The Essential and Complete Bali Travel Checklist

The essential and complete Bali travel checklist

Passports, Tickets and Visas

If you carry a Singapore, Malaysian, Philippines, Thai, Vietnam, Chile, HK, Macao, Brunei, Morocco or Peru you will not need a visa to enter Bali.

For all other passport holders you'll need USD$25 on arrival (valid for 30 days, and extendable) to pay for your visa on arrival. 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).

When leaving Bali, you'll have to pay a departure tax of 150,000Rp per person at the airport. You pay this in rupiah not US currency. Put this money aside and don't spend it on shopping!

Pro Tip: If you want to avoid the queues and baggage collecting - use The Bali Concierge airport service for a VIP pickup experience. For USD$50 they will escort you from your arrival gate, handle all the visa stuff and put your bags through immigration - all while you wait at the bar and enjoy snacks.

Travel Insurance

Insurance when traveling anywhere is a must. Especially somewhere like Bali, where you are likely to do outdoor activities, ride scooters and get in the surf. You don't want to be stuck without insurance. We recommend using a reputable insurance company, such as Zuji, who is underwritten by Allianz.

Drugs

Don't even try Indonesia is very strict with drug laws, and even has the death penalty for drug trafficking. There are plain clothes police that also patrol the streets looking for sellers and users. Basically, don't even try - else you'll end up like the Bali 9 or Schapelle Corby.

Credit Cards

Bring em but be careful It's always good to have a credit card with you when traveling, especially for those unexpected expenses. Remember to notify your credit card company that You are on the go, and give them your contact abroad - otherwise they may cancel or suspend your card is suspected of fraud. When using credit cards in Bali, make sure its just trying to legitimate credit card machines - Be wary of devices, "the" fly over and steal the card information. Avoid places that use the old drive type manually copying - any decent site should be an electronic device. Rule of thumb: If you are unsure, just use cash.

Staying healthyand avoiding "Bali Belly"

Indonesia is a developing nation and as such does not have the same level of sanitation and health care standards which we come to expect in developed nations. It's recommended to be vaccinated for Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Flu. It's best to consult your local doctor about vaccinations. The water in Bali is not recommended for drinking, so to avoid the infamous "bali belly" stick to bottled water. If you want to be extra careful, use your bottled water for brushing your teeth as well. Avoid ice in drinks from food stalls and small warungs (eatery). But ice from the convenience store or from a bar should be okay.

Alcohol and Drinks

Alcohol can be quite expensive Other than the locally made Bintang Beer (similar to and owned by Heineken) which is refreshingly Delicious and dirt cheap, and the horrible hangover inducing Arak, most alcohol is very expensive in Bali. This is supposedly because of the tax "moral" as proposed by the Indonesian government. Eg A bottle of Smirnoff vodka and it cost us 500,000 rp (approx USD $ 55). So it's a popular way to bring your own alcohol duty-free. Indonesian law allows up to 1 liter per person, not much. If you get caught for everything and you have to pay restitution or, * ahem *, "end" of something 20000-100000 rp rp and you can get your alcohol.

Locomotion

The best way toget around Bali, if you are not game on driving/riding your own vehicle is taxi and car+driver services. Taxi's are inexpensive (ie a metered taxi for a 45min ride is less than USD$7), see the bottom of this post for Taxi companies. Make sure the taxi is metered and starts at 5,000rp. You can also get car+driver services from about starting from USD$35 for a whole day - it would be recommended to tip the driver at the end of the day.

Mobile Phones and Wifi

Your own phone will probably be able to global roam on Indonesian networks, but it can be very expensive to make and receive calls. The best thing to do is purchase a local prepay sim card (like SimPati or 3) and pop it in your phone - you will then enjoy the low local rates. iPhones and Blackberry work but you'll have to get a SIM card that has internet data. It's easier to stick to the free wifi available at many cafes and bars.

Electricity plugs

In Indonesia they use 220V, 50 Cycle and the plugs are dual round prongs of the European variety. Adapters are available at some hotels OR can be purchased at Matahari's ( supermarket ) for around 35,000 Rp.

Tipping is good karma

Tipping There will sometimes be a service charge tacked onto your restaurant bill. It is not compulsory, but it is good practice to tip your hotel porters, masseuses, maids and any other staff during your stay. It doesn't have to be much - but you will ensure you will be looked after, and it would be greatly appreciated by the staff who only earn the equivalent of a few dollars a day.

