🌊 Guest Questions Answered - Live and regularly updated

 What activities are available at the retreat center? Massage/healing bodywork, yoga, meditation, and movement sessions, walks, hiking, swimming in the river, gardens, terraced farmland, the verandas in your room or huts throughout the land. 

 ‘bale sakepat’ (pavilion with four pillars) by the river, in front of Uma Bungalow

Where can I swim and how far is the beach? River bathing and meditation are popular at Nirarta. Swimming is available in quiet pools nearby, and in the sea, about 30-40 minutes from Sidemen. It's possible to share a taxi and take a day trip to the coast individually or with group participants.

  

          
Are there motorcycle rentals? Yes, Nirarta suggests a local shop called Mantra Transport

Cell phones & service:

• Calls can be made using your personal telephone or a telephone charge card with an international cell phone plan. Check your with your cell provider about an international plan. If you get an international plan, let us know. There is a telephone in the village center which is a 10-minute cab ride.
• Make sure your cell battery holds a good charge. Place your phone on airplane mode to save battery. Keep it out of the sun.
• Internet is generally available at bars and restaurants and at internet cafes. If you have a phone that is unlocked from it's carrier, you can purchase a local SIM card and then logon to buy a Balinese internet plan during your stay (roughly $30-$40). This is for GSM and CDMA phones are available. Currently, GSM has better coverage at Nirarta. 
• WhatsApp - This is the best and easiest way to communicate with each other and with folks back home. WhatsApp lets you chat, call, and video call with internet. 

Can I bring valuables? Avoid bringing valuables or expensive jewelry. Avoid attracting attention to yourself or your wealth. Don't carry large sums of money, just what you need for the day. Keep cash in front pockets or deep in your bag.

Can I use my credit card? Do not rely on your credit card in Bali. Most places accept cash or traveler's checks. Bring cash to exchange. In areas that do take cards, Visa or Mastercard are most accepted and the market rate fee (3-5%) might be added to your bill.

Where can I exchange money? You can exchange money at the airport or at a verified money changer. Larger bills that are clean or freshly printed receive a higher exchange rate, according to this TripAdvisor article: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g294226-c165765/Bali:Indonesia:Exchanging.Currency.html
The article recommends, "The money changers at the airport (just as you leave the baggage claim area) will have a lower exchange rate than those outside the airport in Kuta, Legian, Sanur, etc. We recommend that you only change a little money here to get you through the first 12-24 hours, until you can get to a changer with a better rate"

What's the currency? Bali is fairly inexpensive. Lodging can be as low as $10-$50/night. Expect higher pricing in touristy areas like Ubud. Download a currency calculator to your device that works when your phone is on airplane mode. Approximate exchange rates of US Dollar to Indonesian Rupiah:

$1.00 USD = 13,600 IDR
.75 USD = 10,200 IDR
.50 USD = 6,800 IDR
.25 USD = 3,400 IDR

Be aware of your surroundings when using ATMs, going to bank, and exchanging money.

Bali gratuity/tipping: Tipping is not mandatory in Bali but is generally appreciated by service staff. 

• You will notice a 10% service charge that shows up on invoices - this normally goes to the government or the establishment and not the staff. Staff are often paid extremely low wages. In most restaurants tipping between 5-20% works. Some restaurants have signs that read "No Tipping" to offer guidance. 
• There is no standard amount for other services like hired drivers/guides, housekeepers and staff in your accommodation, or a porter who takes care of your belongings.  A general rule of them is to round your payments up to the nearest 10,000 IDR if you hire a driver, and 10,000 IDR to the porter for each piece of luggage.
• It’s hard to know what do you tip in Bali, so when in doubt go ahead and tip a few dollars here and there. It goes a lot further than it does back home.

What languages are spoken in Bali? What are common phrases I need to get by? The main languages are Balinese, Indonesian, and English. Here's a list of common Balinese Phrases. Screenshot or print this list to travel with. 

Common Balinese Phrases

Hello - Swastiastu

How are you - Engken Kabare

Fine, Thank you - Iyang Becik Becik Suksma

Please - Tempat

Thank You - Suksma

I'm Sorry - Ampura

Do you speak English - Bapa Bisa Basa Inggris

Where is the toilet - Ring Dija WC

Yes - Nyak

No - Sing

I want to go to the airport - Tiang Lakar Ka Airport

How much is this/that - Ajikuda Niki/Naka

Too Expensive - Mahal Sekali

Help - Nulungin Tiang

Good Morning - Rahajeng Semeng

Good Evening - Rahajeng Peteng

Good Night - Rahajeng Wengi

(Source: https://www.holidify.com/pages/languages-in-bali-1167.html)

Can I charge my device at the center or plug in electric items? 

In Bali and Indonesia you can expect the 2 pin socket and plug as used in larger parts of Europe. Whether you are staying in a hotel or in a private villa you should be able to get an adapter if you ask for one. The pins are round, not flat or rectangular. Look for the Bali grounded adapter plug and check out this chart for visuals of the different style plugs. Most iPhone, apple, and android products can adapt to the different voltage running through sockets - check your device to be sure they will be able to handle the correct voltage when using this adapter.

The standard used in Bali is a two-pin plug (round):
Voltage: 230 V
Frequency: 50 Hz
Power sockets: type C / F

(https://www.bali.com/sockets-plugs-electricity-voltage.html) 

Questions to be answered ASAP!

What to expect upon arrival at Denpasar airport: 
What to expect upon arrival in Bali?

Are there safes to lock valuables at the retreat center? 

Should I carry my passport on me always?