2007-12-26

12 lessons learned from a life on the road

Traveling is hard work. Here's how to make the best of it
Rule No. 1: Travel is no fun
Really. If you think it’s all about smiling stewardesses attending to your every whim, friendly hotels offering fawning service, and romantic sunsets on the beach, it’s time for a reality check.

Your stewardess will probably stop smiling when you refer to her as one, because no one calls a flight attendant a stewardess and gets away with it today. Your hotel? They’ll be pleasant until you check out. The moment you complain about that surprise $20-a-day resort fee or the $5 charge for receiving a fax, then the grin on the manager’s face will tighten into a grimace of icy resolve. You’ll hear insincere apologies, but you will probably still pay.

And the sunsets on the beach? Last time I went to the beach, there was a hurricane.

Point is, travel can be hard work. Travel can be hard, period.

But when you do it for a living — when you’re a true blue, card-carrying, sleep-deprived business traveler — you learn the ropes quickly. By the time you’re a million-miler, and maybe sooner, you know travel isn’t always fun but you also know travel can be tolerable.

What lessons can you learn from these veterans of the road? I asked some of the most experienced travelers I knew to tell me what traveling has taught them. Here are a dozen of them, in their own words:

Expect nothing
That way, you won’t be disappointed. “Lower your expectations when you travel,” says Steve Powell, an Internet consultant in Orlando. It’s great advice, considering a recent Travelocity survey that found a near total disconnect between what air travelers expect and what they get. As a result, nearly two-thirds of the respondents said they would avoid using an airline altogether if they had a comparable choice. Ouch.

Be nice
Lisa Wiser, a computer consultant from Indianapolis, learned about the power of nice when her flight to Pittsburgh was delayed by weather. The gate agents looked stressed, so she bought them a $7 box of chocolates. “They looked up at me and said ‘What’s this for?’” she remembers. “I said, ‘Because it isn’t your fault, there’s nothing you can do ... but you will be catching hell for this all evening.” No only did she receive two food vouchers, but she also got an unexpected upgrade to first class. It’s true — nice pays.

Never pay cash
Wendy Margules, a real-estate agent from Newtown, Conn., lost $6,000 when she reserved a villa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. “The owner asked us to wire transfer the money and fax the contracts back to him right away, and we did,” she says. “Ten weeks later, there was no villa — and he was gone.” Putting your travel purchases on a credit card offers you some protection. Margules could have disputed the charge and received a refund.

Travel light
“The single most important lesson I’ve learned is, pack light,” says Michael Hollander, a manager of a marketing company in Torrance, Calif. “Ask yourself: ‘Can I live without this?’ If the answer is yes, leave it home.” This is particularly important, given that airlines are losing checked luggage at an epidemic rate, while some are beginning to charge their customers a fee for all checked luggage. The less you take, the less you pay for. And the less you can lose.

Have a Plan B

No matter how simple your itinerary, no matter how many times you’ve traveled the same road, no matter how sure you are that nothing will go wrong, don’t go anywhere without a backup plan. “You need a Plan B,” says Alan Brill, an information security consultant from New York. Sometimes, a backup plan can be as simple as looking for another way out. Case in point: a recent flight from Minneapolis to New York, which was canceled for mechanical reasons. It was the last flight of the day. “Long line of yelling passengers,” he remembers. Brill went to another counter, explained his predicament, and was immediately handed hotel vouchers, meal vouchers, and a ticket on the next day’s flight.

Be skeptical
“Don’t believe everything you read,” says Timothy O’Neil-Dunne, a managing partner for a technology consultancy in Claymont, Del. That applies to pretty much anything, from airline schedules to guide books to travel columns. “Do not put your ultimate faith in them. You will be disappointed,” he adds. Which isn’t to say they are totally untrue. O’Neil-Dunne says you should use them as a guide, instead. (As someone who writes a travel column, and has gotten it wrong a time or two, I completely agree.)

Don't trust a reservation
Inga Smith, a photographer from Columbus, Ohio, learned that lesson a few years ago, when her flight was delayed and she tried to check in to a Holiday Inn. “My room was given away to someone who arrived earlier than I did,” she says. “I was sent to another hotel, which was a real dump.” Getting something in writing helps, but always call to confirm. That’s particularly true for an airline reservation.

Visualize first class

Most of us are stuck in economy class, but not all of us stay there. How do people snag upgrades? Well, one of the secrets of frequent travelers is to look the part. “I wear a sport jacket,” says Jason Hupe, a project manager from Long Beach, N.Y. “If they are doing upgrades, then you have a better chance of getting one.” This is true. I’ve spoken with several airline folks who have admitted they’ll pick someone who looks like he belongs in the forward cabin.

Join the club
Even if you don’t plan to collect frequent flier miles (and my advice is to avoid becoming a collector, because points are as addictive as they are useless) you should still become a member of a loyalty program. Rick Damiani did, and it made his trips go a lot smoother. “Before signing up, I was getting selected for additional screening by the TSA,” says Damiani, an applications engineer for and educational computing company in Los Angeles. “But since I became a member, I’ve only been selected twice.”

Keep a photocopy of your passport
It will help you get a replacement much faster when you’ve lost it. Candice Sabatini lost her passport in Paris recently, but was able to secure a replacement within hours because she had a photocopy. “Now I’m always telling others to make sure they have a photocopy of their passport — just in case,” says Sabatini, a publishing consultant in New York.

Get plenty of rest
Travelers tend to be sleep-deprived. And worse, they’re often unaware of how tired and cranky they’ve become. Peter DeForest, a risk management consultant based in San Rafael, Calif., says the importance of a good night’s sleep can’t be understated. “Get some rest,” he advises. “In the morning, you’ll find that what set you off was maybe pretty minor and can be overlooked.”

Enjoy the perks
Despite all the recent cutbacks, travel still has a few things going for it. And even a few freebies. Don’t look the other way when they’re offered. “I steal the soap,” admits Jim Daniel, a traveling salesman based in Stockton, Calif. “I carry a preferred bath soap and shampoo, so I always throw the hotel amenities into the bag with dirty laundry. When I get home, I put them aside to donate to a local homeless teen outreach program.” Again, I’ve spoken with hotel people and they don’t mind their guests taking the soap. That’s who the soap is for, after all.

So there you have it — 12 tips from the people who are in the know. Take their advice with you on your next trip, and you never know. You might actually have ... fun.

5 worst things that can happen to a traveler

What’s the worst thing that can happen when you’re traveling?

A traffic accident? Terrorist hijacking? Hotel fire?

Travel is risky, of course. But there’s just no way of knowing when your number will be up, and your plane will go down.

There are other worst-case scenarios that aren’t as random. I’m talking about preventable incidents that might — and probably will — happen to you on your next trip. Things you can anticipate. Things you should anticipate.

Here are the five worst, along with my suggestions for sidestepping them:


1. In the air: a creeping delay

Have you ever sat in a terminal — or worse, on a plane — and been assured by a bored voice on the public address system that your flight will leave “any minute”? Then, half an hour later, there’s another announcement promising “just ten more minutes” until wheels-up. Followed by an update half an hour later that you’ll depart in a few moments?

It’s called a creeping delay. Airlines used to do their best to prevent them because they drove passengers quietly mad. But this year, strangely, creeping delays have been re-imagined as a tool to deflect the anger of air travelers and divert attention from the incompetence of air carriers. With each update, another party is blamed for the delay: air traffic controllers, the weather, lack of available gates. By the time the flight actually departs, passengers are so confused that they don’t know where to direct their wrath. Mission accomplished!

No one tracks creeping delays, but there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence that they’re being used with greater frequency. In extreme cases, customers can be strung along for many hours.

You can avoid a creeping delay by refusing to play along. If you’re waiting for a flight to board, be aware of the rules about delays — which is to say, at some point during a mechanical delay, the airline owes you a meal and hotel — and don’t be shy about calling an airline’s bluff. The airline rules, also known as the contract of carriage, can be found on your carrier’s Web site.

2. At the hotel: a bad room at a bogus price

Imagine the worst possible room at a hotel. You know, the one between the elevator and ice machine, under the disco and above the kitchen. Who gets the keys to these coveted quarters? Why, you do — if you booked the room from the wrong site. Even the best properties routinely send guests who made reservations through a discount Web site to these hotel rooms from hell. The practice has been around for years, but with soaring hotel occupancy levels, anyone stuck in these undesirable accommodations are being given two choices: either accept the room or check out — and lose the money you prepaid for the room.

