Ten Tips for Female (Solo) Travelers in Bali

Ten Tips for Female (Solo) Travelers in Bali

Bali has become incredibly popular for solo female travellers to visit after the success of Eat, Pray, Love – Brooke Ferguson gives some practical tips on what to expect on the Island Of the Gods

Bali Transport

Don’t take the taxis waiting at the Airport – they are a total and absolute rip off! Instead, go just outside of where all of the taxis are lined up, and into the parking lot. Look for the light blue taxis that are “Blue Bird” taxis. They will charge you by the meter, and not take all of your money! You can also call them for reservations, schedule pick ups from the airport

Making Reservations

Depending on the season, it may be better NOT to book your hotel in advance. Many of the online hotels can be deceiving about their proximity (and quality!!). I found it better to go to the area you want to be, check out what is near by, look at the rooms, check the internet connection, and barter for a price. You can usually get a much better deal in person than you can with online reservations! If you want to check availability and prices for Bali hotels, see Booking.com – read the reviews from previous guests carefully.

Money

Barter, Barter, Barter!
Bali is definitely a place where you need to barter. Unlike other countries where the locals seem willing to ask just a bit more than the real price, Balinese are apt to ask you several times the price for clothes and merchandise. Rule of thumb: if you are in a marketplace, you can barter them down. Store prices are more difficult, but can be done. When you’ve offered a fair price, and they say no, Walk Away! Usually, they will come running after you and let you have your offer. It is all part of the game, so go with it, and get your barter on!

Beaches You’ll Love

Bali Beaches near Denpasar Airport are Sanur Beach and Kuta Beach. Sanur seems more for the vacationers, where Kuta has a lively backpacker scene. Further up north there are deserted stretches of black volcanic sand beaches, like Pemuteran. Many people just travel to Bali for the beaches, and if you are feeling adventurous, try checking out the Gili Islands or Komodo island, home of the infamous Komodo Dragons. Those are on my list for my next trip, for sure!

Going Off The Beaten Path

My favorite part about my trip was going off of the beaten path and taking a tour that not many people have had the ability to do. Nyoman has started taking people to the village where he grew up. I got to get close up views of Mt. Agung, learn about the rice fields, visit his family compound, and witness traditional music played by his family.

Meeting Ketut And Wayan

Many Westerners yearn to meet the Balanese healers highlighted in Eat Pray Love. While there have been differing opinions of getting your real fortune read by Ketut, many people enjoy the experience of meeting him and seeing how he lives. Wayan has her herbal shop set up and is happy to welcome Western customers for treatments.

What to Eat

Traditional Balinese foods are similar to most Asian dishes, consisting primarily of rice or noodle dishes. The meat dishes are wonderful marinated barbeques complimented by small salads or portions of pickled vegetables. I did not have any problems eating the traditional food, and found that while it was well flavored, it was not spicy. Be sure to try the sates (marinated bbq meat), lawar (mixed chopped vegtebles and spices), and lampet (snack served wrapped in banana leaves). The soups are also wonderful, so make sure to try them too!

Places to Pray

One of the most exciting parts about Bali is that there are temples literally EVERYWHERE. You can go in to them, take a look, and be a part of the music and festivities. However, it is recommended that you wear proper attire. Women should have on sleeved shirts and covered legs. Men are fine with standard sleeved shirts and shorts are acceptable. Most temples will provide wraps, or there are women selling sarongs outside for you to go in.

Places You’ll Love

If you are staying in or outside of Ubud, you definitely need to check out the Sacred Monkey Forest Ubud Sanctuary. It is full of beautiful sculptures, outdoor temples, and the monkeys are everywhere! Mt. Agung is a must. Get picturesque views from restaurants or visit the mountain up close and personal with a guided tour.

Don’t be Afraid to Go it Alone!

My last advice is if Bali is somewhere you really want to go and you have always dreamed of traveling, buy a ticket, and go it alone. I waited around a long time to coordinate tickets, plans, and eventually just decided to go on my own. Bali is a safe island, with lots to do and explore, so don’t be afraid, all you have to do is buy a ticket and go!!


https://travelhappy.info/indonesia/top-ten-tips-for-female-travelers-in-bali-indonesia/

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Quitting Your Job and Travelling for a year?

Quitting Your Job and Travelling for a year?

When your savings are enough, and you desperate to breathe fresh air as soon as possible. You can do it right away, but there are things to note.

BBC Advice on quitting your job and travelling for a year

Embarking on an extended adventure often means taking a leap of faith and leaving key responsibilities behind. But those that have done it say the experience is more than worth it.

Most of us see the world in snippets at a time – a long weekend here, a two-week vacation there. But when wanderlust grows beyond what those trips can contain, a longer journey might be in order. 

Embarking on a six-month or year-long adventure often can mean taking a leap of faith and leaving key responsibilities behind, like arranging for an extended leave of absence or resigning from a job. But those that have done it say the experience is more than worth it.