Other Stuff

Sunscreen and moisturizer is expensive for some reason in Bali, bring your favorites from home. Condoms in Indonesia are not the best quality, it'd be safer and wiser to bring some of your own. Imodium (diarrhea medication) is worth keeping with you, you can buy them at any pharmacy (called apotik in Indonesian) in case of the infamous "bali belly".

The Colours of Bali

Bali holidays are full of colour. Bali is a visually stimulating island of traditional costumes, brightly painted canoes and sailing boats on the shore, craft markets, and decorated dragons in the temples. In this article we explore the vibrant colours you can experience during your stay at the hotels in Bali.

Red Bali

Red is for chillis. Sambals are Balinese relishes made from red chilli, which are served with coconut rice. The food you'll enjoy on Bali holidays is a regional take on Indonesian cuisine, with simple and tasty dishes like fried rice (nasi goreng) or fried chicken, Indonesian style.

Look out for the rosy glaze of Balinese roast pork during your meals. Called Babi Guling, this is probably the most popular dish of the Balinese people. It is prepared with chilli, coriander, garlic and lime leaves or lemon grass, and it's spit-roasted until the meat is tender. Sometimes in Bali, pork is steamed in banana leaves; in either recipe and you are likely to see the see the pork presented on the table as a whole, shiny red pig.

Green Bali

Bali is a lush green island of rich forests and tropical gardens. In the forests around Ubud you can spot the playful monkeys, and there are elephants on the island too. One green haven often visited on Bali holidays are the waterfalls at Gitgit. Here, you can see clear water falling between the trees, hammering down from a height of forty metres as you float in the deep plunge pool below. Taman Burung is another attraction; the gardens are home to hundreds of bird species, including the rare and endangered Mynah bird. There are also magnificent colours to see at the Bali butterfly park, the largest butterfly sanctuary in Asia.

But you won't have to travel far from your sun lounger to appreciate the verdant natural character of the island because the hotels in Bali have sophisticated, tropical and well-tended gardens, many with lively with hot pink and purple blossoms.

Yellow Bali

As well as the hot equatorial sun and the golden sandy beaches, yellow is the shade of the intricate decorative costumes worn by Bali's dancers during graceful oriental performances of fan and butterfly dances.

The island has a number of diverse traditional performances: some are graceful ceremonial dances; others tell stories with masked characters representing mythical demons. Some shows are slapstick and comical, where the characters interact with the audience. You can enjoy dance shows daily on Bali holidays, and the town of Ubud is especially famous for this.

Blue Bali

The colour that brings most pleasure on Bali holidays is the beautiful blue of the ocean. Looking out from the beach, the clear water takes on a bright turquoise colour under the clear blue skies. Exploring the ocean will introduce you to an array of tropical fish with the variety of colours of a rainbow. You can take PADI Scuba diving courses in the warm ocean waters, made available by hotels in Bali such as the Legian Beach Hotel or The Oberoi Bali.

All these colours combine to make a Bali holiday a vivid and rich experience.

A Bali Bra Just For You

The Bali bra line is a collection of high-quality pretty undergarments offering women from all over who come in every shape and size complete support and protection.

A brassiere or bra like the Bali bra is a garment for females to give coverage and support for the women's breasts. A typical bra is made up of straps at both sides of the shoulder, two cups to accommodate the breasts, a center panel, a band to hold the two cups and goes under the breasts, and a hook clasp or a bra fastener to close the brassier. The brassieres are typically made up of materials such as cotton or lace or even spandex, depending on the style and function that the manufacturer intended. The under wires of the bra are added to provide maximum support and to give shape to the bra cups.

The brassieres like the Bali bra line come in different types, depending on the material used, the function intended, and the style. The Bali line comes in different styles - a bra that closes in the front, another that closes in the back, one that has no straps perfect for tube dresses, a convertible line, push-up line for that wonderful added lift and support, sexy demi-cup or half-cup Bali bra for the ultimate tool in seduction, and the full-cup Bali bra for maximum coverage. The Bali bra also comes with three-quarters cup, soft cup, half-cup, shelf-bra, long line, and Bali bra that comes with under wires. For the active, energetic women, a t-shirt Bali bra is available.

The size of Bali bra depends on the size of a woman's breasts. There are different kinds of brassieres for different sizes and shapes of a woman's breasts. The band size is the circumference around the body which does not include the breast. The "cup size" indicates the breast's volume, and it is indicated by letters.

