1014 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Do not forget your school supplies. We will be giving them to children in Bali...and that will be less weight on the Wakatobi portion of the flight.

[Kuraman]

Folks don't forget there is a service charge 3%-5% to use Credit Cards in Indonesia. Absolute Scube charges 3.5%

Are ATMs/Debit card terminals easily found?

Use ATM's at the airport if possible. Most Circle K's have a ATM machine in them, but once in Padang Bai, I think there is only 1 place to get money (always have mine with me when I get up there). If you are traveling thru Singapore you can get Rupiah in the airport, and there are money changers at airport in Bali. Kuta, Sanur, Ubud will have ATM machines in a lot of places. Stick w/ Citibank or Lippo Bank ATM's if at all possible.

Great info. as usual Kuraman! But the latecomers like me probably won't have much of a chance to hit an ATM in Denpasar (Maybe at airport?) and I doubt moneychangers will be open in the airport that late either. So we will be dependent on what Padang Bai can offer.

I'm travelling thru Tokyo...should I be able to get Rupiah there?

The ATM at the airport is just as you enter the baggage hall on the right. there are 2 -3 ther. The money changers in the airport will definitely be open, this is how they make there living, and yours is not the last flight of the night (one from Aus arrives at midnight). Better to take 2-3 min at airport.

Mike

[Kuraman]

yes in Indonesia, you need Clean, new, monsey w/ NO writing on it. Also you will have a problem changing less than a 20, they want 100's, and you will get a better exchange rate with bigger bills

How realistically will be be able to spend large amounts of converted money?

Define lare amounts, hahaha for me $100-200 US, maybe not the same for you.
Basically you will only spend money on incedentals, tips, and shopping for 'stuff'. You can easily go thru $100 for souvenirs, tips at the resort maybe $10-15/day total, drinks $1 for a coke, $3 for drink or beer (probably high on this one, I take my own booze). I don't shop much, but do pick up some food ther to bring back, and I usually change $200, and have Rp left after a 5 day trip which I spend in the airport. Andy may be able to change some money for folks, but he generally deals in USD at the resort. so everything can be settled in $. just clean new ones

Remeber $200 US is just short of Rp 2,000,000, you will have a big wad of bills, hard to get Rp100,000 notes, usually Rp50,000.

I'm not going to volunteer to be a money changer, but I will bring lots of Rp, because I have 2 more trips back to Bali before Nov.1

Mike

[Kuraman]

After leaving arrival hall in Denpasar.

"Please turn LEFT after leaving the arrival hall and look for baskin Robins ice cream" driver will be waiting with sign board ABSOLUTE SCUBA BALI

[Kuraman]

Just chatted w/ Andy at resort.

I have changed all pricing to us$ for all rooms , diving , tours drinks meals and so on 9:17 AM

and the exchange is the rate od the day + 500 points 9:17 AM

so if the ex rate is 9200 9:18 AM

we will charge 9700 9:18 AM

because we have to change it back to us$

So it looks like $$ iss the way to go at Padang Bai

[rkymtwy]

Thanks for all the info on the money information in Bali.

Does anyone know if cash is required for anything when we get to Wakatobi? I'm sure the answer is someplace in this thread but I'm also pretty sure I would never find it.

[Divegirl412]

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Do not forget your school supplies. We will be giving them to children in Bali...and that will be less weight on the Wakatobi portion of the flight.

Got them.. Need to check my weight :-).

And BTW, if you are still keeping up with milestones, Karen posted earlier that she will make dive 200, I will be making the relatively lowly dive # 150.

[WreckWench]

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Do not forget your school supplies. We will be giving them to children in Bali...and that will be less weight on the Wakatobi portion of the flight.

Got them.. Need to check my weight :-).

And BTW, if you are still keeping up with milestones, Karen posted earlier that she will make dive 200, I will be making the relatively lowly dive # 150.

Yes we are keeping up with milestones...I just missed it.

But maybe you'll let me dive with you to make it up!

150 surely counts in MY book!

[Kuraman]

Folks,
Off to Bali in 1 hr, I DO NOT TAKE A COMPUTER, I GO TO DIVE. Actually if my boss knew I travelled w/ comp he would bug me the entire time, so I just don't. May have an opportunity to check the post and email on Saturday or Sunday if there are any last questions, but by then most of you will be on your way also. have safe flights

Mike

[WreckWench]

Folks,
Off to Bali in 1 hr, I DO NOT TAKE A COMPUTER, I GO TO DIVE. Actually if my boss knew I travelled w/ comp he would bug me the entire time, so I just don't. May have an opportunity to check the post and email on Saturday or Sunday if there are any last questions, but by then most of you will be on your way also. have safe flights

Mike

Thank you Mike for everything! I'm still posting some last minute items but we should be good to go! kamala

[WreckWench]

I was under the impression we were going to start diving with Absolute the morning of 10/6? Do we have dives scheduled yet? Did we ever get a list of days/times for sightseeing, etc? Just not clear yet...

Shawn by now I'm sure you've figured out the trip starts the 6th which is the official arrival day. The diving starts the 7th. Plans for sightseeing or extra diving on the 6th for those arriving the 4th or 5th have been posted in the pre-trip special discussion forum and you will decide when you get there what you want to do.

[WreckWench]

Ok the sightseeing update is in the pre-trip special discussion forum as well as more info on what to do when you arrive etc.

We should be good to go now.

Final Reminders...

1. The resort will charge us in USD if you prefer for tours, drinks etc.
2. SD will be sending you your final extra nights rooming charges Thursday. You can pay via paypal, check-by-fax or bring your payment with you.
3. Don't forget your school supplies...we are giving them to needy children in Bali.
4. Tours and sightseeing will be handled on the resort and we've listed many options in the pre-trip special discussion forum. (If you need the link and access again let either Scubapunk or I know.)
5. If using USD for exchanging or as currency remember:

a. CLEAN and CRISP non-folded bills
b. Big bills such as 50's and 100's are better to exchange
c. No bills from 1991 to 2003

[WreckWench]

Hello members attending this trip, please read this topic in the pre-trip special discussion forum here.

[drckw]

Hello members attending this trip, please read this topic in the pre-trip special discussion forum here.

need a password to get into the forum. What is it?

[ScubaDawg]

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Do not forget your school supplies. We will be giving them to children in Bali...and that will be less weight on the Wakatobi portion of the flight.

Got them.. Need to check my weight :-).

And BTW, if you are still keeping up with milestones, Karen posted earlier that she will make dive 200, I will be making the relatively lowly dive # 150.

I wish!!! Nope, I will be making dive 100 not 200! so you still have me beat, lol.........