TOP 10 BEST ISLAND IN THE WORD

TOP 10 ISLANDS

Rank	'11	Name	Score
1	4	Boracay, Philippines	93.10
2	2	Bali	90.41
3	10	Galápagos	89.55
4	9	Maui	89.53
5	5	Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia	89.28
6	1	Santorini, Greece	89.20
7	8	Kauai	89.09
8	7	Big Island, Hawaii	87.95
9	6	Sicily, Italy	87.87
10	-	Vancouver Island, British Columbia	87.48

- means that the winner was not among the top-ranked in this category last year.

denotes a World's Best Awards debut.

denotes a rate of $250 or less

denotes Hall of Fame

denotes T+L Find

Throughout the World’s Best Awards, scores are rounded to the nearest hundredth of a point; in the event of an exact tie, properties, companies, or destinations share the same ranking. 

-source fr http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/2012/islands

TOP 10 CITIES

Rank	'11	Name	Score
1	1	Bangkok	89.87
2	2	Florence	89.14
3	5	Istanbul	89.11
4	6	Cape Town	88.64
5	8	Sydney	88.52
6	3	Rome	88.49
7	4	New York City	88.12
8	-	Hong Kong	88.03
9	-	Kyoto, Japan	87.90
10	10	Paris	87.67

- means that the winner was not among the top-ranked in this category last year.

denotes a World's Best Awards debut.

denotes a rate of $250 or less

denotes Hall of Fame

denotes T+L Find

Throughout the World’s Best Awards, scores are rounded to the nearest hundredth of a point; in the event of an exact tie, properties, companies, or destinations share the same ranking.

Tips For Budget Traveller to Bali

Bali can be cheaper or very expensive vacation depend on you. If you have tough budget, this is a few tips.

1) Make sure you allocate airport tax Rp150000(15 USD ) per person.

2) Hotel in KUTA or Sanur can offer more cheaper rate and near to facilities, so you save a lot on transportation even just to get a food by just walk to restaurant or warung. The best way to get cheaper accommodation is to book via AGODA.com. They always offer very good rate compare to the others website. I manage to get only 93 USD for 4 nite stay in Bali and the hotel not so bad, they have swimming pool, WIFI, breakfast provided and even SPA.

3) Always use Bluebird Taxi (It use Meter) if you don't have transportation and the most cheaper is traveling via Bus. If you travel as a group, it much better to hire a independence driver. Normally cost is about Rp350000 per day. You can always bargain with the driver before taking a deal. If you couple, it really cheap if you taking motorbike.Rental rate about Rp50000( 5 USD )

4) Shopping- Do not shopping at Kuta Beach as the price is triple from Pasar Sukuwati. Most of the seller in Kuta taking all the goods from Pasar Sukuwati and selling in Kuta. If you really need to shop for souvenir in Kuta Beach, pls bargain to 3times lowest. If you want to buy art work, head yourself to UBUD. Price more cheaper for artwork in that area.

5)  If you need to use BEMO, pls bargain price before you step in. Most BEMO only travel for short distance like 5km-10km and max charges should not exceed Rp5000. 

6) My cost for 5days in Bali-budget travel:-

 -Flight- USD 83( RM250.00) for return trip kuala lumpur-denpasar( bought during Air Asia promo)
 -Hotel- USD 93 (RM293.00) for 5days and 4night booking via Agoda.com(hotel name Abian Srama located at Sanur.Nice place to stay.
-Travelling cost in Bali- USD 25(RM75.00)
-Food- USD 50( RM150.00)
-Shopping for souvenier-USD 50(RM150.00)
-Airport tax- USD 15( RM46.00)

Total cost= USD 316( RM960.00)

HALAL FOOD IN BALI

Halal Logo by MUI

Since Bali population is about 92% Hindu while remaining is muslim, Halal food is a bit difficult to find but not impossible. Most fast food like McDonald, KFC, Pizza Hut are certified halal food by Indonesia Government. You can check Halal logo at the entrance of the shop. Fast food is mostly available in Sanur, Kuta , Denpasar and Seminyak. 

If you craving for some Nasi Padang/ Ayam Penyek, few places serves halal local food - please check if the warung stated Mulim warung. In Sanur, there is few warung serve by muslim in Pasar Tradisional Sinur Sadhu. Price for local food really cheap in warung. Most of the warung food will state or write it if it Muslim. 

