Bargaining at markets is expected.
It should be played like a charade and with good humour.
Never go to the markets wearing heaps of jewellery. You give out the message that you are rich and the prices will start very high. Even just being a tourist you are considered as being rich. Any one who can afford to travel in Balinese eyes is rich.
There are several levels of starting price depending on where the tourist is from, the highest price to the lowest :- Japanese, American, European, Australian and then local. Tourists will never get local prices.
It is a good idea to go to one of the supermarkets or large souvenir shops that are now open to get a rough idea of the price. Of course this is difficult to apply to original paintings or carvings.
Play it "cool". Don't look over interested in the item you want to buy. Certainly never say to a friend or to the seller, "I like that." The price goes up straight away. If there are two of you, one should play the part "You don't want a ......", give the impression you don't really want to buy.
Here is the drama of bargaining:-
Shopper casually asks, " How much is this ....?"
Seller, " 500 000Rp"
Shopper, with an amazed look, "Wow that is expensive."
Seller, " It is good quality."
Shopper, " How about 150 000Rp?" ( Many people suggest starting at 1/3 of the original offer and working up to 1/2 the original asking price.)
Seller, usually laughing, " I can not sell at that price I will be bankrupt. I'll let you have it for 400 000Rp."
Shopper, still smiling, "I have seen them for 200 000Rp. I'll give you 200 000Rp."
Seller, "my best price is 250 000Rp."
Shopper, carefully checking the item, "Humm, not really the colour I wanted." ( here the friend can say " We saw some that you liked in Kuta")
Shopper, "Last price 220 000Rp"
Seller, "250 000Rp. I can not sell for less. Honest."
Shopper, losing interest and walking away.
Seller, "OK, OK, 220 000Rp"
At this point the seller agreed to the Shopper's price and the shopper is morally obliged to buy as the bargain has been made.
If the shopper has offered a price too low then the seller will let the shopper walk away.
The shopper can try again at another place.
Somehow stall holders seem to know the second a shopper takes an interest in something and the whole market will offer the same item.
The first sale of the day, is extremely important to sellers. Balinese are very superstitious and if the first contact of the day with a tourist results in a sale they consider they will have good luck all day. Conversely if the first contact of the day does not result in a sale the whole day is ruined. Sellers therefore offer what is known as "Morning Price" to ensure a sale as soon as possible. Sometimes Morning Price can be below cost - just to get a sale.
After the first sale of the day the seller will brush all their stock with the money from the sale to further increase their luck.
Always act out the play.
Almost all sellers are honest however the sellers at the look outs at Kintamani are less than honest.
Even an old Bali traveller like myself can get caught out.
The sellers crowd around the tourist buses or cars.
They show tourists beautiful carvings at ridiculously low prices.
Once the tourist has handed over the cash the seller switches the carving for a very inferior one that looks as though the apprentice made it. This is done quicker than the eye can see. The seller has a friend standing behind them. This is easily done as the sellers usually crowd around. As the seller pops the beautiful carving into the plastic bag it changes into the dud one - quicker than a magician can produce an ace. The buyer opening the bag realises they have been had. The seller has vanished like the Phantom.
If you buy a carving at Kintamani, get it in your bus or car and then give the seller the money.
Click here for more good Bali tips and hints
PS let me know what you think of this blog.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
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$115 etc.
So many posts on travel forums about the weather.
Day time temperatures are ALWAYS about 30 degrees and at night 25 degrees. There is very little variation.
The difference is in the humidity and that can make a great difference.
In the wet season, usually November through to March, humidity can be very high and many people find it uncomfortable. The only places to be are in air conditioned rooms, in front of or under a fan, find a cool breeze, or if you have to indoors without air conditioning by an open window to catch any breeze there may be.
Many people like to be in Bali during June and July, the dry season, when the humidity is much lower.
When it is the wet season it does not rain every day. Typically rain is in very heavy showers that may last 1/2 hour or so. Some of the showers can be torrential. It is not usual to have steady rain all day. Frequently the rain is during the night, early morning or late afternoon.
Thunder and lightning are quite common but it is mostly between cloud masses. Lightning does not often strike the ground.
Rain patterns have been changing over the years and there has been heavy rain during the dry months of June and July.
Of course any time of the year is time to relax by the pool.
Get more tips by clicking the link below
More Great Bali Tips including Places to go and shopping
Money and what to take
Most people take cash. All major currencies are easy to exchange, Au$, 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.
Monday, November 15, 2010
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.
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.
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