Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Traffic
Apart from the dangers of driving in Bali
(see p359), the traffic in most tourist areas
is often annoying, and frequently dangerous
to pedestrians. Footpaths can be rough, even
unusable, so you often have to walk on the
road. Never expect traffic to stop because you
think you're on a pedestrian crossing.
The traffic is much lighter on Lombok than
in Bali, but there is still a danger of traffic
accidents.
DISABLED TRAVELLERS
Bali is a difficult destination for those with
limited mobility. While some of the airlines
flying to Bali have a good reputation for ac-
commodating people with disabilities, the
airport is not well set up. Contact the air-
lines and ask them what arrangements can
be made for disembarking and boarding at
the airport.
Bemo, minibuses and buses that provide
public transport are not accessible. The mini-
buses used by tourist shuttle bus and tour
companies are similar. Upmarket hotels often
have steps and lack ramps for wheelchairs,
while the cheaper places usually have more
accessible bungalows on ground level. Out on
the street, the footpaths, where they exist at
all, tend to be narrow, uneven, potholed and
frequently obstructed.
The only hotels likely to be set up at all for
disabled travellers are the big international
chains in South Bali and Ubud. If you're keen
to see Bali, your best bet is to contact these
hotels and ask them what facilities they have
for guests with disabilities. Sometimes this
information can be found on their websites.
Bali is an enormously rewarding destination
for people who are blind or vision impaired.
Balinese music is heard everywhere, and the
languages are fascinating to listen to. The
smells of incense, spices, tropical fruit and
flowers pervade the island, and are as exotic as
you could wish for. With a sighted companion,
most places should be reasonably accessible.
EMBASSIES & CONSULATES
Indonesian Embassies & Consulates
Indonesian embassies and consulates abroad
include the following. For additional informa-
Never ask the price or comment on the qual-
ity unless you're interested in buying, or you
want to spend half an hour haggling. It may
seem very rude to ignore people who smile and
greet you so cheerfully, but you might have
to be a lot ruder to get rid of a hawker after
you've spent a few minutes politely discuss-
ing his/her watches, rings and prices. Keep
in mind though, that ultimately they're just
people trying to make an honest living and if
you don't want to buy anything then you are
wasting their time trying to be polite.
Many touts employ fake, irritating Austral-
ian accents, eg 'Oi! Mate!'
sleight of hand and rigged calculators. The
moneychangers who offer the highest rates
are usually the ones to look out for. Always
count your money at least twice in front of
the moneychanger, and don't let him touch
the money again after you've finally counted
it. The best defence is to use a bank-affiliated
currency exchange or stick to ATMs.
Canada
(
613-724 1100; 55 Parkdale Ave, Ottawa,
Ontario K1Y 1E5) Consulates: Toronto (
%
416-360-4020; 129
%
Jarvis St); Vancouver (
604-682-8855; 1630 Alberni St)
%
France
(
01-45 03 07 60; 47-49 Rue Cortambert,
75116 Paris); Consulate: Marseilles (
%
04-9123-0160; 25
%
Blvd, Carmagnole)
Germany
(
030-478-070; Lehrter Str 16-17, 10557
%
Berlin)
Consulates: Frankfurt (
69-247-0908; Zeppelin Alle
%
23);
40-512-071; Bebelalle 14)
Ireland
(Honorary Consul;
Hamburg (
%
Swimming
Kuta Beach and those to the north and south
are subject to heavy surf and strong currents -
always swim between the flags. Trained life-
guards do operate, but only at Kuta, Legian,
Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Sanur and (sometimes)
Senggigi. Most other beaches are protected by
coral reefs, so they don't have big waves, but
the currents can still be treacherous, especially
along the coast running north and west from
Seminyak. Currents can also cause problems
off the Gilis.
Water pollution can also be a problem,
especially after rains. Try to swim well away
from any open streams you see flowing into
the surf.
Be careful when swimming over coral, and
never walk on it at all. It can be very sharp and
coral cuts are easily infected. In addition, you
are damaging a fragile environment.
