A Few Different Schoolie Tips

Bali Taxi Warriors

It’s that time of year again and Bali Schoolies is once again upon us. When I lived on the island this time of year always worried me. Bali is the perfect place for groups of young people to blow off steam after a year of hard studying. But this also means that a lot of first time travellers will be hitting the bars and beaches of Kuta and Seminyak. It is estimated that over six thousand schoolies from Australia will be arriving in Bali over the next two weeks.  And it is no stretch to imagine that these teenagers will be partying hard and drinking way too much in their pursuit of fun on the island. I have covered this in the past but here are a few different tips that may help out.

Make Sure You Have Travel Insurance

A number of Australians have accidents during their holidays in Bali. Whether it is scooter related, nightclub related or just simply a surfing accident. No matter what happens, it is always wise to have some level of travel insurance when heading to Bali for holidays. Recently a Bali based Australian had to be medevac’d back to Australia from Bali. The Australian had no travel insurance and the price for his evacuation ranged in the forty to fifty thousand dollar range. This is a huge amount of money for anyone so please make sure you have the appropriate travel insurance.

Bring Condoms from Home

Condoms are available in Bali but they tend to be of a substandard quality and they have a propensity break easily. It is always wise to have a sufficient supply whether you think you will be involved in this type of activity or not. Remember this is schoolies and who knows what may happen or who you may meet.  Please also be aware that there are plenty of prostitutes trawling the Bali clubs and the beaches’ of Bali. Local men and women are involved in this activity. It has also been well documented that there is a very high H.I.V. infection rate on the island. If you do meet a local man or a local lady and things graduate to a sexual level. Then please always ensure that the correct protection is used.

Western Standard Motorbike Helmet

Firstly I wouldn’t recommend that anyone traveling to Bali for schoolies hires a scooter. Most things are within walking distance and transportation is inexpensive. For around town taxis are available and the driver will wait if his customer needs to stop. For longer travel it is wise to hire a car and driver for the day. The driver will help with translation and they will be more than willing to share their local knowledge. A good idea is to pool your resources and travel with friends. Think of it as a road trip, you will have a lot more laughs and you will see a lot more of the sights. Also remember to barter when organizing the price and stipulate where you want to go and how long you want to take.

If you intend hiring a scooter in Bali then please pack a western standard motorbike helmet with your luggage. The motorbike helmets sold and supplied in Bali are cheap copies.  They will not save a person’s life if they come off a bike at speed.  Also please don’t ride if you have been drinking.  More tourists are injured or killed on motorbikes in Bali than anything else. If you have been drinking, park and lock your scooter in a busy street. And then ask a local working in a shop close by to watch it for you. I have done this hundreds of times so I can promise that it will be quite safe.  It may also be advisable to leave a small tip and then promise a further tip when you return.  If you do leave your scooter it is also sensible to carry your helmet with you or to leave it behind the counter of the shop or bar. Quality helmets that are left locked on scooters for long periods are often stolen.

Little tip: Brand new helmets may attract an import tax at customs so bring something second hand. If you do bring a new helmet, cover the Australian standard sticker with another sticker and then scuff the helmet up a little. Australian standard motorcycle helmets are prized in Bali so they are prone to being stolen.

Avoid cheap drinks and cocktails

There have been tourists injuries and deaths attributed to drinking cheap alcohol in Bali. The reason for this is that a number of these drinks are methanol based.  This is a dangerous chemical that can cause blindness, coma and death if consumed in large amounts. Cheap alcohol, otherwise known as Arak, is often brewed in backyard distilleries around Bali and throughout Indonesia. Unfortunately there is no real way for the Indonesian authorities to completely stamp out this practice.

If you have any doubts about this please visit the following link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=476423765790227&set=a.391798394252765.1073741827.389335401165731&type=1

 

Tattoo’s

Some schoolies may be attracted to the idea of getting a tattoo in Bali. I myself have had a number of them done on the island and I have never had a problem. But, when I did get my tattoos, I made sure that a packet of clean and sterilized needles was opened in front of me. And that the shop where I was having the work done was clean and sterilized looking. A good idea is to ask other tourists that have received tattoos where they received them and if they had any problems. It may also be wise to have the tattoo done on the closest day to your departure as possible. Most of Bali’s water is ground water and most of Bali’s sewage runs on a septic tank system. And with this in mind swimming or showering in Bali with a fresh tattoo is definitely not advised.

