How to get by in Bali

Despite the huge tourist industry, Bali remains what it essentially is – a relatively small island with a small and poor population that is mainly based in agriculture and primary production. What this means for the long term visitor and even the fleeting tourist is that infrastructure and resources often do not match up to needs.

Even making an international phone call can become a hassle in Bali, but like most things here there is always someone or something around to smooth the process out.

Bargaining is often key to life in Bali. Once the fine tuning around negotiating and haggling for the prices of absolutely everything from food and drinks right through to transportation fares has been sorted out and understood, a lot of the Balinese picture becomes rapidly clear.

There are plenty of hospitals with high standards of service and cleanliness. Though the costs of seeking treatment in clinics and hospitals with western standards of health care may be higher than the average utility cost in Bali, it is certainly cheaper than it would be in Australia, Europe or North America.

Expat communities are well established in Bali. It is quite easy to make fast friends and the surfeit of courses, schools and activities as well as social occasions means that no new arrival needs to be lonely for long. Websites are a good place to check what is happening where and when.