Bali, Indonesia

Ubud is the 'Cultural' capital of Bali. It's up in the hills and is cooler that the beach towns. Ubud has museums, palaces, wonderful traditional dances, very good and inexpensive shops and great 5* restaurants.
Moziac and Lamak are the 2 best places to eat. Naughty Nuri's is the most fun place to eat AND meet people.
Be sure to go to the palace in the center of Ubud at 6PM and get a ticket (about US$5) for the dances they have there every night (each night is a different dance)

Be sure to travel outside of the rainy season, visit Ubud and the monkey forest, and buy high quality art for inexpensive prices.

My experiences since moving to Bali in 2001

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Attitude

Good manners are very important to Indonesian people, and since you will be treated as an honored guest in this country, it is only right to repay that courtesy by showing respect for the traditions and culture. Never touch somebody’s head unless you become very close friend. If you see any offerings on the pedestrian walk, try to walk beside them, do not step on, because offerings for Balinese is an very important and very sacred. And when you come upon procession either while you’re driving or walking in the street, please be patient and you should treat them with respect. Don’t walk in front of people praying and never sit higher than priest. For woman during menstruation are not allowed enter the temple.

On the Road

The traffic in Bali is ruled by common sense. Give way to anything bigger than you, bikes especially are in very weak position. Don’t get angry if other road user’s don;t drive the way you’re used to in your own country. Using the vehicle’s horn in Bali is a precaution and not meant in an offensive manner.

Health Risk

Minimal, although there’s always the risk of Bali belly, don’t drink the tap water always drink from bottled water, be careful what you eat. Choose to eat the places that seem busy and popular ( you could check out in our blogs). Protect yourself from mosquitoes, especially in the rainy season. Always using sunblock for your skin when you go to the beach.

Visa-Entry Requirements

Citizens of the following countries receive a free 30 days visa on arrival : Brunei, Chili, Hong Kong, Macao, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Citizens of the following countries pay US $ 25 cash or 30 days visa on arrival:Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt , Finland,France,Germany,Hungary,India,Ireland,Italy,Japan,Kuwait,Luxembourg,

Maldives,New Zealand,Norway,Oman,Poland,Portugal,Qatar,Russian,Saudi Arabia, South Africa,South Korea,Spain,Switzerland,Taiwan,USA,UAE,UK,

Nationals country that not listed above should get a visa from an Indonesian embassy or consulate before arrival, or they will be turned away at the airport.Please note that visas on arrival are non-extendable,so if 30daysis not enough you should get tourist visa from Indonesian embassy or consulate before you arrive, these are valid for 60days.and your passport must valid 6 months beyond your stay.

Airport Tax

International = IDR150000 Domestic IDR 30000

Timezone and Climate

is GMT 8hours, Rainy season October till March

Money Changers

Always change your money in the bank or authorized money changer

The high season is June-August and December. Outside these times it is best to arrive at your destination and then bargain for a room. Have them show you their different rooms and as they do this find out how full they are. The more empty means the better bargain :-)

Beautiful beaches...pity about the bombings though. Nice food and lotsa resorts.

Diving is nice, surfing seems excellent, only visit Kuta beach, there are plenty of other prettier places as well. Loved Bali!

I would share Indonesia miracle here, 10 Incredible Place in Indonesia
1. Borobudur
Borobudur Temple is one of the largest Buddhist temple in the world and glorious architecture. Located in Central Java. This temple is considered one of the seven wonders of the world.
2. Komodo island
Komodo Island is located in a strait between the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). Komodo Island is available in the world's largest lizard, the Komodo biawak (Varanus komodoensis).
3. Lake of the three color Kelimutu
This lake is called by the world as one of the nine wonders of the world. Three color lake is located in Mount Kelimutu, Flores, NTT. There are three lakes that border, but with the different colors. Kelimutu lake is the only lake in the world that water can be changed at any time, from red to become green and then dark red heart, a dark green light green, brown black to be blue sky. This natural phenomenon is a miracle.
4. Jayawijaya Peak and Carstenz
Peak which is also listed as one of the top seven continents (Seven Summit), which is fenomenal and object of a mountain climber in various parts of the world. Jayawijaya Peak National Park is located in the Laurentz, Papua. This Peak is covered by eternal snow. Immortal Snow Peak Jayawijaya in one of three snow in the tropics in the world.
5. Prambanan
Prambanan is a Hindu temple in Southeast Asia. Prambanan temple is located on the border of Central Java and Yogyakarta. Architecture of this building is very luxurious and there are temples both large and small at the Prambanan Temple Complex. Greatest architecture that make Prambanan spectacular for all of the world.
6. Bali Island
This island, include to one of the beautiful island in the World. Bali Island is a tourist island in the world. Tourism Object on the island Bali are such as Kintamani, Kuta Beach, Batur Lake, Goa Gajah, Tampak Siring, Bedugul, Tanah Lot, and so forth. This island is included in this list because of all that places with a stunning architecture and building in the natural beauty of this island which has also been recognized worldwide.
7. Bromo
Mount Bromo is one of the five mountains, that located in the Tengger mountains complex on the sea sand. The attractiveness of this mountain is that this mountain is still active. Mount Bromo tourism is a natural phenomenon with a specific natural phenomenon that is not found in other places, there is a crater in the middle of the crater (creater the creater) with sea sand carpet surround it.
8. Toraja
Toraja is on South Sulawesi. Tanah Toraja is very unique, especially in the case of burial dead bodies. Bodies not buried, but placed in the caves in the hills of stone. Bodies is accompanied by statues (statue of the person who have died). There is a grave stone on the hill.
9. Krakatau
Explosion of Mount Krakatau had shake the earth. This volcano had burst on 26 August 1883. The explosion very formidable, and also cause a tsunami that killed about 36,000 people. Voice of Krakatau Mount eruption hearded to Alice Springs, Australia and the Rodrigues island near Africa. Mount Krakatau located in Sunda strait between Java and Sumatra island. The dusk even up to the space. Although Krakatau is not dangerous like before (hopefully) but the history is one of nature wonders.
10. Toba Lake
Lake Toba was a volcano. This lake is located in the former crater supervolcano in the world. Mount Toba on the estimated discharge about 73 thousand years ago. This explosion was the biggest, the largest eruption that affecting climate around the world.

Read more at: www.tourthewonder.com

Beautiful beach, friendly people

Its a beautiful temple, however if you do intend to come here. Get a tour guide from town to bring you. Or else, you will be asked to make all kind of entrance payment and donation. Look out for child beggars!! They are everywhere!

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Part of trip "SE Asia on a Backpack"

Part of trip "SE Asia on a Backpack"

Villa Sabandari is a small, 6 rooms, boutique hotel in the rice fields, yet at walking distance from Ubud, the cultural capital of Bali. A great place to relax and enjoy the friendly service, a swim or a beauty treatment.

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The Rocky Temple was our first stop on our biking trip towards the north. The arched rock bridge reminding of the Arches National Park. Btw. the entrance fee was 10.000 rp.

Danau Beratan is a cool beautiful lake up the mountains. A very welcome change to the overwhelming heat and crowd of Kuta.