Information about Bali
On the 5.620 sq. km large island live approx. 3 million Balinese, 300 of them alone.000 people in the bustling capital Denpasar. Bali has a relatively manageable size.
The east-west extension is 140km, the north-south extension is approx. 80 km. The main part of the population lives in small, still original villages along the picturesque rice fields spread all over the island.
Over the 'Island of the Gods' an old volcanic chain rises in east-west direction, whose highest elevation is 3 meters.142 m, is the impressive Mount Gunung Agung.
Gunung Agung means as much as "navel of the world".
Bali, which is separated from Java in the east only by a two km wide waterway, is essentially characterized by Hindu culture.
In contrast to the neighboring island of Java, where Muslim culture predominates. Nowhere else in the world is there so much to see or experience, nowhere else are daily life, religion, art and landscape merged into such a fascinating unity.
Alternative tourism
The environmental movements of the industrialized countries on the one hand and the objective pressures of unrestrained growth on the other have led to a more differentiated approach to tourism: Gentle, ecological, socially responsible, future-proof travel is the answer to the development of mass tourism, which in its pronounced form only emerged in the past century. With the new movement is meant to travel with a watchful eye and with consideration a foreign country as a guest.
The prudent traveler can make a constructive contribution to a considerate and the environment and nature as little as possible burdening tourism. Most tour operators have an open ear for questions and suggestions. The individual traveler finally comes alone by the process of thinking certainly on behaviors and manners, which do not let its temporary stay appear only negatively.
Entry and exit regulations
German tourists need a passport that is valid for another six months. From 01.02.2004 the entry regulations in Indonesia have changed. With few exceptions, all tourists require a visa. German, Austrian and Swiss citizens can obtain this upon arrival at the airport in Indonesia, other citizens must apply for the visa before departure.
Only clean, unbent, recent U.S. banknotes will be accepted upon entry. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months before entering Indonesia. All data given here are for your information – however without guarantee for topicality. Please check with your consulate before departure for the latest regulations.
When leaving the country, an airport tax in the amount of 150.000 Rupiah (approx. 11 €) per person. This fee can only be paid in local currency on departure at the airport!
Electricity
220 volt. In the Pondok Sari Resort standard Schuko sockets are available and no adapters are needed !!
Food and drink
The western, the international cuisine is better represented in Bali's tourist centers than the local one. Not only in the big hotels but also in endless restaurants rich and varied dishes are offered. Even bratwurst with sauerkraut or black forest gateau are not to be missed – but you don't have to go to Bali to enjoy them. Even fast-food chains offer their meatballs – although a quick meal should not be necessary on vacation. At the local food stalls (warung) or by flying merchants on the beach, specialties such as fried banana (pisang goreng) or meatball soup (bakso) are also offered. Fresh fruit juices (jus) convey the diversity of fruit varieties, and a young coconut, cut directly from the palm tree, will be a refreshment you can't get like that in Europe. Who does not have to take into consideration special nutrition, comes without further ado in Bali at his expense.
Fauna
The animal world is tropically diverse: monkeys, water buffaloes, cattle, hundreds of bird species and insects, snakes, lizards, pigs and numerous dogs are encountered everywhere.
Nature conservation and environmental protection have only recently attracted public attention, although the Balinese farmer in his uninfluenced living and working environment naturally understands how to manage ecologically and economically appropriately – it's just that the time zones are changing.a. due to tourism the conditions.
festivals and holidays
Even if the official calendar is the one we use, the Balinese have their own time and traditional calendar, which is indispensable for the organization of everyday life. The Balinese year has 210 days in the Wuku calendar with 30 weeks of 7 days each. The saka calendar counting method is based on other calculations and lags behind the Western Gregorian calendar by about 80 years, so 2003 is considered 1925 there. In addition to these specific Balinese time calculations, the Muslim-Arabic, the old-Javanese and Chinese calendars are also valid in Indonesia. As confusing as this different division of time may seem, it does not have a direct effect on the traveler – unless he relativizes his Eurocentric world view by doing so. However, the knowledge of the holidays given by the Balinese calendar is helpful to be able to attend corresponding festivities. Thanks not least to the different calendars – and the different worldviews and beliefs behind them – there is a remarkable variety of holidays in Bali. Regardless of the publicly recognized dates, funerals/ cremations, temple festivals, tooth filing, sacrificial and prayer ceremonies offer locally different occasions to celebrate. Almost every day there is some commemorative day, holiday, happening somewhere. The vacationer is certainly well advised to stay on the sidelines with appropriate politeness and restraint. Meanwhile, especially cremation ceremonies are marketed, the tour operators offer 'Cremation-Tours', but you should keep in mind that as a traveler, as a guest, you should show the necessary consideration. It is undisputed that in Bali strangers are welcome observers or participants of festivities – and this in contrast to us; or who has ever invited a foreigner to his family celebration??