Worse than that — as if that isn’t bad enough — is that the rate you thought you were going to pay isn’t the real price. No, there are lodging taxes that are added to your bill, and they’re used to fund everything from new basketball arenas to wildlife museums. Add to that resort fees and plenty of unexpected little extras, such as surcharges for the delivery of faxes and parcels to your room.

If you’re booking your hotel room through a site called toogoodtobetruerooms.com and found a steal for $19 a night, then you should expect to get the worst room in the house.

Is there a way around it? Yes. Call ahead and tell them you’re a light sleeper or have mobility issues or have a pathological fear of ice machines. Anything to get you away from the worst room in the house. And while you’re at it, ask for a total price for your accommodations, so that you won’t be surprised when the bill is slipped under your door the morning before you check out.

3. On the road: a fake damage claim on your rental
Surprise surcharges are as common in the car rental business as they are at hotels. But you don’t find hotel staff combing through your room after you check out, to make sure you didn’t put a nick in your furniture or crack the toilet seat. But in a perverted effort to squeeze more money from their customers, that’s exactly what car rental companies are doing. They send an associate to look for any dings or dents and then mail you a bill, regardless of what they find.

There are at least two reasons why car rental companies send you fraudulent or inflated bills for damage to your car after you’ve returned a vehicle. First, they don’t care if you ever come back. They believe you will always make a purchasing decision based on price alone, so as long as they offer the lowest rate, they’ll get your business anyway. And second, and maybe more significantly, car rental companies just don’t know how to make money. Their margins are razor-thin, their fleets are difficult to manage, their employees are impossible to retain. The only way to make their numbers is go after you for a quick buck.

Fortunately, fighting back is relatively easy. A polite written response to a bill that you think isn’t legit, asking for additional proof, is often all it takes for the company to make a metaphorical U-turn. These types of car rental claims are often poorly documented. Just to show you mean business, CC the attorney general and the insurance commissioner for the state you rented the car in.


4. In a restaurant: a vindictive server

Look, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the best tipper. Think you’re any better? Then take this quiz. My score was a miserable 5 out of 15. I think the reason I’m bad at this is that no one ever tells us how much to tip. They leave it to our discretion, which is not a smart thing.

But that’s no excuse for the way in which some servers have been behaving lately. And I’m not just talking about the blog war over a 10 percent tip that recently broke out in Seattle. Stanley Roberts, who runs a terrific restaurant site called We8there says even fast food eateries have been hitting up their patrons for tips. “Oh give me a break,” he says.

Yes, give us a break.

Nothing ruins a restaurant meal like a server who is steamed at the last guest who didn’t tip enough. And if that doesn’t leave you with a bad taste in your mouth, imagine how you’ll feel when you’re outed on a site like Bitter Waitress or Lousy Tippers. I don’t think anyone can argue that the way in which service-industry employees are compensated in the United States is in desperate need of reform. Until then, those of use who don’t want to tip have the option of enjoying a home-cooked meal. Those of us who do, and aren’t sure how much to tip — there’s absolutely nothing wrong with asking.

5. At sea: a norovirus outbreak
When you put a lot of people into the same place, like a hospital, school or cruise ship, you’re going to have the inevitable outbreak of a gastrointestinal virus or two. But cruise ships seem to have more than their fair share, if media reports are to be believed. No vessel, not even the famed Queen Elizabeth 2, has been spared. To get an idea of how infection-prone your cruise ship is, check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s cruise line inspection reports. (Hint: click on “85 or lower” to get the names of the flunkies.)

The cruise industry insists it is doing its best to keep ships clean, and I want to believe it. But the reality is that during late winter, at the peak of the outbreak season, dozens of ships are ravaged by norovirus, and thousands of passengers are infected. Many guests are quarantined in their cabins and become virtual prisoners at sea. Short of the ship sinking, a gastrointestinal illness is probably the worst thing that can happen to you on a cruise. Believe me, I know. It’s happened to me.

How do you avoid an infection? Pick the cleanest ship (see the CDC scores), wash your hands frequently while you’re onboard and avoid the worst time of the year for outbreaks, which seems to be January through March.

In an earlier column, I talked about five rules that the industry should do away with. To which many of you responded, “You found just five?” Actually, there were many more. And I suspect you have a similar list of the worst things that can happen to you while you’re on the road. Send me an e-mail and let’s compare notes.

Every Monday, my column takes a close look at what makes the travel business tick. Your comments are always welcome, and if you can’t get enough of my column, drop by my blog for daily insights into the world of travel.

5 things travelers aren’t grateful for

Air travel is affordable. The nation’s roads have never been safer. And hotels offer more amenities than ever.

Given all that, you would think travelers would be a grateful lot.

They aren’t.

Check out the latest customer surveys, and it’s clear that people are profoundly ungrateful when it comes to their travels. They give the airline industry worse grades than the Internal Revenue Service, they complain about traffic, and they gripe about high room rates.

So at a time of the year when everyone else seems to be giving thanks, the contrarian in me wonders: What are we not thankful about?


Inconsiderate travelers

They cut in line. They talk loudly on their cell phones. They travel with bratty children in tow. Where do these rude passengers come from? “They shout into their cell phones and talk loudly and are demanding to in-flight crews with gimmees ,” says Leonard Hansen, a writer from Bellingham, Wash. His theory is that airline deregulation, which made air travel more affordable, precipitated the “onslaught of the great unwashed,” which led to a sharp decline in civility among travelers. I think he’s right. These inconsiderate travelers are also likelier to complain for no good reason, says Gail Richardson, a nurse practitioner from Atlanta. “They feel that travel rules do not apply to them. They show up at the airport late, complain if they miss their flight, grumble about long security lines,” she says. “I am not thankful for them.”


Avaricious airlines
While it’s true that on average, airline ticket prices are remarkably affordable, it isn’t always the case. Airlines still price their tickets according to demand, and when a lot of people are flying, fares can really take off. “Even supposedly low-cost JetBlue is charging over $600 from Los Angeles to New York for the holidays,” gripes Steve Surjaputra, a technical support representative for an automobile software company in Los Angeles. “I found a cheaper fare — about $360 — on Delta.”

But wait, it gets worse. Business travelers who have to buy their tickets at the last minute or who don’t stay over a Saturday night sometimes get charged double or triple what everyone else pays. All that, for the same seat. Those kinds of pricing games make airline passengers like Surjaputra cringe. There ought to be a law ...


Resorts and their silly, silly, silly fees
Just as airlines can be shifty with their ticket prices, so, too, can hotels with their rates. And at times, even shiftier. Consider the experience of James Salter, an analyst for the state of Minnesota in Minneapolis. A year ago, he stayed at the Radisson Hotel and Suites Sydney, where high-speed Internet access was included in his room rate. He liked the resort so much, he booked a room for next year. But wait! “Now there’s a $24.95 per day charge for Internet access,” he says. “I've contacted corporate Radisson to find out why, and they say they’ve opened a file.”

Maybe instead of opening files, they should buy a clue. Internet access is widely considered a utility, like running water or power. Guests expect it. Charging for items like Internet access, the use of the exercise rooms, mandatory gratuities, and the like, are something no one is grateful for. Can I hear another “silly” please?


The Transportation Security Administration ...

Forget, for a moment, that there is no proof this $4.7-billion agency has protected us from terrorists, hijackers and bombs any better than the rent-a-cops that preceded them. And never mind that more than half a decade after 9/11, the agency can’t seem to detect explosives at its own airports. No, what troubles most airline passengers is that the TSA can’t seem to be consistent. “TSA screening is different no matter what airport you go through,” complains Kathleen Vigil, a human resources manager for a telecommunications company in Aurora, Colo. “Do TSA screeners want shoes on, shoes off, or they don’t care ... you choose! When you go through the metal detector, do you hold your boarding pass and identification in your hand where they have a visual, put your boarding pass in your pocket, or do they not care?” The answers are on the TSA Web site. Thanks, screeners, for taking the time to read it. Or not ...

And what it’s turned us into
You can’t really blame the TSA for this next one, at least not entirely. No, we probably did this to ourselves. “We’ve been reduced to quaking, shamed, fearful, cowardly sheep while traveling,” says Carole Jonas, a retired consultant from Whidbey Island, Wash. “Because if you even look cross or angry and you’re confronted by our esteemed TSA or airline employees, you could be branded as a troublemaker or purported terrorist, hauled away from your flight, questioned, harassed, tormented, perhaps handcuffed, arrested, or worse.” She makes a valid point. Travel — and air travel, in particular — used to be fun. It isn’t anymore. In fact, people dread traveling for a variety of reasons. The intrusive screenings. The airline crewmembers who are often on a power trip. The lack of basic amenities. Jonas traces a lot of it back to 9/11. “We’ve all become terrorized while traveling,” she says. “Thanks, terrorists, you’ve done your job well — mission accomplished.”

