Bali... Any one been there?

Never been to Bali
But I have been to the opera

thanks redbag appreciate the genuine feedback. looking forward to it

thanks sambino. i am staying in tembok and ubud. accomadation looks stunning

it's really quite small and you can hire unofficial taxis that will take you around all day for about 5 and he will just sit there for hours waiting for you. Quite amazing and he will really appreciate a tip.

thanks for the advice mr eko

Not to try to ruin your honeymoon, but lot of people did not like Bali in 2002...

Hopefully you will, tho.

the after effects of 2002 is that the place is a lot less busy and much cheaper. Go to Lovina and see the dolphins if you can.

many thanks

* South Africa is dangerous for tourists in terms of the high levels of crime and similar to Jamaica you are at a much higher risk than in the UK if you leave your holiday compound or don't follow an extremely strict set of do's and don'ts guidelines.

My perspective is that if its a holiday I'm on I don't need to be thinking about additional day to day risk and the only abnormal risk I want is flying which is a very low risk statistically.

On the Bali thing, if you can afford it then go to The Whitsunday Islands on The Great Barrier Reef, if that's over your budget then try Tangalooma Island (Just off of Brisbane) It is a far cheaper version of The Whitsundays. I've been there and its great.

http://www.tangalooma.com/

Ongoing political turmoil, awful health and safety in public places, extremist terrorist groups operating in certain parts of the country, prostitution rife in tourist areas. I wouldn't go there if the holiday was free and I was being paid to go there.

I meant Foriegn Office not Home Office before.

This is the current Foreign Office advice for Thailand:

Travel Summary

We advise against all but essential travel to, or through, the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla. There continue to be frequent attacks, including bombing and shooting, due to insurgency and civil unrest in these areas. On 15 March 2008, two bomb attacks at the CS Pattani Hotel in Pattani killed two people and injured 15 others. See the Terrorism sectionof this advice for more details.


There is a high threat from terrorism in Thailand. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. There were a number of bomb explosions in Bangkok in 2007. See the Terrorism section of this advice for more details.


The King endorsed the new Thai Government on 6 February 2008 but the political situation in Thailand remains uncertain. You should exercise caution and avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings of people. You should also keep yourself informed of developments, including by regularly checking this advice. See the Political situation section of this advice for more details.


Penalties for possession, distribution or manufacture of drugs are severe and can include the death penalty.


Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Thailand have resulted in a small number of human fatalities. The last human death was in 2007.


Around 860,000 British nationals visited Thailand in 2007 (Tourism Authority of Thailand figure). The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Thailand in 2007 were for: replacing lost or stolen passports (over 800 cases); deaths, mostly from road accidents or related to drink/drugs (over 250 cases); arests (over 250 cases) and hospitalisations (over 200 cases). The majority of consular cases occur in Bangkok, Pattaya and Koh Samui.


We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.

Safety and security

Terrorism/Security

There is a high threat from terrorism throughout Thailand. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. You should exercise caution at all times.

On 31 December 2006, a series of bomb explosions in Bangkok killed three people and injured at least 36 others, including six foreigners. Since then there have been a number of attacks in Bangkok, with motives which remain unclear. Most have been small and caused no casualties.

We advise against all but essential travel to, or through, the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla, where there is continuing violence due to insurgency and civil unrest. On 15 March 2008, there were two bomb attacks at the CS Pattani Hotel in Pattani. Two people were killed and 15 others injured.

Since January 2004, there have been almost daily attacks in the far south. These include arson, bombings and shootings. Targets have included civilians and members of the security forces, government office, tourist hotels, discotheques and bars, shops, marketplaces, supermarkets, schools, transport infrastructure and trains. Over 2,500 people have been killed and several thousand more injured. No British nationals have been killed in these attacks, but some other foreign nationals have been killed and injured.

There is a state of emergency in the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. Martial law remains in place in these provinces. Security authorities can detain suspects without charge, censor the media, conduct searches and seize documents. Martial law is also in place in the Chana and Thepha districts of Songkhla province.

If you are considering travel to, or through, the far southern provinces of Thailand, you should seriously reflect on whether or not your journey is absolutely necessary. If you do decide to go ahead with your trip you are advised to regularly review your own and your familys security arrangements.

Elsewhere in the region, Westerners were killed and injured following terrorist attacks in Indonesia; in Bali (October 2002 and October 2005) and Jakarta (August 2003 and September 2004). The extremist group Jamaah Islamiyah is thought to be responsible for these bombings. The Thai authorities have arrested a number of terrorist suspects, most notably a senior leader of Jemaah Islamiyah.

Political Situation

Thailand Country Profile

On 19 September 2006, there was a coup against the Thai civilian government and martial law was imposed throughout the country. Martial law has since been lifted in 41 provinces including Bangkok but it remains in 35 other provinces.

General elections took place in Thailand on 23 December 2007, and the King endorsed the new Thai Government on 6 February but the political situation remains uncertain. Former Prime Minister, Shinawatra returned to Bangkok on 28 February. You should exercise caution and avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings of people. You should also keep yourself informed of developments, including by regularly checking this advice.

Crime

Six British nationals have been murdered in Thailand since January 2006.

