* The time zone in Bali is GMT +08:00 This is the same as Perth Western Australia which is GMT +8 hours (Western Standard Time WST). Perth does not have daylight saving. Other Australian time zones that may be of interest are to be found on this link * World Time * which gives the current time for each Australian state including any daylight saving.
* Land line phone calls. The sounds that the phone makes when dialing Bali is different to ours and there is a time delay before the phone connects so wait a bit for the connection. There is a time delay while talking to the other party so allow for that or you will talk over each other.
* To ring a land line in Bali from Australia dial: 0011 + 62 + area code + telephone number. Example: To ring the All Seasons Resort Legian, the area code for Bali is 361 and the hotel phone number is 756203, making the dial number 0011 62 361 756203.
To ring a land line number from a land line in Bali i will use the hotel as a example. You dial the area code + telephone number. That makes the number 361 756203. To ring a mobile from a land line in Bali just ring the number as is. I use G’days number as a example 081338760074.
To ring a land line in Australia from Bali using a land line dial: 001 + 61 + area code + telephone number. Here we run into problems because the ring out code in Indonesia could be 001 or 008, { try both or if you use a hotel phone ask them } the area codes in Aus start with a zero, Western Australia is 08 , NSW 02 , QLD 07 : etc – you need to drop the zero. Example: to phone Western Australia dial 001 61 8 12345678 or to phone NSW dial 001 61 2 12345678. (If you are behind a switchboard you may have to dial ’0′ or ’9′ (or another number) to get an external line.)
* Mobile phone calls. If you want to ring Bali from a mobile phone you can ring the same number as the land line or you can change the 0011 to the plus sign + { the plus sign replaces 0011 } thus making the All Seasons Resort Legian hotel number . I can not tell you the codes to ring Aus from Bali as i could not get my mobile to work with the local sim card, i think that as my phone was a older Nokia it was not suitable. It is cheaper to ring Aus with a Bali sim card so take a unlocked phone with you or buy one over there. In some places you will need your passport to get a phone or a sim card. Click on this link for a web blog on mobile phones in Bali and what type. * Mobile Phone Link *
Do not pay to much for a sim card, when i went to the Maharaja shopping center to get one the sellers in their little kiosks wanted 400,000.00 rupiah about Aus $40.00, i got my driver Mickey to go and get one and he paid 150,000.00 rupiah. If you pay to much for a sim card you may as well take you own phone and do not use it very much. Do not forget to activate international roaming. When buying a sim card get the salesman to fit it to your phone and activate it, have him ring from his phone to test and get the dial out codes from him.
Do you wish to phone Aus mobile to Aus mobile whilst in Bali? don’t do it! It means you are phoning Australia first and then the person you are phoning pays for the call from Aus to Bali! You pay double whammy and calls to Aus are hugely expensive from Bali. If you need to contact someone on an Aus phone in Bali – send an sms, don’t phone. If you have to do this then dial +61 etc. Click the link for all * International Phone Codes *
http://firsttimebali.com/test-page/
Showing posts with label Bali Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bali Tips. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
How to Get Around Bali
Getting Around
G'Days vehicle. Air conditioned front and rear. Ph from your land line 00116281338760074
In Bali there is no public transport but you can get around.
* In places like Kuta the streets can get very congested and parking may be a problem so walking is a option as the beach, shops and hotels are close by.
* In Denpasar you can get taxis in the form of cars or people movers. If you need a taxi as a car you can use Bluebird Taxi’s as these have meters and for short rides are cheap. If you are not up to bartering just yet these are a good choice. As you get the feel of how much it costs for a short trip you can try the other taxi’s and barter your fare before you get in and this should get you a safe ride at a price you are happy with. There are also private cars or MPV’s who will approach you as you walk down the street or leave a shopping center and all that is required is to barter your fare.
taxi kiosk bali
* When you get through the airport and if your hotel is not picking you up, you will need a taxi { you can pre book a driver read on about our drivers } you can walk across the road via a cross walk directly out front and get transport there. This can be confronting as you will get swamped with offers of transport and will need to barter your fare, or as you exit the building before you cross the road and on your RH side you will find a taxi kiosk. Tell them where you wish to go, pay them and you will get a receipt. Wait a bit and your taxi driver will walk across the road and escort you to his vehicle. This cost us Rupiah 55,000 per person { about Aus $7.50 } to go to Legian { refer to our page Where are we } and it will then give you some idea of cost going elsewhere. For families it would be better to pre book a pick up from G’day, you will need the room for the extra luggage. Going via taxi or pre booked transport will give you your first taste of the chaos that is Bali traffic. Note that Taxi prices aren’t that negotiable to or from the airport, as the driver must pay a tax for entry into the airport grounds – outside you will find that travel over a similar distance will cost less. The taxis we got at the airport ( Bluebird ) would only allow 2 people per car plus luggage, G’day and Mickey can take 4 each plus luggage or 6 each if hired for a trip.
