!! WARNING !!

Hi, I should be in Bali in a week, but I have an old moisture stain (circled in red) on my passport. Will I still be allowed to enter Indonesia?
The stain does not cover my name, photo, passport number, or any other important information. Everything is perfectly readable.
I will be travelling with my children, so I’d really like to know in advance if this could be an issue. I’ve travelled internationally many times with this passport without any problems, but I know Indonesia is known for being very strict about passport condition.

Thanks in advance (I m so stressed!)

Hey. Currently in Ubud, and this stretch is coming to an end. Tomorrow is our last full day. But overall, I've loved it, thank-you for being so kind and willing to reach out and ask how we are, where we are from etc.

But yes. Scooters. You are bonkers. But you make it work. Its just scary as hell. Being 60, slightly round, being on the back launching down a dark ally, up a hill, over bumps ... yeah, was a little embarrassed holding onto the young driver like a older white male shouldnt. 😄 But he got me to the accommodation. But I will be walking back to the drop off point thanks.

Next week, off the coast.

But I will definitely recommend Ubud. We are stopping in the rice fields, so a 15 min walk from the main center, so its quiet apart from the frogs, and the dragon fly that got into the room last night. Lots of small local cafes that serve great food.

Thanks UBud.

I’ve had no luck when it comes to my getting my evisa we’ve filled out all the documents ( uploaded passport and all that stuff)
We get to the payment and click on the batch number which take sus to another page. In which you need a OTP which never came through on my phone or email.

2 hours later this email comes in in my junk mail.
We have received your Electronic Visa (e-Visa) B1 application with Passport Number ********** you can proceed e-visa application and make payment via the link below. Click the link below and take me to this ledger banxa then to another site called axnab ( which is blocked in Australia)

This whole process is doing my head in.

Sorry for rant but anyone had the same issue

Hotels seem super booked up for just those dates with a lot of availability the days before and after. What am I missing?

Udah berapa kali ke Ubud beberapa tahun terakhir dan kerasa banget harga2 kek naik terus apalagi buat stay. Villa atau hotel yg dulu kayak masih masuk akal harganya udah gak ada haha. Ada yang ngerasa yg sama?

Masih ada gak sih yg worth di Ubud buat yang gak mau ngeluarin banyak karena cuma kayak pengen staycay ganti suasana aja, biasanya msh andelin reddoorz sih buat opsi budget kayak gini tapi kepikiran juga apa masih ada opsi lain yang worth dicoba

Could those who have lived in Bali or done extended stays and know more about it regardless, recommend any must have items that should be prioritized to bring before moving? Things which can be brought via luggage that are difficult or much more expensive to get in Bali, necessary for daily life or good to have, that you suddenly discovered wishing you had?

I'm going with a new fresh pair of shoes, bringing the erasable pens and music paper I prefer, bringing laptop with used purchase receipt so I hopefully don't get taxed too bad, going to try to wrap and ship desktop pc rather than eat large losses selling locally (advice appreciated), going to bring weightlifting shoes, knee sleeves, wrist wraps, maybe dr note for 1 stimulant nasal inhaler so to save for getting a stuffy nose later, a decent amount of clothes, plug converters. Even a raincoat. Protective laptop bag. Good mineral sunscreen.

I'm not sure if there's really common items you can't get or not good quality, that I haven't thought of.

I applied yesterday July 22 for a C1 visa for my trip to Bali leaving the US July 27 arriving in Bali July 28 and leaving Bali September 3. I know I should have done this sooner but stupidly didn’t realize the urgency.
I’m debating applying for a B1 visa because that would likely be approved faster but I am concerned that my flight leaves more than 30 days after my arrival.
Also, I am flying delta and it looks like the require a visa to get on the flight so I don’t think I can get a visa on arrival.

I’m currently between:

1. Doing nothing and hoping the C1 visa is approved by Monday morning
2. Applying for a B1 visa then later applying for an extension
3. Buying a plane ticket that leaves within 30 days, doing everything from 2, then canceling that other flight once everything is approved
4. Try for a visa on arrival. (I don’t think delta will let me do this)

Very open to any other ideas.

Update: Got the B1 visa just to be safe

Some hidden gems gotta stay hidden.

Hey everyone

I’m trying to decide between catching the sunrise or the sunset for an upcoming hike, and I could really use some advice on both the view and the footwear. For the view, is there a major difference in the experience/vibes between sunrise and sunset here? I don't understand the science myself but I think sunrise will be more beautiful than sunset but I've already experienced a super beautiful sunrise before and also did one other climb for a normal sunrise and frankly don't want to get up that early for it + deal with the crowd.

My main concern is actually the trail conditions and slipping and not the hiking itself. I currently have new balance 530 a lifestyle shoe and teva xlt2 sandal. Are there any options to rent hiking shoes or buy something cheap with good grip? I wear size 45 eu ( I think that's 11.5 or 12 us?)

edit: maybe i can rent poles actually? would be nice having one hand free for phone as well as if there is anything to grip but feel like poles would be easiest solution?

