Bali - weather and money changers

Weather
So many posts on travel forums about the weather.
Day time temperatures are ALWAYS about 30 degrees and at night 25 degrees. There is very little variation.
The difference is in the humidity and that can make a great difference.
In the wet season, usually November through to March, humidity can be very high and many people find it uncomfortable. The only places to be are in air conditioned rooms, in front of or under a fan, find a cool breeze, or if you have to indoors without air conditioning by an open window to catch any breeze there may be.
Many people like to be in Bali during June and July, the dry season,  when the humidity is much lower.

When it is the wet season it does not rain every day. Typically rain is in very heavy showers that may last 1/2 hour or so. Some of the showers can be torrential. It is not usual to have steady rain all day. Frequently the rain is during the night, early morning or late afternoon.

Thunder and lightning are quite common but it is mostly between cloud masses. Lightning does not often strike the ground.

Rain patterns have been changing over the years and there has been heavy rain during the dry months of June and July.

Of course any time of the year is time to relax by the pool.

Get more tips by clicking the link below

More Great Bali Tips including Places to go and shopping

Money and what to take  
Most people take cash. All major currencies are easy to exchange, Au$, US$, UK sterling, Euros, Yen. The place I ALWAYS use is P T Kuta Central. THey have red and blue signs. The head office, more like a bank, is about 400m from Bemo Corner, going away from the beach. They have agencies in many Kodak shops. Large amounts of cash can be exchanged. The main office has a computer display of the latest exchange rates. They give a print out of each transaction. You can count your money as many times as you like before you leave. I have NEVER known them to be wrong. NEVER go to money changers at the back of small shops or stalls or to those offering rates above any one else. There is always a trick. The money changers are quicker than magicians and you will find several notes have fallen into their laps or back into the cash drawer.

Indonesian bank notes
Indonesian money has many 0000s which can be very confusing. Some notes are of a similar colour, especially the 10 000Rp note a reddish purple colour and the 100 000Rp note a red colour. Take time to check when you are paying or receiving money. I keep large denomination notes in one pocket and smaller denomination notes in another. I also never bring out wads of notes so that the sellers can see. I try to take out just what I need.
Many people make little conversion tables for themselves. ie 10 000Rp = Au$1.15; 20 000Rp = Au$2.30; 100 000rp = Au$115 etc.

Bali - which area to stay in

We are putting this blog together as we have been asked by our friends to make a list of hints and tips.
Bali has everything to offer from 5 star secluded resorts costing $1000 per night to simple rooms costing $20 a night. Activities range  from lounging around the pool to full blooded adrenalin raising.

The  most common question is which area to stay in.
The answer is as varied as the individual tourist but each area has its own character.

The majority of the tourist accommodation is in a small area to the south of Denpasar. The tourist villages in the north and east are relatively small and isolated.

Kuta, Legian, Tuban, Seminyak and Jimbaran ( including The Bukit ) are closest to the airport.

Kuta, Tuban, Legian and Seminyak are all along the same beach. It has many surfing spots.

Kuta
The area where many people have their first experience of Bali.
Over the years it has developed into the budget end of the market. It has many cheap hotels, eating places, bars, dicscos and night clubs. It attracts the younger age group who want to party for most of the night. Sometimes it can get over run with the less desirable tourist and can get loud and noisy.
It has many of the most popular shops and the "art" markets at Kuta and Melasti Street are places to get good prices if you are good at bargaining.

Seminyak
Quieter than Kuta with more villas and more expensive hotels.
There are more "boutique" shops in Seminyak and the prices are a little higher.
Eating out in Seminyak is more "upmarket" than Kuta.


Legian
Between Kuta and Seminyak is a transision zone.


Sanur
About 3/4 of an hour from the airport is quieter. The beach is protected by a reef. In the last 7 years a great deal has been done to prevent beach erosion. There are now waves at the beach and at low tide the lagoon is shallow. There is a walkway that extends several Km along the beach. Sanur is popular with a more mature age group. especially Europeans. There are quite a number of hotels on the beach and numerous bars and restaurants on the beach. Hotel prices and eating out prices  are more than Kuta.

Nusa Dua
Known for its 5 star resorts. Visitors who like this area want to "get away from it all". Our personal view, too pristine and with manicured areas outside the hotels not "the real Bali".

Jimbaran and The Bukit
An area becoming very popular to the south of the airport. Many smaller villas are offered for rent and it is only 20 minutes from the airport, traffic permitting.
.
Click this link to see A Great little place to stay

Being on the hill it gets good cooling breezes.


It is also popular because it is close to many popular surfing beaches.

Canngu
To the north of Kuta is another area of villa development.

Ubud
In the hills about an hour's drive from the airport.
An area known for its art, paintings and carvings. Many artistic westerners live in the area.
It has a market that has been expanded over the years.
Accommodation near the centre of the town is mainly smaller Balinese owned hotels with less than 20 rooms, they are usually fairly basic but cheap. I stay at Agung Trisna, set back a little, beautiful gardens and now with a pool.
Surrounding Ubud are numerous villas, many that need transport to get anywhere.
There are also a number of more expensive hotels.