Anna's Chocolate Cake: The Special Continues!

A couple of months ago, I bought to you, my lovely readers, an exclusive offer that one of my favourite restaurants and I had collaborated on. The Art Cafe in Sanur is, in my opinion, home of the best chocolate cake. Not only that, they also have lovely staff, great service and fantastic meals (plenty of Western and Indonesian choices) at good prices. I refuse to miss out on having a meal here whenever I'm in Bali. They never fail to leave me with a very full but very happy tummy.

Tonight, I share good news with you. The special that I have collaborated on with this fantastic restaurant is still continuing until further notice!

The details of this offer are:

If you go to The Art Cafe for dessert only and order the cake, you will receive a complimentary tea, coffee, cappuccino or latte. The complimentary drink is valid per order of chocolate cake ie if you order 2 cakes, you'll receive 2 complimentary drinks

If you go to The Art Cafe for dinner AND dessert and order the cake, you will receive 10% off your final bill.

Conditions:

The offer will be continuing until further notice

The offer is valid for evening only, not lunchtime

If your party is more than 5 people, you will need to book and order the cakes in advance to ensure there is enough and you won't miss out

THE MOST IMPORTANT CONDITION:

To receive the offer, you must order the cake as "Anna's Chocolate Cake". If you don't reference it as such, you'll miss out

For those have already enjoyed this special, please enjoy it again. For those that haven't, enjoy!! I know I will be in October:)

 

Contact The Art Cafe:

• Click here to go to their Facebook Page. Message them here to book
  
• Click here to go to their website
  
• Click here to check out/write a review on Tripadvisor
  
• Address: Jalan Danau Tamblingan Number 82 (across the road from the Besakih Hotel and next door to the Lazer Sports Bar)
  
• Phone: +62 361 283811
  

 

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Bali For First-Timers: Things to know

As you know, I'm a huge fan of Bali. How huge? THIS HUGE!! Bali is a beautiful place and there's nothing I hate more than hearing people trash the place after their first trip, or worse, when they haven't even been there. I mean come on people, give it a fair go. I think a lot of the time, people don't like Bali when they go on holiday being unprepared and having unrealtistic expectations of what they're going to get. Personally, I think Bali is paradise. Not all its beaches are picturesque white sand and pristine blue waters. Some of the roads and footpaths are in terrible condition, it's still a developing country meaning its hygeiene standard is not great but if you know these things going in and know how to deal with them, it shouldn't effect your holiday.

I have a friend going to Bali for the first time in July and has been asking me for tips so I was inspired to write this post for her. I've put together a list of things you should know when going to the island for the first time.

 

• First Time?

You will often be asked if this is your first time to Bali. Always tell who ever is asking that you've been before. Telling people that you haven't been before sets you apart as someone they can potentially rip off because you don't know the prices of things, don't know where places are or even how to barter. The old saying "Fake it till you make it" comes into play here.

 

• Take cash

It is the most reliable way to take your spending money. It's easy to fall victim to credit card scamming and skimming (I wrote a post here on tips to avoid it happening to you) and unfortunately things such as handbag snatching and pick pocketing does happen. If you're reliant on your credit card and it gets lost or stolen, what do you have? It's important to remember as well that not all restaurants and spas will have EFTPOS facilities. If you are planning on taking your credit/debit card, make sure you contact your bank and let them know you'll be travelling overseas so they can keep an eye-out for any suspicious acitivity. Also read up on the fees that come with your card, whether its ATM fees, foreign transaction fees and currency exchange fees. I have a seperate account with CitiBank that I use only for travelling. I transfer money over from my usual bank and take just the one card. It has no minimum balance or minimum deposits, absolutely no fees attached (monthly, ATM, foreign transaction or other), has a good exchange rate and you don't need to be a CitiBank customer to open an account up with them. Check it out here where you can also apply online. Yep, you don't even need to go into the bank to do it.

 

• VOA (Visa On Arrival) and Departure Tax

You need to have a Visa to enter Bali, whether you're there for just one night or one month. As the name suggests, the Visa is purchases on arrival. At the international airport, the VOA counters will be the first ones you go through. The Visa can be paid only in cash and is $25 USD or $30 AUD per person. No, it is not cheaper for babies or kids. My trick is to pay the Visa with an Australian $50 and get the change in Rupiah (you don't have a choice with this anyway). This saves me from going straight to a money changer and depending on how far I'm going, will be enough for transport and lunch before I get more money changed.