Be careful of all warung, all of them look the same but mostly are not halal and menu like Babi guling is available at most of the warung.

Another halal food, please Check out these food joint... Warung Jawa Barat, Natrabu Minang Restaurant, Bundo Kanduang, Madani Restaurant. These restaurants are in Kuta, Sanur, Denpasar & Seminyak. They have Halal Certification number issued by MUI.

TRANSPORTATION IN BALI

Because of the size of the island, it is not difficult to get around Bali by various modes of transportation. The traditional types of transportation to the high class limousine are available for tourist to choose. Not to forget the sea transportation that connect Bali to some of its sister islands. However, train does not exist in Bali.

BEMO

Bemo : this is the most used transportation in Bali especially in the city of Denpasar,Sanur. It is a miniature van with a routine route set by local government periodically. This type of transportation is good for short distance around town and cities, because of its size and passenger can get in and out at any point. Most BEMO only cover certain route with short distance 5km-10km. Price ranges usually around Rp 5,000 to Rp 10,000 per one stop over.

Price update 2012

fr Sanur- Denpasar, max Rp5000( pls bargain price before hop to BEMO, most driver tend to overcharge tourist)

 

Buses : there are buses for transportation between towns that relatively bigger compared to bemo. These buses connect all towns and most places of the island through local bus stations. Likewise bemo, buses also can be stopped at any point of the routes. They mostly operate day time inter island, but some are available at night for long distances within cities. Fares are between Rp. 1.500 to Rp. 10.000 per one stop point.

Not all area cover via buses example No buses go to Tanah Lot

fr SANUR to Kuta- fix price Rp3500

Bluebird Taxi

Taxi : Taxi is the most efficient and convenience transportation in the island. Either chartered or metered one, they are everywhere and quite inexpensive compared to some other countries. In Bali there are some different companies providing taxi services.

For meter taxi, please find BLUEBIRD Taxi and please check before you enter taxi either they using meter or not. Meter start at Rp5000.

Most taxi have same color which is blue but not all is BLUEBIRD Taxi. Other taxi mostly refuse to use meter or simply tell you meter was broke down.Be careful of taxi charges.

For example, fr Kuta beach to airport normally around Rp 30000-Rp50000 depend traffic.( via Bluebird taxi)

From Central Kuta to Kuta Beach via Bluebird taxi normally range around Rp8000- Rp 12000 only.

From airport, there is no bluebird taxi around unless you walk a bit to outside the airport.Most taxi do not want to pay for tax charges to go inside the airport and they waiting outside.

Inside the airport mostly there is a lot of private driver or van that offered you to hotel with expensive charges. Mostly from airport to Sanur or Kuta, they will charge you around Rp100,000- Rp150,000 while if you walk outside the gate, plenty of bluebird taxi with only charges around Rp35000- Rp50000. Almost double the price.

Rental Cars, Motorbikes and Bicycles : If you plan to explore Bali in half day or full day trip, the best way is hiring a car with the driver. The average rate is from Rp 200,000(half day) to Rp 350,000-Rp450,000 a day(8-12hours) depending on the type of the vehicle. There are many independent car rentals around the island.

 If you wish to have better services, you can go to a Travel Agent. You even can hire a tour guide of your own language. The other possibility is to rent a self drive car. An international driving license from your own country is required. 

This rule also applicable for motorbike rental, but in some cases you can get a temporary permit at local police office. Price ranges are around Rp. 35,000 to Rp. 50,000 per day for motorbike and Rp. 15,000 for bicycle. Likewise, a safety helmet is a compulsory when you ride a motorbike. Meanwhile, bicycles are normally available for rent at hotels. Some bigger resorts even provides bicycle tour for free including a professional tour guide.