The Bali bra makes sure that a woman's bra fits her right to make sure that the woman gets a flattering shape every time she wears the brassiere all the while giving her maximum support and makes her feel comfortable. Women with big breasts usually experience uncomfortable and annoying back pain because of inadequate support given by the wrong brassiere. In the United Kingdom, surveys show that about 70% of the female population do not wear the right bra and instead strap on ill-fitting, uncomfortable ones. This was probably because of insufficient knowledge regarding bra and correct fitting. There is also the problem of finding larger bras although the manufacturers nowadays have come up with brassieres that are intended for women with larger breasts than the average female.

The Bali bra line offers brassieres of all kinds and sizes. Brassieres come in cup sizes A to DD. Finding the right cup size can be confusing. Brassiere manufacturers in Europe create brassiers that usually come in increasing sizes, like AAA-AA-A-B-C-D-DD-E-F-FF-G-GG-H-J. The only fool-proof and sure way to get the correct bra is by trying the brassiere on. Band size is determined by getting the circumference of the body directly under the breasts. A certain number is added to give allowance because the ribcage is wider at the height where the breasts are. In the US, about 4 to 6 inches is usually added to the measured circumference to arrive at the correct and size. Bra size may also change depending on weight gain and weight loss. The menstrual cycle also causes changes in the bra size of a woman.

According to statistics, the average woman in the US nowadays has at least six bras. Out of the six brassieres, usually one is colored and one is a bra that has no straps. Brassieres are created for different functions, so you can find Bali bra lines that are classified as minimizers, maximizers, or push ups depending on the support the woman needs. There are also bras that show the woman's cleavage in really thin, lacey material which is a bra that is intended for showing off.

No matter what your size or shape is, there is a Bali bra for you.

Street Food of Bali

Like most of the countries of Southeast Asia, Indonesia is proud of its vibrant street food culture. Growing need to provide Indonesian busy street stalls, all as a quick snack to a satisfying meal, cheap and convenient. Through many islands and provinces in Indonesia, you can expect to see street vendors, locally known as warungs, all over the place lush flat out rate. The warungs the Indonesian island of Bali province has alwaysbeen popular not only among the locals but also, increasingly, for tourists.

Bali's warungs have received a boost in recent years by being featured in globetrotting celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain's highly popular travel show No Reservations. Famous for eschewing fussy, pretentious hotel meals for simple and honest local fare, Mr. Bourdain has enthusiastically given his mark of approval to the venerable Balinese warung. One such example is Naughty Nuri's located near Ubud in central Bali. Not your typical Warung, Naughty Nuri is famous for its traditional Balinese barbecue dishes as well as tourist friendly martinis and sashimi specials.

Most warungs specialise in only one type of dish, and they do it very well. Another warung made popular by Bourdain, Ibu Oka, is the perfect example of this. Ibu Oka is known far and wide for their mouth watering tender roast pork stuffed with a secret blend of Balinese spices and spit-roasted over an open fire while basted with coconut milk. Nestled near the beach in a picturesque fishing village on Bali's east coast, Meta Sari is a tiny warung renowned for a delicious spicy-sweet minced fish satay known locally as sate lilit ikan. Like the food, the settings of warungs are simple and unpretentious - if anything the rickety tables and thatched roofs are an essential component of an authentic Balinese street food experience.

Visitors to Indonesia's island paradise of Bali are depriving themselves of a treat if they never make an attempt to eat at an authentic warung. Where else can you have a great meal in an unforgettable setting for just a few Dollars?

Bali Vacations Guide - Things to Take to Bali

There are many different reasons on why you decide to plan your Bali vacation. It might be that you have been working hard and decide that it is a good time to get a refreshing moment, or you are eager to please your loved one to go on the second honeymoon.

No matter what your reason is for planning your Bali vacation, it is a good decision to know what items need to be carried on your vacation. Making the list of possessions to take to Bali is important so you will not miss a thing. It is amazing that only few people spend some of their time, planning and creating a list of items they want to take on their vacations.

You should sit and spend some time to make a plan, so you can decide your luggage content precisely. This is an example how to plan your belonging, based on your destination.

Activity #1: Spend the Whole Afternoon at the Beach
There are many beautiful beaches in Bali such as Kuta Beach and Sanur Beach. You should visit these beaches during your Bali vacations. Do not forget that you should take a couple of things with you. However, first you need to ask yourself what you will do at the beach.

I presume that you will spend the whole afternoon at the beach, sunbathing and surfing. If so, then you should consider taking sun block, glasses, and a surfing board.