Hello travelers is it safe to assume that all the hotels/resorts have bum gun/ jets spay in bathroom?? As non of them mention it on the website! Please help 😊

Particularly hoping to find ski-based fishing or snorkelling adventures. I can find lots of short term rental operators, but keen to do more than just zip around for 30mins.

Hello, locals here!

jadi karena mau nyari komunitas atau surf lesson adakah yang local friendly untuk harga dan instruktur nya. Kira" kisaran berapa ya karena jujur kayanya seru buat selingan pas weekend

Maybe someone can give us, Family w/ two teenagers, what ferry company is most convenient to travel from Bali (Jimbaran) to Gili T. We have explored a bit and found Ekajaya and Blue Water Ferry. As prefer a better standard and a bigger boat not sure what is the better choice?

Hello, I'm trying to apply for C-1 Visa. I checked on the official immigration website, and it says that my passport requires an e-visa (I'm not eligible for VOA). The official portal says the required documents are:

Document Requirement

Passport valid for at least 6 (six) months (for holders of travel documents other than passports such as emergency passports, documents of identity, etc. must be valid for 12 months).

Personal bank statement with minimum amount USD $2000 or equivalent the last 3 months period (including name, date of period, and balance account).

A recent color photograph.

The confusing part is that when clicking the button "Apply", I get the warning: "This Visa can be apply via Guarantor, please contact your guarantor to appy this Visa!" Why do I need a guarantor while the portal doesn't list such thing as a required document? If I do need it, any reputable and trusted ones you recommend dealing with?

It's a topic that has been debated many times, but I'm pushing further with this potential solution that seems to combine best of both worlds between backpack and suitcase.

I’ve been contemplating a quite recent backpack from Osprey for my next 4 weeks trip to Bali. I’m also going to Singapore for a week just after before coming back.

What kind of environment is Bali ? In and out of a grab when changing a city/location is backpack mode only when there is stairs and no pavement till/from the room. Rest of the time could be wheeled suitcase mode. But what is the ratio ?

If it's less than 15% of the time I'm gonna use it as a suitcase, then I'll buy for a classic backpack. I know that I got one full week in Singapore where I can use it in suitcase mode.

Guys who has traveled to these places, what do you reckon and why ?

Thank you all, all tips are much appreciated!

Sitting on the beach, enjoying a cold beer with friends.
What more could you ask for than a view like this.
Love island life and love the Balinese people.

​

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to hear from parents who have recently given birth at Bali International Hospital (BIH) in Sanur, particularly anyone whose newborn was admitted to the neonatal unit or NICU.

Our baby was born by C-section and had some respiratory difficulties shortly after birth. He was placed on respiratory support and kept under close monitoring. We completely understand that respiratory support can be necessary and lifesaving when a newborn genuinely needs it.

However, during our experience, we became increasingly concerned about whether our baby's care was being sufficiently adapted to his individual clinical progress. As he improved, we felt there was no clear plan communicated to us for progressively reducing and stopping the respiratory support. We had to repeatedly ask the medical team about lowering the oxygen/support and reassessing whether it was still necessary.

We eventually decided to leave the hospital and sought an evaluation at another hospital. Our baby was examined and monitored there and we were told that he was doing well. He has since been breathing normally, breastfeeding well and showing no apparent respiratory distress.

This experience has left us with many questions about what happened and whether other parents have had similar experiences at BIH.

I am therefore specifically looking for parents whose babies at BIH:

were placed on oxygen, CPAP or other respiratory support shortly after birth;

were admitted to the neonatal unit/NICU;

remained on respiratory support even as their condition appeared to improve;

had no clear weaning or discharge plan communicated to the parents;

or whose parents felt that the neonatal treatment was more intensive or prolonged than expected.

I would also be interested in hearing from parents who had a positive experience, as I genuinely want to understand whether our experience was unusual or whether there is a pattern.

I am not making any accusations or medical conclusions with this post. I am simply trying to collect firsthand experiences from other families so we can better understand what happened to our baby.

If you don't feel comfortable sharing publicly, please feel free to send me a private message.

Thank you to anyone willing to share their experience.

Terrible photo but was just in our room at our villa. Lesser/greater banded hornet you think? Had orange marking.

Samsung pay , grab pay or gojek pay?

The W hotel in Seminyak are being quite dishonest to future guests at the moment. Their beach bar always having been one of their main features it is now under full renovation. That would be fine if they disclosed that fact at booking but they don’t! If you’re planning a stay there I would highly suggest emailing them ahead to confirm latest updates. The photo is taken from the beach today.

There’s something absolutely magical about looking up at the sky here. Between the gentle sway of the frangipani leaves and this breathtaking, luminous moon playing peek-a-boo through the clouds, it feels like the island is putting on a private show just for me.
Pure serenity under the Bali moonlight.

I heard August is dry season, so zika and dengue bites are less common than wet months. I had planned for a trip in August but recently found out Im pregnant. I’ll be about 11 weeks if/when we travel. Planned to stay in Nusa Dua or another beach area in a resort. Should I cancel plans?