BALI AIRPORT TAX

Reminded to all traveler,

Airport tax to Bali is not include in flight ticket, with effective from November 1, 2007, the airport tax at Denpasar’s International Airport Ngurah Rai is Rp.150,000 for international flights. All travelers heading to a destination outside Indonesia have to pay this tax after check-in.
If you are traveling to other places in Indonesia, the airport tax for domestic flights is Rp. 11 – 30,000.
The payment of airport tax must make in cash and only Rupiah can be accepted; so make sure you reserve some Rupiah for this purpose.
Just for your information, if Indonesian citizens wish to travel oversea, they need to pay an additional Rp.1,000,000 fiscal before leaving Indonesia.
However, if an Indonesian citizen who is currently working in other countries but returns to Indonesia during the employment period, they can be exempted for the fiscal charge provided the address in his passport has updated to his current employer’s company address

BALI TRAVEL TIPS

 

Visa to Visit Indonesia

The Department of Justice and Human Rights has officially determined that as of August 2005: Indonesia Government had granted visa on arrival favor to 52 countries to be able to purchase the visa on arrival facility upon their arrival in Indonesia's designed “International Gateway” at 15 airports and 21 seaports.

They are: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, RRC, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Surinam, Taiwan, The Netherland, United Arab Emirate, United Kingdom and United States of America.

And started per 28 May 2007, Indonesia will be added its Visa on Arrival (VOA) favors to more 11 countries joined with previous 52 other favored countries according to the Directorate General of Immigration recent released paper.

The 11 countries are Algeria, the Czech Republic, Fiji, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Panama, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Tunisia.

Tourists from those selected countries will not oblige to apply abroad for a visa but can purchase a visa on arrival at 15 gates of Indonesia's international airports and seaports. The fee for this visa, payable upon landing, is US$10 for a 7 day visa and US$25 for a 30-day visa.

The official entry requirements for the issuance of a 30 or 7 days visa-on arrival:

1. Passport must be from one of the countries listed above.
2. Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months from the date of entry into Indonesia.
3. Payment of US$10 or US$25 must be paid at the gateway, depending on the length of visa required.
4. Onward or return tickets are compulsory.
5. Visitors must enter and exit through one of the 15 airports or 21 seaports officially approved as an “international gateway” by the Indonesian Immigration department. 

11 countries and territories are eligible for a "Visa Free" facility. Those holding valid passports from the following countries will be granted a non-extendable 30-day Visa-Free Short Visit Permit upon arrival at an Indonesian international gateway without charge:

Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore.

Others nationals that not granted with either visa on arrival favor nor visa free favor from Indonesia government may apply for tourist visa at Indonesia embassy abroad.

 

Do's and Dont's

Things that you should pay attention for your smooth travel experience in Bali and to avoid local faux pas.

DON'T

• - Take drugs. This carry the death penalty according to Indonesian laws.
• - Step on offerings in the street - walk around them.
• - Attempt to swim outside designated areas on the beach.
• - Touch people's heads. It's very offensive to Balinese Hindus.
• - Enter temples during menstruation.
• - Use your left hand in sacking or handing over something to someone as it is considered impolite. If there is no other option then express your apology.

DO

• - Consider to put salt on your food and drink water - you will probably
  sweat a lot.
• - Convert money at a reputable looking money changer shop and independently calculate before changing. Shop around as the rate may vary, check whether the commission is added or not.
• - Put on loads of high factor waterproof Sun Cream especially if you intend to spend a lot of time in the water.
• - Drink a lot of bottled water and eat a lot of fresh fruits - do your body a favor.
• - Be careful with your belonging at all times. Leave your important documents in your hotel safe and wander around with the copies.
• - Respect the slow pace of processions - don't honk.
• - Haggle when buying, except on price-tagged goods.
• - Reconfirm your outbound flight.
• - Show your respect by wearing sarong when entering temples.

 

TOP 10 THING MUST DO IN BALI

#1- Visit Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot is a formation of the rock- off the Indonesian island of Bali. The Pura Tanah Lot (literally "Tanah Lot temple"), and a popular tourist and cultural icon for photography and general exoticism.The Tanah Lot temple was built and has been a part of Baliness mythology for centuries.

-Located in Tabanan, about 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Denpasar, the temple sits on a large offshore rock which has been shaped continuously over the years by the ocean tide.

Transportation To Tanah Lot, Tabanan.

-Currently (yr 2012) there is no public bus to go there. Traveler either have to hire car(either self-drive which usually cost around Rp250000-Rp300000) or rent a car with Pak Supir( driver).

Mostly popular in Bali is to rent a car with driver which is around Rp350000-Rp450000( USD37.00- USD 47.00) for 8-12 hour day trip.

