6 Tips for Schoolies Holidays in Bali

For any schoolies going to holiday in Bali this year, please remember to be careful and have fun. Here are six tips to help you on your way:

1. Respect the local population and culture

The majority of Balinese people are Hindu and their religion and beliefs are very significant to them. It is important that anyone traveling to Bali respects this and acts accordingly. 
Please remember that you are a guest on the island, follow all requests and give full respect especially when visiting Balinese temples. This will also go a long way in forming a good impression of your own home country.

Tip: Make sure you visit at least one temple or one ceremony while visiting Bali. A little culture never did anyone any harm and you may just enjoy the experience.

2. Balinese A.T.M. machines are not the same as at home

Remember to take your card out of the machine after finishing a transaction. This may sound obvious but it would surprise how many people don't remember to retrieve their card.
The A.T.M. machines in Bali operate on a different system to the machines in Australia. They do not automatically return your card. You must remember to push cancel when you have finished your transaction.

Tip: Use A.T.M. machines attached to a bank or the ones located in convenience stores. A lot of credit card fraud takes place in Bali and these places have better security. Also there is a better chance of retrieving a card from these machines if something untoward happens. Another good idea is to only use machines during daylight hours.

3. Know what you're drinking

The local drink is known as arak. It is an alcoholic beverage made of fermented rice or molasses and it is lethal! A total of 23 people are thought to have died from drinking arak which had been spiked with methanol to increase its potency.

Arak can be found in some of the cheap mixed drinks served in pubs or nightclubs, usually under the name "Jungle Juice". Please be aware and try to avoid this drink. If you find you cannot avoid drinking arak then do your best to drink it in moderation.

Tip: Cheap alcoholic drinks can be brought from convenience stores. They are properly distilled and a lot safer.

4. Lock up your valuables and don't leave cash lying around

Hotel staff are generally well screened and very honest in Bali, but there is always the exception. Please lock up all valuables, including your passport, in the hotel safe. And never ever leave cash lying around your hotel room. 

Remember Indonesian hotel staff receive a very small wage and sometimes the temptation can be too great.

Tip: Expensive phones are highly prized and prone to being stolen. Cheap phones and sim cards are available around Bali. Lock up your expensive phone and just transfer your important numbers. Also speak to the locals - there is a code available that will give you very
cheap calls when calling internationally. 

5. Do not accept any drugs if offered

Indonesia has some of the toughest drug penalties in the world. There are also unscrupulous people selling drugs around Bali who have the sole intention of setting up westerners to be busted.  You do not want to extend your holiday by ten years, so just don't do it.

Tip: If you are offered drugs do not engage the person and just walk away. It is important that you show no interest or the person involved may see you as having future potential for a set-up.

Get around Bali in a group at night and make a commitment to keep an eye on each other

6. Be aware of your surroundings

Remember that you are in a foreign country and the same laws, rules or regulations do not apply to situations or to people in authority. This includes police officers and security staff. Be aware of your surroundings, avoid trouble at all costs and take the personal responsibility of keeping yourself safe.

Tip: Make a commitment with friends or traveling companions to keep an eye on each other and always get around Bali at night in a group. Dangerous situations are less likely to occur if you are walking with a crowd of friends.



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