Flora
Bali is located south of the equator in the tropics and there is a subtropical climate. The majority of the agricultural land is used for rice cultivation. The soil is volcanic and therefore particularly fertile. In the west is a national park with rainforests, in the southwest there are stretches of palm forests, which are the main attraction.T. in swampy mangrove forests; in the east the mountains reach the coast, and in the north there are several lakes as well as a flatter landscape than in the center of the island. This region is dominated by the large volcanoes, whose slopes are poor in vegetation. The Banyan or Waringin tree with its aerial roots is a striking feature of any village. The plant world is dominated by useful plants, which u.a. serve the food supply: Fruit, vegetables, coffee, cocoa, tobacco and always and everywhere bamboo and palm trees. flowers, like the hibiscus, the kamboja flower (frangipani) or the bougainvillae are always sprouting – they are not least an indispensable part of the many small sacrifices and decorations for ritual purposes. North Bali also grows grapes, which are used for wine production.
The Indonesian currency is the rupiah (as of August 2017: 1 euro = approx. 15.760 Rupiah), of which smaller values up to 500,- Rp in coins and otherwise banknotes (1000,- to 100.000,- Rp) are in circulation. Traveler's checks in US$ and credit cards are widely accepted, otherwise you should always stock up on cash.
Traveller cheques can be exchanged locally, cash as well (usually it is worthwhile to compare the exchange rate at different banks or money-changers).
ATTENTION: For credit card payments sometimes a surcharge of some percent is required.
Health regulations
No official vaccinations are required at this time. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended – although the 'stand-by' method is preferable (carry medication and take only if needed).
We advise to refresh (if necessary) the tetanus and polio protection.
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required when entering the country from Europe. Bali is free of malaria, but in Irian Jaya, on the Lesser Sunda Islands and especially in the rainforests of Kalimantan malaria is widespread. Information on the current status is provided by your family doctor, the German Society for Tropical Medicine or the Center for Travel Medicine.
Tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and B vaccinations are highly recommended. We recommend the conclusion of a travel health insurance.
First-aid kit
Broad-spectrum antibiotic, antibiotic ear drops, gel against mosquito bites. When visiting a doctor you have to pay cash.
Climate / Weather
Indonesia has a tropical climate with high humidity. Temperatures are between 26°C and 32°C. At night it is only slightly cooler. The seasons are determined by monsoon winds and divided into rainy and dry season.
The northwest of Bali is drier than the south and the southwest of Bali is cooler . The rain falls almost only in heavy showers, then the sun shines again. Depending on the part of the country, the climate can be very different.
Clothing
Summer beachwear; in the evening, depending on the hotel category, from casual to long trousers+shirt. For tours, a windbreaker and sturdy sneakers are recommended. When visiting temples, shoulders and knees must be covered; sarongs can be rented. In the rainy season , which usually does not occur in the form of continuous rain, but showers, the hotels generally lend umbrellas.
The metric system is officially introduced and prevails, except for traditional units of measurement.
Customs and traditions
Shorts and miniskirts are not allowed in and around the temples. In temples, fairgrounds and private homes, it is also customary to take off one's shoes. Even though there is no direct compulsion, we recommend that you follow these customs as much as possible to show respect for the religious customs. The head (z. B. of children) should not be touched if possible. Just as you should not point your index finger at anything or anyone, as this is considered rude. For the same reason, you should not tower above the person you are talking to. If in doubt, squat or sit down instead. Shaking hands is not customary, except for long farewells or congratulations. Intimate touching or hugging in public is not welcome. The nude bathing or "topless" is prohibited. When Balinese wash themselves in the rivers along the road, you should discreetly overlook this as a passerby and also resist the temptation to press the shutter button. Only the right hand is used for giving and taking, as the left is responsible for personal hygiene. And another useful hint: The Balinese love trading. Particularly in markets, it is common to negotiate the prices even lower. It is best to first find out what the item costs and set a value for yourself, then you can not be disappointed.
Language
Bahasa Indonesia is spoken in Indonesia, a Malay language, and Indonesian is the official language in Bali. English is widely spoken in the tourist centers to the extent that it is possible to communicate. However, the native language of the inhabitants is Balinese, originating from Sanskrit, with its own script. As a traveler, you are most likely to encounter it in the environment of ritual festivities.
A little tip:
Bahasa Indonesia is the simplest language on earth, with a small language guide (z.B. Indonesian for globetrotters by Gunda Urban) a few words can be learned in a short time.
Telephone / Internet
Apart from the possibility of making telephone calls from larger hotels, there is a reliable infrastructure of public telephone and fax facilities: WARTEL. For the cell phone operation recommends itself if necessary. the purchase of a SIM card to be purchased locally.
Internet connections can be found in some hotels and restaurants. The connection reliability and speed is unfortunately not on a high level.
Accommodation
The accommodation industry can satisfy all needs:
The hotels, bungalow complexes or Losmen (simple pensions) offer everything from luxury hotels of the most elaborate comfort to simple huts with bast mats. Those who book a package tour will not have to worry about their bed anyway. Individual travelers will always find a roof over their heads.
However, vacationers usually prefer hotels near the beach. In Kuta the smaller houses and pensions dominate, in Sanur are predominantly the larger international houses, finally in Nusa Dua a hotel area has developed where the number of 'stars' compete with each other. In the interior of the country there is a wide range of accommodation in Ubud and the surrounding area, the same applies to the developed regions on the coasts in the north and east of the island.