Avoid disappointments when you're in Bali

 

With all the preparations on its way you want to avoid disappointments once in Bali.

Here are some little things that you should keep in mind when you are finally traveling around the island. These tips are based on self-experience, so believe me they do happen.

Avoid Disappointments 1: Bali Post office

When sending letters or parcels wait until the clerk actually puts the stamps on the envelop or insist on sticking the stamps on them yourself. Sometimes they will overcharge you big time.

 

Some Bali post offices are a bit smaller then others...

 

What they do is that once you've paid they will put the stamps on your letter later for you, so you don't have to wait.

But at the end the clerk will only stick the actual amount of stamps which is probably even less then half you paid for it.

I discovered this trick after sending some parcels and postcards to Holland. When I was back in Holland I saw that my mom had stuck the card that I sent on the fridge.

I looked at the back and discovered that there were much less stamps on it then I had actually paid for!

So to avoid disappointments, stick the stamps yourself...

Avoid Disappointments 2: Bali Taxis

Always try to have small change on you when hopping into a taxi (for example a couple of Rp.1000). At the end of the ride the taxi driver will sometimes claim he does not have any change.

 

 

If this happens just ask the driver to look for change and you will wait in the taxi. That often does the trick, especially if you are at a hotel. The reception is usually willing to provide change.

Avoid Disappointments 3: Bali Petrol Station

At some point you have to get some fuel when you have rented a car or motor scooter. At the petrol stations there will be somebody to assist you in filling up your tank.

 

Pertamina petrol station is found all over the island

 

Great service, but be careful...

Before they actually start filling up your tank make sure that the money display is on Rp. 0000. To earn some extra money the guys at the petrol station don't always reset the meter.

Waiting for our turn...

 

At the end the meter continues counting from the amount of the pervious customer.

So to avoid disappointments keep your eyes on the meter otherwise you might end up paying more.

Avoid Disappointments 4: Bali Money Changer

The people at the money changer can be really tricky. Before you know it they give you half of what they actually owe you. In Bali it is very easy to get fooled because the amounts are always with a lot of zeros.

So before you go and change make sure you have an idea of what you will be receiving. The people at the money changers know exactly how to get you of guard.

As soon as you indicate you want to change some Euros or Dollars in Indonesian Rupiah they will punch all kind of numbers in their calculator very quickly.

 

Bali Money Changers in abundance

 

And in a second they show you the display with an amount that has so many zeros, it's difficult to see how many. So if this happens, just take the calculator yourself and count the zeros or make your own calculation.

Because before you know it you will receive Rp 150000,00 (about USD15) instead of Rp. 1500000,00 (about USD150). See what I mean? And this is just a simple example.

Avoid Disappointments 5: So-called Bali guide

For this tip I'm still having mixed feelings. The thing is, when you are traveling around the island and are visiting temples, waterfalls or other sites of interest it might happen that somebody will suddenly tag along.

He will tell you all kind of things or show you around without asking if you want to or without you actually taking any real notice of it. And at the end he will ask for a guide fee.

It happened to us many times, for instance in Gunung Kawi, Goa Gajah, Temples of East Buleleng and at the Sing Sing waterfalls. At the last place I made a mistake of sending the guide away too early though.

 

This friendly man popped up from nowhere

 

I fully understand that in some parts of Bali the people are poor and if they can earn some extra money then it is not a surprise that they try, right?

It's especially difficult to refuse giving some money when they tell you that they need the money to go to school.
 
Until today I still have mixed feelings about this. I guess I just use my own judgment and it depends on the whole situation.

But if you feel that you are forced upon or that the guide asks way to much money then you are allowed to refuse. I sometimes say from the very beginning that I am ok and don't need any extra help.

Other times I end up bargaining a fee and give some money that I find appropriate. It's up to you what you do.