Bali also has a Departure Tax. Yes, you have to pay to leave the island. This was recently 150,000 Rupiah but has recently been increased to 200,000 Rupiah per person. This can only be paid in Rupiah so as soon as you change money, put aside your departure tax so you're not at the airport trying to pull the cash together after all your shopping.

 

• Dressing in Bali

Bali's religion is mainly Hindu. Being out and about during the day, you can dress just as you would at home. It's very acceptable to walk around in shorts and a singlet on over your bathers. If you're on a day tour and visiting a temple, you may need to wear a sarong (men included) and some temples or a good driver can provide these for you. Even though Bali is a very laid-back place, I never agree with girls strutting around in bikini's or men with no shirts on. I don't care that you're on holiday; show a bit of respect. Sunbathing topless, although allowed, is frowned upon. It can be tempting to pack your fancy clothes and jewellery when going away, but Bali isn't the place to do it. Leave the jewellery at home. There have been known to be lady-boys that will distract you in the form of a bit too close for comfort dance while slipping off that expensive necklace you've got on. Yes, insurance will cover you if it happens but save trouble and potential heartache of losing a precious piece of jewellery and just leave it at home.

 

• Drinking in Bali

Whether you're a cocktail, spirits or water drinker, you always have to be careful when drinking in Bali. Let's start with water. Do not drink the tap water. Bali hasn't quite caught up to the Western world in regard to filtering their water. The tap water simply isn't safe to drink. One of the first things I do when in Bali is go to a shop and buy a bunch of water bottles. One for the bathroom to brush my teeth with and the rest in the fridge for my daily outings. Your hotel will generally provide 2 bottles a day but in Bali's humid environment, this won't be enough. Don't stress though, water is cheap in Bali. You can buy a normal sized 500-750mL bottle for a mere 30 cents.

There has been lots of negative media stories on methanol poisoning in Bali. Before I start, let me clear one thing up: these peoples drinks are not spiked with methanol, the methanol comes from the spirit not being made at the right temperatures. There is a lot of backyard brewing in Bali because Indonesia has a big alcohol tax. Some restaurants and bars will opt to buy the cheap backyard stuff rather than fork out the money for the real stuff, thus putting you at risk. I don't drink a lot in general but when I have a hankering for a cocktail or five, I only get them from reputable places. Generally speaking, your hotel will be safe. If you're at a restaurant or bar, before you order something with arak (local spirits), vodka, tequila or really any spirits, have a look around you. If the place is a bit dingy, probably best not to risk it.

If you enjoy a few drinks in Bali, stick to things such as Bintang or take your own spirits. Buy them Duty Free, put some in a flask, order yourself a mocktail and add your own alcohol. It's better safe than sorry.

• Changing Money

As I mentioned before, take your spending money in cash. Obviously this means you'll need to exchange it when you're there. Saying that, I would advise to always change your money in Bali. You'll get no where near as good a rate in Australia before you go. When in Bali, you'll have no problem finding a place to change your money. The trick is to choose the right place. It's always tempting to go into a place that's offering the highest rate, but these are usually the places that are going to rip you off. Rather than risking it, go into a proper money changer. They're easy to spot among the money changers that will be located at the back of market stalls and the ones offering a rate ending in a random number ie, not a zero or five. Why does that matter? Because fives and zero's are a lot easier to work with. Always do your calculations first so you know how much Rupiah you should be receiving. When the money changer has given you the money, they will count it in front of you. It doesn't matter how the person comes across, always recount it yourself, do not take your eye off it, do not let them touch it again and do not let them take away your money until you're sure what they've given you is correct. They are very quick and can easily skim a few notes off the top after you've checked it. If you have any doubts, speak up. If it's not working out, ask for your money back and go somewhere else.

