•
TRAFFIC, CARS AND MOTORBIKES
- When renting a car or motorbike make a full inspection together
with the owner to make sure you will not have to pay for damages
made by the previous renter. Make sure everything is working good
(AC, Stereo, Lights, etc.), if you are not fully satisfied with
your car/bike ask to change it (no additional cost).
- It´s always worth paying the insurance, make sure you
have a good look I the rental agreement contract to know how much
is the liability.
-When you park your car, make sure you don´t leave many
things inside drawing attention as theft happens depending on
the place.
- In Bali you drive on the left hand side and the traffic is one
of the craziest of the world. Be extra careful in the first two
days as in case of accident normally the tourist is wrong and
have to pay for everything.
IN
CASE OF AN ACCIDENT
IN THE TRAFFIC NEVER RUN AWAY FROM THE SPOT OR YOU COULD BE TAKING
THE RISK OF BEING CHASED BY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AND PROBABLY HAVING
A GOOD CHANCE OF BEING BASHED UP. (seriously)
 |
- When
stopped for a license check, there is no use in getting stressed,
the best thing to do is to keep cool and work the situation with
sense of humor. If you are with your international driving license,
vehicle documents and have not broken any traffic law, you don´t
have to pay nothing to the police. Surfers on the way to Ulus
must keep your eyes open as this is one of the favorite spots
for the police to make road blocks. Cars with the boards stashed
inside draw less attention.
- Using a helmet is obligatory for bikers.
- In case of long trips remember to check the steppe, tools for
changing the wheels, and the authorization of the vehicle´s
owner to leave the island by the ferry (if that is the case).
- As you approach the traffic lights pay attention to the signalization
and
other drivers as in some places you are allowed to go thru the
red light as long as you are not turning right and at many other
spots you are allowed to turn left when the red light is on. Make
sure to never stop on top of the white line. (usually colorless).
- Tours: A day tour with a guide/driver around Ubud, Bedugul,
Tanah Lot or around the beaches is highly recomended...It costs
around USD 50 to 60 per day for the car with a driver, petrol
and free mileage included. "Price to be divided amongst a
group and not per person". Usually a one day rent of a car
with a driver start at 07 or 08 am and goes till 19 or 20 pm.
(to be organized)
• SHOPPING
- BE VERY CAREFUL when changing money, never
pick little dodgy looking shops that usually offer better exchange
rates; Most of the times they will charge you commission; also
the money changers are very fast with their hands and will try
to distract you as much as possible besides having 1001 tricks
to steal your money without you noticing. Once you´ve changed
the money you can´t complain, not even 1 minute after. The
best thing to do is to change your money in one "WARTEL",
telephone company that also work as a money changer or at the
banks.
