Customs - Toilet - Tips - Temples

Toilet: Squat toilets are normal and toilet paper is not common in non-tourist areas. Locals wash with their left hand. Left hand considered dirty for reason above. Western-style toilets are common in Kuta, Ubud, and Denpasar, however you may have to deal with a squat toilet if you visit a local.
Always use your right hand to give/receive anything from anyone.

Tipping: Not usual except for porters and at high class hotels & restaurants. Service tax is often added to bill. Waiting staff are poorly paid, tips of 2,000-3,000 Rp are acceptable for good service.

Wages: The average per capita annual income for Indonesians is US$900. An Ubud waitress makes less than 1 million rupes per month (600,000 to 800,000) (I would love to get a hold of more examples of what Bali people get for wages if anyone out there has accurate info?)

At Temple: Everyone should wear a sash when entering a temple. A sarong is also necessary if legs are not covered. Sash/sarong rental is common at temples but you might as well buy a set. Women who are menstruating & people with open wounds shouldn't enter temples.

During ceremonies: visitors should show respect, be discreet with cameras & videos.
source: http://www.itisnet.com/

Electricity: The electrical current in Bali is 220volts AC. The local two-pin plug is different from many countries - you will need to purchase an adaptor. I bought one for AUD$10 online before I left, but there are electrical shops in Kuta and Denpasar, as well as the back streets of Ubud, that you can purchase them from.

Balinese Names: are same for both sexes, and determined by birth order.
1st Child = Wayan (or sometimes Putu or Gede)
2nd Child = Made (or Kadek or Nengah)
3rd Child = Nyoman (or Komang)
4th Child = Ketut
5th, 6th, 7th, 8th Children = Re-Use Same Names

Clothes: Cover knees, shoulders, armpits

Laundry: Cheap compared to home, no matter where you go, and very easy to find. Usually a 24 hr service, but can do quicker if you get their early and if you really need it quicker.

Kuta - 120 Legian St (Sandat Laundry Service)
Socks 600Rp (10c)
Tshirt 1,000Rp (16c)
Long Shirt 1,200Rp (20c)
Long Pants 1,400Rp (23c)
Underwear 500Rp (8c)
Large Towel 2,500Rp (40c)

Kuta - Jl. Bakung Sari Gg. Widuri No.2 (JAYA Laundry Service)
These guys are at the bottom of Legian, Opposite Flora Beach Hotel
**a bit expensive, must be tourist price!**
Tshirt 2,000Rp (32c)
Trousers 3,500Rp (56c)
Underwear 1,500Rp (24c)
Socks 1,000Rp (16c)

Denpasar - 69 Seroja St (Rafika Laundry & Dry Cleaning Service)
Socks 500Rp (8c)
Long Pants 1,500Rp (24c)
Short-Sleeved Shirt 500Rp (8c)

Ubud - 56 Hanoman St (De De Laundry Service)
**a bit expensive, must be tourist price!**
Underwear 1,500Rp (24c)
Trousers 3,200Rp (52c)
Socks 1,400Rp (23c)

Currency & Money Stuff

ATM is most common way for Australians to access their money.
Watch for bank fees. ANZ were charging me $8 per transaction.
Some ATM's, you can't get more than 400,000Rp (AUD$65)
Bank BNI in Kuta = 600,000Rp max.
Bank BCA in Ubud = 400,000Rp max.
Bank Lippo in Legian St, Kuta (near McDonalds) = 1,000,000.00Rp Max (AUD$160) and you won't find better than that - it also gives out 50,000Rp notes which is perfect.
Bank Lippo in Popies 1 (at the "K" mini-market) = 1,000,000.00Rp Max (AUD$160) and also gives out 50,000Rp notes.

Look out for the notes the ATM give-out, it will either say 100,000Rp or 50,000Rp - only use the ATM's with 50,000Rp else you will find it very difficult to get change. I found that out the hard way, but managed ok since I then found an exchanger who was willing to change them to 50,000Rp notes.

Travellers Cheques - bring in $100-$500 or equiv. and use as backup, or when you see an excellent rate of exchange.

Cash - have a good stock of 100Rp, 500Rp, 1,000 Rp, 5,000 Rp, 10,000Rp, 20,000Rp
Credit Cards - I found them pointless, but if you are going over for business, I'm sure a few wholesale places would accept them, and maybe if you are not doing the whole "budget accommodation" thing. Bring as a backup.

Rupiah(Rp.)
Coins - 50, 100, 500, 1000, Rp.
Notes - 100 500 1000 5000 10,000 20,000 50,000 100,000

Conversion is approx 6200Rp = AUD$1.00
(actually, it fluctuates from about 6,200Rp up to about 6,700Rp)

Money Exchangers:
I didn't have a problem with them, but then I asked other travellers which they recommended and got the honest ones. Other travellers that I spoke to weren't so lucky, so watch when they count out your money, have your own calculator, exchange in $100 dollar increments so its easy to work out the exchange rate in your head. Re-count it in front of them before you leave. They like to be tricky such as counting out many different looking notes, watch out especially if they try to distract you while counting out the money, as many work in pairs. If you do get stung, go get security/police and hope they are still there.

Change:
It is common for Supermarkets/Shopping centres to give you candy (mentos) instead of coin change.