Visiting Bali from the US

If you've never been to Bali and know no one there, my first advice is to pick an area and price you're comfortable with, and find a good driver who can show you the sights and knows the history, culture and religion well. Flights are expensive and long, but renting a place and a car are fairly cheap; you can make up the difference through the inexpensive food and shopping, and daily tours courtesy of your driver.

The first thing you'll want to know is: where are the beaches, what water sports are available, what cities, villages and sights are worth a visit, and where are the best shopping areas? But beyond that, ask yourself what you might enjoy contributing while you're there. Bali may seem very cosmopolitan from a tourist perspective in say, Kuta or Seminyak, on the lovely southern coast. But it's also a country in need. So think about what you might have to offer, especially if you're staying for more than a couple of weeks. I volunteered a staff development class at a local afterschool program during my stay. There are several volunteer programs available, for example at idealist.org, adventuretravelabroad.org, and luxwordltravel.com, or volunteerabroad.com

One of the advantages of Bali's cosmopolitan side is that most people you'll meet speak English fairly well. They're comfortable with American customs and familiar with our ways, and are quite friendly and helpful.  For very little per hour you can get a surf lesson, massage, household help, laundry service, and so on. Best to make sure you get a reference first, as anywhere. I hope to provide names and numbers of Bali's better service providers here as the blog grows.