219 replies to this topic

[Kuraman]

Thanks for the heads up...how do we find out more? I usually take a bottle of something to sip on this trip.

So exactly what do they do during a special evaluation?

Folks, the Liquor allowance is 1 liter, no problem. They have been checking more bags in Bali for the last year, and the chalk X's have been around for years. We (my friends and I who go to Bali often), go straight to the washroom after we clear immigration, wet a cloth and just discreetly wipe the X's off of our bags if they have one.
All they will do is confiscate the bottle.
The tabacco allowance is enough for 16 cans, but I have never been bothered, it is booze and cigarettes which they are looking for.

Kuraman

[Kuraman]

2 1/2 weeks to Bali, see y'all there

[shawnabbott]

2 1/2 weeks to Bali, see y'all there

Would like to go again sometime, but i'll be in Tanzania in 3 days for a couple of weeks.

[Kuraman]

just athought for anyone is hasn't had enough diving after returning to Bali. Since I am not going to make the Bali portion fo this trip with the SD group, I am planning on heading up to Amed to dive on Saturday. A couple of dive site we found doing exploratory diving around the Island a few years back. Just 2 morning dives, then back to Sanur Kuta.

If your interested let me know. I usually stay up at Amed, but can be flexible.

Mike

[ScubaPunk]

Document Update:

1. Thomas aka Spacediver: Received your Survey!

[deb4diving]

Kamala,
Is it better to use a credit card or cash & how much should I bring-Not familiar with this area.
Thx, Debra

[WreckWench]

Kamala,
Is it better to use a credit card or cash & how much should I bring-Not familiar with this area.
Thx, Debra

Great question!

As many of you know I NEVER use credit cards on trips. First off I can never be sure it will work...with all the anti-fraud precautions that our cc companies employ these days that end up stopping GOOD transactions...who knows if it will work when you need it. (Several members had this problem in Bonaire this past week.) Secondly at least one person on many of our trips report back later that 'somehow' their card number was compromised and they have unauthorized transactions on their cards. Heck I've had that happen in the states so I never give someone overseas the chance.

Third...most of what you need cash for is minimal... tips, gifts, trinkets, alcohol. Ok the latter for some of you may not be minimal but you get the idea. For the record I think its safe to allow Wakatobi to run your credit card but why take a chance if you don't have too. Nitrox is $200 and your tips will be 10-15% of your trip cost or $350-$500 for both resorts. So even if you travel with $1000 or so its still safer in my opinion than having your credit card stolen. Think of your credit limits and how long it might take to find out not to mention the hassle of changing your card with all the auto charges most of us have set up using our credit cards. (PLUS you often pay 5-7% of the transaction price for cc fees on top of what your credit card company charges you for international transactions. And traveler's checks are not much better...they are expensive and many places do not want to accept them. I personally hate accepting them as I'm sitting on about $400 in uncashable traverler's checks due to not being able to read the signature and they signed on the wrong line so the bank will not accept them.)

So if you MUST use a credit card then go and get a disposable or gift card type and use that. Even if its stolen they can only get the amount you put on it for the trip.

OR just carry the cash. When is the last time you heard anyone stealing someone's cash? I've never had anyone ever on our trips report that their cash was stolen...sadly I can not say the same for credit cards.

So everyone is free to make their own decisions but since you asked I thought I would share my opinion based upon all the trips I've run and my experiences. Kamala

[uwfan]

Tips for this trip - 10 - 15% total... but how best to break out the tips for each resort? I'd like to try to figure out what denomination of bills to bring with me but I'm not sure what percentage of the total tips I'm planning on giving should go to each resort...

[Kuraman]

Kamala,
Is it better to use a credit card or cash & how much should I bring-Not familiar with this area.
Thx, Debra

Great question!

As many of you know I NEVER use credit cards on trips. First off I can never be sure it will work...with all the anti-fraud precautions that our cc companies employ these days that end up stopping GOOD transactions...who knows if it will work when you need it. (Several members had this problem in Bonaire this past week.) Secondly at least one person on many of our trips report back later that 'somehow' their card number was compromised and they have unauthorized transactions on their cards. Heck I've had that happen in the states so I never give someone overseas the chance.

Third...most of what you need cash for is minimal... tips, gifts, trinkets, alcohol. Ok the latter for some of you may not be minimal but you get the idea. For the record I think its safe to allow Wakatobi to run your credit card but why take a chance if you don't have too. Nitrox is $200 and your tips will be 10-15% of your trip cost or $350-$500 for both resorts. So even if you travel with $1000 or so its still safer in my opinion than having your credit card stolen. Think of your credit limits and how long it might take to find out not to mention the hassle of changing your card with all the auto charges most of us have set up using our credit cards. (PLUS you often pay 5-7% of the transaction price for cc fees on top of what your credit card company charges you for international transactions. And traveler's checks are not much better...they are expensive and many places do not want to accept them. I personally hate accepting them as I'm sitting on about $400 in uncashable traverler's checks due to not being able to read the signature and they signed on the wrong line so the bank will not accept them.)