 

Check the depth of your pool before diving in.

This may sound obvious or stupid but you would be surprised at how many times I have heard about this happening. Bali pools are not built to the same building standards as western pools and a lot were built a long time ago.  For whatever reason, a number of people dive into their hotel pools without first checking the depth. And they end up with a nasty injury to begin their holiday or worse.  A very close friend of mine came very close to breaking his neck doing this. It is always wise to ask the pool guy or if you’re lucky enough the pool bar attendant. But if you happen to be too shy or no one is available, try jumping in feet first to begin with.

©Malcolm Scott

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS   

Ambulance: 118 Police: 110 Fire: 113 Search & Rescue: (0361) 111 115 151 Bali Tourist Police:  (0361) 754 599 (0361) 224 111 Red Cross: (0361) 227 224 Air Ambulance (0361) 207 7788 Electricity: 123 Taxi: (0361) 701 111

CLINICS DOCTORS HOSPITALS

Sanglah Public Hospital: (0361) 227 911 – 15 Kasih Ibu Hospital: (0361) 223 036, (0361) 237 016 Bali International Medical Center (BIMC): (0361) 761263 International SOS: (0361) 710505

AUSTRALIAN CONSULAR OFFICE (Includes Canada and New Zealand)

Phone: 235 092/3 Fax: 231 990 Email: ausconbali@denpasar.wasantara.net.id

Bali Sex

Bali Sex

Plush Hotel

Book a plush hotel for the evening and make good use of the pool.

For this type of romantic interlude you will have to do some research. Find a nice hotel that is a little bit off the main drag. And before checking in be sure you ask to see the swimming pool. What you are looking for is an isolated area with no rooms overlooking the pool. And no security posts close to the pool zone. Lush vegetation around the swimming area is also a bonus.  

Most hotels will tell you that the pool area is out of bounds after a certain time, so don’t ask. Then it’s case of setting your alarm or staying out to the early hours. When the coast is clear take your friend your towel and a few drinks down to the pool area. A bit of sneaking around may be involved in this endeavour. And it is always nice to remember that kids use these pools so be tidy and clean up afterwards.

Bali is warm at night so getting cold won’t be a problem. Just make sure other tourists and the hotel security guards have gone to sleep before you try this. And remember to do whatever you do, quietly.

Note: This type of scheme generally works best in Bali’s low season.

Hollywood Beach

There are a few isolated beaches around Bali you just need to know where to look. One I heard about was referred to as Hollywood Beach. A private or rented scooter is needed to get to this beach and it can be found off the road to Uluwatu. It’s not sign posted so you may need to spend some time going down the gravel tracks that run off this road.

If you find Hollywood Beach you will come to a small car park and steep steps leading down a massive hill to get to the beach. But it is isolated. And there are a few places to hide and get lonely with a friend. The climb back up the hill is a killer so remember to take plenty of water.

There are also still a few isolated beaches between Nusa Dua and Uluwatu. Again a scooter and an adventurous spirit are needed.

Note: This type of scheme generally works better in Bali’s low season.

 

The Islands off Bali

For those looking to get away so they can get it on the Islands of Bali are perfect. One of my favourites is Nusa Ceningan. Small wooden cliff top villas can be rented on this island and they are perfect for romance. Ceningan also has a small private beach that rarely receives visitors. Again a scooter and an adventurous spirit are needed for those traveling to this island.

Note: This type of scheme generally works better in Bali’s low season.

Cheap Hotel

For the all-round seedy experience, men with a sordid spirit might want to visit one of the smaller and older hotels in Sanur. Some of these places will even fetch you a willing participant. Just talk to the staff and ask if they would be willing to help with your plight before checking in. Then describe the type of company you are interested in. The male security guard at the gate will generally be helpful with this endeavour.

One place a couple of friends told me about allowed afternoon drinks around the pool. They said they arrived and spoke to the hotel porter. Then they relaxed had a beer and went for a swim. Magically the porter turned up with a few compliant companions a few minutes later. They had a wonderful time entertaining their guests by the pool. And they were comfortable in the knowledge that they had a hotel room waiting for them when the party was over.  

Note: This type of scheme generally works better in Bali’s low season.

©Malcolm Scott