Another mode transportation is motorbike (you can rent daily with rate 5 USD ) or use BEMO( small van which normally pick up customer to travel within short distance.If you use BEMO, make sure the price not more than Rp150000 for return trip to Tanah Lot(driver will wait you till finish sightseeing) and please bargain the price before you enter the BEMO.

-The area leading to Tanah Lot is highly commercialized and people are required to pay to enter the area.

Tanah Lot Entrance Ticket Price :

Domestic

          Children     : Rp. 7.500,-/person

          Adult         : Rp. 10.000,-/person

Foreigner

         Children      : Rp. 15.000,-/person

         Adult          : Rp. 30.000,-/person

Parking Area Ticket Price :

Motorcycle   : Rp. 2.000,-

Car              : Rp. 5.000,-

Bus             : Rp. 10.000,-

 
 To reach the temple, visitors must walk through a carefully planned set of Balinese market-format souvenir shops which cover each side of the path down to the sea. On the mainland cliff tops, restaurants have also been provided for tourists.

-Mostly popular during evening and sunset time due to sunset view from Tanah Lot is amazing. Also  in the evening dancer will perform a ritual called "kecak-kecak dance".

Visitor tips to be followed :

• Comprehend the history value and the culture about Tanah Lot tourist attraction
• Entrance fee and parking fee must be brought when the visitor already enter to Tanah Lot tourist attraction
• Do not enter to the temple except to pray
• Wearing polite and natty clothes when  meet holy snake expert in conquering animals.
• If the tide is high, the visitors prohibited to come near the coast

  
 

#2- Visit The Sacred Monkey Forest of Padang Tegal, Ubud

 The Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal is owned by the village of Padangtegal. Village members serve on the Sacred Monkey Forest's governing council (The Padangtegal Wenara Wana Foundation). The Padangtegal Wenara Wana Foundation has historically strived to develop and implement management objectives that will both maintain the sacred integrity of the monkey forest and promote the monkey forest as a sacred site that is open to visitors from around the world.

The Monkey Forest of Padangtegal represents a sacred Balinese Hindu site. In trying to understand Balinese Hinduism it is important to keep in mind that Balinese Hinduism is unlike Hinduism practiced in other parts of the world today. Balinese Hinduism combines aspects of Animism, Ancestor Worship, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

The Forest
   
   The presence of sacred forest is a demonstration of the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature. In Bali, sanctuaries such as the Monkey Forest are usually in sacred village areas, often surrounded by temples. These cultural sanctuaries are not only an important part of Balinese heritage, but also an important part of everyday live. Temple festivals are regularly held for the villagers and the gods in such areas

Desa Pakraman Padangtegal (meaning the "people's village" of Padangtegal) is located some 20 kilometers north of Denpasar, the capital of Bali province, in Ubud sub district, Gianyar regency, just south of the village of Ubud.

Entrance fee to visit Monkey Forest is:
Rp 15,000 for adults and Rp 7,500 for children

 

# 3- Visit Kintamani Volcano and Batur Lake 

Mount Batur is located at Kintamani and it has erupted about 24 times since year 1800 and still active up to now. Since the mount erupting, it has impacted to the local society life around this mount, like removing altar (Temple), improve or repairing the village and re-arrange the tradition. Lake Batur is the biggest lake in Bali and functioning as irrigation source to all farmers around it and it is also for all Bali society generally. 

Kintamani area has been founded some lodging, hotels and restaurants which are located in Kintamani and Penelokan Village. It is a famous tourist place because Kintamani area owns the beautiful panorama and it is encircled by the cold atmosphere.

Kintamani is beautifully seen at the day time around 10:00 am until 15:00 pm especially having fine weather where entire Kintamani area will be able to be seen clearly. Generally, all tourists who pay a visit to this place will arrive in the day time where they can enjoy the panorama or enjoy the lunch in the local restaurant with lake view.

Location
Kintamani Bali, Batur Volcano,is located in Kintamani sub district, Bangli Regency and about 50 km from Denpasar Town or about 2 hours by car. All roads are generally in good condition to access to this place. The fog will descend and blanket entire area of Kintamani with cold temperature in particular at late afternoon until the whole of night. The most amazing panorama at Kintamani can be seen in the morning time, when the sunrise emerges on the surface of earth precisely on the mount Batur . 

