Tips for our client when golf in bali. The hot and sticky rainy season lasts October to March with downpours that can obscure all visibility. The wet season brings daily rain with the worst falling between December and February. From June to August, the temperature drops slightly and there is usually a refreshing cool breeze in the air. Humidity is high during the rainy season and better in the dry season.

When should you - and when should you not - enter a temple? What is the correct way of giving and receiving something? As most Balinese probably are too polite to tell you when you break their customs, take a look at the below Dos and Don’ts to make sure you do as the Balinese would do when visiting Bali.

Here are some tips that can make your holiday in Bali goes smoothly and enjoyably.

Do’s

• Reconfirm your outbound flight.
• Drink a lot of bottled water as you may dehydrated easily.
• Leave your important documents in your hotel safe and wandering around with the copies.
• Shop around when intending to change money as the rate may vary, check if the commission is added or not.
• Show your respect by wearing sarong when entering temple.
• Change money at a reputable looking location, use your own (or the hotel’s) calculator before changing!
• Put on loads of High Factor Waterproof Sun Cream (especially if you intend to spend a lot of time in the water).
• Be careful with your belongings at all times. Crime is on the increase and can ruin your holiday. Cases of handbags natching have been reported, so leave important documents in your hotel safe and wear your bag across your shoulders!
• Try not to step on offerings in the street (walk around them).
• Respect the slow pace of processions when stuck behind one, for instance, don’t honk!
• Haggle when buying (except on price-tagged goods).

Don’ts

• Stepping on offerings in the street.
• Honking if a caught behind the slow pace of processions.
• Attempt to swim outside designated areas on the beach.
• Deal in or do drugs. The death penalty is await.
• Touch people’s heads even children, as it considers offensive.
• Enter temple during menstruation.
• Use your left hand in sacking or handing over something to someone as it is consider impolite. If there is no other option then express your apology.
• Forget to take your passport (or a photocopy of your ID)
• Swim outside designated swimming areas on the beach, currents can be very strong. Swim between the red and yellow flags.
• Worry too much about the ice - it’s government-quality controlled in established bars and restaurants.
• Forget to look and listen while you cross the road. Cars may stop, motorbikes may not!

DRINKING WATER

DO drink bottled water  - Bali is hot all year around and you don’t want to dehydrate

DON’T drink tap water – it does not taste good and will almost certainly give you stomach problems

SHOPPING

DO haggle in markets and street shops. Humor and a smile can get you a long way, that goes for bargaining too.

DON’T haggle too hard or for the fun of it – be polite. 5,000 rupiah probbly won’t make much of a difference to you, but it might do to  the seller

MIIND THE HEAD

DO wear a helmet when driving a scooter – both for protection and to avoid getting stopped by the police. Inseder ttip : Wearing an “udeng” (the traditional Balinese headwear) exempts you from wearing a helmet.

DON’T  touch people’s heads – that goes for kids too, even if they are really cute. The head is considered the most sacred part of the human body.

ENTERING A TEMPLE

DO wear a sarong or long clothing when entering a temple. The Balinese are very serious about their spirituality, so please be respectful and cover up.

DONT’T enter a temple whilst menstruating – also if you have an open wound you shouldn’t enter.

WHEN GIVING AND RECEIVING

DO use both hands when giving or receiving. It is a compliment to use both hand when you give or thing like money or a business card.

DON’T hand over something with your left hand – it is considered impolite. Using both hands is ok.

WHEN DRIVING

DO honk the horn briefly when overtaking. It is common way to let other people know you are passing.

DON’T hold the horn down. Being aggressive in traffic is frowned upon everywhere, even more so in Bali.

GETTING SOMEONE’S ATTENTION

DO wave with your palm facing down. When asking someone to come by, stretch your hand out, palm down and move your fingers toward yourself.

DON’T point with your index finger – that is considered offensive. Use your entire hand if you want to point out something.

WHEN INVITED TO DINNER

DO make room for a second serving – you will most likely be asked for one and it will be impolite to rejec.

DON’T empty your plate.  Leave little food as an offering to the gods and to let the host know you had enough to eat.

PARTYING

DO enjoy an ice cold Bintang – Balis’ number one beer which comes in large bottles!

DON’T do drugs! Indonesia drug laws are extremely strict.

WATCH YOUR FEET

DO take of your shoes when entering – When enterring a home or temple take your shoes off. Helpful tip : Wheenever you see a row of flip flops outside a building, you should take off yours too before entering.

DON’T touch or point at someone with your feet – It is considered very offensive.