It doesn’t have to stay this way. I can remember a time not so long ago, when travel was a pleasure. If you’re having trouble remembering, or are just too young, check out the Northwestern University library collection of transportation menus which features 400 menus from 54 national and international airline carriers, cruise ships and railroad companies, from 1929 to the present. Ah, foie gras economy class. Meals served on real china. It illustrates how far we’ve fallen in such a short amount of time.

There’s hope, though. I think travelers can be grateful once again — if they have something to be grateful for. All they want is to travel with a little dignity. They don’t want to be afraid of their crewmembers or TSA screeners or fellow passengers. They don’t want to be hit with extra fees when they check out of their hotel. Is that asking too much?

10 Ways To Avoid Air Travel Inconvenience



This has been the worst year ever in the United States for flight delays and cancellations. Planes are full, making it difficult to find a seat on another flight should your flight experience problems. Here are some tips from Airfarewatchdog.com to help you avoid inconvenience when you're traveling.


Avoid connecting flights altogether: They are the flyer's worst enemy. Yes, airlines often charge more for nonstops, but it's worth the extra money.

Build longer layovers: If there is no nonstop flight, then build extra time into your itinerary for the connection. Don't take the connecting flight that gives you just 45 minutes to change planes at a busy airport; instead, ask for a two to four-hour layover to make the connection. You may not be able to do this online, but rather you'll have to call a travel agent or the airline directly. Yes, it will cost you more (airlines charge extra to book over the phone, and travel agents charge too) but it's worth it. Hate longer layovers? Bring a good book. You'll hate spending two days on a cot at O'Hare even more, trust me.


Shun chronically late flights
: Every domestic US flight is assigned a number from 1 to 10, with 1 meaning that the flight is historically on time between 0 and 10 percent of the time, and 10 meaning it is on time between 90 and 100 percent of the time. You can get this data on some airline sites, or call the airline to find it. Some flights are indeed late 100 percent of the time. Try to book only 9s and 10s.


Call your airline, frequently
: Make sure you reconfirm that your flight is operating on time — or operating at all. Do this several weeks, several days, and several hours before your flight. I've heard so many stories from readers lately about airlines scrapping flights from their schedules entirely (not just canceling one flight, but the entire route or the entire flight schedule) and not notifying passengers until they got to the airport. I wouldn't rely on having the airline contact you, but if you wish, sure, give them your phone number, email address, and mobile phone number. Just don't bet your trip on the expectation that they'll call you.

Book the first flight of the day: Just as your doctor or dentist will see you on time if you're the first appointment, first-of-the-day flights tend to be on time as well.

Scout alternate flights: Know beforehand what your alternatives are on other airlines if you miss your connection or your initial outbound flight is canceled or delayed. Some airlines will put you on a competitor's next flight out if the "flight irregularity" (as they're called in airline-speak) was within their control (a mechanical problem, for instance). Others won't. If you fly frequently, you might want to carry a printed or PDA copy of the Official Airline Guide (at www.oag.com/) so you can propose alternate flights on the spot.

Line up, but call too: If your flight is canceled or delayed, get in line with the other unfortunates, but while waiting call the airline on your mobile phone to make other arrangements. By the time you get to the front of the line at the check in desk all the alternative seats may be booked.

Prepare for the worst: If all else fails, make sure that you (and your kids, if any) have books, games, and other distractions in your carry-on luggage. Many airlines sell day passes to their club lounges, a more attractive option than sitting at the gate listening to those awful TV and PA broadcasts.

Know your rights: If you are heading out to a wedding or other scheduled event (meeting, funeral, whatever), and you're going to miss it entirely because your outbound flight is canceled or delayed, the airline is required to refund you in full even if you have a non-refundable ticket. You do not have to pay for a now-futile trip.

2007-12-10

Tip List Of Honeymoon Vacation In Bali

Bali is the paradise for honeymooner that many couple wish to spend such a special occasion on the island. It’s mesmerized various views such as; beaches, mountain, rice field, and romantic place to stay like: Bali hotel, resort, villa, Bali private villa shall enable you to get a perfect honeymoon, no disturbance, no noisy sound, truly serenity, just sound of nature. Fresh atmosphere will refresh your mind & body. Bali rich culture would contribute to make your honeymoon the unforgettable one, you’ll find something that is unique, beautiful, memorable and fun, the experience of a lifetime, which cannot be gained at other places.

Bali is a tiny island but has so much wonderful things to offer. Many travel agents / tour operator provide worldwide choice of honeymoon ideas.

Here are some tips to get comfortable honeymoon in Bali:

- Schedule your departure day two days after the wedding to give you ample time for rest after the activities and the celebrations. If you must travel immediately, remember to leave in the middle of the day and not the early morning so you’ll get a good night’s sleep.

- Ask your travel agent for Honeymoon Packages, these usually offer the best destinations for honeymooners, not to mention discounts and freebies.

- Never, ever overbook day trips, you’re not just travelling, you’re with your new spouse, better save up some energy for the night’s fireworks.

- Don’t be afraid to ask questions, ask about certain perks, events.

- In addition to the above, don’t be afraid to request extra stuff, like a big bathtub, a double bed, or a romantic view.

- Don’t forget to bring your marriage certificate along with you, especially if the name of the bride is already under her husband’s name.

- Pack your camera and lots of film; you won’t want to miss anything. You might also want to pack a disposable underwater camera and extra batteries, these are absurdly pricey in tourist spots, and you wouldn’t want to overspend.

- Mention to anyone, especially in the café or in the tour boat, that you’re on your honeymoon, yes this may sound a bit embarrassing, but some restaurants give extras like free drinks or gifts for honeymooners. This also works for birthday celebrants.

- If you want an active honeymoon, research and prepare for water sports; the tropics are a great place, to learn them, always remember to consult hubby before you try one though.

- Stock up on sun protection. The higher the SPF the better, as you’ll probably be spending whole days out in the sun; you wouldn’t want to get skin cancer after just two weeks of marriage.

- Some travel agencies include island-hopping trips, these are great ways to explore, and enjoy. This is especially good because you’ll get a change in scenery, and won’t easily get bored, especially if you have an extended honeymoon.

- Even if your valuables are inside your hotel room, keep them under lock, and if you decide to bring them with you, always watch out for stray pickpockets.

- Bring with you a stock of candles and massage oils that you can place inside your hotel room for that romantic evening after touring and swimming.

Remember that the entire objective of a honeymoon vacation is to have an unforgettable romance. Follow the quick tips above and you can head your way to a memorable honeymoon in Bali.

Tips For Family Holiday In Bali

Bali is a perfect place for those who are on holiday with children. Bring all your family to explore the island. You all will love the natural surroundings, and it is definitely easy to find a baby sitter or somebody to take care of your kids.

Kids club are available in major hotels. Many hotels offer family room with children discounts policy which is good optional for family term.

Bali villa is also a good alternative for accommodation, which is now becomes holiday trend in Bali. Mostly one villa consists of more than one bedroom that caters for family.

Range of attractions that are friendly for children can be also easily found in Bali.

Children's attractions in Bali vary from surf, sand and beach activities; cultural activities such as dancing, temple visits, and traditional Balinese life style experiences; adventure activities such as rafting, cycling, horse ride, dolphin/turtle tour elephant rides; and theme parks such as Bali Bird Park, WaterBom Park, Bali Butterfly Park, etc.

Travelling with the family can be hassle- free and loaded with fun. There is no reason you shouldn’t bring the kids and the entire family with you. Here are a few tips you can use for an easy, stress - free travel.

Plan with the entire family

Get each family member’s opinion on which places to go. Kids love it when they get involved. Make a short list of the places they want to visit and get the majority’s preference. Plan simple yet fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Distribute tasks

Help each other especially when packing. Give each one a responsibility. You can have your kids check on the first- aid kit, your husband to bring all bulky equipments and you take charge preparing the food. This way, your load can be lessened and everyone would feel the importance of each one’s contribution.

Travel light

Since most of the space of your car would be for people, pack only the essential things you need. If possible you can hire strollers for the kids instead of carrying one. Transfer shampoos, mouthwash and the like in small plastic containers instead of bringing the entire thing. Remember that travelling light doesn’t mean travelling incomplete. Carry all important stuff you need to bring.

Secure your house

Since all of your family members are with you on the trip, you can opt to hire a house sitter. If not, have a neighbour look out for the house for you. Unplug all electrical appliances and be sure to secure all door and windows.

