Bali and West Borneo Indonesia; Two Magical, Mystical Places!!

1) a) When changing your money to local currency at the airport or anywhere, remember that there will be several money changers there, and that they are not under government regulation, so shop around for the best rate!! (They will post their rates, so checking them is easy.)
b) Keep in mind that these money changers place a premium on U.S. bills that are either A or B series, and that are not wrinkled or used looking in any way!!
Go to your local bank before you leave the US, and get all A or B series bills, that are brand new.
There is around a 30% devaluation of your money if it does not meet both of the criteria previously mentioned.!!
My wife and I generally bring around $5,000 cash to exchange, and if the bills do not meet the criteria previously mentioned, they have a devaluation by the money changers to approx.$3,500. (A significant devaluation!!)

2) Remember that jet lag can take up to a week for your body to recover from, so take it easy for the first few days of your vacation!!

3) Hire a car and driver to take you to points of interest, and to transport you around in general. (A car with driver will usually cost around $50 per day, plus gas, lunch money and tip. (Most drivers will not dine with you, prefering to take the lunch money home to their families!!)
Hire a car and driver well before you arrive, if possible, as it will save you considerable headaches in the long run!!

4) Always carry several bottles of water per person per day, as this region of the world is very close to the equator, and very warm and humid. (Only buy sealed bottled water!!)

5) Bring some sandals that are quick and easy to put on and take off, because when visiting private homes, it is the custom to remove your shoes before entering!!

Glenn Conant

Looking for a special vacation that is part luxury and part adventure?
Try the Indonesian provences of Bali and West Borneo!!
You'll have the option of staying in 4 star accomodations, or taking advantage of less luxurious, yet very comfortable accomodations!!
Elegant seafood dinners, served beachside can be had for less that $7, and street vendors are always around the corner, with delicious meals for less than $1!!
Go for hikes in the tropical jungle, or rent a car with a driver to explore larger areas, where the driver is critical to finding interesting places to visit!!
Whatever you choose to do, you are guaranteed a once in a lifetime vacation at a suprisingly affordable price!!

Glenn Conant

To see more images from Bali, visit our store "Bali Images" at Zazzle.com