353 852 491; 25 Kilvere
%
Rathfarnham, Dublin)
Japan
(
03-3441 4201; 5-2-9 Higashi Gotanda,
Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo) Consulates: Fukoka (
%
092-761-3031;
Kyuden Bldg 1-82, Watanabe-Dori-Chome, Chou-Ku,
Fukuoka-Shi); Osaka (
%
83-06-6252-9823; Daiwa Bank
Semba Bldg 6th fl, 4-21 Minami Semba 4-Chome, Chuo-Ku);
Sapporo (
%
Scams
Bali has such a relaxed atmosphere, and the
people are so friendly, that you may not be on
the lookout for scams. It's hard to say when an
'accepted' practice such as over-charging be-
comes an unacceptable rip-off, but be warned
that there are some people in Bali (not always
Balinese) who will engage in a practised deceit
in order to get money from a visitor.
Most Balinese would never perpetrate a
rip-off, but it seems that very few would warn
a foreigner when one is happening. Be suspi-
cious if you notice that bystanders are uncom-
municative and perhaps uneasy, and one guy
is doing all the talking.
Here is a rundown of the most common
scams.
011-251-6002; 883-3 Chome 4-Jo,
Miyayanomori, Chuo-Ku, Sapporo Shís)
Malaysia
(
%
03-2145-2011; 233 Jl Tun Razak, Kuala
Lumpur) Consulates: Kota Kinabalu (
%
60-088-218-600;
Lorong Kemajuan, Karamunsing); Kuching (
%
241734;
%
111 Jl Tun Abang Hj, Openg); Penang (
04-2267-412;
%
467, Jl Burma)
Netherlands
(
070-310 8100; 8 Tobias Asserlaan,
2517 KC, The Hague)
New Zealand
(
%
04-4758 697; 70 Glen Rd, Kelburn,
%
Wellington)
Consular office: Auckland (
09 300-9000; 2nd
%
fl, 132 Vincent St)
Papua New Guinea
(
675-325 3116; 1+2/410, Kiroki
St, Sir John Guise Dr, Waigani, Port Moresby) Consulate:
Vanimo (
%
Theft
Violent crime is relatively uncommon, but
there is some bag-snatching, pickpocketing
and theft from rooms and parked cars in the
tourist centres. Don't leave anything exposed
in a rental vehicle. Always carry money belts
inside your clothes; and bags over your neck
(not shoulder). Be sure to secure all your
money
before
you leave the ATM, bank or
moneychanger.
Beware of pickpockets in crowded places
and bemo (small minibuses).
Hotel and guesthouse rooms are often not
secure. Don't leave valuables in your room.
Thieves will often enter through open-air
bathrooms, so be sure to fasten the bathroom
door. Most hotels offer some form of secure
storage, such as in-room safes or central safety
deposit boxes for guests - use it.
Many people lose things simply by leaving
them on the beach while they go swimming.
675-857-1371; Sandaun Province)
Philippines
(
%
02-892-5061; 185 Salcedo St, Legaspi
Village, Makati, Manila) Consulate: Davao (
%
63-83-299-
%
CAR CON
Friendly locals (often working in pairs) dis-
cover a 'serious problem' with your car or
motorcycle - it's blowing smoke, leaking oil
or petrol, or a wheel is wobbling badly (prob-
lems that one of the pair creates while the
other distracts you). Coincidentally, he has a
brother/cousin/friend nearby who can help,
and before you know it they are demanding an
outrageous sum for their trouble. Beware of
anyone who tries to rush you into something
without mentioning a price.
2930; Ecoland Subdivision, Davao City)
Singapore
(
737 7422; 7 Chatsworth Rd, Singapore)
%
Thailand
(
02-252 3135; 600-602 Petchburi Rd,
Phyathai, Bangkok)
Timor Leste
(
%
670-312-333; Komplek Pertamina,
Pantai Kelapa, Correios)
UK
(
%
020-7499 7661; 38 Grosvenor Square, London
W1K 2HW)
USA
(
%
202-775-5200; 2020 Massachusetts Ave NW,
Washington DC 20036) Consulates: Chicago (
%
312-345-
%
9300; 72 East Randolph St); Houston (
713-785-1691;
%
10900 Richmond Ave); Los Angeles (
213-383-5126; 3457
%
Wilshire Blvd); New York (
212-879-0600; 5 East 68th
%
EASY MONEY
Friendly locals will convince a visitor that easy
money can be made in a card game. Anyone
falling for this one is a prime candidate for
what happens to fools and their money.
St); San Francisco (
415-474-9571; 1111 Columbus Ave)
%
Embassies & Consulates in Indonesia
Foreign embassies are in Jakarta, the national
capital. Most of the foreign representatives in
