Debbie. Just imagine being pampered silly -- Balinese music playing in the background and sounds of the fountain in the courtyard lulling you into a state of bliss.
P.S. A Balinese manicure includes an arm massage as well. Yum!
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Food, shopping, shoes!
The usual local fare consists of rice with vegetables and small amounts of beef or chicken. Most villages and towns have a wide variety of restaurants, with prices starting from US$2 a meal for chicken satay and rice plus all kinds of delicious Indonesian dishes.
Western meals are also widely available, and if you're looking for a truly special dinner in the mountain village of Ubud, try Terazo (on Jaya Suweto), where a four-course dinner for two costs approximately US$35 and is considered quite upmarket. In Sanur near the airport, Billy's Cafe (named after the owner's dog) had great meals.
Reminder: Always ask for bottled water in all cafes and restaurants!
Bali is small enough so that you can hire a taxi or personal driver to get the best transportation value -- especially if there are two or more travellers. For approximately US$12, you can be driven to many places only one to two hours from your hotel. You're able, for example, to visit the elephant sanctuary or Monkey Forest, and be back at your hotel by 6:00pm. Local reliable taxi drivers I met and used include Agung (based in Candidasa). You can book him in advance to meet you at the airport and drive you to the village (Tel: 0363-21627); in Ubud, call Made (pronounced Mah-day) at 081-734-5533, or Gede (pronounced. G'day) at 0812-390-3434.
At Momo's store (Kunti St No. 20, Seminyak ) you'll be able to order beautiful handmade leather and suede shoes in many colours, for both men and women. In fact, if you bring a favorite pair from home they will copy it exactly! Want a leather coat, skirt or boots made? That's no problem either. Tel: 0361-732-361. Tailors/seamstresses abound in Bali and JourneyWomen can get clothes made for very reasonable prices. Visa & Mastercard are both accepted in tourist areas, and you can get cash out at most ATMs. In smaller villages moneychangers will cash travellers cheques for you.
Handpainted scarves & sarongs are in abundance in Bali. Visit Gorim's shop in Ubud (Penestanan - Klod, Tel: 80571) for the most exquisite shawls, scarves and sarongs -- approximately US$5-6 each. It makes sense to buy half a dozen for Christmas and birthday gifts.
There are so many beautiful inexpensive items to buy in Bali, but be sure to check on what you can bring back to your country. For example, Australia has to screen every wooden item as well as leather products, very carefully. Woven handbags could possibly be contaminated with tiny little bugs, so shop with your eyes wide open. Ubud is definitely Bali's shopper's heaven, but many other wonderful treasures can also be found in the tiny little out-of-the-way villages.
P.S. You might want to pack an extra shopping bag or small suitcase so you'll be able to bring back all your extra goodies.
I suggest packing lightweight T-shirts, shorts and summer dresses. However, if your budget allows, have some fun. Take very little with you and buy whatever you need for a fraction of what it would cost at home. Sarongs can be worn over shorts for temple visits and slip-on sandals are ideal -- easy to slip off before entering shops & places of worship. Don't forget to pack closed shoes for serious walking (tennis shoes etc.). A hat (foldup is perfect) is essential as it is very sunny and hot year round with temperatures hovering between 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit or 24-33 degrees Celsius. It's a good idea to take a long-sleeved sweater or shirt for slightly cooler evenings.
Internet shops are everywhere, even in the tiniest villages. An average cost for using computers is about US$0.04 per minute. If you want to take your cellphone along, make sure you have "global roaming" so you can make and receive calls overseas. For this you'll have to contact your service provider a few weeks in advance. If you use SMS (Short Message Service on your cellphone), this is the quickest and cheapest way to stay in touch.
One final bit of advice: Make sure that you keep 100,000 RP for your Airport Departure Tax (US$12.50) on the way home. Have fun, everybody!
Teena, Sydney
Photos © Tour East Indonesia
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