 

• Using Taxi's

Using taxi's is generally the easiest and most convenient way to get from A to B. Majority of the taxi drivers are honest people but you will always come across one that is after an extra buck. When hailing a taxi, use an established company such as Blue Bird. Before you get in the taxi, check with the driver that they know where your destination is and that they will use the meter. Some driver's will try to bargain a price and you know where you're going and how much the trip will roughly cost, by all means do a bit of bartering but if you're not sure, insist that they use the meter. A trick I've been told is to ask the driver if they want directions. This will give them the idea that you know where you're going and they won't try to rip you off. Take note of the driver's name and ID number in case you have any problems and want to make a formal complaint to the company.

 

• Staying Well

When I go to Bali, I always take Ethical Nutrients Travel Bug tablets. My stomach doesn't agree with the food and I find that these tablets really save me the discomfort of having an upset tum and the anxiety of worrying about getting one. You can buy these at most pharmacies. It's highly recommended to use hand sanitiser and use warm soapy water when washing your hands. Along with the risk of Bali Belly, there is the risk of Dengue Fever from mosquitoes. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, whether it's day or night, always use mosquitoe repellent and one with DEET in it. The mosquitoes that carry Dengue are day time mosquitoes so just because the sun is up, it doesn't mean you can slack off with the repellent.

I cannot stress enough that if you (or anyone in your travelling party) gets sick, get a doctor. Don't wait until it gets worse, don't try to shake it off, don't wait until you get home, get a doctor straight away! They know what they're doing, even in Bali. The hotel's generally have doctors on staff so call reception, let them know you're feeling unwell and have them send the doctor. If it gets worse, get yourself to BIMC; Bali's international hospital and let them take care of you.

 

• Travel Insurance

If you go to Bali without travel insurance, you're just plain stupid. There's no nice way to say it. Your insurance will have you covered if you get sick, if your luggage gets lost and you need to buy clothes and toiletries, if any of your personal belongings get lost or stolen and even things such as your travelling companion getting sick and needing to come home - if you choose to go with them. Even though I've never needed to make a claim (touch wood), I would never go to Bali without insurance. I generally buy 1Cover which can all be done online.

 

Saying all of this, I would once again like to remind you all of how much I love Bali. It is a beautiful place but like every other country, has its negatives. These tips are my own, not necessarily based on experience but on knowledge after travelling to the island 10 times - and counting!

 

Is there anything I've forgotten and you'd like me to add? Feel free to let me know!

If you liked this post, you might also like my post on the Top 10 Things You Must Take to Bali

 

 

 

 

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Tips For Planning a Cheap Trip to Bali

In January, I snuck off to Bali for a quick getaway. With cheap flights a good deal on accomodation thanks to booking.com, I was able to make a 3 night stay, not only affordable, but wortwhile. Of course I am spoilt living in Perth and having Bali just 3.5 hours away so not everyone will be so lucky to escape for just 3 nights, but no matter where you live in Australia, it's not so hard to get the best deal. Here are some steps that I follow to get the best price on my holidays.

1. Do your research!

One of the first steps to planning a trip to Bali is figuring out which area best suits your need. Are you looking for a quiet and relaxing holiday, do you plan on being out and about and want shopping and great restaurants on your doorstep, do you want a nice swimming (or maybe surfing) beach, or maybe you're after a view of lush greenery? Or maybe you're staying long enough to be able to split your trip between a couple of different places. Bali has got something for everyone. Figure out what you're after and take that to friends that know Bali or to a Bali forum like this one on TripAdvisor. If you're asking for advice, listen to it! It's important to have all the information so you can make the right decisions and really enjoy your trip.

 

2. Finding cheap flights

Every airline has specials now and then so sign up to their email alerts or be prepared to check the prices each day. I find a tool like SkyScanner to be invaluable because it saves you from visiting each different website. Keep in mind that the cheapest flights will generally be at the worst times. If your budget is quite strict, be prepared to book a very early morning or late night flight. The cheapest days to fly are usually Tuesday's and Thursday's so take this into consideration when you're planning your dates. A great trick to getting even cheaper flights is to make use of Jetstar's Price Beat; if you take the price of another airlines flight (must be at a similar time), they will give you the flight for 10% cheaper. Conditions apply for this offer and you must book and pay when you call. Click here to go to their website and check out the conditions.