Be safe

Always carry with you a medicine kit for emergencies. This should include aspirins, laxative, insect repellant, bandages, ointments and alcohol. More importantly, bring enough prescription drugs if any of the family members is on medication. Bring enough to last for the entire duration of the trip.

Bring in the fun

Take pictures and videos to document your trip. Take turns in using the camera, this way everyone will get a memorable shot taken. You can take the pictures and put them in a nice travel journal when you get home. This way you can enjoy the fun memories as often as you want.

Remember that the entire objective of a family trip is to have fun. Follow the quick tips above and you can head your way to an enjoyable travel in Bali.

Bali Shopping Fun

It is said that shopping is a serious hobby, might be. To some, shopping sometime is considered a way to alleviate stress or just a fun. In fact shopping is everyone’s need, but Bali is a place where one can examine or to practice one’s personal bargaining skills. Unless the product is price-tagged, bargaining is the “habit or the tradition”.

Bali is a shopper’s paradise. Hundreds of boutiques and roadside stalls have been set up all over the island, and thousands of artisans, craftspeople, seamstresses, woodcarvers, painters, etc are kept busy supplying the tourist demand. Sometimes swarms of vendors crowd the beaches and streets offering you T-Shirts, sarong, necklaces, friendship bracelets, drinks and watches.

Go out from your hotel and then stroll along the road which is lined by myriads of shops and kiosks, soon the taxi drivers, shopkeepers and the restaurant’s staffs wave their hands and say the common word “kemana” means where are you going?, have a look. Sometimes they want to shake hand and take you into his shop. Smile and say hello to them, keep walking, but if you see something that you are looking for stop and enter, ask the price.

Try not to accept the first price that you are given, as most vendors add on anything between 30%-50% extra. Bargain or go to other shops. The most common word said by the Balinese vendor is “bangkrut” means bankrupt, if the price you make is thought to low. Usually if the vendor cease to smile, it’s mean you got the price. If you spent good enough money in one shop, try to ask him/her a souvenir, he/she will be very glad to offer you one for free.

You’ll get more for your money, if you are prepared to spend time and smile whilst bargaining. Although tempting, try not to make any major purchases for the first few days. Look around, take your time, bargain hard and then buy….and so to shopping. A fun isn’t it? Where and what to buy is the next step.

The variety is literally endless. Most of the handicrafts and paintings can be found in the district of Gianyar. The village of Mas and Kemenuh is famed of its best and talented wood carvers, you can visit a workshop where artisans in work, they produce either masterpieces or mass productions. Ubud is famed of its talented painters either classical, traditional or contemporary style. The best thing to do is to go to the major galleries, see which artist you like and seek them out at their home (if you have enough time). Remember bargaining is a “norm”.

Textiles in Gianyar, Klungkung, Karangasem (Tenganan), Kuta and Denpasar. Kuta has the best shopping, but you have to deal with the crassness (sometimes) of the shopkeepers. If you do not stay in Kuta during your vacation in Bali and wish to shop there, take a cab, stop and down in Kuta Center, this is the appropriate place to reach the neighboring sites like Legian and Seminak by taxi, there are hundreds of good shops. At Kuta Center you can find many quality shops, arts market, supermarket and department store (Matahari and Centro applied fixed prices).

Antiques: The “antique” business in Bali is booming. Carve a split piece of wood, paint it and bury it in the ground for a month and wow! an antique. You need very careful when buying antiques. Mind you, you can find all sorts of interesting items in the shops in Batubulan, Kuta, and Klungkung, but there’s no guarantee as to their age.

Ceramics: The village of Pejaten in Tabanan has whimsical and serious tiles as well as stoneware plates, bowls and the like. Good quality of stoneware can be found also in Kapal. Ceramics shops can be found also in Sanur Jl. D. Tamblingan, Kuta and Ubud.

Gold & Silver: Celuk, Kamasan and Bratan are the center for metal working, where all such ornaments are on sale at reasonable prices (bargaining is a must). The craftsmen will also produce pieces and settings to order, just bring them a drawing or a sample to copy. If you don’t like it, they’ll smelt it down and start over.

Handicrafts and souvenirs like bamboo implements, puppets and ornaments made of coconut shell and teakwood, hats and baskets, wooden earrings, keychains, clothes, pen and ink paintings are sold at most souvenir shops as well as in all the major tourist areas. Pasar Sukawati and Ubud is a good place to visit, chockfull of these things at rock bottom prices. Leather goods can now be found in all the shops in Kuta, Sanur and Ubud.

Batiks: The spiraling designs and geometric patterns of Javanese batik are seen everywhere on the island as part of the daily dress of the Balinese. Buffaloes, birds, masks, and puppet figures are some of the motives entwined in characteristic compositions. Most of what is being sold on the street by vendors is not batiks, but printed materials which the Balinese use for tablecloths. High quality of hand made batik paintings are produced now. The center of batiks is the village of Tohpati. Best factory to visit is Batik Populer and Kartika Candra.

So don’t wait to long, plan your vacation and chose Bali is a shoppers paradise for your travel destination. Go online and visit hotel reservation website and booked your preferred Bali Hotels. Bali is a small and very beautiful island located in Indonesia, one of the best tourist destinations in Asia.

Bali Hotels Or Bali Villas

Dear Reader,

One says that traveling is not an exact science, to combine between their cultures, traditions, countries and different languages sometimes are not easy. Trust an expert, contact your reputable travel agent may be important.

Most people come to Bali want to see and enjoy its arts and cultures, its fabulous nature’s views, its nice beaches, its friendly people, for pure relaxation and some for business and stay on. Whatever is one’s aim, the accommodation is one of the most important aspects in order to get the comforts and memorable holiday.

There are a myriad of accommodations to choose from in Bali, from five-star luxury Bali hotels or Bali Villas to budget one just a few dollars a night. The main tourist hub is in the southern triangle formed by Sanur, Kuta and Dusa Dua. For those who prefer the comforts of home and the relaxation of the beach, this is a good starting place. Other beach areas are Lovina in the north, Candi Dasa in the east and Canggu and Yeh Gangga in the west.

If you are a sun’s lover, then stay at Kuta (a wild and crazy kind of place) or its quieter sister beaches Legian and Seminyak up the road, Candi Dasa on the east coast, Sanur and Nusa Dua in the south or Lovina in the north. If you are a culture’s lover, then stay in Ubud in central Bali.

Thus for your accommodation what do you prefer Bali Hotels or Bali Villas? Both hotels and villas shall give you some advantages. For those who want a hotel that has a nice beach front or hotel by the sea or a room that facing the ocean, Bali Hotel is an easier choice, because most of luxury Bali Hotels that line the coast of Bali. There are plentiful of hotels either in building style or in Balinese style bungalow, both offer modern comports and excellent service, but without maximum privacy. Most Bali Hotels have one or more restaurants and bars that offer a wide range of local and international cuisines. Also sports and Spa facilities are usually available like tennis, billiards, squash, fitness center, games room, and some with golf course.

For those who want to enjoy a total privacy and perhaps a perfect Balinese lifestyle, stay at a private villa is a right choice. One can enjoy the luxury of a beautiful private villa with air-conditioned bedrooms and tropical bathrooms to dream about, spacious living and dining areas and spacious terraces, a lush tropical garden with your own private swimming pool, and well-trained house staff to take care of everything around the clock. And you’ll appreciate the comfort and informality you can only experience in a private home.

Instead of staying in hotel rooms (bed, two chairs, dressing table, TV set and telephone, wardrobe, small bathroom), your family will enjoy this truly Balinese experience. And you have much more space, more informality, more privacy, and more personal service than even the best hotel can provide.

You can even save up to 50% - 70% of meals and drinks if you stay at a private villa with full furnished kitchen if you decide a self-service vacation. Order your groceries, favorite snacks and drinks to be brought for you at the local supermarket or wine wholesaler. You’ll be surprised at the low cost when you pay the same prices as locals do. Or just ask the villa manager to do so, and a trained cook (with reasonable extra cost) to prepare you delicious meals or any special diet. And also Bali’s 21% tax & service charge and airport transfer is included on villa rental.

There are numbers of luxury villas at Bali’s hotels & resorts. If you prefer a hotel environment and services and don’t mind to pay inflated prices for accommodation and food & beverages, you can also book some villa-like accommodation at one of luxury Bali’s hotels through a reliable travel agent and still enjoy savings and extra benefits.

So, do not hesitate to choose the island of Bali in Indonesia for your memorable holiday. Bali is the most enchanting travel destination in the world, its year-round pleasant climate, its friendly people; its fabulous nature’s views, its nice beach and the absence of major criminal activities guarantee a completely relaxing stay. Because of the physical beauty of the island and its wide variety of attractions, Bali has become for many experienced travelers the “ultimate island”.

