CLIMATE IN BALI
The climate in this archipelago on the equator is tropical. In
the lowlands, temperatures average between 21°C and 33°C,
but in the mountains it can go as low as 5°C. Humidity varies
but is always high, between 60 % and 100 %.
In general, Indonesia experiences two yearly seasons of monsoon
winds: the southeast monsoon, bringing dry weather (musim panas
- dry season), and the northwest monsoon, bringing rain (musim
hujan- rainy season). Often the changing seasons can bring the
time of high waves (musim ombak).
The rainy season is normally November to April, with a peak around
January/February, when it rains for several hours each day. The
rain is predictable, however, and always stops for a time, when
the sun may come out. Before it rains, the air gets very sticky;
afterwards it is refreshingly cool.
The dry season, May to October, is a better time to come, and
especially June to August. This is the time to climb mountains
or visit nature reserves; when wild bulls go in search of water
and sea turtles lay eggs more often.
TIME ZONES IN BALI
Bali is on Central Indonesian Standard Time, the middle of Indonesia's
three time zones, which is Greenwich mean time + 8 hours. It is
the same time in Bali as Singapore, Hong Kong and western Australia.
MONEY
Prices quoted in this book (in US dollars) are intended as a general
indication. Since the rupiah's freefall beginning in July 1997
until the printing of this edition, the financial situation is
unstable and prices change daily. The rate used in this edition
is Rp9,400 / US$1.
Standard currency is the Indonesian rupiah: Notes come in 100,000,
50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500 and 100 denominations.
Coins come in denominations of 1,000, 500, 100, 50, and 25 rupiah.
Both old and new issues are circulating. Unfortunately, the new
coins are very similar in size, so look carefully. Rp25 are rarely
available. In stores small change is often replaced by candies.
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