Activity #2: City and Village Tour
Ubud is one of the most famous Balinese villages. If you love art and paintings, this could be the best place to visit. There are also many other beautiful villages that you can visit in Bali.

If you plan to take the city and village tour, you should bring these things: Map, calculator, credit card, camera, cell phone, hat or cap, and sun glasses.

Those are the primary things you need to take to Bali, based on the activities done on your Bali vacations. You should develop the list as you plan to do more things in Bali. Without carrying appropriate gears, your vacation may not be as beautiful as you have planned. So, make sure to sit down and make your Bali vacation plan properly.

Golf Resorts in Bali

Bali holidays are becoming increasingly popular. The beautiful Indonesian island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. It lies between the islands of Java and Lombok, and is the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. From beautiful beaches and warm, clear waters to fascinating cultural activities encompassing a range of arts including performances of dance and music, as well as exhibitions of other art forms such as painting, leather and sculpting, it is no wonder people return year after year for holidays at luxury hotels in Bali.

Bali is also ideal for golf holidays, where avid golfers can combine beautiful scenery and beaches with their favourite past time. Here are some of the best hotels in Bali to choose, that all have golf courses nearby.

Nikko Bali Resort and Spa

This hotel in Bali must surely be in one of the most scenic regions of the island. Situated in the southern Nusa Dua area, you can enjoy breathtaking views over the Indian Ocean and Bali beaches from your position at the top of a 40 metre cliff. Lounge around at the hotel pool, soak up the sunshine and admire your surroundings, and when you've had enough of doing absolutely nothing in the sublime Bali sunshine, you can treat yourself to a spa treatment to rejuvenate. As the Nikko Bali is close to the beach, you can enjoy spending many a day on the fine white sands while staying at this 5 star Bali hotel. And for the avid golfers, the Nusa Dua Golf and Country Club is just 5 minutes away, making this luxurious hotel somewhat of a golfers paradise.

The Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay

This superb 5 star Bali hotel is situated on the island's southern tip. One of the central attractions of this hotel is the beautiful landscaped gardens, affording 35 acres of pretty scenery for you to enjoy leisurely strolls and lazy afternoons in the sunshine. In the heat of mid day, you can lounge in your plunge pool, fully appreciating your location as you gaze out over the Indian Ocean. Whilst affording the ultimate in luxury accommodation for your Bali holiday, the resort also encapsulates the spirit of Jimbaran Bay. The accommodation is structured such that guests stay in series of 20 thatched roof villas, all neatly positioned around a village square. Each 'village' has its own chief, who will assist guests and help to make their stay as memorable as possible. With beautiful views over the terraced hillside, you can enjoy a peaceful experience in this spiritual region. And for golf fans who would love nothing more than to play their favourite sport in such an idyllic setting, the Bali Golf and Country Club is just 20 minutes away.

The Four Seasons at Sayan, Ubud

Another Four Seasons Resort, you can expect excellent accommodation at this Bali hotel. Situated in the magnificent Ayung Valley, you can enjoy 180 degree views from the hotel grounds - a perfect location to spend some quiet time whilst taking in the breathtaking views. The design of the gardens is simply beautiful with wooden bridges leading over pretty ponds surrounded by beautiful flowers in this lush, tropical setting. The interior continues with the intricate design, with Indonesian furnishings and fabrics setting the theme of the hotel rooms. And just 60 minutes away is the Nirwana Bali Golf Course, expertly designed by Greg Norman, where Bali holidaymakers can enjoy golfing in the beautiful

How to Get a KITAS and Work Permit in Bali

"I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world". When Socrates uttered these immortal words around 450 BC, residency matters were clearly much more straightforward. Perhaps, today taking into account Greece's financial troubles he would probably classify himself as a citizen of the E.U. Similarily, when someone decides to live in Bali, one of the first tasks is to determine your current situation and circumstances and then apply for the appropriate visa. You will be offered many shortcuts and tricks to beat the system but I strongly advise against those options and to play it straight. If you plan to spend many years in Indonesia it is surely worthwhile to take time to understand the basic application process and familiarize yourself with the paperwork involved in living and working in Indonesia, legally.

Having decided to live in Bali, and with a job lined up, the next step is to apply for a visa. I know of many companies who tell their employees to get business visas as it is much easier and quicker. They are correct in saying it is much easier and quicker but it is also illegal to work in Indonesia under a business visa. A business visa is only applicable where someone is visiting or staying in the country short term to conduct business such as sourcing products and services or arranging contracts with manufacturers. If you are employed by an Indonesian company or an Indonesian division of a foreign company and are based here long term, then a business visa is not suitable and you need to apply for a KITAS (temporary stay visa) with work permit. There have been several incidents over the years of people who were working illegally under business visas being detained, deported and barred from Indonesia for a period of years.

