Bali Travel Tips

Bali Travel Tips

Bali Travel Tips is a free travel tips for your travel to Bali and other regions in Indonesia. Bali is a small island of the god in paradise, surrounding with the beautiful panorama, long beach with the white sand and it is covered by the tropical situation. It will make your holiday more enjoyable and bring home with unforgettable experience. Before entering Bali Island we are delighted to provide some travel tips for your further reference in order keep your holidays are memorable until back home.

Passport and Visa

Indonesia Entering Visa Policy for Tourists.
Indonesian Government has conducted the new Entering Visa policies for tourists who are entering to Bali and Indonesia as of 01 February 2004 as clearly stated below:

The Tourists from the following countries are not requiring a Visa to enter Bali and other regions in Indonesia.

Brunei Darussalam Chile Hongkong Special Administrative Region Macao Special Administrative Region Malaysia Morocco

Peru Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam

The Tourist from the following countries are required and eligible for Visa-On Arrivals - with cost at US$25 per person for a stay of up to 30 days.

Algeria Argentina Australia Austria Bahrain Brazil Belgium Bulgaria Cambodia Canada Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Eqypt Estonia Fiji Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland India Iran Italy Irish Japan Kuwait Laos Latvia Libya Liechtenstain

Lithuania Luxembourg Maldives Malta Mexico Monaco Netherlands New Zealand Norway Oman Panama People's Republic of China Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Saudi Arabia Slovakia Slovenia South Africa South Korea Spain Suriname Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Timor Leste Tunisia United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States America

IMPORTANT:

• The Visa on Arrival can not be extended and converted into a different visa
• The Visa purchasing process will take about 3-5 minutes per applicant
• There are available 6 payment counters, a bank and a money changer set up to process payments located at the airport
• Once purchasing the visa on arrival, you will need to proceed to Immigration where your visa will be processed.

For the citizens of countries who are not on the Visa on Arrival List or Visa Free Lists will be required to apply for a visa before entering Indonesia and you may contact the nearest Indonesian Embassy CLICK HERE

PASSPORT

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Indonesia, and you must have proof of onward passage (either return or through tickets). If you cannot fulfill both of these requirements, you may not be allowed to enter the country.

AIRPORT TAX

To leave from Indonesia to the country destinations or to local destination via airport, Indonesian Government will apply the airport tax for every flight passenger at cost

• Domestic Airport Tax is Rp. 50.000 per person
• International Airport Tax is Rp. 150.000 per person

New Security Rules at Bali's International Airport

Effective of 31 March 2007, a new regulation of liquids, aerosols and gels for international passengers on all flight departing Denpasar Bali and to Denpasar Bali is executed. It is issued to improve the security system on passenger services at Bali International Airport and the flight accordingly. Please see more details the regulation of liquids, aerosols and gels at Bali 's Airport.

Bali Time

Bali Time Zone is GMT + 8 hours.

Currency

Indonesia Currency is called Rupiah (Rp). The Rupiah Notes are 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000 and Coins 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000.
If you bring American Dollars (US$) to Indonesia and Bali for further transaction, please kindly noted that the following terms of US Currency/ US Dollar which not be accepted in major banks or companies as follows:

• Series Number with CB and DB code are not accepted
• Year making is lowest than 2004 are not accepted
• Money where there is its streak / illegally written/in a state of tearing/ its picture in looked to be turn tail is not accepted

Money Changer

A lot of small money changer shop are available in the island and run an illegal business which might lose your money after changing. The modus of operandi this shop is putting the exchange rate are more higher than the market exchange rate which able to deceive you and building the interest to change your money there. Once you are changing the money, some shop staff will surround you and having nice talk to deceive you when the money calculation. Therefore in order to save your money we recommend you to change the money in the bank or in the hotel cashier although the exchange rates are below than the market exchange rate. In case you have been rash to change the money at the illegal shop, please be assuring:

• Bring your own calculator
• Account your money before presenting to them
• Calculate the rate in your own calculator and compare with them
• Calculate the money (Rupiah) after given by the staff accurately
• If the money is not correct, ask to them the rest or call the nearest security or police

Accommodation

Bali as a tourist destination has a lot of choice for accommodation from the high class until the lowest one which more popular called LOSMEN/GUEST HOUSE. The availabilities of the accommodation are based on the choice of location, hotel classification, facilities etc. Please CLICK HERE to get more info about the hotel list

Credit Cards

Majority of credit card are accepted by most of the hotel including the bar, restaurant and shop in Bali a long with American dollar travel checque

Driving License

If you wish to rent a car or motor bike you must be over than 18 years old and posses an International Driver's License or license from ASEAN countries.