 

3. Finding cheap accommodation

Have a notebook ready for this step. I always head to a website like booking.com to see what kind of prices I can get for hotels. Write a list of hotel's that catch your eye and the price they're offering. You can often get free cancellation on booking.com, sometimes for a slightly higher price but your card won't get charged until you're actually at the hotel, so you can cancel it if something else comes up. While I'm doing this, I always head over to TripAdvisor to check out the reviews for the hotel's I'm interested in. If they've got bad reviews, they are off my list. It's worthwhile to check the prices available on the hotel's website. Sometimes it's cheaper to book direct due to early bird specials etc. Sometimes I'll stop here and book directly with the hotel if they offer a cheaper price or I will take the prices I find to Flight Centre, where they will give you an even cheaper price. Yes, they will only beat it by about $1 but if you need to book multiple rooms, this can add up. It can be reassuring to some people to know that someone else is going to do the hard work for them in the case that you need to find alternative accommodation.

 

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Staying On Nusa Lembongan

My trip to Bali in March was the first time I stayed on the island of Lembongan, located off the East coast of Bali. I had visited for a day trip last year while on the Bali Hai Cruise (see here) and had gotten a bit of a feel for the island. After drooling over other traveller's photos, I decided to include it in my itinerary for three nights. Because I had never stayed there before and didn't know the area, there were a few things I had ask. If you're considering staying on Lembongan for the first time, I'm sure you'll be asking them too so I've put together this post to help as best I can:)

 

• Why stay on Lembongan?

Nusa Lembongan is away from the hustle and bustle of Bali. The lack of traffic, with the exception of scooters and transport trucks, the fact that the island is made up of two local villages and is somewhat still undeveloped, it retains an "Old Bali" feel. If you're wanting to relax and enjoy some beautiful beaches, it might be the place for you. It's where some of Bali's best surf breaks can be found along with some great snorkelling and diving. It's got watersports, spa's, yoga, great restaurants and beautiful hotels and villa's.

 

• How to get there

The only way to get to Lembongan Island is by boat. If you're prone to sea sickness, don't worry too much - it's only half an hour away! There are a range of fast boat companies to choose from and the trip should cost about 450,000 Rupiah (about $45) per person for a return trip. Kids can travel at a discounted price. This includes pick-up at your hotel in Bali, transfer to and from your accommodation on the island and drop-off at a hotel or at the airport when you get back to Bali. I chose to travel with Rocky Fast Boats.

 

• Where to stay

On the island, you can find accommodation to suit every budget. It has everything from cheap and cheerful, boutique hotels, luxury villa's and everything in between. You can get beachfront, street front, cliff front and with an amazing view. There are a few different locations to choose from, depending on whether you want to have everything on your doorstep or just a short walk away or maybe you'd like something a bit more out of the main area. I stayed at Lembongan Harmony Villa's. A map like this one from WikiTravel will be helpful in getting your bearings and choosing a place to stay if you haven't been to Lembongan before.

 

• Getting around on the island

There are no taxi's on the island so getting around can be tricky. Walking is of course the most obvious option, and with the island only being about 4 kilometres from end to end, it's doable, but with Bali's mostly humid climate, it may not be preferable. The easiest way is to hire scooters. This will cost you about 70,000 Rupiah a day per scooter. You're not required to have a license for a scooter on the island, but keep in mind that unless you have your international license and the equivalent license from home, your insurance will probably not cover you if you have an accident. Getting scooters means you can explore the island at your leisure. The traffic lacks here but the roads are not in the best of shape. Push bikes are also available but be aware that there are quite a lot of hills. If you're not able to ride or scoot, golf buggies are available for hire on the island. At about $80 to over $100 a day, you'll need to factor this into your budget. A lot of restaurants offer free pick-up after 5:00.

 

• The experts

If you're thinking of staying on Lembongan Island for the first time, resources like The Lembongan Traveller will be invaluable to you. You'll be able to get answers to every question you have as well as discounted rates for accommodation and restaurant recommendations.

