BALI
ACCOMMODATIONS Information
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Indonesia has
an extraordinary range of ac, accommodations, much of it good value.
Most cities have a number of hotels offering air-conditioned rooms
with TV, mini bar, hot water, swimming pool, etc. for $100/night
and up. While at the other end of the scale, you can stay in a $2/night
losmen room with communal squat toi~ let (bring your own toilet
paper), a tub of water with ladle for a bath, and a bunk with no
towel or clean linen (provide your own). And there's just about
everything in between: from decrepit colonial hill stations to luxurious
new thatched roof huts in the middle of rice fields.
A hierarchy of lodgings and official terminology has been set by
the government. A "hotel" is an up-market establishment
catering to businessmen, middle- to upper-class travelers and tourists.
A star-rating (one to five stars) is applied according to the range
of facilities. Smaller places with no stars and basic facilities
are not referred to as hotels but as losmen (from the French logement,
wisma (guesthouse) or penginapan (accommodation) and cater to the
masses and budget tourists.
Prices and quality vary enormously. In the major cities that don't
have many tourists, such as Jakarta, Surabaya and Medan, there is
little choice in the middle ranges and you have to either pay a
lot or settle for a room in a losmen.
In areas where there are a lot of tourists, such as Bali and Yogja,
you can get very comfortable and clean rooms with fan or air-conditioning
for less than $25 a night. In small towns and remote areas, you
don't have much choice and
all accommodations tend to be very basic. It's common to ask to
see the room before checking in. Shop around before deciding, particularly
if the hotel offers different rooms at different rates. Avoid carpeted
rooms, especially without air-conditioning, as usually they are
damp and this makes the room smell.
Advance bookings are necessary during peak tourist seasons (July
to August, Christmas and New Year and the Muslim Lebaran holiday).
Popular resorts are always packed on weekends, and prices often
double, so go during the week when it's cheaper and quieter.
In many hotels, discounts of up to 50% from published rates are
to be had for the asking, particularly if you have a business card.
Booking in advance through travel agencies can also result in a
lower rate. Larger hotels always add 21% tax and service to the
bill.
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Balinese
Bathroom Etiquette
When staying in losmen, particularly when using communal facilities,
don't climb in or drop your soap into the tub of water (bak mandi).
This is for storing clean water. Scoop and pour the water over yourself
with the ladle/dipper provided.
If you wish to use the native paper-free cleaning method, after
using the toilet, scoop water with your right hand and clean with
the left.
This is the reason one only eats with the right hand-the left is
regarded as unclean. Use soap and a fingernail brush (locals use
a rock) for cleaning hands. Pre-packaged alcohol towelettes may
make you feel happier about opting for this method. But don't throw
the towelletes down the toilet.
Bring along your own towel and soap (although some places provide
these if you ask).
Staying in
Balinese Villages
Officially, the Indonesian government requires that foreign visitors
spending the night report to the local police. This is routinely
handled by losmen and hotels, who send in a copy of the registration
form you fill out when you check in. Where there are no commercial
lodgings, you can often rely on local hospitality. But when staying
in a private home, keep in mind the need to inform the local authorities.
One popular solution is to stay in the home of the local authority,
the village head (kepala desa).
Carry photocopies of your passport, visa stamp and embarkation card
to give to officials when venturing beyond conventional tourist
areas. This saves time, and potential hassles, for you and your
host.
Villagers in rural Indonesia do not routinely maintain guest rooms.
If a cash arrangement has not been prearranged, you should leave
a gift appropriate to local needs-cookies, clothing, cigarettes,
or D-cell batteries for radios in remote villages. Note down their
address and send prints of the photos you took of them.
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