WELCOME TO BALI!

(UPDATED 7/21/2022 - please see disclaimer at bottom of page)

We hope this guide helps make your experience to this wonderful island a safe and easy one!

The last time we published this guide was pro-Covid 2020 when Jinju came back from the U.S. in February 2020.

Obviously, with many things having changed with new entry, immigration, and vaccination requirements popping up every month, even we - as Indonesian residents! - have difficulty keeping up.

So, for those requirements, we’ll defer to the website we use to keep updated:

https://www.welcomebacktobali.com/

(It’s maintained by the Bali Hotels Association so you can bet it will have the latest information.)

As residents of Bali for over four-and-a-half years, we share the following “inside tips” to help you have the best experience possible, some of which we haven’t seen shared anywhere else:

• IF YOU CAN, SPEND 5 DAYS IN BALI BEFORE THE RETREAT! Many of you are already coming to our Kuan Yin Pre-Retreat package which includes: stay at a BEAUTIFUL villa 7 min from Ubud, daily flow practice with Jinju, intentional practices to prepare for the retreat, breakfast, airport pick-up, cultural learning activities, and more. While the villa is already full, we have an option for a homestay nearby within a 4-minute walk with modest accommodations, so that you can still participate in the daily activities. Learn more here.

• Due to things out of anyone’s control, we highly recommend trip insurance - be sure to check what their “pandemic policy” is

• expect at least 22 hours of travel time (flight + layovers) over 2 - 3 flights (2 flights would be ideal)

• your final destination is Denpasar (DPS) and, depending on which airline, you'll likely come from China, Australia, Singapore, Japan or the Philippines

• unless you’re paying with miles and know your level of service, we HIGHLY recommend that you take an international carrier from the U.S. west coast and NOT a U.S.-based carrier (if you’re coming from NYC, then take United/Delta/Virgin to SFO or LAX, then take something else from there).

• there should be many flights available, so pick the one which lands between 12 - 8 p.m. if possible (we understand price is a big factor) - while we will provide transportation to/from the airport, they must be at reasonable times

• BEFORE BUYING YOUR FLIGHT, take a look at www.seatguru.com to see if you’re seat is in a good spot - it’s a LONG flight so you want to make sure it can recline or isn’t near somewhere you don’t want to be!

• use Kayak/Orbitz/Expedia/Google Flights, etc. to find the best price (we use Google ) but DON'T book through them, book directly with the airlines if reasonably priced:

  —> if you need to change your flight, it's a nightmare working through resellers to get proper customer service

  —> you don't get a better deal anymore because the airlines are price-matching these websites now

  —> 1 stop before arriving in Bali is the absolute best, if the price is right (Singapore Airlines has a good one from the U.S.)

  —> Depending on your work schedule, if you absolutely must leave on the same day the retreat ends, then leave in the early evening

• don't dress on the plane as you would in Bali - you'll be on planes for over 20 hours and they'll usually have it really chilly! - have your Bali clothes ready in your carry-on so you can change into them as soon as you get off plane. Keep da slippahs (flip-flops) close by!

• pack a lot of snacks with you as the airplane meals won't be enough to hold you over for long layovers or delays

• there's a 25% chance your check-in luggage won't make it with you on your flight, so pack at least 3 days of clothing, your toiletries, and other items (valuable or not) you'd want with you on carry-on (we have 2 separate occasions where friends brought luggage for us and it didn't make it on their flight) - take photos of your check-ins!

• you'll skip a day on the flight over

• easiest way to tell Bali time is taking whatever EST as it’s the same hour in Bali but just a day ahead (it’s 13 hours, DST- dependent). For example: Jan 1, 9 p.m. EST = Jan 2, 9 a.m. Bali time (during daylight savings, it’s 10 am, Bali time)

• make sure your passport doesn't expire within 6 months of entering Indonesia

• ***** SIM cards - your carrier may have an int’l data plan but it’s usually only to text a number and RARELY will it allow you to access anything requiring internet (browsing, using WhatsApp or FB Messenger) - unless you really need internet where WiFi isn’t available (there will be WiFi at Purnati). Having said that, Google Fi might be a good option unless you already have a plan you’re happy with. If you want to get a SIM card & your phone’s unlocked, then look for a warung (small store) or signs which say XL or Telkomsel, etc. - you’ll find all kinds of data packets but and there’s a process to buy a card (you’ll also to show your passport, etc.)

• ***** Download WhatsApp as this is the main communication channel on Bali: https://www.whatsapp.com/

  • You’ll be using this to communicate with us mainly for logistics - airport pick-ups/drop-offs, etc.

  • We have a WhatsApp that we’ll add you to

  • Please look for Nova at +62 821 44313864, add him to your contact list, then send him a message

  • There will be WiFi at Denpasar airport so please message Nova before you go through Immigration (you should be able to) and then again when you’re finished at Baggage Claim.