 

I absolutely loved staying on Lembongan and really enjoyed its slower pace. It was quite overwhelming to return to the busy streets of Bali with its honking horns. I would definitely return and would probably stay longer. I would recommend staying on the island for at least 3 nights to give you plenty of time to relax, explore the island and its neighbours (Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida) and maybe go snorkelling. It's a beautiful place to visit with some nice spas, lovely restaurants and amazing accommodation options.

 

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5 Easy Tips To Avoid Having Your Bank Card Skimmed

Card skimming is something that happens everywhere, and unfortunately is something that happens in Bali too. Whilst on holiday, it's too easy to let your guard down and have a "it wouldn't happen to me" attitude but the truth is, it could very easily happen to anyone. The ATM machines in Bali may look slightly different than they do at home, but they operate the same way so having a quick check of the machine to make sure it's safe to use is very easily done in just a matter of seconds. Here are 5 quick and easy tips that could help you avoid having your card skimmed:

1. Colour

Have a look at the colour of the machine and the colour of where you insert your card. Are they the same? Most card skimmers use the same skimming machine for many ATM's so they may be a completely different colour and style than the ATM itself.

2. Easily removable parts

Card skimmers need to be able to quickly and easily remove the skimming machine to avoid detection, so the machines are designed to be easily removed from the ATM's for a quick getaway. Before you insert your card, give the part a bit of a tug. If a skimmer is attached, it should come off easily.

Skimmers have recently begun using overlays on the keypad where you type in your pin. They're quite rare as they are more time consuming to put on and take off. Have a feel of the keypad. Is it soft or hard? ATM keypads are hard like metal or plastic. An overlay would feel softer than this and will cause the keypad to be thicker than usual. Once again, give it a few little tugs to check.

3. Video cameras

It's very common for ATM's to have video surveillance for security reasons. What would set a skimmer's camera apart is that it would be aimed directly at the keypad. They generally would be hidden on the side of the ATM, near pamphlets or posters on the walls or in the recess above the keypad. Take a second to run your hands along the sides and and top of the ATM to feel for any camera's. Have a quick look as well; pinholes or different colours on the ATM could indicate a hidden camera underneath.

4. Cover your PIN

Even if you don't notice any camera's, take the extra precaution of covering your hand as you type in your PIN. Even if your card information is skimmed, it will be useless without your PIN code. An easy trick is to pretend to press another number before pressing the real one. This will make it much much harder for skimmers to guess your combination. For example, if your PIN number was 1234, pretend to press other numbers so it instead looks like you're typing in something like 61253748. How many possible PIN combinations is that?!

5. Trust your instincts

If you generally stick to the same branch ATM's so you're familiar with how they look and something looks different, check the machine thoroughly before you use it. If your gut is telling you something is up, it's better to be safe and not use it.

It's better to be safe then sorry, especially when you're in another country so when you're going to use an ATM overseas, take a minute and follow these steps to make sure it's safe.

 

Anna's note: This information is not my own, but was given to me by a Counter Terrorism graduate.

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Yuda: Bali's Best Driver

Many people that go to Bali on a regular basis have a single driver that they've known for a while and will always call upon when they've booked a trip. In November, I was still looking for that person. Before my trip to Bali in November, I got a recommendation for a driver/guide from a fellow Bali lover. She had indeed known him for years and said they were practically family. She had only good things to say about him and the service he provided so I decided to take the recommendation and email him.

Since the first time I contacted Yuda, he service was a step above the rest. Other drivers I had used in the past didn't even compare. His service doesn't begin when he comes to pick you up, it begins from the moment you contact him to discuss what you need his services for. He gives you a call so you can properly discuss what you're after and gives logical advice and great suggestions or alternatives. And his service doesn't end when he drops you off at your hotel or the airport. I have received countless phone calls, text messages and emails from Yuda to confirm our booking, wishing us a safe flight to Bali or home again, telling us to be careful in the rain, wishing us a good time on one of our tourist activities (whether he organised it for us or not), a get well if someone has been ill or injured even Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Valentines emails. Every time he gets a new client from my recommendation, he emails to say thank you. I have used him many more times since November when I first met him as well as passed on his details to other travellers who have also sung his praises. It's not just his service that makes him special, he himself is special. He has such an amazing zest for life and enthusiasm for what he does that just makes you smile. Along with great English, he is knowledgeable and seems to have a great answer for every question he gets asked, whether it be about Balinese history, religion, education, politics. He knows it all. He's been known to surprise people at the airport (he called me during my trip to find out when my parents were arriving so he could surprise them), sing in the car, give medical advice if someone gets sick and he always has a smile on his face. If I were to run into trouble in Bali, he would be the first person I'd call and I have no doubt that he would come through and do everything he possibly could to help. Since I've started using him, there is no way I could ever use another driver or guide. I truly believe that Yuda is the best and I highly recommend him.

