If you have planed to come to Bali you will not regret it. The island of God will welcome you with its culture, landscape and its sweet and unique lifestyle. The Balinese have the art of the smile, the service and they like welcoming warmly the visitors on their little island of heaven.
We come to Bali for various reasons: the first one is doubtless cultural so much the Balinese Hinduism gives to see and to share. Ceremonies, dances, temples, offerings, music, the Hinduism is full of sweetness, tolerance and beauty.
On the other side of the Balinese culture; the farming and more exactly the ricefields which recover the entire island, the ricefields are the most beautiful of all Indonesia. You just have to walk there one hour to approach the soul of Bali.
Bali is also a center considered internationally as its business crafts, its decoration and its furniture, fruit of the meeting between western creators and Indonesian craftsmen.

Places to go:

From Kuta to Seminyak

The beach which extends as far as the eye can see over this west coast of the island is a pure marvel for every amateur of sunbathing, bathing or surfing. Beaches are indeed very wide, very vast, and the atmosphere is for the rave-up in the daytime and at night.
You will find there easily everything you want for some rupias only. If you are looking for higher range of restaurant, you will find what you want in Kerobokan, and more particularly in the main street of Petitenget up to the district of Oberoi which abounds beautiful tables in the edges of beaches and offers flavors from all over the world.
Other small happiness; the sunset, which between five and seven, illuminates waters and sand of a warm light in the orangey tones.

To do: taste the benefactions of a massage under the expert hands of the Balinese women for an unbeatable price.

Ubud

This region abounds of arts gallery and museums containing beautiful collections. The two more impressive museums are doubtless Puri Lukisan and Neka. Besides cooking courses teaching by Balinese families, take time to admire shows of dance or Balinese music.

To do: go to the big market in the center to buy local crafts and why not some paintings from very interesting prices. Do not hesitate to negotiate.

The Pura Tanah Lot

The temple of the earth and the sea ", only in 30 minutes from Semyniak is one of the places preferred by Bali lovers because it overhangs a small rocky island where it is indispensable to admire the sunset.

The Bukit Peninsula

In only 30 minutes of motorcycle from Semyniak, Bukit offers the biggest waves of Bali. It is also where beautiful coves are hidden.

To do: after have contemplated the sunset beside the monkeys of the Uluwatu temple, you can settle down in the terrace of a warung at the top of the cliff and taste a nasi goreng, speciality of rice fries with small vegetables.

Amed and Tulamben


Situated in the east of Bali, in the heart of one of the poorest regions of the island, Amed is a fishermen's pleasant village, famous for its long black sand beach at the end of which raises the impressive volcano Agung.

To do: rent palms, mask and snorkel  to admire the submarine pits which abound in fishes and of multicolored corals. At dawn, observe the arrival of fishermen's boats on the beach.

Finally for the amateurs of diving, Lovina offers an offshore stroll early in the morning on fisherman's boat to go to admire the dolphin's community.

Necessary procedure
Warning:
-  Visa on arrival costs US$25 for 30 days. Processing is relatively fast in Bali and those who cannot pay in US$ can change money on the spot at a money changer but the currency isn’t worth while. The 30 day visa may be extended for a further 30 days by paying an additional US$25. You will have to leave Indonesia and return if you wish to stay longer than 60 days and pay for a social visa US$124.
- Airport tax levied on passengers for international travel Rp.150,000,-
For travel within Indonesia regional variations occur. Expect to pay an average of about Rp.30,000,-.

Time difference

Time difference between Bali and:

- Sydney, Australia is +3:0 hrs
- Los Angeles, California is -15:0 hrs
- New York, New York USA is -12:0 hrs
- London, United Kingdom is – 7:0 hrs

Currency and exchange

The basic currency is the rupiah Indonesia (Rp.).
1 U.S dollar is equal to 8 850 rp (September 2011).
You will find money changer easily in every touristic place but we advise you to change your money in official’s money changer. Be careful to the swindling in money changer in little street.
Climate
Bali has 2 seasons: a tropical monsoon climate, in which April to September is the dry season and October to March, the rainy season. Bali is hot throughout the year but during the dry season it may get chilly at night and early morning.
The strongest rains appear in December and March. The temperature is between 22 and 34°C and 26° to 29°C in the water.

Health

- International health certificates for smallpox and cholera are not required, except from travelers arriving from infected areas. Nevertheless it is recommended to be vaccine against typhoid fever and hepatitis A.
- You will find protection against mosquitoes in every little market.
- Don’t drink tap water but mineral one. However once tap water is boiled you can drink it.

Transport

Do not forget to bring your international license in order to rent a motorbike (Rp. 50 000/day) or a car (Rp. 150 000/day). 
There is a lot of traffic in the cities, be really vigilant in the way you drive. You can also rent a private driver, or taking a cab which prices are really interesting.
 
Customs

Indonesian Customs allows on entry a maximum of one liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume per adult.
Cars, photographic equipment, typewriters and tape recorders must be declared to Customs upon entry and must be re-exported.
It is prohibited from entry are TV sets, radios, narcotics, arms and ammunition, printed matter in Chinese characters and Chinese medicines.