Ultimate - Bali - Villa .com - Facts & Information
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Bali Facts & Travel Information - Common Questions
What is the best season for travel to Bali? What is the weather like?
The "high season" for Bali is a long one due to it's close proximity to the equator. The tropical temperatures normally range from 82 to 88 degrees F. year round. January and February usually get the most rainfall. The period with the least rainfall is Summer. Spring and Fall bring variations with more rain as dates approach December and February. Many of our guests appear to enjoy a little tropical rain and find an occasional bursts of showers, particularly in the evening, to be refreshing and invigorating. To support this theory, in 1998 and 1999, almost sixty nights at the villa were taken during the "wet monsoon" January/February period. Christmas is also one of the most popular times of all for travel to Bali, although it stands a good chance to have some rain too. What's it like in Bali today? Check Yahoo Weather
Which airlines service Bali and how long does it take to get there?
It's best to verify current availability with your travel agent, but the major airlines servicing Bali are Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA, Quantas and Japan Airlines. Typical layovers and fuel stops are in Hong Kong, Singapore and Honolulu and total travel times to Bali range from 18-1/2 to 24 hours (taken from the west coast). It pays to go for two weeks if you can, but many find that even a one week stay at the villa is an acceptable minimum stay to warrant the travel required.
What activities and day trips are available in Bali?
Please see Bali Activities and Day Trips for additional information. The list is rather small considering the diversity of Bali - so you might consider purchasing a good travel book on Bali as a reference before your departure.
What about crossing the International Date Line?
This peculiar scientific anomaly is located at some lonely and desolate spot in the Pacific Ocean. Some say that the very need for the International Date Line is a result of imperfect science. In any case, other than appearing to rob you of a precious day of your time, the International Date Line is just a paper tiger, and will have no effect whatsoever on your enjoyment of either Villa Gajah Putih or your stay in Bali. And when you cross back over the International Date Line on your return home, the lost day is quietly given back to you and you will thus arrive in the USA on the same day you left Bali.
Is a visa necessary for travel to Bali?
An advance visa is not necessary (for most travelers), but all passports must have a minimum of six months remaining throughout your entire stay. Visas are issued upon arrival at the airport.
How far is Villa Gajah Putih from the international airport?
The villa is located in Southern Bali, approximately 25-30 minutes from Ngurah Rai International, the primary airport for Bali. Denpasar, the capitol of Bali is also nearby in southern Bali.
Will I be picked up at the airport
Complete airport service plus use of a late model, air-conditioned car with English speaking driver/guide are included throughout your stay at the villa. Our driver(s) will meet you near the customs and immigration areas, bearing a sign with your name.
When was the villa built?
The villa was completed in 1991, and since then, aside from the continuous impeccable maintenance, has undergone one major remodeling and a two-bedroom addition in 1998. the villa now totals about 14,000 square feet and the five acre beachfront property is exquisitely maintained.
Who keeps my deposit until the arrival date? How do I know for sure that this villa is for real?
Your deposit and final payment for Villa Gajah Putih is sent directly to and held by the actual villa owners until your arrival date arrives. (Beware of any agent who does not do this, but instead holds your money in his own account). Aside from this internet website, we have been continuous advertisers in several major international magazines since 1995. Other references may also be furnished if needed. Here are some authentic "guest comments"from some of our past visitors.
Are any vaccinations advisable for travel to Bali?
I always advise our guests to check with their personal physician for recommendations, however a current tetanus and polio booster is never a bad idea. Some ask me about "anti-malarial" tablets, and I personally would not touch them, but ask your doctor in any case if you are concerned. Bali is not known as a high malaria risk area at the time of this writing (9-17-99)
How do we arrange for our meals at the villa?
A sumptuous three meal plan is available at very reasonable rates. The cuisine at the villa is absolutely first rate and would cost many times over this at a typical five star hotel on Bali. Plans include a complete Breakfast plus full course Luncheons and Dinners. Our lovingly prepared and elegant meals are served in the family style and your menus are carefully planned with our house manager and chef.