Yuda's services do come at a higher price than other drivers but considering how much more he puts into his work, it's worth every extra penny. With the price, you get him as a guide, a seperate driver (Yuda likes to let them concentrate on the road while he does all the talking), cold towels, drinks, snacks and get to be in the comfort of a new and very clean car.

I think you know you've found your guy when you get excited about going back to Bali just to see them and find excuses to use the services when it's not necessary.

Contact him here:

Email: askyuda@yahoo.com

Phone: M. +62 813 3864 1400

Ph. +62 361 858 1100

 

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Anna's Tips For Taking Great Food Photos

A big part of my travels and my blog is FOOD!! I absolutely love Indonesian food and if I knew I wouldn't come back a few kilos heavier, I would very happily eat all day in Bali. Trying new restaurants, new dishes as well as sticking to my old favourites is something I most look forward to when a holiday is approaching. I've learnt a few tricks to help my photos turn out the best way they can and I'm sharing them with you!!

• Presentation and background

The dishes in Bali are typically very nicely presented, but when you're taking a photo of the food, you're always going to get a shot of the things in the background too. Before the food arrives, I typically spend a few moments shuffling things around. I make sure my handbag is out of the way, I might put a couple of things within view like the serviettes and toothpicks or a candle that are usually always on the table in Balinese restaurants, like this shot I took of my dessert at the Pearl Restaurant.

• Light

Photos always turn out best in natural light, but I always find that restaurants in Bali are generally very dimly lit at night time. This frustrates me a lot, not just because it doesn't make for good photos but I don't like eating in the dark. To compensate for this, I either choose a table that is directly under a nice bright light, or I use a torch. Yes, a torch. I don't mean a huge, heavy, blinding one, but a nice small one that can very easily fit into my handbag with room to spare. Compare these photos for example.

The left photo is taken in natural light, the right is taken under artificial light (I chose the table because of the lighting). There isn't a huge difference in the photo quality. Compare the next 2 photos.

These photos were taken in dimly lit restaurants. You can see the photos are more grainy and just not as appealing. The photo on the left was taken using a torch shining down directly from above (also note how I've arranged the background), the right photo was taken relying only on the lights in the restaurant and the photo quality is very poor. This does of course depend on the camera you have as well. I was using my iPhone, which doesn't take great night time photos, but if you were to be using a big DSLR for example, you'd be able to adjust the settings to let in more light and get a better photo. My number 1 rule for taking food photos is DO NOT USE THE FLASH! It tends to really wash out the colours in the shot, leaving it look dull and unappealing.

• Angle

As you can see, I very rarely, if ever, take photos from directly above the dish. When you're seated at a table, that isn't how you see the food, so why take the photo from that angle? I like to take the photo right from the angle I am seeing it from as that is usually how it looks best and the food is presented with that in mind.

• Editing

I prefer to edit my photos as little as possible but in my opinion, photos never quite capture the colours and the appeal of the dish perfectly. When I edit my food photos, I generally stick to 3 things: brightness, saturation and focus. Brightness, I use as little as possible because using it too much can ruin the photo completely, but there are times that the light is causing an uneven shadow over the food that needs to be adjusted. Saturation, I also use only a little bit. Saturating the colour too much makes the photo look fake and simply over-edited. Focus is my favourite. In many photo editing apps, you can simply move, enlarge or decrease the size of the focus. As you can see in all of the above photos, I always place the focus directly on the food. It blurs the background and everything in it, making the food the hero and centre of attention. I never use filters when editing. A lot of editing apps are free and generally all do the same thing, but my favourite is Photo Editor by Axiem Systems. It comes in both a free version and a paid ($0.99) version.