Go online and search your preferred Bali hotels or Bali villas or contact your reliable travel agent. The wide choice can be confusing especially for first time visitors, and it’s sometimes difficult to select the right Bali Hotels or Bali Villas. So just let your travel agent knows your personal needs and preferences that he can recommend those hotels or villas it feels will suit you best.

Thanks you reader and have a nice day.

How To Enjoy Adventures In Bali

Bali is to everyone not only known for it’s indigenous culture, people, but also known for it’s nature, i.e.: magnificent mountain, alluring sea, beaches, pristine forest, waterfall, hot spring, rice fields, flora, fauna, traditional villages, etc are the great asset that Bali has to offer. It attracts the tourists to come to Bali especially to those who are fond of travelling. They like to go to the places where they can recharge their souls, unwind, release the tension from work, and simply enjoy what life has to offer.

While enjoying the great view, you may thoroughly enjoy the adventures in Bali through joining adventure activities that available in Bali, such as: horse riding, elephant ride, quad & buggy ride, bungy jumping, buggy drive, village trekking, forest & mountain trekking, cycling, hiking, rafting, sea cruise, land cruise, scuba/diving, snorkelling, water sports, land tours, golf, and so on.

Here’s a list of tips for adventure travellers, whether they want adventures that are more inclined to wilderness or just the typical family adventure most people would love to experience:

1. It is best that people should know what the type of travel adventure they are getting into.

Adventure travel may provide the kind of adrenalin rush most adventurers long to experience every time they get out of their territory. It is the feeling of newness and uncertainty on what will happen that gives them the satisfaction and gratification that they need.

However, it is still important for them to know what they are doing. After all, travelling always involve risky activities especially to those who are set to gain adventure experience.

2. Have a fixed set on the adventure travel destination.

Because of the vastness of locations and adventure locations available today, people might get confused on what areas are best for their adventure travel.

One good tip is to choose a location that can baffle those adventurous minds and mystify the eyes with great mystery.

As much as new and exotic places can be adventurous, it is still best to stick to the classical and typical locations. It would be really risky to try areas, which no one has ever dared to go to.

3. Consider the budget.

Adventure travelling can be pretty expensive especially when it entails going to places that entails great adventure packages.

So, it would be better for adventure travellers to shop around first and compare prices before deciding on what kind of adventure travel to take.

Indeed, adventure travel can be one of the most exciting and gratifying travel one can experience. However, with the exotic places, wilderness, and virgin forests that one might consider, it is a must that every travel must know the proper way how to protect themselves and what to do first before trying the place out.

After all I can say that Bali for adventurer is worthy place to visit.

Choosing The Best Travel Accommodation In Bali

As the prominent tourist destination, Bali has abundance choice of accommodation. It is ranged from budget hotel, guesthouse run by local people, cottage, bungalow, boutique hotel, luxury villa, to the international 5 star hotels. The accommodation spread up throughout Bali.

Cluster accommodation is not only to be found in crowd/centre tourist area, but also found even at secluded area. Hotel styles vary from traditional style to modern design. The tourists in Bali mostly favour Balinese style hotels. You’ll be easily to find a hotel that suits your needs either beach/lake side, cool mountain area, rice field view, hilltop, riverbanks, tropical garden, traditional village surroundings, town-centred, etc.

However, there are many things to consider when choosing your travel accommodations. The decision could make your trip fun or a disappointment. Choosing the right hotel is a must. Most travellers spend more time in airline ticket reservations and bargains but less time in choosing the right accommodations. Thus they may end up on the wrong side of the bed during their stay.

To get the most out of your hotel accommodations, remember to book as early as possible and make your dates more flexible. Hotels that specialize for business people will consider weekends as off-season. Family vacationers could tap into these special packages during weekends. Primarily, you should choose your hotel based on name, amenities, features, price, packages and location.

Here are some considerations in choosing your best travel accommodations:

1. Accommodations should be family-friendly. Always ask if your hotel offers children activity areas with educational and fun activities supervised by duly trained caregivers.

2. Your hotel should provide a swimming pool for children, day care service, crib rental and child-proof electrical outlets.

3. Stay in a hotel that has electronic room-key cards and has a security viewer installed on their doors.

4. Make it a priority to choose a room on the upper floor.

5. If you're the one who likes to spend more time in your hotel room and the balcony, you should ask for the available amenities and the conditions of the surrounding environment.

6. Depending on whether you're on a private or business trip, ask your hotel about the availability of laundry service, hair dryers, coffee makers, newspapers, free meals, fax machine, bar, cable television, parking, shuttle service, internet connection, etc.

7. The hotel property layout and its location may speak more of its surrounding environment. Noisy locations such as construction on adjacent property, car traffic and noisy waterfalls are not specified on hotel flyers. So be sure to ask about it.

8. Beautifully landscaped surroundings with trees, flowers and inner courts also enhance your travel pleasure. Moreover, gift shops and restaurants all add up to a wonderful travel experience.

9. The location of your hotel with respect to main attraction is equally important. It could save you money on taxi and bus fare.

10. Make sure that the room service is provided 24 hours a day.

11. Check out the room itself. Is it brightly coloured or classical? It sets the mood of your travel.

In order to get the most out of your travel, whether for business or family vacations, be sure to know everything about the hotel you are planning to check in to. Ask friends and relatives who have been there. Don't just depend on the hotel's web page, which is undoubtedly biased. Having to stay in a hotel, which you don’t like, could ruin your trip.

How To Select Your Preferred Bali Hotels

Bali is a wonderful island situated in Indonesia, the ultimate tourist destination in Asia, is worth a visit. Most people come to Bali for its beach, waves, sun, some come for business, some come for its undying art and culture, some come for its breathtaking landscapes and some for pure relaxation.

Choosing Bali for your holiday destination, of course you should select and decide your preferred Bali Hotel which would match your interests. There are myriad of accommodations to choose from in Bali, from five-star luxury hotels to budget accommodations.

Bali Hotels by locations: Accommodations by the sea (has beach front), in town and hotels are situated in countryside. Or Bali Hotels by interest (boutique hotels, villas, small hotels in traditional Balinese style bungalow and big or leading Bali Hotels).

Every place has its own attractions and features:

Sanur: Famed for its white sandy beach, sun rise, sea activities, close to other places of interest. Is for gracious living, peaceful and quiet. More “international” but somehow far less cosmopolitan than frenetic Kuta. There are so many excellent hotels here that you can scarcely go wrong.

Kuta: Frenetic, sometime chaotic, noisy, lots of hype, but a great playground. Originally what drew visitors to Kuta was the wide beach and the surf. It still has best sea front on the island. Kuta also famed for its shopping, dine and night lives. Though there are now many first-class hotels and home stays, caters best to the economy traveler who likes to be in the thick of things.

Legian & Seminyak: Lie at the north end of Kuta Beach strip. This is the place to stay if you want the best of both worlds. Conveniently located within 15 minutes from the center of Kuta, yet safely removed from the nerve-wrecking intensity and hype. The villages are perfect for extended vacations. There are several first-class hotels, a great number of intermediate-range bungalow, and inexpensive accommodations.

Nusa Dua & Tanjung Benoa: The area is rather isolated from the rest of Bali. Nusa Dua is providing a “total” hotel environment, everything you could possibly ask for is available on the premises. White sandy beach and a wide range of sea activities.

Jimbaran bay: Has nice and wide beach, good sunset (weather permitted), and close to Airport. There are two leading hotels, good villas and nice hotels in Balinese style bungalow.

Ubud & environs: The heart of arts and cultures of Bali. There are many small resorts deluxe and intermediate accommodations, most blend of typical Balinese and modern amenities. Situated either in town or in the countryside, most have wonderful gardens and views. Ubud is a paradise for shopping too.

The east: Offer more restful vacation.

Nusa Lembongan: Is a surfing, snorkeling and diving paradise. There are some excellent hotel resorts and some inexpensive hotels.

Balina beach: Buitan Village, this is spacious, gorgeous white sand beach, is one of the major scuba diving centers of Bali. There are a deluxe hotel and some intermediates and budget hotels.

Candi Dasa: The beach (at low tide, at high tide there IS no beach) because it has been eroded by the waves, but Candi Dasa offer restful vacation. There are first-class, intermediate and inexpensive hotels. You will be treated here with the utmost of graceful service.

