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Great timing for a trip to Bali

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Prospector

Not a scaredy cat anymore
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Ok so we are on the plane somewhere over Alice Springs and hear the news that Jakarta has experienced another two bombs. Gulp. We are heading to Bali. Oh well too late now. This is our fourth trip to Bali but we are travelling with a friend of our son who is a teenage newbie so willl need to keep her parents informed.

Bali has this strange disassociation with Java almost like it is another country. Oh that happened in Jakarta they say, not Bali. Don't worry!

Well, Bali is the busiest I have ever seen it. Hotels are full of Australians and more arrive each day. Children everywhere-aren't they back at school now?

I see the Australian government has upped it's Advisory now. But it is being ignored. I guess they have to because there will always be a risk.

Anyway, we are not venturing into the nightclubs but other than that, what else do you do? Security is tight I guess although if you watch and wait you can work it out and avoid. And when you have suicide bombers you have no chance.

But are we having a good time and great weather ? Hell yes!
 
Bali itu Indah ! (Bali is beautiful) Good for you Prospector. Stay away from Kuta Square, Carrefour, Larger Nightclubs, any place where it is access all areas to the public who gather in large numbers.

Hardly likely that the loony brigade is going to blow up a bead/t-shirt/small bar kinda shop in Seminyak.

"Boleh saya minta satu dingin bir Bintang, cepat cepat" (Please may I have one small, cold Bintang, on the double)
 

Selamat Siang Bu Prospector,

Sounds great, but I would say you have some balls for going over. Of these attacks on tourists that have been happening recently (Mumbai and Jakarta), they seem to be targeted at upper class people. So maybe steer clear of those kinds of places.

They are right about the dissociation between the people in Bali and Jakarta, Bali is way worse and always will be. Hold onto your stuff tight.

Let us know when you get back, so if there is another bombing we know you're alive.

NS
 
Hi Prospector

My son is going soon, and they have changed his flight so that he has to change planes in Jakarta

The best advice I can give him is to stay nice and close to Muslim families with kiddies.

Bali, is a bit of a worry as they are Hindu, and there is some friction with the Javanese

hope you have a nice time
 
I was thinking of starting a thread on this topic. I was over there in May and am booked in again to head over in the first week of Sept and have absolutely NO thoughts of not going.
The Balinese will be on red alert to make sure nothing happens on their beautiful island again, so the tragedy in Jakarta will only increase their vigilance IMO. There is no doubt that the passage of time has let the level of security slip a tad again, but after a bombing may actually be the safest time to go
 
Dont forget to check out the travel forum in my signature

I would go to bali tomorrow, the odds of another bombing happening are incredibly low. If you let them put you off then 'they' have won
 
Naked shorts said:
Of these attacks on tourists that have been happening recently (Mumbai and Jakarta), they seem to be targeted at upper class people. So maybe steer clear of those kinds of places.
Click to expand...
Latest news is that the Indo terrorists are starting to target backpackers in cafes etc presumably because they're easier targets. How much security do you think the backpacker areas are going to have? You're not safe anywhere over there.
 
Pack your own boogie board bag. Lock it.
Don't steal barmats.

You'll be right.
 
Already booked Asia Air from Dec 17th to Jan 19th. Stay in Seminyak. Go feral and turn into an expat for a month. Ahhhh ... Bali Kopi and Marlboro ciggies. Massages around the pool. Catch up with Simon at Ku De Ta restaurant. Up to Air Tujan Git Git and Blue Lake. Mie Goreng for lunch at Ulawatu and take the kids to Waterbom Park on the way home. Poppies Lane 2 for some shopping and a quick trip over to Lombok. Bagus, bagus, bagus.
 
Hello Prospector,

Glad to know you're still able to enjoy yourselves. Stay safe.
 
I have a new internet girlfriend in Bali...will be visiting soon
 
Sure it isn't a Ladyboy from Jalan Double Six? Just joking So_Cynical.

Lucky you !! Hope it all goes well and you have a great time.
 
So, I have had many small bintangs for all my ASF friends but never drink beer at home. Was I brave? Or stupid? Not sure what the answer is but after an 18 year old friend of my son died of meningococcal recently, well, i have had a mind change. And I also travelled to India a few weeks after Mumbai. I found that much scarier.

Yesterday we went to Centro and security was huge. Suspect Carrefours could be a target.

I heard about Garuda flying thru Jakarta now. And last Thursday I posted on tripadvisor that there is no way I would ever go to Jakarta and suggested that the poster change their flights. Less than 24 hours later the bombs went off. I would try changing to virgin blue if I was going Garuda.

Ok off for shopping. Hot around 31 degrees. Will be back Sunday. Cheers all. (I am impressed with all the Bahasa guys!)
 
The safest time to travel to Indonesia is directly after a bombing. It will take them months, if not years, to plan another one.

So, relax and enjoy!

 
Don't forget to haggle ! Always ask "Berapa harga ini" (How much is it?) no matter what the price is, screw your face up and say "Tulaluh mahal" (Way too expensive) They usually give you their best price after that. Once agreed on the price hit them with "Mungkin besok" (Maybe tomorrow) and walk out of the toko (store) You get a really, really good deal then as they chase you up the street !!! LOLOL

Go Prospector you good thing !
 

Yeh haggling is on of the fun things to do in Asia, however it can get a bit tedious when you just want something quickly.
 
Agreed prawn86. It does get a tad tiresome repeating the same thing. I had to laugh at myself when I was arguing over 10,000 rupiah. I had to stop and think about what I was trying to achieve. I was arguing over $1.12 AUD. Lotsa shops in Bali are now fixed price with no bartering to be had. I purchased a pair of Levi 501 jeans originals for $45.00. Same pair in Myer were $110.00. Rip Curl/Billabong (Factory outlet) denim shorts for $25.00 AUD that are $70.00 in surf shops in OZ is a classic example. Still some good bargains to be had if you know where to look. All original stuff that does not make it into Australia.
 

Yeh we just got back from Thailand and sometimes found ourselves haggling over 20 baht which is less that $1. When in a rush we would just say our last price and then walk off, if they followed us we would buy it, if not too bad.

More details here...
 
prawn_86 said:
Yeh haggling is on of the fun things to do in Asia, however it can get a bit tedious when you just want something quickly.
Click to expand...


I agree..like Monty Pythons Life of Brian scene sometimes

plus made me feel wretched haggling over $1

best thing I discovered for big ticket items was to have duty free brand alcohol, get on the turps with them, make sure you poured bigger nips for them, then barter using the remainder of the bottle as marked up partial collateral, after the initial price discovery negotiations.

also a calculator to wizz them over on % discounts and exchange rates, as most were not very good in that area, it gave me more leverage
 
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