Getting Around

There is a lot of transportation available in this island from self-drive cars, taxis and hotel courtesy cars. Many taxis do not have meter account so you may to negotiate the price before having abroad. Local transportation which is called 'Bemo' is a unique form of transport. Please ask the price/fare before join the Bemo to get your destination. A lot of Motorcycles can also be hired in many places and ensure you have to check the complete papers of the motorbike and insurance cover of the motorbike. On the way driving the motorbike, you must use the helmet to secure you head of accident otherwise the police will stop your way immediately. Some of motorbikes are manually gear and rest of them automatically. Please do practice before starting to drive it. Traveling a round Bali are very easy to located the destination, due to Bali is a small island and not much road should be remember and if you having loss the way, the Balinese will very happy to show you the way on every your request. Stop you car or motorbike and say to them with a short language or just simple to say the destination name. Please don't forget to bring the Bali Map to guide your travel in this island.

Useful Numbers
Transportation Number

TAXI
Bali Taxi	Tel. 701111	Location : Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Kuta, Denpasar, Sanur
Kowinu Taxi	Tel. 773030	Location : Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa
Jimbaran Taxi		Location : Jimbaran

RENT A CAR
Ayu Merta	Tel. 7441796	Address: Jl. Wana Segara, st 169 Tuban - Bali
Karmila	Tel. 773462	Address: Jl. Pratama Street 79A Nusa Dua, Bali
Liberi	Tel. 775795	Address: Jl. Pratama Street 55X Nusa Dua, Bali
CV Lintas Persada	Tel. 771702	Address: Jl. Baypass Ngurah Rai,Nusa Dua, Bali
Akuba	Tel. 772139	Address: Jl. Pratama Street 57C Nusa Dua, Bali

Balinese Concepts

Balinese Concepts

Cosmogony and Tri Hita Karana

The Balinese Concept is fundamental from the Hindu Religion concept, which is more popular called TRI HITA KARANA where nowadays this concept is becomes the point of the hotel, restaurant and other building assessment in the world. The Balinese Traditional Architecture is not only monumentally, but also has the aspect philosophies and religious. The cosmogony is oneness of three worlds (Tri Bhuana) which is called Bhuhloka, Bhwahloka, and Swahloka. Each of this world (Loka) has habitants it self.

Tri Hita Karana Concept for Life

In addition of this three concepts cosmogony, it is also own contextual with Hindu Religion Concept, which is called Tri Hita Karana (three of the harmony, balance to create the peaceful and happiness). Tri Hita Karana word is come from Sansekerta Language that has meaning to keep the harmony and balance between human to God, human-to-human and human to environment. These three concepts is most popular in Bali spread out as follows:

PARHYANGAN

Parhyangan is one of the three concept related to the god. On this stage, the human is demanded to keep the harmony and balance with god. This concept has huge meaning where the Balinese discipline and full confidence to do this. It is not only including to pray at the temple, however it is cover all the activities which has a good thing in the life like build the temple, cleaning the temple, keep the religion symbols well a lot of thing we can do on this concept.

PAWONGAN

Pawongan in this concept is required to keep the harmony and balance between human to human and this concept has emphasized how to keep good relation with others. The simple ways to execute the implementation of this concept are to conduct three good things like to think the good thing, to speak the good thing and to conduct the good thing. By conducting three good things that is called Tri Kaya Parisuda, it is ensure we can conduct this concept.

PELEMAHAN

Palemahan, this word is come from lemah that is meaning the land or environment. Generally the Pelemahan in Tri Hita Karana is all aspect related to the environment. Base on this concept the Balinese has treated the environment well and they believe that the good environment will give their life better. Once example the Balinese treat the environment that on the Tumpek Uduh based on the Balinese calendar, the Balinese give the offering to the tree with the purpose that the tree has given them prosperity and a lot of thing they can do to keep the harmony and balance with the environment.

Balinese Community System

Balinese Community System

One of the images of the Balinese unique is collectively strong oneness among Balinese and there are seven things wrapped the Balinese to be a strong community, which has the identity and tenacity of culture: (1) most of them bound by Hindu Religion as a pioneer of religion in Indonesia. (2) They are bound with some of praying place (Pura), (3) Balinese people bound by family system, (4) They are bound by the community surrounding them like Banjar or Desa Pekraman. (5) They are also bound by race system which get in heritance from the ancestor hereditarily, (6) Some of Balinese farmers are bound with Traditional Irrigation System which is called Subak, (7) Balinese also bound by Indonesia Government System.

