Bali for Beginners!

Photo by Les 12 choses incontournables à faire à Bali (generationvoyage.fr)

Bali is one of the most beautiful provinces of Indonesia located in the western-most part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. As one of the most beautifully complex Provines in Indonesia, Bali is richly diverse both culturally and environmentally, home to some of the world's most renown beaches and Hindu temple with many being recognized as UNESCO heritage sites. It is no wonder that thousands of tourists are flocking to Bali monthly to get a glimpse of the Island's precious hidden gem. For many of those who have went to Bali back and forth, visiting Bali may seem like an easy stroll. However, for first-time visitors, getting to know Bali and adapting to its complexity, may seem like a hassle. However, we have provided a short, simple, yet informative guide to Bali for newcomers, who are planning on visiting Bali, which we hope can be beneficial towards for readers. Below is the list of beginners guide to visiting Bali!


1. Use government sponsored money changers!

  • It is a common misconception among foreigners that you can exchange your money in any money changers you find in the street. When actually, there are often many scams in Bali particularly involving unofficial many changers, in which they will handout the money to you in a lesser amount of what is supposed to be received after the exchange. To avoid this, try looking for government sponsored money changers which often have permission numbers and uses a standard Indonesian QR code!

2. Motorcycle taxis over Motorcycle rentals 

  • Bali is packed with motorcycles, and it's not uncommon to see foreigners rent out motorcycles during their stay in Bali for a weekly to monthly period. In fact, it's a thriving business in Bali. However, there are many options to commuting in Bali and one of the most common ways is by using Motorcycle Taxis. There are many motorcycles taxis company which are often found in Bali offering their services for a cheap price of around 1 - 3 dollars per ride. Besides being cheaper, motorcycle taxis are safer and more knowledgeable about the location you are planning to visit. Some motorcycle taxi companies available in Bali are Gojek, Grab, and Maxim. 

3. Be mindful of Balinese culture 

  • Unlike the rest of Indonesia. Bali is a Hindu majority Island. The Balinese culture is deeply rooted with other Hindu traditions as well, which can be seen from the plethora of Hindu temples, with most notable ones such as the Besakih Temple, Tanah Lot, and lempuyang temple, as well as the many other notable Balinese traditions, such as traditional dances, food, and clothing. Here are some of the most common rules in Bali regarding Balinese traditions :
  1. Always be cautious of where you step! As Balinese traditional offerings (canang) can be seen on every corner of the street and is a way for Balinese people to thank Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa in their prayers and is extremely seen as disrespectful to step or destroy one!
  2. Be mindful of what you're wearing when visiting temples! That's because temples in Bali are considered very sacred and therefore can only be accessed when wearing a specific traditional clothing, particularly in the form of a traditional scarf, Sarong, or a cloth typically worn around the waist! Abiding by the clothing rule when visiting temples is one of the most common and easy ways to show appreciation towards Balinese culture.
  3. Take a one-day break! During your visit to Bali, you may hear of a cultural day called "Nyepi", which is known as the "Day of Silence" in the form of resting and fasting for the Balinese people and is seen as a sacred day for the Balinese. During this day, the Balinese don't engage in any activities, which means that most tourist spots would be close during the entire day! If you do however visit during this day, it is advisable for tourists to abide to this special day and don't forcefully go to tourist spots, because they won't be open anyways. Instead, take this day to have a good rest at your hotel or maybe even go see some nature scenery!

Photo by 
scarymommy.com

4. Learn basic Indonesian. 

  • Bahasa Indonesia is the primary language spoken in Bali. In addition, the Balinese language and English is also widely spoken by locals in the Island. Despite many locals being able to speak basic English, there is no guarantee that they are able to engage on more heavy topics so having basic understanding of Bahasa Indonesia is something that will very much help you during your stay! Not only does it help you to interact with the locals however it also makes you easier to understand the places you are currently visiting and may even help you get out of trouble one day.

 

Photo By The Bali Sun - Daily Bali News and Events

5. Don't go too crazy!

  • Bali for the past few years has developed into a holiday hotspot for thousands of tourists from every corner of the world. However, due to the excessive amount of Tourist visiting each month, there had been many incidents of Tourists occasionally getting into trouble, whether it's getting into fights, driving drunk and dangerously, as well as acting inappropriately near cultural and religious sites. Balinese law enforcement and locals have become overwhelmed with the repetitive incidents by tourists, which has prompted the Bali Provincial Government to enact restrictive policies in order to prevent further incidents from happening in the future. And so, the last advice from the writer, is to always have fun, but to also be aware and cautious of your surroundings.

In conclusion, the Island of God known as Bali is a hidden Gem among the Islands of Indonesia, with a unique blend of its Balinese and Hindu culture, the Island is rich with flora and fauna, many cultural sites, as well as its rich prosperous cultural identity. All of which, defines the beauty of the Island itself. With the guide above, we hope that the tips above can be extremely beneficial and informative for the reader, in attempting to explore the complexities of the Island of God.




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