Traveling as an Indian in Bali
Bali has a historical connection to India in that some of the Bali Aga are said to be descended from people from eastern India. The Hindu religion is the other huge thing that puts Bali on the tourist map for Indians. There are historical clues such as the cut-caves, statues and bronze figures as well as prasati (metal inscriptions) that tell of cultural and economic interaction with India from as early as 200BC to the 8th Century AD, when they were made.
It is sometimes said that Bali is a fossilized version of old Java, the Hindu religion being extinct there. For an Indian person visiting Bali, the traditional culture is quite different from the Hindu culture in India. I say culture because in Bali religion, ceremonies, village life, family obligations etc. are all connected.
Visas:
Indian citizens are granted VOA (Visa On Arrival), meaning they can arrive at an Indonesian port of entry and get 30 days, for $25. They can also get 7 days / 6 nights for $10. Those arriving must have a ticket out of the country and at least 6 months left on their passport from the date of arrival. Indian citizens can also apply for a range of visas at the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi, or visit the Indonesian Consulate in Mumbai.
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
50-A, Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi-110021
Tel :+91-11-2611 8642, 43,44, 45, 46
Fax : +91-11-26874402, 26886763, 268882791 (consular section)
Email : iembassy@giasd101.vsnl.net.in
Website : www.kbri-newdelhi.org
Consulate General of Indonesia
19, Altamount Road, Cumballa Hill, Mumbai-400 026
Tel : +91-22-2380 0940/2389 1255
Fax : +91-22-2380 0942
E-mail : kjrimumb@bom3.vsnl.net.in
Arriving:
Indian citizens will pass through immigration using the VOA (Visa On Arrival) lane, then the Foreign Passports lane. In all the process should take around 15-20 minutes.
Money:
Airport money changers accept many currencies but the Indian rupee isn’t one of them. Travellers are advised to bring a hard currency such as $US or visit an ATM machine.
Taxis:
Local taxi drivers will speak Balinese, Indonesian and some English.
Shopping:
Bargaining is part of life in Bali as it is in India. Indian tourists should have an advantage over their western counterparts, who may be unused to this way of doing things. However there maybe cultural differences in how direct Indians people are, compared with Indonesians. I have been told I am very rude, for simply asking the price, then stating its too expensive. Best strategy is to be polite and take it easy, while seeking the best deal.
Indian Embassy Jakarta:
Embassy of India in Jakarta, Indonesia – Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. S-1, Kuningan Jakarta 12950, Indonesia Phone: (62-21) 520-4150, 520-4152, 520-4157 Fax: (62-21) 520-4160 E-mail: eoiisi@indo.net.id
Indian Consulate Medan:
Consulate General of India
Jl. Uskup Agung A. Sugiopranoto Medan
Tel : 0062 – 61 – 4531308 / 4556452
Fax : 0062 – 61 – 4531319
Email : cgimedan@indosat.net.id
There is no Indian government representative in Bali.
Highlights for Indian Tourists in Bali:
Coming from another Hindu culture, the Balinese Agama Hindu culture and all its trapping would be the highlight most likely. The Balinese version of the Hindu religion incorporates common themes and icons such as the trinity of Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver) and Shiva (the Destroyer). The Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, plays in which good overcomes evil in a pantomine-like environment are also part of the Balinese culture. What differs is the animist beliefs, such as placing offering to ward off evil spirits, the worshiping of ancestors at family temples and ceremonies such as Nyepi. Here’s one Indian visitor’s experience.
Balinese ceremonies are rich with color, music and offerings. Indian people will most likely find a strange similarity in some of the temple decorations (Hanuman the monkey God, etc.) but also come away feeling this version of Hinduism is quite different. In order to visit a Balinese temple ceremony, its best to go with a local. You will need a sarong and sash, costing around 30,000rp in total, acquire at art markets or local places such as Pasar Bandung in Denpasar. Ubud a great place to view a Balinese temple dance and the Royal Palace on Jl. Raya Ubud has nightly dances.
Restaurants:
Indian food can be found in Bali, the most well known restaurants being the Gateway of India chain and Queen’s Tandoor in Seminyak. Gateway of India in Seminyak has a Sunday evening buffet for 50,000rp per head.
Indian people may enjoy Indonesian / Javanese food, for its sweet sauces and curry (kare) flavours. Indonesian food does not have the extremes of flavour that Indian food has, less over powering, but still tasty.
Myuran Sukumaran:
Many Australian tourists like visiting Australian prisoners in jail here. One of the Bali Nine, Myuran Sukumaran has Sri Lankan / Tamil roots, which may inspire some interest.
Nightlife:
Indian people may enjoy western style nightlife establishments such as MBarGo, Bounty or Double Six, which in effect are international. There are no specially oriented Indian nightlife venues in Bali.