#4 Enjoying sunset and dinner at JIMBARAN

Jimbaran is a fishing village and tourist resort in Bali, Indonesia. Located south of Ngurah Rai International Airport, the beach has seafood restaurants and luxury hotels.Diners select the live seafood that they wish to eat, and it is immediately prepared, generally grilled over a fire of coconut husks rather than charcoal.Range of food price here between 60USD(Rp 600,000) up depend what seafood you order

White-sand beaches set the scene for a romantic tete à tete in Jimbaran, a quaint fishing village in Bali, Indonesia. Luxury hotels mingle with simple seafood shacks on the waterfront.

 

#5  Bali SPA

Bali is Spa Paradise -- it must have the highest ratio of spas to population of anywhere on earth!  To make this list a little easier to use, the spas noted below are grouped by AREA.  Many of the spas have pick up and drop off service.  Spas are such popular activity in Ubud. Most of the Spa offered for 4-5 hours including massage, steambath, lulur,facial, manicure& pedicure, Balinese Spa,Ayurvedic Treatments, Hot Stone Therapy , unique HAMAM Therapy, Spa course and Yoga.

Most of the Spa shop will offered free pick-up service available for Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Seminyak and Legian area.

Price range for 4-5 hour normally between Rp 400000-Rp650000(around 40USD-65USD)

#6 Learn to Surf

Bali gets the full force of southern ocean swells direct from the antarctic with its south-west and south-east coasts being littered with surf spots. The dry winter months (June-Sept) are preferred for surf conditions however this means that these are also the most crowded times.

Bali is a world surfing mecca and has developed into a bustling epicentre where surfers either start or end their world surfing 'surfaries'
Until now very few learn to surf programs have been established in Bali. 

There is so many program and camp in bali just for beginner and expert. Just enroll to the program, the trainer is very professional and expert in the field. Price range between USD 35- 150 depend program.

#7 Shopping


Bali is really shopping heaven. The attraction from art pieces, souvenir, branded shop and believe me, price is really cheap compare to other part in the word.If you looking for art work, headed to Ubud.

Ubud Art shop

Throughout the Ubud area, you can pick up inexpensive small paintings which make excellent decorative accents back home. Other crafts in the towns surrounding Ubud include weaving (Gianyar area), stone carving (Batubulan), basket making (Bona), bamboo and rattan work (Sakah and Bona), jewellery (Celuk), bone and coconut carving (Tampaksiring), batik, furniture making, bronze casting, and, decorative metalwork. Most guidebooks have a good map showing which towns are centres for which craft.

One word of warning to craft-shoppers. Prices are usually very, very flexible. Be prepared to barter. But always be polite. Some merchants are firm about prices, and rightly so. A final word of warning. Tour companies, drivers and guides are given large commissions for bringing buyers to art shops, and the cost of the commission is tacked onto the price you pay. So if you want the best price, go on your own, or choose a driver or guide who agrees to take you shopping without chasing commissions.

Pasar Sukuwati

For those of you looking for cheap souvenir in Bali, look no further!, please headed to Pasar Sukuwati (This Market quiet far from Kuta area, but its a great place for hunting Bali souvenirs, cheap, many variation, pantings, statue, bed covers, and all kinds of Balinese souvenirs. Pasar Sukuwati located in Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali about 20 min from Denpasar and 30 min from Kuta.

Krishna Ole-Ole Bali

Another cheap souvenir hunting is Krisna Oleh-Oleh Khas Bali is the place to go. You’ll find almost everything here in the convenience of a massive air conditioned store. 

 

Krisna Oleh-Oleh Khas Bali locations:

Krisna Nusa Indah

• Jl. No Nusa Indah. 77 Denpasar Bali
• Tel. 0361-262365, 264780

Krisna Nusa Kambangan

• Jl. Nusa Kambangan 160 A Denpasar Bali
• Tel. 0361-8423573, 8423574

Krisna Sunset Road

• Jl. No Sunset Road. 88 Kuta Bali Abian Base
• Tel. 0361-750031, 750987

Rama Krishna

• Jl. Raya Tuban no 2x, Bali
• Tel. 0361-764532

Kuta Street