While there are a lot of exotic and interesting destinations to visit in Indonesia, Bali remains the most popular of them all. The island offers so many things to do – an adventure for every type of traveller – and even more things to explore. It is also a very tourist-friendly destination in Asia, mainly because there are thousands of foreigners on the island at any time.
Even with Bali being very traveller-friendly, visiting the island for the first time still requires a bit of planning. You want to do your research and find out more about attractions in Bali so that you can have a packed itinerary and sample the things you enjoy the most. To help you get started, here are a few things you need to know before your first trip to Bali.
The Start of Your Trip Is Important
One of the most important things to plan before a trip to Bali or other Asian destinations is the start of the trip itself. You will spend more than 18 hours flying to your destination, so you want to be in a good mood, fully refreshed, and ready for the trip. Having to rush through security is certainly not how you want the adventure to begin.
There are a few things you can do to make the start of your trip as pleasant as possible. You can start by choosing a flight from an airport closest to you. Birmingham Airport has a number of Qatar Airways and BA flights to Denpasar, Bali. Other international airports usually have a connecting flight to Bali too.
Another way to ensure a pleasant start is by driving to the airport. Give yourself enough time and drive to the airport for maximum convenience. Pack everything the night before and recheck your bags once you are done. You can also place your bags near the door, so you don’t have to do it in the morning.
If you are flying out of Birmingham Airport, you can use BirminghamParking.com to eliminate the hassle of finding parking at the airport. The site allows you to pre-book Birmingham Airport parking and makes driving to the airport very convenient. It is the ultimate way to start a holiday and the most convenient way to go.
Learn the Customs
Bali is a very cultural place. You will find its strong cultural and religious roots to be fascinating. You also want to learn about the local customs before the actual trip. Knowing how to carry yourself and how to connect with the locals is incredibly useful. These details will help make the trip more enjoyable.
Knowing how to greet the locals is a good example. Giving the locals a nod and a smile is usually enough. They will reply with a nod and a smile. Most Balinese speak basic English, and the conversations will flow naturally after that first greeting.
You want to learn how to behave when visiting temples and sacred places too. The temples in Bali are too beautiful to miss. You have places like Tanah Lot and Uluwatu to visit, so make sure you understand the do’s and don’ts before the actual trip, so you don’t end up offending the locals.
One more thing to remember: drugs of any kind are prohibited. The penalty for carrying drugs into the country is death and the last thing you want is for your trip to end abruptly because you are bringing medications that are not allowed by Indonesian law.
It’s Cheap!
Yes, Bali is one of the most affordable destinations in the world. Drinks, meals, and other things you may need along the way are much cheaper than you’d expect. That said, you want to learn about the local prices before the actual trip, so you don’t get scammed while exploring the island.
While the island and its locals are incredible, there are still those who try to profit from travellers, especially foreign travellers. Expect jacked up prices and always take the time to haggle when shopping at one of the local markets or street vendors.
Speaking of meals, you have a lot of delicious cuisines to sample while you are in Bali. The local warongs (food stalls or vendors) sell Indonesian and Balinese cuisines; all of them are incredible and are definitely worth a try. As with most Asian dishes, you will find more spices and pronounced flavours in the dishes you try.
If you want to stick with international cuisines, there are also places like Nusa Dua and Seminyak where many of the Western, Mediterranean and international restaurants are located. The meals in these restaurants are noticeably more expensive, but the prices are still generally lower than UK or European prices.
That’s it! Cover these details, do enough research, and you will have a memorable trip to Bali for sure. The island is fascinating in every way and you will return from Bali with a big smile.
Love traveling.
Yes, it is really cheap in Bali (accommodation and food)