With a reasonably short flight time, affordable prices and year-round warmth, Bali remains one of the most popular destinations for Aussies.
But if you’re a first-time visitor to the the Indonesian Island, there are some things you should know.
They’ll ensure you don’t offend locals, put your health at risk or be ripped off.
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1. Stick to bottled water over tap water. Also beware of ice, which may be made with tap water. Head to the local supermarket to stock up.
2. Don’t drink spirits. Warnings have been issued over drinking spirits incuding cocktails that contain them in Bali. That’s because cases of methanol poisoning have been reported. Campaigners say over half of spirits are fake, even at big hotels. It’s better to take your own duty free if that’s what you want to drink.
3. Don’t drive a moped unless you have a licence, and if you do, wear a helmet and don’t drink if you’ve been drinking. It can be tempting to rent a scooter to get around. But crashes are common, and if you don’t actually have a licence to ride one, your travel insurance won’t cover you if you have one. You can hire a driver for around $50 a day, or use local taxis as well as apps called grab and Gojek.
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4. Watch out for the monkeys. Ubud’s Monkey Forest is popular, but the animals are very wise. They’ll take phones, sunglasses, and other things- and you may not get them back.
5. Don’t touch the cats or dogs. While the many strays will appreciate food, don’t try and touch them like this writer, or you could be in for a doctors visit. Visit one of the animal rescue places such as Villa Kitty instead.
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6. Don’t step on Canang Sari. They’re the offerings placed on small shrines as well as outside homes and businesses by local Hindus. They include palm leaves, flowers and even food such as lollies. It’s offensive to step on of even directly over them.
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7. Dress appropriately. While bikinis and swimmers are okay for the beach or poo it’s respectful to cover up everywhere else.
8. Wear mozzie repellent. While bites can be annoying, they can also be dangerous. Bali has dengue fever, which can be deadly. WA Health issued a warning earlier this year saying cases had risen dramatically. Symptoms include a fever, rash, headache, fatigue, and joint and muscle pain, with more severe disease presenting with abdominal pain, vomiting, and bleeding from the gums or nose. If unsure, get to a doctor.
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9. Be aware of thefts – there have been cases of people stealing mobiles while whizzing by on mopeds.
10. Beware of money scams. Some money exchanges will confuse you and rip you off when giving you the money. Authorised ones will display an authorization number and QR code logo from Bank Indonesia. Some ATMs have been tampered with to skim your card. Keep track of your transactions in case anything goes wrong.
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11. Haggle at markets – the locals expect this.
12. Receive things with your right hand – the left is considered ‘dirty.’ It’s also rude to point.