* Hotels can help organize bus tours.
* If you have a international drivers licence you can hire cars, mpvs or a motor bike.
* Some tour packages have a pick up and return service.
* If you stay in the quieter places like Sanur a taxi will be expensive so private transport is the way to go.http://firsttimebali.com/transport/
G'Days vehicle. Air conditioned front and rear. Ph from your land line 00116281338760074
In Bali there is no public transport but you can get around.
* In places like Kuta the streets can get very congested and parking may be a problem so walking is a option as the beach, shops and hotels are close by.
* In Denpasar you can get taxis in the form of cars or people movers. If you need a taxi as a car you can use Bluebird Taxi’s as these have meters and for short rides are cheap. If you are not up to bartering just yet these are a good choice. As you get the feel of how much it costs for a short trip you can try the other taxi’s and barter your fare before you get in and this should get you a safe ride at a price you are happy with. There are also private cars or MPV’s who will approach you as you walk down the street or leave a shopping center and all that is required is to barter your fare.
taxi kiosk bali
* When you get through the airport and if your hotel is not picking you up, you will need a taxi { you can pre book a driver read on about our drivers } you can walk across the road via a cross walk directly out front and get transport there. This can be confronting as you will get swamped with offers of transport and will need to barter your fare, or as you exit the building before you cross the road and on your RH side you will find a taxi kiosk. Tell them where you wish to go, pay them and you will get a receipt. Wait a bit and your taxi driver will walk across the road and escort you to his vehicle. This cost us Rupiah 55,000 per person { about Aus $7.50 } to go to Legian { refer to our page Where are we } and it will then give you some idea of cost going elsewhere. For families it would be better to pre book a pick up from G’day, you will need the room for the extra luggage. Going via taxi or pre booked transport will give you your first taste of the chaos that is Bali traffic. Note that Taxi prices aren’t that negotiable to or from the airport, as the driver must pay a tax for entry into the airport grounds – outside you will find that travel over a similar distance will cost less. The taxis we got at the airport ( Bluebird ) would only allow 2 people per car plus luggage, G’day and Mickey can take 4 each plus luggage or 6 each if hired for a trip.
* Hotels can help organize bus tours.
* If you have a international drivers licence you can hire cars, mpvs or a motor bike.
* Some tour packages have a pick up and return service.
* If you stay in the quieter places like Sanur a taxi will be expensive so private transport is the way to go.http://firsttimebali.com/transport/
Haggling and Money Tips Bali Shopping in Legian
Haggling is a way of life in Bali and they seem disappointed if you do not join into the spirit of it. At first haggling if u are like us { first timers, tired, hot, sweaty and jet lagged } can be a chore. Try not to buy anything on the first day you arrive, wait until you have had the chance to understand the prices and until you are confident to engage in bargaining and don’t be tempted to buy anything on the beaches as the prices can be more expensive compared with the small stalls in the streets of Kuta. When buying anything, anywhere, market stalls, transport or places that sell tourist goods, if you do not haggle you will pay to much.
In the fixed price shops ask for discount as there is a good chance you will get one. Haggling should be done in good humor and do not get to serious as the difference between a shirt or transport that costs Rupiah 55,000 or Rupiah 45,000 is only about $1.20 Aus. Check the Currency images below. When haggling i start at less than half the asking price and knowing it is unlikely that i will get what i want at that price i work up.
Sometimes if you buy more than one you can get it at half price and remember during haggling to say ” i brought one yesterday at this price ” or ” i can buy one down the road at this price. If the haggling was done in good humor by both parties and the price is agreed on i give a tip to the merchant and this can be part of the Bali experience. Some street merchants can be a bit aggressive and if so just walk away or if you want to buy get what u want as cheap as u can and no tip.
Some market stalls promise various things at very cheap prices to get you to enter, then when you look, whatever you look at is suddenly “really good quality” so is double the price they enticed you in with. If you want to buy start the haggling process by looking at various things in the market stall first even if you have already decided what you want.
Take your time – being on holiday u should have lots of that and Balinese people are generally in no hurry , then ask for an opening price. Depending on this and how much I want to pay, I’ll generally offer either half or less than the opening price. When you have reached the maximum price you are prepared to pay, if they don’t budge, walk away slowly. Usually (thought not always) they’ll run after you to agree to the price. Some find haggling with men easier than women who are hard bargainers.
Money Tips
Bali, being part of Indonesia, uses the Indonesian currency, the Rupiah (abbreviated, Rp.) as its monetary unit. Banknotes come in a range of denominations, including the commonly available Rp.100,000, Rp.50,000, Rp.20,000, Rp.10,000, Rp.5,000, Rp.2,000, Rp.1,000, there are coins but they are basically worthless. I put our coins in the hotel donation jar.All of the notes and coins are reasonably distinctive, but take care while you are getting used to dealing with the cash as there are a mix of old and new styles in circulation. Click on the four images to see what the major notes are and approx Aus Equivalent. Any notes below Rp.20,000 are used for change and/or tipping.