Indonesian cuisine is a specialty with us and includes sate and lumpia (eggroll) appetizers, delicious main courses of seafood, meat or poultry served with savory rice (Nasi Goreng) and noodle dishes (Mei Goreng). Superb Italian cuisine is also our specialty and includes fresh pestos, fine hand made pastas and pizzas plus carefully prepared main courses based on our own authentic recipes from Italy. Deserts include freshly made ice creams as well as pastries, cakes and fresh fruits. We do our best to accommodate vegetarian or other special dietary requirements. The sanitary and well equipped kitchen is staffed by a European trained gourmet chef with skilled assistants and helpers. Food preparation and service service is included in the rental rate.
Does the villa have purified water?
Bottled, purified drinking water and chilled water is always available in the rooms. The villa has a central pressurized water system and the house water is safe for normal use.
Is good medical attention available in Bali?
Generally yes, but in the event of a very serious illness or the need of a specialized physician or equipment, it may be necessary to be evacuated to another island. These costs are not covered in the villa rental, but Traveler's Insurance Group of North America offers very reasonable "trip cancellation insurance" policies which include evacuation and other expenses. We recommend purchase of this type of policy, which also covers cancellations due to other emergencies or accidents. We can furnish the telephone number of a reputable insurance agent if needed.
I know that one car and driver is already included with the villa rental, but can our large group rent a larger van instead of a second car?
Yes, we are sometimes able to get the Mitsubishi "super van" which can handle up to seven adults plus the driver. (Our normal car included with the villa carries five adults total). Please ask for a quote prior to your departure if you wish to reserve a van.
What about telephone use at the villa?
You can use your International calling card free of charge at the villa provided there is a toll free access number in Indonesia for your carrier. Sprint and MCI, for example have toll free access in Indonesia. By checking with your long distance carrier in advance, you can verify if they offer calling card service in Indonesia. The villa has separate international phone and fax lines. All guestrooms rooms have telephones..
What's the beach like directly in front of the villa? Is it good for swimming or snorkeling?
Villa Gajah Putih is located on a prime five prime acre site, directly on the open Indian Ocean. The villa has 500 lineal feet of semi-private beachfront with no frontage road. The beach located in front of the villa has a clean, medium/light colored sand, without objectionable rocks. The water temperature is warm year round, in the 80's. It should be noted that the Indian ocean can bring large surf with currents at times and therefore swimming directly in front of the villa is recommended to experienced adult swimmers or surfers only. Snorkeling and diving are normally best where there is a calmer, coral reef condition. Your driver can arrange day trips to areas with a coral reef floor, or you can arrange to rent our own luxury catamaran for a snorkel/diving trip with gourmet boxed lunch and snacks included.
Will I be isolated from world and business events while in Bali? Does the villa get international news?
The villa is equipped with a satellite dish and large screen television which receives the CNN network, and there is no need to feel isolated at the villa - unless you want to be. Additionally, a second surround-sound projection system on an upper terrace has a laser disc collection of over 100 English movie titles. Daily English newspapers such as the International Herald are also available. If constant contact with a guest must be maintained (i.e. such as a doctor or merger executive), we recommend a worldwide cellphone, which can be obtained from the villa manager for a nominal daily charge.
Should I bring traveler's checks?
Most guests bring part travelers checks and part cash. The checks are a little more trouble to cash and carry a higher commission but our manager can assist you in changing them. Some guests will bring a quantity of one hundred dollar bills and entrust most of it to our house manager for safe keeping. Your belongings and valuables are safe at the villa. The new type of $100 bill with large face is much more easily accepted than the old type. For currency rates, click here: Exchange Rate for Indonesian Rupiah.
What about credit cards and ATM machines?
The villa does not accept credit cards, but they are accepted at many tourist areas, larger shops and restaurants. ATM's may also be available, but I personally would not trust an ATM machine to work in a foreign country.