 

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Anna's Top 10 Things You MUST Take to Bali

A lot of Bali newbies often ask the question "What are the things I cannot go to Bali without?" Here are my top 10 things I always take to Bali:

• Ethical Nutrients Travel Bug

I'm unfortunately one of those people whose stomach just does not agree with Bali food. It doesn't matter how much water I drink, how often I wash my hands and use hand sanitiser, by the third day I am guaranteed to have constant stomach pains and we all know what comes with stomach pains... After trying a few different things- not eating eggs, constant hand washing, Yakult and probiotics before and during the trip- I decided to give the Travel Bug tablet a go. Lucky for me, it worked a treat. Not only did I manage to not have any stomach pains (and everything that comes with them), I also managed to go away without the anxiety of getting sick and ruining the trip. You can buy Ethical Nutrients Travel Bug tablets at your local pharmacy. It must be refrigerated and taken once daily 5 days before your trip and every day during your trip.

 

• Suncream

Being on holiday in Bali does of course mean having some time laying in the sun. Although suncream in available in Bali, it's much more expensive than what you'd pay for it in Australia. We all love to come home with a fresh tan, but that doesn't mean you have to look like a tomato whilst in Bali.

 

• Long strapped handbag

Like any other place in the world, Bali is not free of thieves and bag snatchers. Being a person that hates lugging around a handbag at the best of times, I always take a fairly small handbag to carry my phone/camera, only enough money for whatever I'm out for and that has a long enough strap to wear across my body. While I'm walking along the street, I always wear the bag on the side away from the road just in case.

 

• Power plug adapter and power board

Although many hotels provide power adapters, it's always easier to take one to save the trouble of trooping around trying to find out, plus they're cheap to buy in Australia (about $12 in Myer). There is almost guaranteed to be a day during your trip when your phone, your camera, you iPad, your laptop all need charging at the same time. Once again, a power board is something that's just easier to bring from home and it takes up next to no space in your suitcase.

 

• Cash

Depending on the length of my trip, I usually take anywhere between $800-$1400 cash and change about $200-$300 at a time. Many Bali regulars recommend budgeting $100 a day, but I have to admit, I don't budget. There are always days you'll spend more or less than others depending on where you eat, if you're shopping, travelling in taxis or private cars or partaking in tourist activities. I use my cash to pay for meals, some shopping and taxi rides. I only use my credit/debit card at hotels and when doing majority of my shopping at places like Discovery Mall and Matahari. I am also yet to use an ATM in Bali. This way, I avoid a lower exchange rate and any fees my bank may charge.

 

• Water-Proof Mascara

Being a female, I do not go on holiday without taking make-up. A lot of the time there is no point wearing it because you sweat it off, swim it off or maybe you're planning on getting a facial, but mascara is my must for each day, whether I'm on holiday or not.

 

• Hand Sanitiser

Being a developing country, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Hand sanitiser is easy to chuck in your handbag and bring out after handling money, before you eat, after you eat, whenever you need it and it could be the difference between enjoying your holiday and getting sick.

 

• Mosquitoe repellent

Bali has a tropical climate that mozzies thrive in and unfortunately some of those mozzies are the ones that can transmit Dengue Fever. Getting bitten by one of these has the potential to make you very very sick. It's important to be very diligent with application of mozzie repellent when you're in Bali, both day and night, and many people - myself included - recommend spraying your room as well. When purchasing mozzie repellent, get one that is of tropical strength and contains DEET, which is much more effective in protecting you against the mosquitoes.

 

• Camera/phone

I must admit, I take majority of my photos with my iPhone, but a camera in Bali is an absolute must. There will be so many memories you make there that you'll want to be able to look back on and remember, whether it be of your food, that amazing cocktail you had, the family of 5 all on 1 scooter, the sunsets you saw while having dinner on the beach. To miss any of those moments would be regrettable. Saying that, don't forget your camera charger either!!

• Basic Indonesian Words

Like being in any other country, the Balinese appreciate visitors being able to speak a bit if their language. Not only is it polite, I also find that saying no thanks, I am walking (to refuse transport) or I have no money- not that they ever believe this- in Indonesian has a stronger effect than saying the same thing in English.

 

 

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