• ***** VOLTAGE - use 220v - 240v so your phones and laptops will be fine, but double-check! Mostly every else that’s not a phone or laptop is 110V (if you’re coming North America, that is) so you’ll need a voltage convertor for that especially if that particular appliance is your favorite, must-have one

• ***** Convertor plugs - bring it if you have but we’ll have spare ones for you to use

• the currency here is called the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) - go here for the latest rate - (it was 13,700 or so when we arrived in January 2018)

• you can get IDR at your bank or just wait to do an ATM run when you arrive (it’s cheaper and your airport pick up driver can take you to an ATM machine that works)

  • TIP: after putting in your PIN, do a balance inquiry FIRST, not a withdrawal. If the ATM comes back with your balance, then you know that it’s able to communicate with the systems back home, so you can be reasonably assured that you’ll withdraw safely (Nova note: after going straight to withdrawal, I’ve had on 2 different occasions w/2 different ATM machines tell me “We were unable to communicate with your bank so your withdrawal has been cancelled” only to find out later that my request WAS made and withdrawn from my account, but received no cash at the ATM. Luckily, I was re-imbursed by my bank.)

    • Alternatively, you could just withdraw the lowest amount possible and see if it works!

  • UPDATE: This happened to a friend who’s staying with us. She took my advice the 1st few weeks, but then stopped doing it as she thought it wasn’t necessary. Then, just last week, after trying 3 different ATMs that all said, “Communication with your bank has failed” . . . . you can guess what happened when she checked her account online!

• be careful of your surroundings and check the ATM itself for any weird cameras or housings/fittings as there are ATM scams
  

• ***** if you have a favorite mosquito repellant, then bring it - we don’t use any at all but choose to cover up in the early morning and evenings (we call it our “mosquito clothing” with Sekai)
  

• we highly recommend bringing the following: liquid/liposomal Vitamin C, Oregano Oil, probiotics, and "On Guard" by doterra. What we've linked to on Amazon is what we use for any illness whether a cold, fever, flu, or diarrhea.
  

• while we know CBDs have extensive benefits & no THC in them (as well mushroom/psilopsybin extracts), we highly discourage bringing them even if you have a doctor's prescription! Here in Indonesia, cannabis/cannabidoil/canna-anything or ANY EXTRACTS (REMEMBER: if what they’re extracted from is illegal in any state in the U.S., then they’ll 10,000% illegal here in Indonesia and you DON’T want to be caught with any of that in your possession (100% chance you’ll go to prison)
  

• if you have prescriptions, then make sure the name on the bottle(s) matches your passport
  

• because the lokals will know you’re a tourist, you’ll be hit up A LOT for all kinds of things, especially if you’re in the tourist areas (it can be overwhelming at times). Because you want to be nice and not give a flat-out “no”, you’ll likely say, “Not right now” or “I’ll get it later” or some other nicety . . . . don’t do that b/c they will come back to you and say, “Ma’am, you get now, ya? You said later.” So, better to say, “Tidak makasi” (tee-dah mah-kah-see) which means “no thank you” or even better, say “Sudah” (soo-dah) which means “already” or “I have already” or “I have enough”. It’s better because they’ll feel you know what’s up . . . . does that make sense?
  

  ***** When entering Immigration, there’s a chance they’ll ask you the reason for your visit . . . . PLEASE DO NOT SAY YOU’RE HERE FOR A RETREAT! Simply say, “I’m here for vacation.” If they ask where you’re staying say, “I’m staying at Bali Purnati in Batuan south of Ubud.”
  

—————

An attendee put together a nice packing list extracted from above as well as some of Jinju’s ideas - take a look:

• Swimsuit

• Light weight clothing (keeping elements in mind)

  • light pants & zip up jacket

• Small LED flashlight

• Hydro flask/ water bottle

• Hula hoop

• Poi - get your own Soul Flow Dakini Poi here

• Flow props

• Costume items / jewelry / goddess attire! 

• Adornments

• Sandals / Slippahs

• Converter plug

• Picture of you as a child

• Picture of your mother, grandmother (optional)

• Journal

• Snacks for traveling

• Warm travel clothes

• Altar items

• Oracle cards (for altar)

• Charger

• Poncho

• Eye mask (for plane)

• Face mask (for plane)

• Ear plugs 

• Compression socks (for plane)

• Liquid vitamin C, probiotics, oregano oil, activated charcoal

• White Candle 

• Toiletries

• Download WhatsApp

• Mosquito repellent

• Sunscreen

• Passport

• Travel docs (please go here for latest info)

THE ALL-TOO-IMPORTANT . . . . CLOTHING

Jinju took a look at this blog and thought it wasn’t bad: https://herpackinglist.com/2014/12/ultimate-bali-packing-list-females/

She also wrote this in a Retreat Group email from 2019 which still applies in 2022:

In addition to what is listed in the travel guide, we encourage you to HAVE FUN & GET CREATIVE with the clothes & accessories you pack. A huge purpose of this retreat is to awaken & celebrate the inner (and outer) Goddess. If you feel any resistance around this invitation ( I know I have many times in the past!), it's okay!! One of your fellow sisters wrote these words on the topic, and I hope they inspire the goddess within you, as they did me:

"I believe looking your best (decorating your space with fresh flowers, wearing your favorite oil or scent, wearing flattering clothing that expresses who you are, etc) softens your heart with beauty and makes you feel amazing...thus making you more receptive to love. Expressing yourself in this way gives other women permission to adorn and pamper themselves." ~ Stephanie Murray (participant & our belly dance teacher!)

