https://baliobserver.com/The Bali Observer covers Bali for an international audience: news, tourism and hospitality, travel advisories, business and investment, culture, the environment and eastern Indonesia.en© 2026 PT. Kabar Delapan Belashttps://baliobserver.com/assets/site/brand/icon-144.pnghttps://baliobserver.com/144144Sun, 20 Sep 2026 22:01:01 +0800 https://baliobserver.com/asdp-deploys-24-ferries-to-ease-ketapang-gilimanuk-queueshttps://baliobserver.com/asdp-deploys-24-ferries-to-ease-ketapang-gilimanuk-queuesSun, 20 Sep 2026 22:01:01 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainers & DataState-owned ferry operator ASDP deployed 24 vessels on the Ketapang–Gilimanuk route on Friday, 18 September 2026, using a flexible operating pattern to gradually disperse long vehicle queues on the key Java–Bali corridor. https://baliobserver.com/indonesia-sets-2027-holiday-calendar-with-bali-dates-for-galungan-and-nyepihttps://baliobserver.com/indonesia-sets-2027-holiday-calendar-with-bali-dates-for-galungan-and-nyepiSun, 20 Sep 2026 22:00:14 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainers & DataIndonesia has published its 2027 holiday calendar with 18 national holidays, eight collective leave days and Bali-specific Galungan, Kuningan and Nyepi dates that matter for travel planning. https://baliobserver.com/ketapang-gilimanuk-ferries-use-situational-open-close-systemhttps://baliobserver.com/ketapang-gilimanuk-ferries-use-situational-open-close-systemSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:59:57 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainers & DataASDP and transport authorities have been using a situational open–close system on the Ketapang–Gilimanuk ferry crossing in mid-September, as changing conditions and reduced berth capacity drive queues. https://baliobserver.com/bmkg-warns-of-high-waves-around-balis-southern-watershttps://baliobserver.com/bmkg-warns-of-high-waves-around-balis-southern-watersSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:58:45 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainers & DataIndonesia’s BMKG office in Denpasar has issued a high-wave early warning for several southern maritime zones around Bali, including the Bali Strait, Badung Strait and Lombok Strait, with waves forecast to reach 2.5–4 metres and strong… https://baliobserver.com/42-bali-flights-disrupted-as-ngurah-rai-airport-stayed-openhttps://baliobserver.com/42-bali-flights-disrupted-as-ngurah-rai-airport-stayed-openSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:58:12 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainers & DataNgurah Rai Airport stayed open on Sept. 6 while 42 flights were disrupted by volcanic activity linked to Mount Anak Krakatau, with the biggest impact on domestic services. https://baliobserver.com/asdp-upgrades-gilimanuk-dermaga-ii-capacity-to-50-tonshttps://baliobserver.com/asdp-upgrades-gilimanuk-dermaga-ii-capacity-to-50-tonsSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:57:34 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainers & DataState ferry operator ASDP is upgrading Dermaga II Gilimanuk and the pontoon berth at Ketapang to 50-ton capacity to improve reliability and flexibility on the Java–Bali crossing. https://baliobserver.com/giving-birth-in-bali-packages-for-foreigners-start-around-idr-85-millionhttps://baliobserver.com/giving-birth-in-bali-packages-for-foreigners-start-around-idr-85-millionSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:57:07 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainers & DataForeign residents and travellers considering childbirth in Bali face different care models, price ranges and insurance implications, with maternity packages starting around IDR 8.5 million and rising sharply for caesareans or high-risk… https://baliobserver.com/indonesias-e33f-retirement-kitas-age-income-and-sponsorship-explainedhttps://baliobserver.com/indonesias-e33f-retirement-kitas-age-income-and-sponsorship-explainedSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:56:31 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainers & DataForeign nationals aged 55 and older can apply for Indonesia’s E33F retirement KITAS if they meet age, income and sponsorship rules, but requirements, costs and age benchmarks vary in practice and should be checked against current… https://baliobserver.com/balis-saka-calendar-what-travellers-need-to-knowhttps://baliobserver.com/balis-saka-calendar-what-travellers-need-to-knowSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:54:36 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainers & DataBali’s Saka calendar is a lunisolar Hindu system that governs events like Nyepi and major moon-phase ceremonies. Its dates shift against the Gregorian calendar, so travellers should always verify festival timings before planning trips. https://baliobserver.com/how-to-re-register-an-indonesian-sim-card-in-your-own-namehttps://baliobserver.com/how-to-re-register-an-indonesian-sim-card-in-your-own-nameSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:54:18 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainers & DataForeign visitors and expats in Indonesia are generally advised to register or re-register phone numbers at official operator service centres, bringing the original passport and, in some cases, residence permits or visas. https://baliobserver.com/what-balis-governor-circulars-mean-for-tourist-scooter-usehttps://baliobserver.com/what-balis-governor-circulars-mean-for-tourist-scooter-useSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:54:06 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainers & DataBali’s 2023 governor’s circular sets conditions under which foreign tourists may ride scooters from registered two-wheel rental providers, while a 2025 update tightens guidance to four-wheeled vehicles from licensed businesses or… https://baliobserver.com/canang-sari-tridatu-and-kain-poleng-three-balinese-customs-visitors-often-misreadhttps://baliobserver.com/canang-sari-tridatu-and-kain-poleng-three-balinese-customs-visitors-often-misreadSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:53:59 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainers & DataCanang sari offerings, tridatu bracelets and black-and-white kain poleng cloth are visible elements of Balinese Hindu life. https://baliobserver.com/balis-rp150000-foreign-tourist-levy-who-pays-when-and-howhttps://baliobserver.com/balis-rp150000-foreign-tourist-levy-who-pays-when-and-howSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:53:57 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainers & DataBali’s foreign tourist levy is set at Rp150,000 per person and must be paid cashless once per visit through the official Love Bali system, before departure from Indonesia. https://baliobserver.com/bali-cost-of-living-tiers-from-canggu-and-seminyak-to-budget-amedhttps://baliobserver.com/bali-cost-of-living-tiers-from-canggu-and-seminyak-to-budget-amedSun, 20 Sep 2026 21:53:52 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainers & DataA December 2023 Coconuts feature ranks seven Bali areas by relative living costs, putting Canggu and Seminyak in the top tier and Amed as the budget choice.