About Bali / Hints For Travellers
GEOGRAPHY
Bali is a bijou island strategically located 8 degrees south of the equator, amid the 17,000 islands of the Indonesian Archipelago. It lies between the Java Island in the west and Lombok Island in the east. All the year round, it has only two seasons namely the rainy season (November-April) and dry season (May-October). Extensive tropical forest like in the nature reserve of Bali Barat National Park, Batukaru reserve and protected forests elsewhere exude coolness and water supply to the island.
By and large, the temperatures stand on 30-31oC by day and 24-25oC at night during the rainy season and 28-29oC by day and around 23oC at night during the dry season.
TIME
Indonesia is divided into three time zones, namely Western Indonesia Time (Sumatra, Java, West and Central Kalimantan) is 7 hours ahead of GMT; Central Indonesia Time (Bali, South and East Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara) is 8 hours ahead of GMT; and East Indonesia Time (Maluku and Papua) is 9 hours ahead of GMT.
AIRPORT
Ngurah Rai International Airport is the only air gateway located at Tuban, south of the renowned Kuta Beach. There are licensed currency exchange offices inside the airport in the baggage claim area and duty-free shops for departing international passengers. A departure tax of 100,000 rupiah is charged, payable in cash after check-in for international flights.
IMMIGRATION
Department of Justice and Human Rights has officially stipulated that effective 1 February 2004 the visa administration is as follows:
1. Free Visa Facility (length of stay max. 30 days) will be issued to citizens of the countries such as Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macao, Morocco, Chile and Peru.
2. Visa-on-Arrival Facility (length of stay max. 30 days) will be issued to citizens of the countries such as Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, United States.
3. Meanwhile, citizens of countries other than being mentioned above are required to apply for a visa at the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate in their country of domicile.
COMMUNICATION
To telephone Indonesia from other countries, you need to dial the international access code, then 62 for Indonesia and the area code (leaving out the initial 0) and finally the destination number. Meanwhile, for calls from Indonesia, simply dial 00, then the country code, area code (leaving out the initial 0) and the destination number. More recently VOIP connections have become available with the prefix (017). Communication services like local and international calls as well as sending faxes can be obtained from WARTEL offices, while for Internet services like e-mail and browsing can be obtained from WARNET offices. Both offices are spreading out at main tourist destinations.
HOLIDAYS
On 1 January (New Year's Day), Nyepi or Day of Silence (around March-April, a celebration where Hindu devotees perform four abstinences-no lighting fire/light, no working, no traveling/going out and no enjoying entertainment. All transportation accesses to the island are close and none may leave home, except for emergency case. Hospitals and hotels concentrate on indoor activities only), 17 August (Independence Day) and 25 December (Christmas Day), public service offices and banks are close. However, shops, especially in tourist resorts, will usually be open. Additionally, some other religious holidays are governed by lunar calendar and move from year to year.
ELECTRICITY
At most hotels and villas is 220-volt, 50-Hertz and use plugs with two rounded pins.
CUSTOMS
On entry to Indonesia, each adult is allowed to bring in the duty-free items at maximum of one liter of alcoholic beverage; a reasonable quantity of perfume; 50 cigars or 100g tobacco; personal goods of a total value up to US$250. No more than IDR 5,000,000 in local currency may be brought into or taken out of the country. There is no restriction on foreign currency.
CURRENCY
Local currency is the Indonesian rupiah (Rp or IDR). Rupiahs come in denominations of 100,000 to 1000 in banknotes and 1,000 to 25 in coins. Most hotels may exchange foreign currency and traveler’s cheques, but money changers habitually give better rates. Please make sure that you have counted the money you are given when changing, chiefly before leaving the counter. Most hotels, restaurant, shops and other establishments accept major credit cards and some may impose additional charge of 3-5% to prices. Otherwise, you'll need cash.
BANKS
By and large, banks are open from 08.00 or 08.30 a.m. until 14.00 on Monday to Friday but please be prepared to wait patiently if you indeed require service at a bank.
COURTESY
Apart from a few who have learned bad habits from foreigners, Indonesians are instinctively courteous, especially to older people. Shaking hands on meeting and taking leave is polite. Please only use your right hand for passing something and for eating. Meanwhile, pointing at someone with a finger, beckoning and standing with hands on hips or in your pockets are all regarded as impolite gestures. Woman that is getting her period or other visitor that are in condolence period due to the death of family’s member is prohibited to enter the temple area as it is considered to disrupt the temple’s sacredness as in the belief system of Hindu.
ATTIRES
Generally Bali is almost hot throughout the year. So, please put on attire based on location and situation. Beach wear, miniskirts and shorts are impolite at temples, where you may be asked to cover up with a sarong, as well as to wear a sash tied round your waist. You can usually borrow these at the entrance post, in exchange for a fee or donation.
DRIVING
We could provide you a car with a driver during your stay. However, if you decide on driving by yourself, we could also prepare it for you provided that you have a license from your own country and an International Driving License. Minimum age is normally 25 or sometimes 21. Traffic drives on the left. Most major roads are already well-surfaced, but in remoter and mountainous regions, they can be rough and narrow.
FORMALITIES
As a tourist, when entering Indonesia you should have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry. You may be asked to show an onward or return ticket. The stay is limited to 60 days. If you are carrying any medication which might be mistaken for an illegal drug, bring a letter from your doctor or copy of your prescription. Weapons and ammunition are forbidden. If you have nothing to declare, you can use the green lane.
HEALTH
Before leaving home, remember to ask your travel agent if any immunizations (vaccinations) are required. Similarly, ask your doctor which are currently recommended, for example cholera, typhoid, hepatitis or others. The threat of malaria exists in some parts of Indonesia so if you plan to travel to some places, and particularly in rural areas precautions may be advisable. Medical services must be paid for, that’s why it is advisable for you to take out travel insurance covering medical expenses.
SAFETY
On the whole, people are naturally honest. Nevertheless, theft sometimes comes up, so please always be careful and alert. It will be automatically assumed that you are rich, and in comparison with most local people, you probably are. On that account, put your valuables in provided room-safes and don't leave any personal belongings unguarded. Watch out for pickpockets, especially in crowded places, and carry only the cash you really need. If you do have something of value stolen, report the loss to your housekeeper who will arrange for documents to show your insurance company. The possession, sale, import and export of narcotic drugs are illegal and punished by severe jail sentences and fines. So, DO NOT get involved.
TRANSPORT
Public transports available are buses and bemo, or a minibus following a fixed route and picking up and setting down passengers all along it. However, you still have an alternative by flagging down a taxi and make sure it is equipped with a meter.
