Understanding Bali

Many of the Balinese wear a flower (usually a frangipani) tucked behind their ears. This symbolises purity and is used for their prayers and daily offerings. 

The people of Bali are money grabbers so do be careful when spending (check your change) and changing your currency (change at hotel or experienced centres). I got scammed twice very easily at a 'currency exchange stall' along the streets in Jalan Legian. They count it in front of you, make you count it too making them look legit. So always know how much you are supposed to receive. Luckily, the second time I was scammed. I calculated it correctly and demanded the rest of my money. The first time I sadly lost £20. I shall consider it as charity. 

In most places there are flower pots made out of leaves with a smoking incest as a form of blessing and offering. When giving people money, they wave it around or tap it on this plant pot. 

There are no public transport in Bali but arranged shuttle buses, government taxis and motorbike taxis (most of my money went on this sadly). You can book tours from a number of tourist office but prices vary and you can haggle the cost! 

Restaurants use 'Free Wifi' as their attraction for people to eat there. Sad really. 

Dehydration is very likely on this island so making sure you are topping up your bottled water is important. This can avoid a lot of horrible problems! If so, it would pass in 3 days depending on how much rest you get and how well you can make yourself drink and eat. It is actually quite hard! 

Most people come from different islands in Indonesia to work in Bali which is a touristic area. I plan to head to the remote islands with my boyfriend next time as this is where I wanted to go in the first place. 

The traffic is quite poor and slow in Jalan Legian mainly and everywhere because of the narrow one-way streets that make it difficult to move around. But there are so many motorbikes and vans on the road which is only just about organised. 

Ladies wear socks here with their flip flops. I can never understand why. 

Everyone speaks pretty good English except the scammers (unless they pretend they don't understand you WHEN CLEARLY THEY DO). 

The most common questions are: where you from?, what is your name?, taxi?, transport?, where you stay?

You have to pay airport tax when you leave so make sure you have 200,000IDR on you on your way home! ridiculous.