Andrea from Germany

Right now I have an old friend staying with me in Seminyak and wanted to get her thoughts on travelling here in Indonesia.

Andrea from Aldingen Germany, aged 37
This is her first visit to Indonesia.

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Baliblog: Andrea on this trip what countries have you been to ?
Andrea: Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia.

Baliblog: How long have you been traveling for this trip?
Andrea: Altogether my whole trip was 3 months, with 7 weeks in Indonesia.

Baliblog: Before you came to Bali what did you expect?
Andrea: I expected friendly people, interesting culture and beautiful scenery.

Baliblog: Before you came to Bali what did you think you would be doing here?
Andrea: I thought I would visit my friend Nick, relaxing and trying to be outside all day long. Maybe climb a volcano, go swimming and snorkeling.

Baliblog: When you arrived on your first day in Bali, what was your impression?
Andrea: I stayed in Kuta because I was waiting for Nick, I stayed in Kuta and thought Kuta is not what I need, it’s a city and I don’t like to stay in cities. I like it quiet and more relaxed. There was a lot of traffic in Kuta and many people like to sell you something, but also a lot of nice smiles.

Baliblog: Since you been in Bali what are some of the highlights?
Andrea: The place we stayed at Vincent and Akari’s in Tirtaganga with the view of the rice fields. It was like a picture with the workers moving in the rice fields. Also making an early morning walk down to the rice field was wonderful.

Baliblog: What advice would you give other visitors to Bali?
Andrea: I would say take it easy when so many people want to sell you something. Take it very easy and smile, don’t get mad about that.

Baliblog: Did you buy souvenirs while you were here?

Andrea: Oh yeah, I bought some sarongs in Lombok, I like the ones that the people wear themselves not just for tourists and some small wooden models, sandles, some clothes and the natural photo albums.

Baliblog: Did you feel you got a good deal of those items?
Andrea: Yes sometimes I got the same price as locals and sometimes I paid too much but that’s okay. There are so many souvenirs and when I go to a shop where they are selling ton of stuff I can’t buy any of it. I like to buy from small vendors and from the business owner.

I don’t go to downtown Kuta for shopping that’s too much for me.

Baliblog: Do you have any advice for people buying souvenirs?
Andrea: Depends what you like or what you want. Maybe don’t get the first things and look around. Sometimes think twice if you really need it because there is so much stuff. I like to give a present when I go back home that’s one reason I bought things.

Think also about the wood they use to make the handicrafts. They cut the huge big old trees. Make sure you don’t buy anything made from turtle.

Baliblog: How did you get around Bali?
Andrea: By Perama bus and taxi, once I rented a motorbike and bicycle in Ubud.

Baliblog: Which do you prefer of those?
Andrea: To go somewhere long distance its good to go with Perama, it’s a well organized company. When you get to a place its good to rent a motorbike, it’s the best thing to get round. I think sometimes its good to take a local guide because they know where the good places are. My experiences are they were very helpful and friendly.

Baliblog: Was it difficult to rent motorbike?
Andrea: No, its like the place you stay you can ask them to arrange it for you. Its good to have an International driving license.

Baliblog: Was it difficult to talk to locals?
Andrea: Not at all. They like to speak with foreigners and are very open, they like to speak with you. It seems like where you are from, your age, marital status etc. are popular topics of conversation.

Baliblog: If you had to recommend places in Bali where would you suggest?
Andrea: This is one thing I wouldn’t like to say because I didn’t stay so long in Bali although I’m sure there are many beautiful places. I spent more time in Lombok.

Baliblog: While you were in Bali did you feel safe?
Andrea: I always felt safe, there was no reason not to feel safe, not at all.

Baliblog: Did you ever become sick?
Andrea: Never, I got a lot of bites though.

Baliblog: Did you take any anti–malarial medication?
Andrea: No I didn’t take any medication at all. I know a guy from Spain who stayed on Gili Air who went to hospital with a bad fever. This was 4 weeks ago and my friend said he had dengue fever. He was in Gili Air the whole rainy season too so maybe that was a factor.

Baliblog: When you first arrived in Bali how long did it take you to pass through immigration?
Andrea: A very short time, maybe a few minutes. I had a 60 day visa already from Bangkok, for $52…I got it through a travel agent there.