The North:

Lovina beach: A northern beachfront alternative to Kuta and Sanur, this is a serene and infrequently visited vacation spot. Black sand beaches and quite waters nestles inside of extensive coral reefs distinguish this idyllic beach. Snorkeling is superb here and the reef is close enough that even children and beginner swimmers can feel comfortable here. There are first-class, intermediate and inexpensive hotels.

Western Beaches:

Up along this coast north of Kuta and Legian lies a stretch of black sand beach with a dangerous reef and heavy undertow, these beaches are not ideal for swimming and beginner surfers. At Canggu there are some luxury hotels. Yeh Gangga boast a small luxury resort Waka Gangga is facing the Indian Ocean. Tanah Lot boast a leading hotel Le Meridian and a world championship golf course with breathtaking view of famous Tanah Lot temple and sunset.

Western Interior:

Bedugul: This mountain resort is famous for its air, restful and serene. There are a number of places to stay here, from luxury hotels to budget accommodations (losmen).

The quickest and easiest way to select your preferred Bali Hotels is to go online and visit hotel reservation website. Do a search for the city or place (Indonesia, Bali, Hotels) you are traveling to and you will be presented with a list of available hotels in that area. There are also more information about hotel’s and room’s facilities. Most luxury hotel has excellent spa facilities.

The wide choice can be confusing – especially for first-time visitors – and it’s sometimes difficult to select the right accommodation. So still go online and click travel. Choose your reputable travel agent (contact him by e-mail). Just let him know your personal needs and preferences that he can recommend those hotels he feel suit you best.

My immense thanks to you readers.

2007-12-04

The World’s Cheapest Destinations

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Laos is one of the best bargains in Southeast Asia—and that’s saying something, since most countries there are relatively cheap for travelers. Because tourism is only beginning to make inroads in Laos, visitors are not seen as mere revenue streams; locals extend a warm and genuine welcome. You can find an inexpensive guesthouse for less than $20 a night; open-air cafes along the Mekong River offer absurdly cheap French and Lao specialties.


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A world apart from the unrest that sometimes grips other parts of Indonesia, Bali seduces visitors with its magnificent beaches, lush volcanic peaks and impossibly green rice paddies. This serene tropical island, dotted with thousands of Hindu shrines and temples, is the stuff of escapist fantasies. Even budget accommodations feature beautifully carved wooden furniture and jewel-toned fabrics. For $10 to $20, you can bunk in a simple guesthouse or rent a beach bungalow.


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After decades of turmoil, Vietnam has finally achieved peace and stability. Today its fledgling market economy is revving up, and the country is welcoming an increasing number of Western visitors. In the colorful and chaotic cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, you can rough it for a few dollars a day, or get a comfortable room with air conditioning and hot showers for $30 a night. In any street market, a mere $1 buys a steaming bowl of pho and a cold beer.


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In India, if you have an adventurous spirit, you can get by on less than $20 a day—but even $40 to $50 a day will land you some creature comforts and more elaborate meals. First-time visitors might consider flying into sprawling, bustling Delhi before making a side trip to Agra’s wondrous Taj Mahal. Then go off to tour the vast province of Rajasthan, with its outrageously ornate forts and palaces. Rajasthan is full of adventure, whether you dream of spotting an elusive tiger or taking a camel safari under the stars.


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An African safari doesn’t have to involve forking over thousands of dollars to a U.S.-based tour operator. It’s possible to book your safari after you arrive in Zambia. You can even travel to the game parks independently. Zambia is also home to another of Africa’s most stunning spectacles: Victoria Falls. The Zambian side of the thundering falls offers camping for less than $5, or you can rent a hut for $40 to $50, with meals included.


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Tunisia is a modern and secular society in a land of ornate mosques and Lawrence of Arabia desert landscapes. Bustling markets tout rugs, pottery and colorful crafts—yours for a song. Archaeological wonders await, too, from the ancient city of Carthage to glorious Roman ruins. After you explore the culture, relax on a gorgeous Mediterranean beach where basic rooms and hostel bunks go for less than $15. If you can swing $50 a day, you’ll sleep comfortably and eat well.


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Laid-back Honduras offers a pristine rain forest that’s alive with howler monkeys and multicolor birds. You’ll find hiking, river rafting and impressive Maya ruins (at Copán). The Bay Islands are home to world-class scuba diving and snorkeling along a dazzling coral reef. For now, $8 buys you a hearty dinner; decent budget digs go for less than $25 per night. You can spend even less if you don’t mind sleeping in a hammock.


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Guatemala combines natural splendor with a fascinating glimpse into Mayan culture, history and traditions. The highlight for most travelers is surely Tikal: The ruins of a once-great Mayan city feature spectacular towering pyramids that rise out of the dense jungle. Wherever you go, you’ll find lots of simple bungalows and homey family-run inns that host budget travelers for as little as $20 to $30 per night.


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Peru offers some of the most rugged and diverse scenery in South America. Real shoestring travelers can get by on $25 a day, while $50 a day will put you up in midrange hotels with style and character. Cusco is best known as the jumping-off point for Machu Picchu, but don’t overlook several other excursions that are closer to the city, like the remarkable ruins of Sacsayhuamán. In the Amazon Basin, hostel bunks and jungle lodges are plentiful in gateway towns such as Iquitos, where boat tours reveal the diversity and wonder of the rain forest.


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Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a city of grand boulevards and tango salons. Parrillas (barbecue joints) offer incomparable steak dinners for $10; a bed in a hostel goes for $9, but in this town, $40 or $50 a night buys an extremely comfortable midrange hotel room. The beach resort of Mar del Plata is legendary for its rollicking nightlife, and the garden city of Mendoza makes a great base for touring the wine country or whitewater rafting. Or fly to the ends of the earth to see the towering peaks and glaciers of Patagonia and stroll among the friendly penguin colonies at Punta Tombo.

source travel.msn.com

The Image of Bali

Over the last seventy years, writers of travel books, books on Bali and the writers for the internet’s pages have given a great contribution to shape the image of Bali, and until now the process of shaping the image of Bali is still on the way.



During the period of 1920s and 1930s, the image of Bali as a paradise was first created. On that time, the Dutch government began promoting Bali as a tourism destination. The pioneers of tourism in Bali such as Hickman Powell, Collin McPhee, etc, bolstered the image of Bali as a paradise. For Hickman Powell Bali was a vast wonderland, embodied the dream of pastoral poets. For Collin McPhee, each part of the day in Bali had a quality, which revealed a particular aspect of the island. The morning was “a golden freshness” when the island ‘dripped and shone with moisture like a garden in a florist’s window’. In the middle of the day, Bali ‘had become hard and matter-of-fact. In the afternoon and in the evening its qualities shone through, as “it grew unreal, lavish and theatrical like old-fashioned opera scenery.

Since that time the image of Bali is slowly built up with decades of tourist promotion, thousands of academic and travel writing, this great effort makes the image of Bali as the last paradise almost irrefutable. Each new writer has taken something from earlier works and developed it.


Nowadays, Bali could be nothing else but a rich ancient culture, the morning of the world, a forgotten medieval community where sun-bronzed women dress as eve, a land where nobody hurries, and all in peace, a spiritual community of care-free islander…as happy as a mortal can be, where everyone you meet is a dancer or an artist, where every day begins and ends with splendors of the nature: ‘as near an approach this side of heaven to a poet dream’.


As mentioned before, the shaping of Bali’s image is still going on. Bali changes a lot, these changes will eventually affect the already made image and reshape it into the new one.

Will Bali still be the last paradise?

Note : Most of the materials for this writing were take from Adrian Vickers’, Bali: Paradise Created

Find Bliss in Bali

A holiday on Bali will take your breath away and stimulate all your senses — even some you didn’t know about. Invigorating and calming at the same time you will not want to leave this mystical island. Here’s what I loved about being here.

Top Ten Things to do in Bali and Lombok

1. Replenish your soul at Uluwatu resort at the south western tip of Bukit Peninsula - you will be lulled to sleep at night by the same waves that rock Dreamland - you will never rest more deeply. This sacred spot is an enchanting jewel - the bungalows cling to a cliff
with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. For lovers, surfers, poets, and solo explorers.

2. Take a surf lesson on Kuta Beach. Even if you don’t stand up - feeling the wave under you is divine. Don’t miss it.

3. Flex you flirt muscles on Gili Trawangan - this friendly island is filled with locals and foreigners who look you in the eye and laugh with you - white sugar beaches seduce you to stay longer - and the peace is hard to beat. No motorcycles, cars, or engines of any kind. Nirvana.

4. Scuba diving - get certified - get wet - get down under and do it! Swim with a big turtle and you will know bliss. On Gili Trawangan go to Manta Dive - they are wonderfully professional and authentically personable. The staff and owners want you to have fun and see the world beneathe us. It’s gorgeous!


