Bali Travel Tips 1, 2, 3…
This old article was written in January 2020, for reference only.
As the Spring Festival approaches, Bali is a great choice for a family vacation. There are countless online guides and travelogues to refer to. As an experienced traveler, after snatching a direct flight ticket with China Eastern Airlines for 1800 yuan, spending just over 3000 yuan per person to stay in a large villa with a pool in Bali, and eating and drinking to my heart's content for 6 days, I just want to share some things to keep in mind:
This was something I was very concerned about before the trip, because it is said that Indonesians only bully Chinese who are rich but naive. Although it's not a big amount of money, it's annoying. The way I thought to deal with it was: pretend not to understand anything, or hold up a card and say 'NO CASH', or just stand still and waste time. If they don't let me pass, so be it.
The result was that when I got off the plane nearly at 1 a.m., it was peak time at the airport. There were over a thousand people queuing in front of customs. That made me relieved. With so many people, I won't pay the bribe, and they have to let me through quickly. And that's exactly what happened. However, my travel companion still encountered a customs officer saying 'xiaofei' (tip) in Chinese. He ignored them and didn't waste time. After stamping, the officer even said 'thank you' in Chinese. Was that sarcasm?
Summary: Never give a bribe to customs! Even if the tour guide asks you to, don't. There is a big screen above the counter reminding you to 'Say NO to bribery'. Also, try to be near the front of the line; if there are many people behind, they won't bother you too much.
Bali is large, the roads are in poor condition, and traffic is terrible. The best way to get around is by renting a private car. The typical price is about over 200 RMB for a 7-seater car for 10 hours, and over 400 RMB for a 10-seater. If you go beyond the coverage area, such as to North Bali or the Gates of Heaven, it's extra. This price includes fuel, and sometimes parking fees. You don't need to pay for the driver's meals, just give a small tip at the end.
Although it's simply a car rental, the driver usually suggests visiting some attractions or restaurants, which involves some back-and-forth with the driver. I booked two days of cars through two different platforms. On the first day, the driver contacted me early and enthusiastically helped me plan the itinerary. Unfortunately, I had my own plans, and in the end, I only went to one place he recommended. But it was fine; he didn't seem upset and still provided good service. The driver on the second day was a quiet and honest person. Probably because his English was not good, he just went wherever I pointed. It was also hard to get recommendations from him.
Here's a tip: If, like me, you have a late-night flight out, and the usual check-out time is noon, and you don't want to store your luggage, then rent a large car that can fit your luggage (for example, if we're 6 people, we rent a 10-seater). Start the 10-hour rental at check-out time. Enjoy eating, drinking, and having fun throughout the day, and then have the driver take you directly to the airport. So convenient!
Summary: Plan ahead and stick to your own itinerary. Don't be easily swayed by the driver, but don't be too harsh either. It's normal to let the driver have one or two stops where they can earn a commission.
Abroad, I always avoid places that are popular with Chinese tourists. My usual approach is to search for restaurant rankings nearby and pick those with high ratings and many reviews – they usually don't disappoint. For example, this time I discovered a treasure restaurant in Ubud called Balinese Home Cooking (Address: 20 Jl.Rsi Markandya II | Br.Payogan, Kedewatan, Ubud 80571). It's a bit far from the center of Ubud, with a very small storefront on the roadside, but once inside, the courtyard is very deep, and there are several dining areas. It's run by a big family. Only the menu in English with pictures is available. You can't go wrong ordering anything. Most are set meals, with great taste and presentation, and good service. You just need to be patient, as service is a bit slow. The per person cost is around 50 RMB – couldn't be more satisfied!
Carrefour is indeed the first choice for one-stop shopping for food and souvenirs. As for crowded places like the Ubud Market that require bargaining, they're really not my cup of tea. You can also browse the small shops along the streets in Kuta and Seminyak; there might be surprises. Discovery Shopping Mall is by the beach in Kuta. Just take a quick look – the flip-flops on the ground floor are varied and cheap.
How can you come to Bali without trying a spa? But the market is mixed. I chose one with good value for money: De Nyuh Spa Seminyak branch, located on the 5th floor of Grandmas Plus Hotel Seminyak. The massage rooms are not separate but are partitioned by curtains. It has great value for money, and the techniques are good. After the treatment, I felt very comfortable. The most expensive 3-hour package, Maximum Sensation, which includes massage, facial, body scrub, and body mask, costs only 360,000 Indonesian rupiah, less than 200 RMB.
De Nyuh Spa has another branch about 3 km from the airport. It's usually the first choice for killing time before departure. But! Pay attention! I do NOT recommend it! Although the price is the same, the environment and service are far inferior to the Seminyak branch. Moreover, the front desk overcharged me. If I hadn't discovered and demanded a refund, I would have lost a lot!
Travelogue Directory
1. Customs Tips
2. Car Rental
3. Eating
4. Shopping
5. SPA
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