We sought out some of those brave, inspirational souls on the question-and-answer site Quora.com, asking: “what should I know if I want to quit my job, leave everything behind and travel for a year?”

From the logistics of planning such a trip to the difficulty of managing others’ expectations and re-entering the workforce, the Quora community chimed in with their most useful advice.

Related article: Navigating the minefield of travel, love and money

Expect people to worry on your behalf

Quitting a job may seem like a huge risk to others around you. “People will bring up the dangers to your career, dangers of getting hurt out there, dangers of not finding a job when you come back,” said Kyle Pennell, who recently left a marketing career in San Francisco to live in Oaxaca, Mexico. Those dangers can be real, but according to Pennell, “the places you see, the people you connect with, the pace of life, the person you might discover yourself to really be – it is amazing”.

"It’s easy to keep doing what you’re doing, and it’s hard to go do something completely different,” said Julia Lam, a former Facebook employee who left the San Francisco Bay area and is currently in the middle of taking a year off to travel around the world. “You’ll probably have moments of regret or confusion, so stay focused on your goals and why you’re doing this.”

Do not over plan

Travellers who are used to planning long weekend or weeklong vacations may be tempted to lock in as many logistical details as possible before departing. But according to Quora's world travellers, keeping the itinerary open allows for more flexibility and the chance to take suggestions from locals on the road. 

“We bought only transcontinental flights in advance,” said Sasha Katsnelson, who quit her management consulting job in New York to travel South America for six months. “We landed in Quito, Ecuador and had 40 days to get to Rio for our flight out. Everything else was booked during our travel.” Other travellers had success buying one-way or round-the-world tickets and having only an outline of possible destinations for the first few months. 

“Part of the fun is to wake up each day and say ‘What do I feel like doing today?’” said Shahaf Abileah, who left his software development job in Seattle and travelled with his wife for a year through Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands. “We ended up in entire countries that we didn't plan to visit [Uganda, Rwanda, Myanmar], simply because we met people along the way who said, ‘You gotta go there!’"

Have a goal or theme to guide you

Although over planning an extended journey can be limiting, wandering the world completely aimless can be equally frustrating. Andy Anderson, who has visited more than 35 countries, enhanced his year-long journey by finding ways to incorporate his passions. “I found a way to work at an Italian winery,” Anderson said. “I also spent a full season in a ski town, skiing being another passion of mine.” Software engineer Marcin Czech travelled from his home in Poland to Malaysia completely on land, and now finds his feat differentiates him from other world travellers.

Not sure where to start? Abileah recommended planning around big festivals. “By dumb luck we ended up in Lalibela [Ethiopia] during their Christmas celebrations, and it was one of the highlights of our trip. It felt like walking into Biblical times,” he said. “There were other events that we just barely missed. For the next trip we'll definitely check out the big events happening in different countries.”

Know your budget

While you do not need unlimited funds to take some time off and see the world, knowing how much you can afford and how long you want to travel will help you make the right choices. “Your money will last a lot longer in places like Southeast Asia or South America, than places like Australia, New Zealand or the Middle East,” Anderson said.

Toni Middleton, who left her job as an IT portfolio manager to travel solo without a cell phone, suggested looking into what housing might cost in your possible destinations. “Practice looking for lodging online at places like hostels, Airbnb and hotel websites, so you can devise a daily or monthly budget before you leave,” she suggested.

Do not over pack

Katsnelson warned travellers to pack as if for a two-week vacation. “You will need to do laundry,” she said. “Whether you get laundry service in Southeast Asia, use a washing machine in your hostel or hand wash clothes on the washing stones at a farm, you'll get to see a very real part of local life and you'll not break your back with six months of clothes.”

Embrace your journey, even after it’s over

While some Quora users went back to their original careers after returning home, others started new ones. Anderson said the job hunt could take two to three months upon return, but suggested starting to look at the end of your trip for a jumpstart.

Interviewers may question the gap in your resume, but that could also work to your advantage. Gary Forman, a marketing director from New York, used his experience to screen potential employers. “Some of them couldn't relate; those weren't the folks I wanted to work for,” he said. “Others loved the idea, and had taken similar journeys themselves. Those were the places I wanted to be.”

By Lindsey Galloway

7 February 2014

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20140204-advice-on-quitting-your-job-and-travelling-for-a-year

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Bali's Taman Ayu offers luwak coffee educational attraction

Bali's Taman Ayu offers luwak coffee educational attraction

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya recently paid a visit to Taman Ayu in Singapadu, Gianyar, Bali.

pic. google.com

The tourist attraction invites visitors to view the making process of luwak coffee that involves sun drying and roasting using firewood.

“This is an educational attraction that visitors can see directly,” said Arief.

“The parking lot can accommodate 10 to 20 buses […] there are also rare tree species lining up neatly here,” he added.

Arief was greeted by the place’s owner I Wayan Ramantha.

“When my mother got sick, my father made this garden for her to help her heal,” Wayan said of the story behind Taman Ayu.

At this place, visitors can also taste 12 different herbal drinks, such as Kintamani coffee, ginseng coffee, luwak coffee, rosella coffee, mangosteen coffee, chocolate and others.