Balinese Life and Structure

Generally, the Balinese Community System is oriented by two structures (Social Traditional Structure and Social Formal Structure). The Social Traditional Structure has based on the long story from before Hindu era until now and Social Formal Structure is bound of the Balinese integrity into Republic Indonesia since 17 August 1945 . The most familiar Balinese life concept which is called 'Tri Hita Karana' and it is believe will bring them into prosperous where this concept has three angle point in the Balinese in order to keep the good balance between human and environment, human and human the last one human and god.

BANJAR

Banjar is a group of social community that has band of area, activities and social life. The purpose of Banjar is to held each other in line with the social activities like wedding ceremony, people death, take a part of refurbishment of temple, road, cleanliness of the area, security protection and do all the activities together in economic, social and ritual field. The Banjar is lead by Klian Banjar, which is consisted of 50 - 200 family leaders.

SUBAK

SUBAK is a social-economic organization to organize the irrigation system in Bali where the member it self is from the owner of the rice field. The focus activities of Subak is around the irrigation of the rice field and beside of that it is also has the economic activities and done some religious activities in Pura Subak. In Bali there are about 1300 Subak, where the structurally consist of Subak Tempekan and Subak Gede. Subak it self is lead by 'Pekaseh' and he/she organize and arrange the water irrigation system, irrigation maintenance, to schedule the rice plantation including the cleaning of insect program.

SEKAA

SEKAA is a group of social community, which has proposed to conduct the special event and inclined based on voluntary. The Sekaa is built based on the same propose, norm and activities. In Bali, there are a lot of Sekaa that effect to all aspect Balinese life from the security, social, environment, religion, economic, art etc. The most of Sekaa in Bali is more glow is Art Sekaa and based on survey is about 1500 organization.

GOTONG ROYONG

GOTONG ROYONG is a fundamental of Balinese solidarity which is used on the day life of Balinese based on reciprocity where the activities given will get the obligation to return as sociality. A base of Gotong Royong is forming to help each other and free social activities.

Balinese Culture and Hindu Relgion

Balinese Culture and Hindu Relgion

The main religion practiced in Bali is a form of Hinduism called Agama Hindu Dharma, where the Hindu it self is consisted of some religious sect, but in Bali all of Balinese are Hindu Ciwa. The two religions (Hindu and Buddhist) arrive from Java and some extend from India during the 8 th to 16 th centuries. The main symbol of Balinese Hinduism is the Swastika or wheel of the sun. An important belief is that elements of nature are influenced by spirit, which has been appeased. As such offerings (Sesajen) made from agriculture product are offered to this spirit. It is believed that Mount Agung is the abode of the gods and the ancestors. As such, it is revered as the `mother` mountain and is highly sacred to the Balinese.

Bali Hindu History

The religion in Bali is according to three principles those are Desa (place), Kala (time) and Patra (circumstance). Five pillars of faith acknowledge Hinduism. They are believe in the one Supreme God (Sang Hyang Whidi Wasa), belief in the soul as the universal principle of life and consciousness (atma), belief in the fruition of one`s deeds ( karma pala ), belief in the process of birth and death (samsara), and belief in ultimate release (moksa). The religious rites of the Balinese consist of the human rites (Manusa Yadnya), the rites of the dead (Pitra Yadnya), rites of the gods or temple rites (Dewa Yadnya), rites of the demonic forces (Buta Yadnya ) and ordainment rites (Rsi Yadnya). Holy water, fire, ash, geese, duck, eggs and dabdab tree leave are purifying elements used in the ritual. The Balinese are extremely devout and no day goes by without making offerings to the gods. These daily offerings - called Banten are a major part of Balinese life. You will see these offerings nearly everywhere in Bali . Made of flowers, cigarettes, cookies, rice and even sometimes money (the actual items used are not as important as the process of making and offering it to the spirits) these offerings are given to the good spirits in hopes of continued prosperity as well as to the evil spirits as an appeasement.

AYUNG RIVER RAFTING

 AYUNG RIVER RAFTING

Ayung River one of the best whitewater river in Bali for rating activities. Easily access and located near famous tourism site which is Ubud. Ayung River rafting is an exciting way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Bali. Filled with challenging rapids, sparkling waterfalls and stunning scenery the Ayung River runs for 75km, making it the longest in Bali.

Starting in the majestic mountain ranges of northern Bali, the Ayung empites into the Badung Strait, which is located near Denpasar. A popular spot for river rafting, the Ayung River has class I, II, III and IV level rapids. The intensity of the white water rafting at the Ayung River will vary depending on the time of year and current water levels, but is considered suitable for all levels.

Journeying down the Ayung River, you'll see dramatic waterfalls, lush rainforest, verdant rice paddies, high cliffs and breathtaking gorges . Ayung River rafting trips last approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours and include lunch and a place to shower and change Do don't forget to bring along some extra clothing, as this adventure can get wet and wild!