5. See a Barong - every 15 days in Padang Bai there is a celebration and ceremony - the whole town comes out for the festival. Dress in traditional Balinese style - bring your lace jacket, sash, and sarong and you’re in the temple being blessed with holy water. And bring an offering - it could be a frangipani, fruit, or rice krispies just bring something. It’s way better than church.

6. Go to Ubud and see the local dances and art galleries. The clothing stores and jewelry are one of a kind too. Tour the rice terraces outside of town to be in a verdant, lush, green, landscape. Visit the Jazz Cafe at night for live music and to meet fascinating locals and foreigners.

7. Swim in stone pools fed by pure mountain water at the Water Palace 20 minutes outside of Padang Bai. Intricate statues, ornate fountains, and peace await you.

8. Ask locals about their favorite temples, you will get invited to a cremation or a wedding. Trust me.

9. Ride a motorcyle around the island - don’t be a Balinese family and go three to a bike - you’ll be fined. Drive on the left side! It’s energizing and you see more of the island.

10. Shopping and eating in Seminyak. Lily Jean was my favorite store - Made de Coney, a lovely woman from Brazil makes these sexy, zesty, and stylish clothes that enhance your body and make you happy - beautiful fabrics that move with you and designs that place her at the zenith of the fashion world. Buy a new suitcase for your treasures. Then eat at the Santa Fe Grill. Or find your own gem - there are many!

Buried in the Fire

Ngaben is always translated into “cremation ceremony” in English, but unfortunately not all cremation ceremonies in Bali can be categorized as ngaben. There are two types of cremation ceremonies in Bali, Ngaben and Mekingsan ring Geni (buried or left in the fire) with the main differences lie on the offerings and paraphernalias which are used and the function of the ceremony.


A Ngaben ceremony can be done in a modest to extravagant way, a modest ngaben needs a few basic offerings and preparations; while the extravagant ngaben will involve massive offerings, cremation tower, cow sarcophagi (befitting the caste of the deceased), gamelan orchestra and hundreds of manpower; while Mekingsan ring Geni (buried in the fire) is always a simple affair regardless the caste of the deceased, with only a few offerings, few manpower and little preparations.


A ngaben ceremony functions as final send off of the deceased body (not the soul), in this ceremony the body of the deceased is returned to five basic elements of nature (panca mahabhuta, which are pertiwi = earth, apah = water, teja = light or fire, bayu = wind, akasa = ether, space, void). In Balinese cosmology, the human body is a representation of the universe, and built with same elements as universe, in ngaben ceremony all these elements is returned to their respective source. A Mekingsan ring Geni ceremony is not a final send off; it functions to buy time until the proper Ngaben ceremony can be held for the deceased.



In the old days, the most common way to buy time is by burying the body of the deceased in the cemetery and unearthing it when the time for ngaben ceremony is come. But a problem arose in relation with this practice in 1963. The great centennial purification of the world ceremony (Eka Dasa Rudra) was held in 1963 (end up with eruption of Mount Agung and considered as a failure, re-enacted successfully in 1979). During the official preparations and execution of this grand ceremony (around 3 months), all cemeteries in Bali had to be emptied and no cremation ceremony was allowed.



All the buried corpses were unearthed and given ngaben ceremonies before the official preparations of ceremony were started. “But if there is someone who dies during the preparations and execution of ceremony, what can we do?” This was a serious question since the burial and ngaben could not be done during the preparations and execution of the ceremony and the corpse could not left to rot in the house compound, a way out had to be found. The high priests of Bali held a meeting and the problem was solved with mekingsan ring geni (since it is forbidden to bury a corpse in the ground and to hold ngaben during the ceremony, then let the corpse be buried in the fire).

Though the practice of “mekingsan ring geni” is “invented” to cope with the delicate situation in the past many Balinese nowadays continue to bury their deceased family member in the fire in order to avoid unearthing the remnants of the deceased in the future.

Nature of Bali

Bali is a part of Indonesian archipelago; lying 3.2 km east of Java and 24 west of Lombok, compare with some of the Indonesian archipelago’s giant islands, Bali is quite small with an area of 5,632 square kilometers The island is approximately 135 km wide east to west and 90 km north to south. The highest point is Mount Agung at 3,142 m (10,308 feet) and the lowest is the beaches all over the island (sea level, 0 m). Located approximately 8 degrees south of the equator, Bali has warm tropical climate with plenty of rain and agreeable dry season.



Bali is noted for the beauty and variety of the landscapes from coastal lowland to the exhilarating high mountain lakes, barren limestone plateaus to thick monsoon forests. A west-to-east volcanic chain divides the island in half. Bali’s mountains covered in tall rainforest stand in contrast to the wild and rugged beauty of volcanic craters, some of which are still active. Crater lakes are found at Batur in the east and Bratan, Buyan and Tamblingan in the rich submontane rainforest area around Bedugul. Fast flowing rivers, deep ravines, rugged saddles, and alluvial slopes score the surface of the island.


The south-central plain of Bali is intensively cultivated. Terraced rice fields dominate the landscape. As you leave the heavily cultivated southern plains ascend to the north, the landscapes change from cascades of rice fields to gardens of vegetables, onion and coffee plantations thriving in cooler climate. The mountainous highlands of Bali are field with streams, rainforests which house prehistoric tree-ferns, wildflowers, creepers, orchids, leeches, butterflies, birds and monkeys, while tall pines and cypress grow high above the mountain villages of Kintamani, Penelokan and Bedugul. Far in western part of Bali, an unspoiled, under-populated marine and forest wilderness are converted into West Bali National Park.

Far in the north, there is a sharp drop from mountain to narrow strip of fertile coastal plain around Singaraja. The lowland coastal fringe of the north is narrow and the absence of rivers makes the land dry and less suitable for rice cultivation. Clusters of palm trees, and tall grasses dominate the north Bali’s landscape give distinctly savannah appearance.

Bali has 460 km coastline but only about eight percent of the beaches consist of white sand, and they are found mostly in the resorts of Sanur, Nusa Dua, Kuta, Uluwatu, and Tanjung. The rest of the beaches feature gray-black sand. the coast from Sanur to Benoa Bay is long and sheltered, lined with 1,400 hectares of natural mangrove forest and mudflats.

Bali six volcanic peaks, all exceeding 2,000 meters trap rain clouds that swell the rivers rushing down from the highlands through deep narrow gorges overgrown with lush tropical vegetation to the astonishingly rich coastal plain of south. The pie-shaped realms of south Bali are always aligned north to south along the ravines rather than east to west. Because of this difficult topography most of highways carry traffic north and south.

The climate and topography of Bali’s fringes and offshore island differ drastically from the lush lowland plains. The far eastern peninsula of Bali, in the areas of Seraya, Amed and Ujung, are arid and hot with difficult land to cultivate. The plateau of Bukit on south peninsula of Bali is hot and dry with scarce of water and bushy thickets. The western and southern shores of this barren plateau are lined with rugged limestone cliffs and deep caves.

The island of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan which are separated from the mainland by a deep strait are as hot and dry as Bukit. The topography of these islands are combination of poor rocky soil, limestone hills, scrubby vegetations, and open grassland, but they are blessed with spectacular reef and clear water which are excellent for diving

Bali lies over two major tectonic plates, the rigid Sunda plate to the north and Indo-Australian plate to the south. These two plates grid over one another producing frequent geologic instability; put Bali under constant threat of earthquake.

Balinese Culture, Reading The Message From Nature

Balinese culture is always interacting with the surrounding environment. Their way of thinking, in order to fulfill the necessities ofthe physical and spiritual aspects of life, is based on the integration of intuitive intellect with the potential in their immediate environment. For example, if we look at their architecture, the habitat of the population living in the mountain ranges of Kintamani will not be the same as the houses of the Balinese living in the flatlands of Gianyar, or the coastal area of Kuta, even if the climate and weather is not drastically different.

Sirap (shingle) of bamboo is more often used as material for the roofs of buildings in the mountainous areas of Kintamani because, aside from the fact that it functions as a shield from the cold air, there are many bamboo bushes to be found around Kintamani. On the other hand, in lowland and coastal areas, people choose alang-alang (dry grasses) for their roofing, because this is the easiest material to be found in their surrounding environment.


It is not only in architecture that variations can be observed within Balinese culture. The people living in the different regions of this island have characteristics of their own in carrying out their daily lives. Their manner of speech, language, dialect, and attitudes in communication, very cleany shows their place of origin. It is also in their conduct of religion and art that local characteristics, which vary from region to region in Bali, are very cleany observable as well.