Watch out for crimes of opportunity. You should take sensible precautions and be on your guard against pickpockets and bag snatchers. When walking along busy streets or travelling in open transport, such as tuk tuks, you should be aware that foreigners have had items snatched by riders on motorbikes.

We receive regular reports of credit card fraud after shop employees have copied card details. You are advised not to lose sight of your credit card during transactions.

There has been a number of incidents where tourists have had their drinks drugged (in both tourist areas and red light districts). You should be careful about taking drinks from strangers and be wary at clubs and parties, particularly in the Koh Samui area and at the Full Moon party on Phangan Island where incidences of date rape have been reported. A number of British nationals have suffered severe psychiatric problems as a result of drug use, in a small number of cases resulting in suicide.

We receive occasional reports of tourists who have been robbed after bringing visitors to their hotel rooms. In some cases their drinks were drugged. Ensure that your passport and wallet are secure at all times.

We continue to receive reports of sexual offences committed against foreign women and men. In 2007 our Consular staff were aware of a number of British nationals who were the victim of a serious sexual offence in Thailand. In January 2006, three British women were raped in separate incidents in Thailand, including one who was murdered.

Female travellers in particular should maintain a high state of personal awareness during their time in Thailand. Be aware that alcohol and drugs can lead to you being less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment. If you are going to drink, know your limit. Remember that drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK. Reports of sexual assaults against women have become particularly prevalent in the Koh Samui archipelago. Women travellers are, therefore, advised to take particular care over their personal security whilst staying in this area. For more guidance about this see the Assault, Sexual Assault and Rape Overseas page of the FCO website.


You should report any incidents of crime to the Thai police before leaving the country.

For more general information please see the Victims of Crime Abroad page of the FCO website.

Local Travel

Tropical cyclone Nargis hit Burma on 2/3 May 2008 causing significant damage to the Irrawaddy Delta area and Rangoon. A state of emergency has been declared in Rangoon, Mon, Irrawaddy, Karen and Bago which have little electricity and low water and fuel supplies. See the Burma Travel Advice for more details.

The King's sister, Princess Galyani Vadhana, died on 2 January 2008. The Princess' body lies in the Dusit Throne Room in the Grand Palace in Bangkok and members of the public have been invited to pay their respects.Larger than usual numbers of people can be are expected in and around the Grand Palace.

As noted in the Terrorism/Security section of this travel advice, there has been a resurgence of violence in the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla. This has included attempts to sabotage the railways and lethal attacks on public buses. We recommend against all but essential travel to, or through, these four provinces.

Thai to Burma Border

The main towns along the order with Burma are generally safe. However, if you plan to travel to remoter areas you should exercise particular care. There is sporadic conflict on the Burmese side between Government soldiers and armed opposition troops, some of whom cross the border into Thailand to seek refuge. There are also occasional clashes between the Thai security forces and armed criminal groups, such as drug traffickers who operate in these areas. There have also been a number of security incidents in the Mae Sot area. You should, therefore, remain vigilant at all times if you intend to travel in this region.

Outside the main towns, police and military checkpoints are actively manned and travellers may be asked to produce identification. If you wish to visit border areas outside the main towns you should consult the local authorities for advice on the current situation at: http://www.tourismthailand.org/.

Do not attempt to cross the border into Burma other than at an official border checkpoint and after obtaining any relevant permissions/ visas from the Burmese and Thai authorities.

Travelling to Cambodia

There are two legal land border crossing points into and out of Cambodia for foreigners: Srakaew Province to Poipet, open daily 07:30 hours to 20:00 hours; and Klong Yai at Had Lek, Trad Province to Koh Kong, open daily 07:00 hours to 20:00 hours. British nationals need a visa for Cambodia. You are recommended to consult the FCO travel advice for Cambodia.

Crossing to Laos

Visas are available at the principal entry points, the Thai to Lao Friendship Bridge, Luang Prabang and Vientiane Airports, on payment of 30 American Dollars cash and provision of a passport photograph. If you intend to enter at any other entry point then you will need to get a visa in advance. You should also be aware that not all entry points are open to foreigners. You are recommended to consult the FCO travel advice for Laos.

Road Travel

An international or Thai driving licence is required to drive in Thailand.

Riding a motorcycle or scooter in Thailand can be dangerous. On average 38 people a day die in motorcycle accidents in Thailand. You should take the same safety precautions as in the UK. The Thai law that safety helmets must be worn is widely ignored: a contributing factor in many tourist deaths each year.

The motorcycles or scooters available for hire in beach resorts are often unregistered and cannot, consequently, be used legally on a public road. Before you hire a vehicle you should check your travel insurance policy carefully to ensure that you are covered and check the small print of the lease agreement carefully. You should never hand over your passport as a guarantee against returning a motor scooter or cycle. Unscrupulous owners have been known to hold on to passports against claimed damage to the motor scooter or cycle.

Riding

Egypt:

There is a high threat from terrorism in Egypt. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers, such as hotels and restaurants.


