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Travel Tips and Important
Information
Useful information
for the "Island of the Gods".
Send an [ Email]
if you feel that something is missing or no longer
correct.
Behaviour
Many tours of Bali
Discovery Tours bring small groups to fragile
traditional cultures and nature areas. We ask
that you leave these beautiful destinations
as you find them and obey all cultural and safety
guidelines given by our trained guides. Help
us in our efforts to preserve the environment
and preserve the natural heritage of Bali. Please
take only photographs, bring back only memories
and leave only footprints!
The following behavior is not permitted
on our tours:
The collection of coral or shells or the purchase
of any items made from these materials.
The distribution of money or small gifts to
children. Such behavior creates a negative and
potentially damaging expectation vis-à-vis tourism.
Bali Discovery Tours is happy to provide clients
with a list of local charities willing to wisely
distribute charitable donations.
The purchase of any item made from endangered
animal product. Please do not purchase these
items.
Business Hours
Government office hours usually run from
08.00 a.m. until 05.00 p.m. Monday to Friday
and half days on Saturdays. Supermarkets,
department stores and shops - like similar
businesses around the world maintain long
opening hours for their customer's convenience.
Museums are closed on Mondays.
Currency
The Indonesian Rupiah
offers very favorable rates of exchange and buying
power against most foreign currencies. Hotels,
moneychangers, and banks provide foreign exchange
services.
We strongly recommend the use of banks, whenever
possible, when exchanging currency. Always insist
on an official receipt at the time of the transaction
and take your time to make sure the money received
matches the total shown on the receipt.
Those bringing foreign currency to Indonesia should
note that many banks and moneychangers refuse
to accept foreign bank notes that are soiled,
torn or generally poor condition.
Dress Standards
Balinese are generally
modest in their modes of dress and believe that
the most basic sign of respect to another is correct
attire.
While shorts and singlets are generally acceptable
while shopping or just walking, long trousers
for men and dresses for women are strongly suggested
when visiting friends, calling on government offices,
or attending places of worship.
Specific rules apply whenever visiting a Balinese
Pura or temple. Your Bali Discovery guide will
make sure that guests are aware of the protocols
and have a sarong available to wear whenever visiting
a pura.
Electrical
Current
Electrical current in
Bali is 220 volts at 50 cycles.
Most electrical plugs are set to take a two-pin
plug. Purchase an international adapter or ask
your hotel to lend you one.
Health
Bali has a several well-equipped
hospitals providing emergency and outpatient services.
There are also several very modern and efficient
medical service centers on the island that have
been established to cater to the needs of foreign
visitors.
Health services are not socialized in Indonesia
and it is therefore recommended that visitors
purchase travel insurance.
Passport
and Visa
All arrivals from international
visitors to Indonesia after February 1, 2004,
are subject to new visa regulations!
balidiscovery.com has prepared a short [ Visa
Guide] to Indonesia.
Please check the latest visa requirements by
contacting the Embassy / Consulate in your country
of origin before commencing your vacation.
Religious
Services
Most major religions
are represented in Bali with Catholic and Protestant
denominations providing English language services.
Particularly worth a visit is the inspiring Puja
Mandala complex near Nusa Dua in which places
of worship for the Roman Catholic, Protestant,
Hindu, Buddhist and Moslem stand side-by-side
in a single complex.
Scuba Diving
Bali has a number of
excellent diving and snorkeling locations - many
of them offering world-class explorations below
sea level.
Bali Discovery Tours can design excellent dive
programs in the company of experienced Dive Masters.
Diving certification programs are also available
for those wishing to learn how to dive. Please
remember to complete your last dive 24 hours before
joining any flight.
Walking Shoes
A comfortable pair of
shoes for walking is highly recommended; particularly
when you will be joining one of Bali Discovery's
trekking programs.
Smoking
The Indonesian people
are only gradually becoming aware of the dangers
of smoking. As a result, prohibitions on smoking
in public areas are still very rare.
Some of the international hotels in Bali do make
non-smoking sections available in public dining
rooms and provide non-smoking rooms. If this is
your preference, please let us know when making
an accommodation booking.
Smoking is now banned on all domestic flights
and air-conditioned vehicles, including the busses
and vehicles operated by Bali Discovery Tours.
Special Diets
Indonesian hotels serve
an almost endless array of international cuisine
in addition to the succulent and sometimes spicy
Indonesian fare. People with specific dietary
requests should advise Bali Discovery Tours at
the time of booking so we may facilitate any special
requirements into your tour program.
Telecommunications
Indonesian telecommunications
are of a high standard and generally available.
Hotels offer international direct dialing, facsimile
and, often, Internet connections.
The government has also established a nationwide
network of small business people operating "WARTEL"
or telecommunication kiosks offering international
and domestic telephone communications at competitive
rates.
Bali has several mobile telephone servers that,
depending on agreements in place with your home
service supplier, should provide roaming support
for your hand phone brought from home. Another
option is renting a [ Mobile
Phone] from Bali Discovery Tours.
Tipping
Most major hotels and
some restaurants include a 10% service charge
in your bill. When this is the case, no additional
gratuity is required or expected.
Travel Tip
Please consider making
a photocopy of your airline tickets and the identifying
pages of your passport. Also make a list of all
travelers' checks and your credit card details.
Store all of this data separately from your wallet.
Having these details at hand will speed replacement
in the event of loss.
Water
Tap water is generally
NOT potable in Indonesia. Bottled drinks
including a wide range of bottled mineral waters
are readily available.
Weather
The island of Bali sits
ate between 5 and 10 degrees south latitude below
the equator. As a result, weather is generally
calm for most of the year. Daytime temperatures
are in the 80's (Fahrenheit) throughout the year
with the rains traditionally falling between November
and April.
Bali is spared a monsoonal season and rains, when
they do come, generally last only several hours,
lowering the temperatures slightly and making
for greener scenery all around.
What to bring
We suggest you bring
the following items on your visit to Bali.
A Camera. Film and processing is available at
numerous locations around the island.
Lightweight loose fitting clothing that is machine
washable. Bali is a major exporter of ready-to-wear
clothing and you might enjoy purchasing new items
for your wardrobe during your holiday.
A hat, swimwear and sunglasses.
A Rain Poncho and/or umbrella.
Sufficient supply of prescription drugs.
Binoculars.
A spare pair of eyeglasses.
Comfortable pair of walking shoes.
Any important items related to your medical history
and the contact information for your physician
in your home country.
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