Desa-kala-patra, or place-time-situation, is a three fold concept which function as the basis upon which diversity in the conduct of the people of Bali exists in carrying out daily life. However, even if their culture differs from area to area, the goal is always the same, homage. As stated in a verse in a work of classical literature: ‘bhineka tunggal ika tan hana dharma mangruwa‘, which can be explained as ‘different but one, there is not two, but one truth’. The people find justification in the existence of diversity, directed towards one ultimate goal. For the Balinese homage, based on sincerity, is the realization of truth, or dharma, and it is here that Hinduism provides its followers with a path to cultivate their karma.

Bamboo in Bali

Bamboo is a tree-sized grass that is the fastest growing plant on earth. Some species have a growth rate of up to 1-metre a month and can be harvested every 3 to 5 years. Although bamboo is native to Asia, it grows on every continent and is abundant throughout Indonesia and especially on the island of Bali.


Bamboo is often referred to as a source of life for the Balinese as every part of this renewable natural resource is utilized for ritual Hindu existence. The sheer strength of bamboo is amazing and it is perhaps the most versatile material within the local community. While bamboo is an ecologically friendly substitute for timber in building and furniture, it also conserves the environment by re-enforcing precious topsoil along riverbanks and deforested areas.

Balinese architecture takes full advantage of bamboo and it is used to create traditional structures with lightweight support beams, rafters and durable roof and floor tiles. Bamboo also makes inexpensive scaffolding for construction, a sturdy ladder, irrigation piping as well as strips for binding.

Balinese live by a strict set of guidelines that is determined by a devotion that seeks a harmonious balance between mankind, the environment and God Almighty. Therefore, offerings are constantly made to appease the Gods as well as the spirits of the underworld. Ceremonies and temple celebrations take place daily around the island and bamboo is an essential resource for the Hindu religion. Bamboo strips are woven into baskets, temporary shrines and carved into sticks for sate, while full lengths are used as decorative poles called penjors that are symbolic of the sacred mountain Gunung Agung. A razor sharp piece of green bamboo is used in the ritual slaughter of sacrificial animals that are required for particular ceremonial offerings.



Thin lengths of bamboo are used to craft flutes that produce the soothing background music favoured by many Balinese spas and hotel lobbies. Larger pieces of bamboo also make the xylophone keys and resonators of the traditional instruments played by villagers around the island. Different lengths of bamboo can be assembled into wind chimes and toys which tinkle lightly when caressed by a soft breeze. This multipurpose overgrown grass can also be styled into furniture, handicrafts, paper and matting.

Young bamboo shoots make a tasty and nutritional food source and the leaves of this flourishing plant is an alternative feed supplement for animals. The Chinese have always used bamboo as an ingredient in traditional medicine due to its healing properties. The root from a species of black bamboo is believed to treat kidney disease, while a powdered form of bamboo secretion can assist asthma and respiratory ailments.


There was a time when bamboo was once called ‘poor man’s timber’. However, the significance of bamboo was exposed to a world audience in 1995 when Bali hosted the 4th International Bamboo Congress. This event successfully brought together a unique group of environmentalists, scientists, architects, musicians, designers and business representative to discuss bamboo and its many uses. Bamboo has been used by the Balinese for centuries and if nurtured properly there is no doubt that it will continue to serve the island and its people well into the future.

2007-11-14

People of Bali

The Balinese are just one of Indonesia’s 250 ethnic groups. Like most Indonesians they are a blend of races, with the accent on the deutero-malayan race of Central and East Java, with traces, of Polynesian and Melanesian blood, as well as Indian and Chinese. This genetic back ground explains the variety of radical types seen on the island most Balinese are small hand some people with round delicate features thick black hair long sweeping eyelashes heart shaped lips and warm brown complexions others are darker skinned and straight haired like pacific islanders, or curly haired with flat noses like Papuans.



The Balinese are an extraordinarily creative people with a highly sensual theatrical culture. Culturally, the Javanese lean more toward refinement and modesty, keeping themselves in check in life and art, while the Balinese prefer the headier, flashier sensations – laugh, terror, spicier and sweeter foods. Balinese are more lavish and baroque in their colors and decorations, with more explosive music and fast, jerky dancing.


The first inhabitants of Bali were Austronesian ethnic from Tonkin in South China, they are known as Bali Mula (the true Bali). Around 8th century the great Sage Markandya and 800 of his followers came from Mount Raung in the Basuki area of East Java to settle in Bali, but a pestilence broke and killed most of the settlers. Some years later he returned, this time with only 400 people, from the village of Aga. They performed the ceremony of burying the Five Metals (pancadatu) - gold, silver, iron, copper and precious stone - at a place on the slopes of Mount Agung. This place is now called Pura Besakih. They are settled in the areas around Campuan, Taro, Tegalalang and Payangan and the present temple area of Besakih. These settlers are known as Bali Aga.

The successful establishment of settlers from Aga in Bali led to constant influx of settlers from Java. The most significant influx of Javanese settlers to Bali was arrived at the time when Bali was conquered by Majapahit Empire of East Java. Many Majapahit’s settlers came to Bali, they are known as Wong Majapahit. Early in 16th century Majaphit collapsed, thousands of Majapahit’s scholars, jurist, dancers, painters, craftsman, intellectual, literati and priests came to settle in Bali. This new settlers brought new breath to the Balinese culture.

With total population of around 3,300.000, the population density of Bali is nearly 560 per square kilometer; Bali is Indonesia’s second most densely populated island after Java. The vast majority of rural population practices sycretic Bali-Hindu religion. There are also sprinkling of Muslim in the coastal town and Denpasar, a Bugis settlement on Serangan Island, Buddhist in the mountain and Christians everywhere. Several thousand Arabs and Indian live in Denpasar. Ten thousands Chinese are found in the main trading centers of Denpasar, Singaraja, and Amlapura. There are also around 27,000 Western expatriates – clothes designers, exporters, artists, aid workers, consultants, English teachers. Many western jewelry and garment makers have intermarried with the Balinese.

Hierarchy in Bali

Hierarchy is an important notion in Bali and still plays a dominant role in Balinese culture. In Bali, hierarchy is believed to be the foundation of order in the family, society, even in the universe. Most aspects of Balinese culture are influenced by this hierarchal system. In short, everything in Bali is set with hierarchal order.

Space and direction are ranked from the most auspicious mountainwards (kaja) to the least auspicious seawards (kelod). House compound is set with standard hierarchal order in which family temple occupy the most auspicious place (kaja), house for the Balinese occupy the middle area and pigsty occupy the least auspicious place (kelod). Person is ranked base on their caste, Brahmana (high priest), Ksatrya (nobleman), Wesya (gentry), and Jaba (commoner) though some reformist abhorred this idea. Priests are elaborately ranked by their kin group, the level of initiation rituals that have been done for them, and the size of temple they tend. Like persons, ancestors and deities are ranked, sometimes indicated by the number of levels (meru) on their shrines. Language is ranked from refined (alus), common (kepara), and rough (kasar). Religious ceremony is ranked from small (alit), medium (madya), and large (agung). Even the cosmos itself is ranked, from demonic beings and animals, to humanity, to ancestors and gods.


All these hierarchal systems are interwoven and linked to one another, for example the hierarchy of language is strongly related with caste system. The commoners address and speak to the gentries, noblemen, and the high priests with refined language while the gentries, noblemen, and high priests address and speak to the commoners with common language. In other word, person from lower position in the hierarchy use refined language when speaking to the person from higher hierarchy, while person from higher position in the hierarchy use common language to speak with person from lower position in the hierarchy.

Balinese hierarchy has long been associated with status competition and holding a spectacular religious ceremony is the most common way to win this competition. The noblemen especially the royal family legitimize their royal rule higher position in the hierarchy by conducting a large high level ceremony that need hundreds of worker and thousands working hours to prepare, and of course vast amount of money. Some Balinese especially the higher position in the hierarchy has a desire not to be outdone by others in ritual lavishness.

Some Balinese oppose the idea of hierarchal system applied for human, “human are equal” is their motto. In their opinion caste is interpreted as varna (division of duty or labor), Brahmana has a duty to officiate religious ritual and provide a guidance to the society so everyone which do these duty is a Brahmana regardless of his caste in old hierarchal system, Ksatrya has a duty to govern the state therefore all people which is involve in governing activities is a ksatrya though he come from Sudra or Brahmana caste, the wesya is people who involve in trade, and Sudra is people that has a profession of farmer and rough laborer. This view however only practice by small number of Balinese, most Balinese still adhere to the old hierarchal system.