by Barrie | April 22nd, 2011 Tweet 
If there is one thing that will surely ruin your holiday to Bali then it has to be the dreaded stomach infection colloquially known as ‘Bali Belly’. Basically, you got the shits big time and you, well, feel like shit! The climate in Bali is one that is a natural breeding ground for germs. Add to that some of the local methods of washing and cooking and its no wonder people gets sick occasionally.
Anyone who continually travels to Indonesia on a regular basis will, at one time or another, contract this annoying gut infection. .A simple way to deal with it is to restrict yourself to extremely simple food for 3 days, which means bread, plain rice, potatoes, plain meat with no sauce and NO green vegetables. You’d be amazed at how a vicious case of diarrhea can disappear under that regime.
Even worse is the fact that diarrhoea will deplete your body of fluid, which when combined with hot humid weather will compound your misery. Drink electrolyte drinks such as Pocari Sweat (blue can with white strip) available any where in Bali. Alternatively bring some rehydration medicine with you. Gastrolyte is an excellent one to use.
It’s important to note that when travelling anywhere in the tropics – whether it be only Bali or the other islands in the archipelago of Indonesia – be securely vaccinated. This is only common sense.
If you are heading over to Bali then I strongly urge you to at least have the Hepatitis A and B vaccinations. Although not a blocker of the infection Bali Belly, it will give your body a bit of added resistance. These most prominent vaccinations are truly imperative and especially if travelling with children.
Reducing the risk of contracting any infections in Bali is simple. Before travelling to Bali consult your doctor. Find out what vaccinations are required and if any existing health concerns might prevent you from travelling. Make sure you carry a copy of your health record and prescription, if there are ongoing health issues that may require treatment while in Bali. Vaccinations recommended for travel to Bali include Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, Cholera and Typhoid. If you are worried about Japanese Encephalitis and Meningitis then by all means be covered but the former in reality is not needed for Bali and is a very painful vaccine procedure.
So, it is vital to be of reasonable heath before travelling to Bali. People with low immune systems are more prevalent to contracting a disease. And most importantly: Carry Travel Insurance.
Ubud is a place where you could spend your entire holiday in Bali and it is also a great place to base yourself for exploring the rest of the island. Being a relatively tranquil place, it is a haven for tourists, lovers of art and a delightful area to spend a whole day. There is so much of interest on offer in Ubud and the surrounding areas. 
Seminyak is renowned as the place for expats to reside in Bali. It is also regarded as the centre along the tourist strip for hip and inventive fashion boutiques, other designer stores and art studios. Seminyak is more upmarket with mostly luxury accommodation and fashionable high-end restaurants and bars. The atmosphere is much more sophisticated and laid-back than Kuta. There is virtually no backpacker accommodation in Seminyak. Budget travellers will generally do better to stay in nearby Kuta or Legian.
It is said that to get to know a country one must immerse themselves in all aspects of the culture and that includes food. Unlike in the rest of Muslim Indonesia, the Balinese food is somewhat different to other Indonesian foods in that it often includes pork dishes such as lawar, babi guling amongst others, and tends to more spicy. Another factor is that the food is less sweet than its counterparts in the other islands. 
Some of the foods you will come across on your epicurean journey will be Bakmi goreng (fried noodle, meat and vegetables), Ayam goreng (fried chicken, often served with rice and lalapan), Gado gado (steamed cabbage, bean sprouts, potato and other vegetables served with peanut sauce), Cap cay (mixed fried vegetables) and Bakso (spicy meatball soup). These are just a few as the list goes on and on. One of my favourites is Urap-urap (a Balinese dish consisting of vegetables in shaved coconut and chilli) is one superb find in any warung or restaurant. 
The situation with this entomological enigma came to rise when Candika, my wife, rang me last week and told me of the massive infestation of these caterpillars in Java. Having already swept through Sumatra and Java, the swarms of 
I have always been a film buff much preferring indie and noir films to the regular crap churned out of the USA. I do have a few friends who are amateur filmmakers and no doubt the 
Talk about Bali to anyone and instantly the word ‘Kuta’ is mentioned. This long stretch of beach has some excellent hotels located right on the beachfront. There is a huge range of accommodation available in Kuta; mostly in the budget and mid-range markets. Private villas are few and far between as Kuta just lacks the space for expansive private properties. 
When you discuss hotels to stay at on the tourist strip of Bali more often than not a lot of tourists prefer the hectic nightlife area of Kuta. However, just north of Kuta is Legian; less manic than Kuta and popular with families staying in Bali. It is Bali’s second most popular area for tourists. Another attraction is the white sandy beach.