That said... here are some guidelines:

COLOR THEMES - Think Elements! The curriculum follows a spiral path through the Elements!

White - for AIR

Green/Brown - for EARTH

Blue - for WATER

Red - for FIRE

White (with Gold and/or Silver accents) - for SPIRIT

ADORNMENTS. Jewelry, body chains, body paint, feathers, scarves, bindi's, temporary tattoos, etc,... anything goes!

FOR FIRE DANCING. On the night of our fire-dance ceremony, if we can all wear red, that would be wonderful. Fortunately in the tropics, you actually don't need a lot of clothes. You will want to stick with non-synthetic fabrics (for ex. cotton, or leather), and form-fitting... so minimizing flowy fabric pieces that can easily catch on fire.

This is an opportunity to dress and express in ways we often can't, or if we did, it would be considered "inappropriate".

Also, those of you who have more than one outfit of each color, bring extra for those who may need some extra support in that department ;)

WHAT TO BRING/PACK (in addition to all of the above):

• an extra suitcase if you care to bring back Balinese treasures; shopping in Bali is a fun experience (and it’s difficult for me - Jinju - to say that about shopping). With the dollar being so strong, plus some great bargaining skills we will share with you, you can easily fill a suitcase to take back with you.

FLOW PROPS.

• Hula Hoop. You will need to bring your own hoop. We highly recommend TrinityStarr Travel Hoops. My personal preference is the 5-section hoop. Before ordering be sure to go through their beginner’s guide to ordering your first hoop. In general, think B-B-B - Bigger is Better for Beginners.

• Poi. If you have poi, bring them! If you don’t, that’s ok. We will have Soul Flow Poi available for use and for purchase.

• Fire Gear. If you have gear, bring it! If not, that’s ok, we will have fire poi, palm torches, one or two hoops, fans, and we’ll see what else by then! My favorite source for fire gear is Trick Concepts.

• LED Props. Got them? Bring them! We do NOT have much available here for LED’s. They are optional in this retreat. If you feel inspired to shop online for some, I highly recommend Flow Toys. And for led poi, their pod poi are the best.

• Veil Fans. We are adding a fan veil class to our curriculum and the teacher will send along info very soon about where to purchase veil fans. I believe she can order in bulk and bring them with her, stay tuned on that one.

POST-RETREAT CRASH/BLUES. This is a very real, common, and natural phenomenon that can be minimized and perhaps prevented all together with the following precautions:

• PLAN FOR IT. First, if you can stay in Bali for an extra day or two to transition from “retreat mode” to “non-retreat” mode, this will buffer the shock to your system that would come from going straight onto a plane after the closing circle. Give yourself a minimum of 2-3 days when you return home to land, unpack, rest, and integrate.
  
  
  

• MAKE TIME FOR INTEGRATION. This is key on any learning journey where we receive and experience so many elements and pieces, sometimes to an overwhelming degree. Bali, alone, is overwhelmingly beautiful and magical. Add that to the Beauty that Transforms curriculum When we don’t take the time to integrate, what often results is DIS-integration, which we all know is not pleasant. For some (I’ll raise my hand on this one!) this can trigger intense anxiety and sometimes depression. What I have found to be the most powerful ways to integrate is to journal or sketch, past attendees have written poems, compiled photos/videos. You will also want to restructure your lifestyle when you get back to incorporate your new practices and rituals on a consistent basis. All of this takes time.
  
  
  

• UTILIZE NAIASA INSTITUTE’S OFFERS TO HELP. Just as we will have a pre-retreat call, we will also have post-retreat calls. Almost every full or new moon, we will host “Inner Fire” sister calls (free of charge), to tend the beauty flames and nurture the bonds formed during this journey of a lifetime. Other ways to “keep that Fire lit” and have a way to really ingrain these new teachings/realizations into every fiber of your being is to continue your journey in our other programs that you can find in “Offerings” or through our Courses site:
  https://courses.naiasainstitute.earth/
  
  
  

  If you’ve gone through any of the above programs, talk to us about joining the team! The NaiAsa village is expanding and welcoming our graduates to join the team as teachers, trainers, mentors and coaches.
  
  
  

• FEEL LIKE BALI IS CALLING YOU FOR MORE THAN JUST A RETREAT? Take a look at our Bali Land Stewardship Program!

Happy planning and mahalo,

Dr. Jinju & Nova

consider this a working web page - we’ll be updating it as we get more info or helpul ideas . . . . .

please note: while we’re sharing the most accurate information from reliable sources and our own experience as 4+ year residents of bali, please be sure to do your own research as we can’t guarantee it will be 100% accurate at the time you use this information.