So if you MUST use a credit card then go and get a disposable or gift card type and use that. Even if its stolen they can only get the amount you put on it for the trip.

OR just carry the cash. When is the last time you heard anyone stealing someone's cash? I've never had anyone ever on our trips report that their cash was stolen...sadly I can not say the same for credit cards.

So everyone is free to make their own decisions but since you asked I thought I would share my opinion based upon all the trips I've run and my experiences. Kamala

Folks,
Another way around this problem (if you have a good bank) is get a 2nd ATM card and put a limit per day, and a total wilthdrawal limt on it. There are almost always ATM machines at airports, and both UOB and BCA banks in Bali are safe to get Rupiah. The locals really do not like small bills (its not like Mexico and other places in the Caribbean, they can not usually change small bills for local money, and if they can they get ripped-off by the money changer.

Almost every place in Indonesia will charge 3%-5% for CC charges.

Kuraman

[scubabjs]

Tips for this trip - 10 - 15% total... but how best to break out the tips for each resort? I'd like to try to figure out what denomination of bills to bring with me but I'm not sure what percentage of the total tips I'm planning on giving should go to each resort...

Cash is King, I traveled for 7 weeks in SE Asia and never used my CC, I carried about 3,000 in cash and came back with 800. Using the CC is just too much of a pain. The one upside is ATM cards work great, there is a ATM machine right when you clear customs in Bali, go pull out the MAX that you can (1.5M Rp) and you will be set for local currency for a 1 week trip.

If you don't want to do that there are money changers in the airport, and will gladlly accept your new 100 bills.

Bjs

[Kuraman]

Kamal,
I think i have arranged for Agus to be you dive guide again in Bali, I have also requested Prass (the dive director for Air Diving) and if he can make it, he will be joining Agus. Prass knows the dive sites better than anyone on the Island, he is who we always went with on our 'exploratory tours"

[WreckWench]

IMPORTANT TRIP UPDATES:

1. Extra nights for KeysBuddy and SpaceDiver are being arranged. Did you both agree to room together to save money or do you want separate rooms? You should be on the same flights.

2. I will do a break out for the two trips so you can plan your tips better. However having a lot of smaller bills is better if doing your tips in cash. If you are going to exchange for local currency then using NEW $100 bills is good.

3. TRIP DOCS: Since we run group trips we rarely issue any group docs however since 2 of you are arriving early I will be sending you documentation as well as posting the same general info such as hotel contact info etc.

4. WHAT TO DO UPON ARRIVAL: In our private forum I will post a detailed description of what you need to do upon arrival. This will cover those arriving early as well as staying late.

[WreckWench]

Kamal,
I think i have arranged for Agus to be you dive guide again in Bali, I have also requested Prass (the dive director for Air Diving) and if he can make it, he will be joining Agus. Prass knows the dive sites better than anyone on the Island, he is who we always went with on our 'exploratory tours"

AWESOME! Our members are soooooooooooooo awesome!!!

[WreckWench]

Tips for this trip - 10 - 15% total... but how best to break out the tips for each resort? I'd like to try to figure out what denomination of bills to bring with me but I'm not sure what percentage of the total tips I'm planning on giving should go to each resort...

Cash is King, I traveled for 7 weeks in SE Asia and never used my CC, I carried about 3,000 in cash and came back with 800. Using the CC is just too much of a pain. The one upside is ATM cards work great, there is a ATM machine right when you clear customs in Bali, go pull out the MAX that you can (1.5M Rp) and you will be set for local currency for a 1 week trip.

If you don't want to do that there are money changers in the airport, and will gladlly accept your new 100 bills.

Bjs

Thanks Brian...great advice!!!

[SpaceDiver]

IMPORTANT TRIP UPDATES:

1. Extra nights for KeysBuddy and SpaceDiver are being arranged. Did you both agree to room together to save money or do you want separate rooms? You should be on the same flights.

2. I will do a break out for the two trips so you can plan your tips better. However having a lot of smaller bills is better if doing your tips in cash. If you are going to exchange for local currency then using NEW $100 bills is good.

3. TRIP DOCS: Since we run group trips we rarely issue any group docs however since 2 of you are arriving early I will be sending you documentation as well as posting the same general info such as hotel contact info etc.

4. WHAT TO DO UPON ARRIVAL: In our private forum I will post a detailed description of what you need to do upon arrival. This will cover those arriving early as well as staying late.

Hello,

I have not yet arranged for a place to stay in Bali the day before the main group arrives. I am interested in the possibility of sharing a room or hearing about any recommendations or advice such as from KeysBuddy. Since this is my rirst SD trip, I want to find out ahead of time how to meet up with the main group. I imagine meeting at baggage claim may work, but flights may be delayed, so I would also like to determine how to contact the airline to get flight status.

SpaceDiver