Exchange rates have run up to around Rp.10,000 to one U.S. dollar, or around Rp.8,000 to one Australian dollar ( exchange rates vary day to day currently we the are same as the US dollar ). Every Hotel clerk , merchant or street hawker know the current rates but expect a lesser rate when converting to Rupiah, as commissions will be charged on the conversion transactions. You will get a better rate from a bank but finding a bank can be a pain so we went to a local shop called Circle K { these are all over Denpasar } and are like a Aussie Deli, you can also buy supplies of Bintang there .
Foreign money can be exchanged at most banks in Bali. Banking hours are usually from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday and until 1.00 p.m. Saturday. Money can also be changed at the airport, at hotel cashiers, and at authorised money changers (found in almost every medium to large village and city). The exchange rates are published daily in newspapers and are usually posted prominently wherever money can be changed. Most authorised money changers operate seven days a week, and remain open daily until about 10:00 p.m. Most major credit cards are acceptable at hotels, large restaurants, department stores, travel agencies and many businesses that cater to the tourist trade, including galleries, arts and craft sellers.
* Money Changers
Be careful when changing your money. Always check the exchange rate and commission (if any) the money changer is taking. Remember to count your money before you leave the money changer, a reputable money changer will let you count your money before you hand them yours and give you a receipt and ask them to show you the calculation on their calculator. For online currency converter click on the flag.
http://firsttimebali.com/haggling/
In the fixed price shops ask for discount as there is a good chance you will get one. Haggling should be done in good humor and do not get to serious as the difference between a shirt or transport that costs Rupiah 55,000 or Rupiah 45,000 is only about $1.20 Aus. Check the Currency images below. When haggling i start at less than half the asking price and knowing it is unlikely that i will get what i want at that price i work up.
Sometimes if you buy more than one you can get it at half price and remember during haggling to say ” i brought one yesterday at this price ” or ” i can buy one down the road at this price. If the haggling was done in good humor by both parties and the price is agreed on i give a tip to the merchant and this can be part of the Bali experience. Some street merchants can be a bit aggressive and if so just walk away or if you want to buy get what u want as cheap as u can and no tip.
Some market stalls promise various things at very cheap prices to get you to enter, then when you look, whatever you look at is suddenly “really good quality” so is double the price they enticed you in with. If you want to buy start the haggling process by looking at various things in the market stall first even if you have already decided what you want.
Take your time – being on holiday u should have lots of that and Balinese people are generally in no hurry , then ask for an opening price. Depending on this and how much I want to pay, I’ll generally offer either half or less than the opening price. When you have reached the maximum price you are prepared to pay, if they don’t budge, walk away slowly. Usually (thought not always) they’ll run after you to agree to the price. Some find haggling with men easier than women who are hard bargainers.
Money Tips
Bali, being part of Indonesia, uses the Indonesian currency, the Rupiah (abbreviated, Rp.) as its monetary unit. Banknotes come in a range of denominations, including the commonly available Rp.100,000, Rp.50,000, Rp.20,000, Rp.10,000, Rp.5,000, Rp.2,000, Rp.1,000, there are coins but they are basically worthless. I put our coins in the hotel donation jar.All of the notes and coins are reasonably distinctive, but take care while you are getting used to dealing with the cash as there are a mix of old and new styles in circulation. Click on the four images to see what the major notes are and approx Aus Equivalent. Any notes below Rp.20,000 are used for change and/or tipping.
Exchange rates have run up to around Rp.10,000 to one U.S. dollar, or around Rp.8,000 to one Australian dollar ( exchange rates vary day to day currently we the are same as the US dollar ). Every Hotel clerk , merchant or street hawker know the current rates but expect a lesser rate when converting to Rupiah, as commissions will be charged on the conversion transactions. You will get a better rate from a bank but finding a bank can be a pain so we went to a local shop called Circle K { these are all over Denpasar } and are like a Aussie Deli, you can also buy supplies of Bintang there .
Foreign money can be exchanged at most banks in Bali. Banking hours are usually from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday and until 1.00 p.m. Saturday. Money can also be changed at the airport, at hotel cashiers, and at authorised money changers (found in almost every medium to large village and city). The exchange rates are published daily in newspapers and are usually posted prominently wherever money can be changed. Most authorised money changers operate seven days a week, and remain open daily until about 10:00 p.m. Most major credit cards are acceptable at hotels, large restaurants, department stores, travel agencies and many businesses that cater to the tourist trade, including galleries, arts and craft sellers.
* Money Changers
Be careful when changing your money. Always check the exchange rate and commission (if any) the money changer is taking. Remember to count your money before you leave the money changer, a reputable money changer will let you count your money before you hand them yours and give you a receipt and ask them to show you the calculation on their calculator. For online currency converter click on the flag.
http://firsttimebali.com/haggling/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