The KITAS permits are valid for one year and are extendable in-country. To lodge an application you will need to provide the following documents:
- Copy of your passport.
- Curriculum Vitae and references
- Copy of Acedemic qualifications
- Passport photographs with red backgrounds (21 x 4cm x 6cm, 8 x 3cm x 4cm, 6 x 2cm x 3cm ).

Additionally, you will need your employer to provide the following original paperwork.

- The company Deed (Akte Perusahaan)
- The company's domicile doccuments (Domisili Perusahaan)
- The company's tax number (NPWP)
- The company's business license letter (SIUP)
- The company's registration number (TDP)
- Organisational chart
- Copy of employee contract between you and company
- Director's identity card (KTP)
- Commissioner's identity card (KTP)
- Certificate of registration to the Department of Labor (UU no. 17, 1981)
- 20 company letter heads, signed by the company director, and sealed with the company stamp.

It would be wise to check that your prospective employer actually has all these papers before getting over excited about your career prospects.You must also give instruction as to which Indonesian consulate abroad you wish to pick up your visa. Before a work permit can be issued the applicant must pay the sum of 1,200 USD into a government bank account which is supposed to fund training of professionals who will one day replace expat experts. This payment should be made in person or at least you should accompany the agent when making this payment. There have been many cases where unsuspecting applicants had their agents make this payment on their behalf only to find out that the dodgy agents pocketed the monies leaving the clients with fake work permits and thus liable to a prison sentence if detected.

Expect the whole application process to take up to a month after which time a fax will be sent to the Indonesian consulate you nominated authorizing them to issue you with a Kitas. After entering Indonesia you are allowed about 5 days (exact period will be on immigration stamp in your passport) to report to Immigration office to validate your visa. Your agent will normally accompany you on this visit and babysit you through the ensuing fingerprinting process.

On completion of the process you should have in your possession 4 original documents issued in the following order. A KITAS - identity card, a Blue Book - immigration log book on which will be logged any changes to your immigration status including changes of address, martial status,etc. a work permit IKTA and a police certificate SKLD. You should bring your KITAS with you at all times and remember you are allowed only to work for the company documented as your sponsor and in the capacity listed on your KITAS and IKTA.

Once you are granted a KITAS you are obliged to get a personal tax number NPWP and file your tax report at end of tax year. You are responsible for this process, not your employer. In many cases, the employer undertakes to pay taxes on behalf of the employee, however you must be sure to demand certificate of payment from your employer. There have been many documented cases where the employee only discovered at the end of a contract that he/she owed a lot of money to the taxman.

Once a KITAS is issued, you are not allowed to leave the country without an exit permit, there are a few options here like single re-entry exit permit, multiple re-entry valid for 6 months or multiple re-entry valid for twelve months. I would recommend you have a valid permit at all times should you need to travel abroad for emergencies. At the end of your KITAS period you have the option to extend in-country. If you are not extending you must apply for a termination certificate EPO, this is basically a guarantee to the government that you are not leaving with any "unfinished business". Overall, it would be advisable to memorize and understand the terms KITAS, IKTA, SKLD, KTP and EPO as you will hear them over and over again.

If you have much time and patience, you can process the visa and work permit yourself but be prepared to spend many days waiting in Government offices. There are many agents "Biro Jasa" offering visa processing services and though they appear to be selling similar products their prices vary quite considerably. Shop around until you find an agent you are comfortable with and do not not base your decision solely on price. Contacting an agent who gave you a great price and whose office is on the back of a motorbike may be more challenging than communicating with an established professional firm. A couple of practical questions to ask an agent before committing would be:

1. How long they have been providing this service?
2. Can they introduce you to somebody who has been a client for years (original application and extensions).

You should also visit their office and get familiar with the individual handling your application. It may sound complicated and a hassle but frankly if you plan to live in Indonesia, it is definitely worth the effort to get familiar with the process and then future extensions will be just a minor formality. You also wont need to be looking over your shoulder and suffering from anxiety attacks when you hear rumors of a "razia" or raid by the immigration officials, or end up like Socrates "philosiphying" about weighty matters, - like why you didn't go to the trouble of getting the correct visa in the first place and avoiding the repercussions.