For anyone wanting to go to Bali I say this to you.

Get off the beaten track. Ask one of the staff in the hotel you are staying at if you can pay visit their home in the village. Buy yourself a Kabaya, particpate in offering Chanan (little palm leaf squares filled with offerings of rice, flowers, money and incense you will see literally everywhere).

Visit the village holy man and get a blessing.

Remember Bahasa Balinese is different to Bahasa Indonesian. It goes a long way if you take the time to learn a little.

For example:
Om swastyastu is the best greeting you can give.
Om chanti chanti chanti Om is the best ending you can give.

Matur Suksema means thank you very much (Indonesia is Terima Kasih), and in reply you would say ‘Suskema Mawali’ meaning your welcome (Sama Sama in Indonesian).

Tidak in Inonesian means ‘no’ whilst in Bali you would say ’sing’, likewise yes would be ‘yah’ indonesia, Balinese ‘nah nah’ (kind of like yeah yeah)….

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Best time to be there.. anytime! Bali offers incredible contrasts for such a small geographical area, likewise so do the months. July August is the windy season, which is probably the coolest. Worst time to be there… during any major local holiday. For example during Ramadan and Idul Fitri, Kuta and Legian are so packed that I can’t even ride my bike up the footpath.. its already jammed with bikes not moving. Great time to get a taste of busy Indonesia, worst time if you are only spending a small amount of time there.

How long for? As long as possible! It is so cheap to stay there, that to only stay for a week is costly because of the airfare. Go for a few months, get your extended visa before you go (you cannot extend a visa on arrival) and find a hotel when you get there.

Don’t worry about the taxi’s at the airport, walk straight ahead to the Circle K and find a driver. It will be alot quicker.

Do some Araks, dancing, and have a blast. But don’t forget Bali is NOT an island resort - it’s an island that has resorts on it. It is a place where people live and the culture is rich and ingrained in absolutely everything.

Go. Definately. Then you’ll end up like the other expats and not go home… go bamboo instead.