Taman Ayu also has 18 rooms available for accommodation purposes, a swimming pool, meeting points, a shop and a gazebo. (kes)


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How to get affordable airplane tickets outside of travel fairs, promotions

How to get affordable airplane tickets outside of travel fairs, promotions

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Cheap airplane tickets can be purchased without the use of travel fairs or promotions.

Below are tips on finding the best prices, according to travel website Skyscanner:

Destination is key

Your destination largely determines the ticket price. If you choose routes that are often served by several airlines, such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, Yogyakarta and Surabaya, then expect prices to fluctuate. Hence, if while browsing the web you find the ticket price to be lower than usual, it is suggested that you book the flight right away.

However, when it comes to routes that are rarely served, such as Banjarmasin, Belitung, Tanjung Pinang and Banda Aceh, the price tends to be constant no matter when you book it. This is because the airlines that serve these routes apply a year-round fare system, meaning that ticket prices mostly stay the same, except during high season, such as Idul Fitri and year-end holidays.

Asses the airline

Prices are influenced by airlines. For low-cost carriers, it is suggested that you order the ticket as soon as possible as the price tends to increase the closer you book to your departure date. On the contrary, full-service airlines use year-round fares. Still, it is possible to get more affordable tickets on full-service airlines than low-cost carriers.

For certain airlines, it is advised to check their booking pages as often as possible. Lion Air, for instance, frequently changes its rates, up to three times a day.

If the targeted airline has increased the price of a flight, consider waiting for several days for the price to decrease. However, do not do so if the price has increased simultaneously across multiple websites or airlines with similar flights. Instead, consider booking sooner rather than later.

Timing is everything

Tickets are usually expensive during weekends, long holidays and high season. Therefore, try to arrange your trip during a low-season period, such as September to November or February to April.

Departure and arrival dates will also influence the price. Friday to Sunday, Friday to Monday, Saturday to Sunday and Saturday to Monday are the peaks for costly tickets. Instead, it is advised to choose Tuesday to Thursday, Wednesday to Friday, Saturday to Tuesday or Sunday to Wednesday departure and arrival dates.

It is also recommended to fly on the 20th of the month as the price tends to be lower compared to early or late in the month.

Watch for airline trends

For frequent travelers, consider signing up for airlines' newsletters and following their social media accounts to learn about promotion trends and types. Doing so will, over time, result in figuring out the lowest price a given airline is likely to offer its customers. (wir/kes)


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6 Ways to make your travel story an internet sensation

6 Ways to make your travel story an internet sensation

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Become a travel blogger

Why not let the world read your travel experiences?? If you have this habit of maintaining a small diary, where you pen down your daily experiences then travel blogging could be an ideal option. Who knows, your blog could become viral across the Internet, inspiring others to backpack and kick start a road trip or follow your footprints. There are places that offer you conceive a fairy tale story or chronicle never heard spooky events, which you can share with your friends and fellow travelers. You don’t have to be a professional writer to draft your travel story. Instead, a travel blog is an excellent option for all kinds of travelers, backpackers and frequent flyers to name a few.

Be a creative photographer

The ‘feet first’ photo trend started way back in 2005, when Tom, a fellow traveler along with his companion clicked a picture of their feet pointing towards the sea. This idea spread like wildfire among travel bloggers and turned into a worldwide phenomenon. You can make use of this ongoing trend and let the world see where have you been to.

Create your own viral selfie series

Murad Osmann can inspire you enough to go around the world and create your signature “Follow me” series. You can either hold your beloved’s hand just like the “Follow me” series or create your own style and let others take cues from your travel story. Creativity has no limits. There are chances your works will get appreciated and liked by all.

Be a smart travel storyteller

Be a storytellerNot everyone loves to write and not everyone could be a good orator as you are. Stories are best enjoyed when they are foretold. Be a grandma, sit and record your travel experiences with your smart phone. We’re pretty much sure you could be an amazing narrator of your travel story just as the world’s best TV narrator Will Lyman. TravelUR offers you an excellent platform to not only share your pictures but videos as well and recordings as well.

Become a collector

If beaches are your most preferred vacation destinations then become a shell collector and if hiking has been on your bucket list then you can be a flower collector. Such things not only add on beautiful values to your travel memories, but people start relating your travel story with such collectibles. Souvenirs such as Statue of Liberty or Eiffel Tower are too mainstream now. Go on a shell hunting and discover some amazing staples nature must offer.

Create personalized travel postcard

Vintage postcards are a ‘thing’ now. These days, almost at every major tourist destination you can find a vintage postcard. So, pick a postcard and give the card a personalized touch by scribbling something like – “Paris I will miss you”.

So, those were our top 6 tips on how to make your travel story an Internet sensation. If you have been maintaining your travel stories, do share with us and inspire our fellow readers.

Happy reading!

https://www.travelur.com/blog/how-to-make-your-travel-story-an-internet-sensation-in-6-ways/

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