Since 2004 there have been three separate bomb attacks in the Sinai Peninsula. These attacks killed and injured a number of British nationals. The most recent incident on 24 April 2006 in the resort town of Dahab killed 23 people, and injured more than 60 including 3 British nationals. See the Terrorism Section of this advice for more details.


Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Egypt have led to more than a dozen human fatalities since 2006.


Approximately 1,033,000 British nationals visited Egypt in 2006 (source: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism). Most visits are trouble-free. The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Egypt in 2007 were: replacing lost and stolen passports (over 100 cases); hospitalisation, especially in relation to psychiatric illness (67 cases); deaths, mostly from natural causes and drowning (52 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (39 cases). The majority of consular cases occur in Cairo, Luxor and Sharm el-Sheikh, where most tourists stay.


Egyptian society is conservative and women should dress modestly. See the Local Laws and Customs section of this advice for details.


The crime rate in Egypt is low but you should safeguard valuables including your passport and money. You should carry some form of photographic ID at all times. A copy of your passport is sufficient.


We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.


Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a high threat from terrorism in Egypt. Security is tight throughout Egypt, especially in resort areas. There remains a risk of indiscriminate attacks in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers, such as hotels and restaurants. Egyptian security forces continue to carry out counter-terrorist operations in some areas of Sinai. Security authorities may insist on escorting you in some areas. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

On 26 April 2006, there were two suicide bomb attacks at the Multinational Force and Observers base in north Sinai. There were no fatalities.

On 24 April 2006, there were explosions at three separate locations in the resort town of Dahab in the Sinai Peninsular, in which 23 people were killed and more than 60 injured, including three British nationals.

In August 2005, two police vehicles and one Multinational Force and Observers vehicle were damaged when three roadside bombs exploded in Northern Sinai. Two policemen were killed and seven others injured.

On 23 July 2005, three bombs exploded in Sharm al-Sheikh in the Sinai Peninsula. 63 people, including 11 British nationals, were killed. 124 others were injured in these attacks.

On 30 April 2005, terrorists carried out two suicide bomb attacks in Cairo. Seven civilians, including four foreign nationals, were injured. On 7 April 2005, there was a suicide bomb attack in central Cairo near the Khan El Khalili bazaar, a location frequented by tourists. Three tourists were killed and 19 injured.

On 7 October 2004, three terrorist attacks in resorts and hotels in Taba and near Nuweiba in the Sinai Peninsula killed 34 (including tourists) and injured 159. Prior to these attacks the last terrorist attacks in Egypt were in 1997 in Luxor.

You should be aware that some of these attacks have taken place over local holiday weekends. Egyptian security forces tend to step up their presence at these times.


Crime

The crime rate in Egypt is low but you should take sensible precautions. Take care of your passport and valuables, use hotel safes and be aware of pickpockets and bag snatchers. If you are travelling alone or in small groups, you are advised to take extra caution, as there have been many cases of harassment, the majority targeting women, especially on the streets of busy cities or at the beach resorts. If you are the victim of any crime you must report it to the Tourist Police immediately. Failure to report crimes before you leave Egypt will make it impossible to seek a prosecution at a later date.
In 2007 Egypt was one of the countries with the highest number of cases reported to our Consular staff of British nationals who were the victim of a sexual offence. Half a dozen of the cases reported to our Consular staff involved children under the age of 18.

Be aware that alcohol and drugs can lead to you being less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment. If you are going to drink, know your limit. Remember that drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK.


Taxis and minibuses often overcharge tourists for airport transfers. You should ensure that you agree with the driver a charge for the ride before taking it.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Egypt Country Profile

Opposition in Egypt to Western and British policy in the Middle East is widespread. The conflict in Iraq triggered demonstrations across the country and the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians continues to provoke public anger and demonstrations.

You should follow news reports and be alert to developments in the Middle East that might trigger public disturbance. You should avoid political gatherings and demonstrations, and respect any advice or instruction from the local security authorities.

There was a demonstration near Karnak Temple in Luxor at the end of March 2008, where residents protested against being relocated as a result of a new tourist project. There have been protests elsewhere in Egypt, including Cairo, in advance of the local elections (8 April) and against price rises in basic commodities. You should avoid getting caught up in any disturbance.

Border areas

The area of the border between Egypt and Gaza is likely to remain tense after clashes and breaches of the border in late January 2008. Other border areas e.g. with Libya, Sudan and Israel should also be treated with caution. See the Road Travel section of this advice (below) for more details.

LOCAL TRAVEL

Road Travel

You can drive in Egypt on an International driving licence for up to six months. If you intend to remain in Egypt for a longer period you must apply for an Egyptian driving licence.

Road accidents are very common in Egypt, mainly due to poor roads, dangerous driving and non-enforcement of traffic laws. Police estimate that road accidents kill over 6,000 people in Egypt each year. This is twice the UK figure. Avoid driving on country roads at night and observe the local speed limit. Make sure you obtain adequate third party insurance. In the event of an accident emergency medical facilities are limited.

By law, seatbelts must be worn when travelling in the front of a vehicle. Where available, seatbelts should be worn at all times. Child car seats are available locally.

Only certain categories of foreign residents may import vehicles. Vehicles of visitors should be temporarily imported with a valid

good honeymoon?