Why would you come to Denpasar?

I’d say that the market is worth a visit and at the same time the fabric shops in the Muslim Street just across the river. Amazing variety of beautiful materials at very good prices.

I think DenPasar is one of the best cities in indonesia. It’s cleaner and less congested than most cities in Indonesia, period.

Hi Rex - where is the market located? Or, is it something I would naturally see?

Hi Tom - is it safe for women to walk around alone?

Thanks for the help!!!

Hi Rex - where is the market located? Or, is it something I would naturally see?

Hi Tom - is it safe for women to walk around alone?

Thanks for the help!!!
Lily

Lily,

“is it safe for women to walk around alone?”

Sorry, I am not qualified person to answer your question as I don’t live in Bali. I would like to say “yes” at least during the day, but I’d better leave it to others like Rex, Nick, Barrie, or Tracy- who are residents of Bali - to respond.

Okay, guys, can anyone of you give her a qualified answer?

Hi LilyPond,

The easiest way to get around Bali if you are not accustomed to the roads and driving style is to get a vehicle and driver. For comparatively short distances in the area approx south of Seminyak/Denpasar/Sanur it’s generally easy to get a taxi. Taxis are cheap, but make sure that the driver turns the meter on, then there’s no argument about how much you should be paying.

Driving a taxi in Bali is not a well paid occupation. If you are happy with your driver, as you probably will be, it’s a nice gesture to round off the fare to the next 5000Rp up [or a bit more if the fare is almost a multiple of 5000]. Peanuts to us, food on the table for the driver’s family.

If you are going to some comparatively isolated place in South Bali, some of the beaches on the Bukit for instance, don’t depend on easily getting a taxi back. Negotiate for your driver to either wait for you, or pick you up at an arranged time.

In other parts of Bali there is no proper taxi service, but in the larger towns such as Ubud and Candi Dasa there is no shortage of drivers vying for your business. The fares are subject to negotiation. If you are in Candi Dasa, I can recommend my friend Wayan Manek [Nick] ph 081 8353501.

If you want a car and driver for the whole day [8/10 hours] a fair price was about 300,000Rp including petrol, but like the rest of the world, Bali has had recent fuel price rises, so maybe the going rate is now a bit more. You can go just about anywhere on the island and back in one day, but some places certainly deserve more time than this.

When you stop somewhere to get a cool drink, get one for your driver. He’ll probably prefer water. Offer to buy him lunch. He may or may not accept, but if he does, he will not take advantage of your offer by ordering something expensive.

If you have not already done so, click on “Maps of Bali” at the top of the page and print what you feel may be useful.

Back to your two questions. Any taxi driver will know the Pasar Badung market and the Muslim Street just across the river. Don’t allow your driver, or especially someone just hanging around, to be your “guide”. Just wander around, take your time and remember that bargaining in Bali is the national sport.

Are women safe on their own? Generally speaking yes, particularly if there are plenty of tourists and/or locals around. But, just like anywhere else in the world, don’t wander around in lonely places on your own at night. Your greatest danger is not being sexually harrassed, but paying too much for goods and services if you are perceived to be a newcomer to Bali who does not understand the prices and the bargaining system.

It’s not that everyone is out to cheat you, it’s just that in Bali there is no concept of the “right price”. The right price is as much as you can be persuaded to pay. It’s a good idea to start your shopping in a fixed price place like Matahari dept store in Kuta Square, then you get an idea of what you can get for your money.

Talking of money, change your money into Rupea at somewhere generally reliable such as a Kodak shop. Other places may have a better exchange rate posted outside on a board, but they will probably want commission and may try to cheat you as well. Refuse small denomination notes, this is a common way of confusing you. Carry your own small calculator, work out for yourself what you should be getting and always be the last one to touch and count your money.

Young Balinese men pay compliments to foreign women on their own. Nothing wrong with this of course, take it in good part. But some like to romance tourists in return for meals, drinks, or maybe cash to make an overdue payment on a motorbike or for urgent medical treatment for a family member etc. I’m sure you get the message. In Kuta they are known as Kuta Cowboys, but every part of Bali has them.