Baliblog: Why did you decide to go to Lombok?
Andrea: When I was here in Bali it was still raining everyday and I thought it doesn’t rain that much in Lombok and I also thought that it is more relaxed. I also have a friend who went there years ago and she said ‘beautiful Lombok’.
I had this idea that I would go to Flores via Sumbawa, but I stayed in Lombok because I went to Gili Air and stayed there making new friends and after a while it was like a little home. After a while the people know you, the kids know you and call your name when you walk down the street. It was a good mixture of locals and foreigners, so I didn’t like to move. The weather was nice, the water was nice for snorkeling and very close by. There was no traffic at all only the cidomo.

Baliblog: Any bad points for the Gili’s ?
Andrea: Bangsal. Everyone was getting upset and complains about it, because the people are cheating and tell you bullshit.

Maybe sometimes it’s a little bit difficult for a woman traveling on her own because in Gili Air, there are a lot of westerners and locals are used to them . Some guys and boys are coming close to me and try to kiss me. You have to make it very clear. For me it was okay and I had a good time with them. Sometimes they gave me a little massage but I tell them that’s far enough. Some of them just think I just came to look for a boy.

Baliblog: What was your opinion of Lombok?
Andrea: It’s a very beautiful island with very friendly people and it seems that when people tell me something about Lombok from 10 years go its still the same and not developed like here in Bali. There’s very little tourism.

Baliblog: What were your favourite places in Lombok?
Andrea: Gili Air, Tetebatu in the mountains and around Kuta Lombok.

Baliblog: What advice do you have for people going to Lombok?
Andrea: Its good to take a motorbike to go around. It depends what you like but there are a lot of homestays. They are cheap and you get close to the locals.

On Gili Air I met a boy from Tetebatu who suggested I visit Tetebatu. Also if you go to the tourist office they can give you the addresses of homestays. Sometimes to take the public transport its not so easy until you get to the right terminal. People tell you different stories and it can be hard getting around. Just take a taxi instead. I took a taxi from Mataram to Tetebatu for 50,000rp.

Its fun to have the nice adventure of being in the same vehicle as the locals but they are stopping at every corner.

There is very little tourism and people are very poor. If the locals ask for 30,000rp – 40,000rp for a guest house I think its better not to bargain because to use the difference is just one Euro.

Baliblog: What could be done to improve Bali and Lombok for tourists?
Andrea: Stopping the vendors running after the tourists like crazy in Kuta. Also in Bangsal people from Gili Air spoke to the government and this is a very good idea.

I think its good to make a price limit, for guest houses whereby they can’t go under a certain amount 20,000rp etc.

All the taxis should have fixed prices, all companies the same.

Baliblog: What do you think about the new visa policy?
Andrea: This stupid stuff you know. They should make the regulations the same as before.

Baliblog: How does Indonesia compare to Thailand for a holiday for you?
Andrea: Here in Indonesia its more interesting, the culture in more mixed, muslim, Balinese etc. Thailand is good if you go there to relax, snorkel and take it easy. For me Indonesia has a lot more to discover.

Also you can make friends very easy here, somehow you get closer to the locals.

Baliblog: Will you be coming back to Indonesia and if so where do you plan to go?
Andrea: Right now I have the feeling I like to come back. You never know. I would like to go to Lombok again, maybe Flores, Sumbawa.

Baliblog: What are you immediate plans?
Andrea: I go back to Germany and have 2 -3 weeks to visit friends and family and in mid May I go with my boyfriend Bernd to the Italian Alps working in a guest house, in near Locano.

Baliblog: What will you miss bout Indonesia when you go back home?
Andrea: The nice and friendly people, the nice smile, the typical food, the sea, staying outside all day long and to be barefoot all day long and the easy living, out here I don’t have any responsibilities. I’m sure I will be shocked at how expensive Germany is when I go back. Here in Bali I can eat out every day.

• Lombok: A great break from Bali
• Interviewing Andrea in Seminyak Bali
• Getting Andrea to Lombok Bali
• Dangers and annoyances in the Gili Islands / Lombok
• Gili Island hopping boats Lombok

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