About Bali
About Bali
Bali is approx. 5,600km2, slightly smaller than New Zealand. The island is part of Indonesia, but is in many ways completely its own. It is never far from the waters and lovely beaches; it exudes peace and quiet. The nature is uniquely beautiful, the food is good and the people are just as unique.
The People
In Bali you get a unique experience in meeting the locals. The Balinese people’s soul and zest for life are fascinating. One quality of the Balinese is their distinctive Hinduism. The population is approx. 4 million. They are hugely playful, curious and accommodating. They differ in many ways from the Western world. The Balinese cultivate their faith with respect, and in many ways grace, and live an extremely peaceful life. They are grateful for the good things that come to them.
Of their Hindu deities, Sanghyang Widhi is the highest. The belief in reincarnation is an important component within the Balinese view of life and they seek to live in good harmony both with themselves and their surroundings.
Every aspect of Balinese life is permeated with religion, and one of the most visible signs of this is their Canang sari, which is found in all Balinese houses, workplaces, restaurants, shops, on the street and more. These consist of small leaf trays that are made daily and can contain, for example, flowers, rice, salt, cigarettes and coffee. They are completed with burning incense sticks and are sprinkled with holy water three times daily before each meal.
In Bali, Bahasa Indonesia is the official language, but Balinese, which is a difficult language, is also spoken. However, all visitors who make an effort to speak a few words will be warmly received by the locals.
In the tourist areas, English is spoken in between other languages.
"Suksma" is Balinese and means “thank you” – "Mewali" is also Balinese and means “In return" as it's supposed to be used with "Suksma"; so together, "Suksma mewali" mean "Thank you in return" or "You're welcome." Meanwhile, "Terima kasih" is Indonesian (Bahasa), meaning “Thank you” – "Tidak, terima kasih" is also Indonesian (Bahasa), meaning “No, thank you."
Bali has a tropical climate, and the average temperature is approx. 28-29 degrees all year round. The dry period runs from April to October – here the number of rainy days is a few per month, while from October to April they experience more rain (rainy season).
From November to late March, the monsoon brings rain to Bali, and heavy rain showers can occur in the afternoon and evening. In Bali, however, rain is very rare during daytime, and the island can therefore be visited all year round. The water is nice and warm throughout the year as well, approx. 25 degrees.
Board and Lodging
In Bali you can find food from all over the world. You eat very cheaply and the Indonesian cuisine is known for having a strong yet tasty flavour.
The most common dishes are, for example, Nasi Goreng (fried rice with vegetables, chicken, pork and fried eggs), Satay (small charcoal-grilled skewers with meat or chicken, served with peanut sauce) and Mie/Mee Goreng (fried noodles with vegetables and meat). Another Balinese specialty is Babi Guling (grilled suckling pig).
Prices vary a lot, but compared to Danish conditions, everything is very cheap. In a good restaurant, a regular meal costs approx. 50 DKK. The average price of a 3-course menu is approx. 80 DDK.
Wine is an imported commodity, and is therefore relatively expensive. A "good bottle" of Australian wine costs approx. 150 - 200 DKK. When in Bali, you should also try their local wine, called Hatten. It is a somewhat cheaper wine and the white wine actually tastes ok. A local beer costs approx. 15 DKK. and a soda about 10 DKK.
Be aware that many restaurants add tax and service.
If you want to eat locally, you can get a meal for less than DKK 15.
There are many different options when it comes to finding a place to live. It is only you who decide under what conditions you want to live. There is a wide selection of apartments, hostels, cheap hotels or villas for rent.
When you receive your confirmation, you will receive an additional list of different possible places to stay. Otherwise I will also be happy to help you find a place that matches your wishes.
Shopping
In Bali, there are plenty of stalls and shops where you can easily save a lot of money to look good. Shopping in Bali is also all about haggling over the price, even though it already seems cheap.
When it comes to shopping, you should go and try for some bargaining. In most places you can get the price down a bit, especially at the traditional markets.
Make it a game, and remember to laugh and smile during the negotiation; it gives the best price.
BUT keep in mind that most people in Bali have a very low income and it will hardly matter if we pay a little too much. A daily wage for a Balinese worker is approx. 100,000 Rupiah (approx. 50 DKK.).
It can be hard to say how much is the right price, but if you visit a supermarket or a department store, you will get a realistic picture of the price range.
Please also be aware that according to the Washington Convention, it is forbidden to trade in endangered animals and plants, as well as to illegally import these into Denmark. If in doubt, do not buy it.
Currency
The currency used in Bali is called the Indonesian rupiah. One can also spend dollars (though at a relatively poor rate). There are "Money changers" all around, where you can exchange different currencies. ATM machines are also available in all cities, as well as nearby islands.
Visa
You can apply for a visa 90 days before departure. You will receive an email from me to a visa agency that will assist you in the process so you get the right visa. This is REALLY IMPORTANT, as one must not be an intern on a tourist visa.
Traffic
One of the easiest ways to get around Bali is by motorbike. Driving these requires you to go to the police station and get a driver's license. You can do that at the police station in Kuta. (Your Danish driving license does not apply). You can order and receive it the same day. It is required to drive with a helmet — if the police sees you without a helmet, they will stop you and the fine is arbitrary, determined by the officer.
You can also hop on local buses, but without a timetable. In addition, it is also cheap to take a taxi, but you might risk getting trapped in traffic for a long time during rush hour. They offer both GoJek and Grab (a phone application like Uber) with which you can order someone to drive you somewhere via motorbike or car. They can also be used for e.g. food delivery and a sea of other great options.
Worth knowing
The Balinese New Year, called "Hari Nyepi" or Nyepi (Silence) Day, is one of the most important days in the Balinese calendar. On this day, everything on the island shuts down for 24 hours from 06.00 o'clock in the morning until the same time the following morning. In the days leading up to it, ceremonies are held everywhere on the island of Melasti, which is a purification ritual where the Balinese people carry their god symbols to the sea, waterfalls or sacred springs. The ceremonies aim to cleanse the human body and the whole earth from all evil. At this time you will be able to experience fantastic and beautiful processions.
On this day, tourists will be asked to stay in their hotels and asked to be as quiet as possible throughout the day. After dark, light should be kept to a minimum.
The airport will also be closed for the day.
The date for Nyepi Day changes every year:
2023: March 22 – March 23
2024: March 11 – March 12
2025: March 29 – March 30
2026: March 19 – March 20
EN 
DA