It is expected that you bargain when buying things in Bali, you can even bargain for hotel rooms. If you decide on a hotel, find out what their web price is by searching Google. This is usually 70% or less of the list price if you go directly to the hotel. You can then either reserve it on the website or just go to or call the hotel and offer to pay the web price. Except in July and Christmas, most hotels in Bali are not even close to fully booked (we were sometimes the ONLY people in the hotel) and they are glad to make a deal.
Bargaining for arts and crafts is an art in itself. It's expected and it's kind of fun. The first price the merchant give you is always more than they expect to get, especially for westerners. Try to get an idea ahead of time from other locals about what a good price (for a westerner) might be. Shopping in the morning is especially good, as merchants think the first sale of the day will bring them good luck if it is early in the day. Say you want the "special good luck morning price" and offer them 50% of what they ask. (But you have to laugh as if you know this is a laughingly low offer.) The response will invariably be laughter and the word "bankrupt" will probably be said sometime. They will then make a counter offer, which you counter, than they counter again, then you counter, etc., until you get to the price you are willing to pay and they are willing to sell for. All the time, be sure to smile and laugh with them, as the whole thing is a dance and is part of the Bali experience.
DRIVING IN BALI
Don't even think about it. They drive on the left, there are a zillion cars and motorcycles and nobody has heard of a 'lane'. Hire a driver to take you wherever you want to go. We used Made Kepeler, a friend of Ketut and Jerry's. He charges 300,000 rupiah for a day (about $33 US), more for long trips that require lots of gas, and is a very nice guy. His English is doable. He has great stories and is a fine musician. When in Bali, you can call him at 081-2361-5219.
Our driver, Made Kepler...
FOOD
Food is very tasty in Bali and there are many fine restaurants. In Ubud, we love the Lotus restaurants (there are two) and the Bebek Betutu is especially good there. This is smoked duck, a Balinese speciality. They also make a lovely crispy duck and a great black rice pudding. The main Lotus on Jalan Raya is right next to the water pond, where there are dances three times per week. Casa Luna is good. I also like the babi guleng place downtown, Ibu Oka, where they serve roast suckling pig for about $2.
GO TO TEMPLE
It's just great to be there - but if invited to a temple ceremony, be prepared. All foreigners must wear a sarong and sash to enter any temple at any time, but to be really welcomed during a ceremony, dress completely. For women this means buying a kebaya blouse (and since many are made of lace, bring some kind of spaghetti-strapped slip). For men, you need a high quality outer sarong and an udong to wear on your head. Getting someone's help while shopping is very helpful, because they will steer you away from western choices, towards better choices for a balinese.
When dressed up like this you may be able to join in prayers and the offerings of incense and flowers, by watching and imitating. After this come the blessings by the priests or priestesses: First, the priest comes and sprinkles water on you as you hold your palms up in the air. Then he will put water in your RIGHT hand, cupped in your left hand, which you quickly drink, and he repeats this twice more. The fourth time, you sprinkle the water on your head. Then he offers you rice, which you take with your right hand, place in your left hand, take some with your right and place it between your eyes on your 'third eye'. Just watch the locals and repeat is the best advice. No-nos: try not to point your feet at anyone or touch someone with your feet or legs, and try not to use your left hand at all except to hold the rice.
GETTING TO BALI
We have used Escapes Unlimited three times now and I can't recommend them enough. Their website is www.escapesltd.com and they also go all over Asia and South America. They have a GREAT deal to Bali...roundtrip on Singapore Airlines (without a doubt, the best airline I have EVER flown on) and five nights in a hotel for $689, before taxes. Once Uncle Sam adds the taxes, security fee, etc. onto it, you are looking at about $1,000. That is an amazing deal. Then you can just get extra nights whereever you go for about $20 to $50 per night depending on how fancy you want to get and if you want air conditioning (highly recommended).
We just loved a new hotel (for us) that our driver, Made, recommended. It is called the Tegal Sari and is about 1 mile from the center of Ubud. It is right on some wonderful rice paddies so you just hang out on your lanai and watch the ducks waddle along. We had an amazing room, very large, very comfortable bed (with amazing sheets, by the way, cotton, not polyester), a huge bathroom with bath and shower, a very nice breakfast, all for less than $50 per night!!!!
From our lanai...
No comments:
Post a Comment