Many people bring only cash to Bali, and a bank card/credit card only as a backup.  If you are delayed, you may have to revert to the card.   So, don't forget to let your bank know you are travelling overseas, as sometimes they stop the card when they see overseas transactions, they report it as suspicious activity.  Get a phone number to call, or details on how to contact your bank should there be any delays.

If you are on prescription medication, not available here in Bali, make sure you bring enough for the length of your holiday, plus an extra few days to a weeks worth. People have been stuck in Bali due to unforeseen circumstances, such as volcanic eruptions, and their medication has run out..however, don't bring more than that, as you will need to prove it is for yourself (Dr's Letter)

Some Australian prescription medications (including strong painkillers such as morphine and codeine, sleeping pills and medications for ADHD) are considered illegal narcotics under Indonesian law. Other medications such as paracetamol, antidiarrheals and antibiotics won't be a problem but if you're at all concerned about your medication, check with the Indonesian embassy. For a fee, they can write you a Certified Letter of Approved Medicines; however, their website warns: "The letter is neither for legality purpose nor providing guarantee that you will be exempted from any checks and legal consequences that may arise."

Ladies: note that Tampons are hard to come by, and very expensive, so plan ahead

Check that your travel insurance is covered for all of Indonesia, not just Bali.  The Gili Islands are off Lombok, not Bali, some insurance companies do not include Nusa Lembongan Island in coverage for Bali (although it iss part of Bali).

Make sure your insurance covers the activities you wish to do here, such as any extreme sports: ATV rides, Mt Batur Volcano climbs etc. Don't even get on the back of a motorbike as a passenger unless your Insurance covers you as a pillion passenger.

You may have thought to get ash coverage for Volcano ash delays, but if you need to get a bus to another Island, say Lombok or over to Java, and have an accident, you may not be covered as you are no longer in Bali.

If you intend on having someone to look after your pets and water your plants, discuss with them the longest time they can continue to do this, so that you know they will still be looked after if you have any delays.

Have a backup person just in case.

If animals are staying at a Kennel, make sure your discuss what will happen if delayed with the Kennel staff.

Don't forget that if you are using long term parking at the airport or elsewhere, that you look at their policies, and also advise them where you are going. Make sure you have a contact email or phone number for them, so if you are delayed you can contact them if need be.

Don't forget to allow extra money for the extra time your car is parked if you are delayed, so there is no problem collecting it when you arrive back home.

Don't forget to let your employer know you are going overseas for your holiday.  Discuss with your employer contingency plans.

Can you work remotely, is there a person who can do you job while you are gone? Discuss openly with your employer about your plans should there be a delay. Discuss how long you can stay away from work and look at the alternative routes out of Bali and how long they will take etc.

If you have your own business the same will apply with talking to your staff.

It's so nice to go on a holiday and leave the phone at home. 

We recommend in this day and age with technology, that one person in your group has a smartphone/or ipad for internet connection while on your holiday.  This way, if there are flight delays the airline can contact you, most contact via email or updates on their websites.  If you don't bring a phone, then you need to give your hotel as a contact, and just let your hotel know that, as some may not check emails regularly.

Don't forget to discuss your phone plan with your provider and know how to set it up for international roaming, without the huge bill.  Also ask them about if you are delayed how can you extend the service etc from Bali.

We live in an age of technology, however Bali has a LOT of power failures, so if the electricity is off for a day, it's best you have a back up.

For example, if you need to show proof of your ticket at the airport when you leave and your phone or ipad is flat, then you will have a problem. 

Or you need to ring home but your phone is flat and you cant remember Mum's phone number.

So, print all documents, phone numbers for all contacts back home (don’t forget the ones mentioned above like banks etc) etc and bring over in paper form just in case. 

• Print out your insurance policy as well, so you can refer to it without waiting till the power comes back on.
• Print out your hotel confirmations, you may expect to use their wifi when you arrive, and even though the power is on, their wifi is off (common problem here as well)
• Print out your tour confirmations or any transfers
• Go through your electronic device, and just write down everything to bring with you.  

Most major hotels have generators, so if staying in a small hotel or homestay just check with your hotel that they have a generator and how many hours a day will they have it on in case of a blackout.    This will be the time you need to charge your devices.

Make sure you register with your countries traveler service, for example in Australia it is called Smartraveller.

Many people that have been to Bali before fill in false hotel addresses and phone numbers on immigration cards etc, so they are not hassled by telemarketers.  We do not recommend this, if there is an incident of a major scale, the Indonesian Government will need to provide to your government with your whereabouts and safety, that can’t be done if you put you are staying at Hotel Donald Duck

Please give your family and friends the exact details of the hotels you are staying in while in Bali and the dates you will be at each hotel, with the phone numbers, and when you check in just send them a message letting them know your room number.

If you are bringing babies that are on formula, be aware that we are an Island, and many factors can cause shortages

There was a shortage when Rinjani ash delays closed the airport, there have been shortages when we had wild seas for 1 month and supply boats could not come from Java.

When the airport is closed, supplies do not come in by plane, and as it is coming into the wet season, supply boats cannot come over when there are rough seas.

Keep extra supplies in your room, extra bottled water especially.

We suggest with children you choose a hotel that has a TV with lots of kids channels or bring other entertainment, and that has room service, just in case you have to spend a day in your room.

So, maybe you arrive in Bali and didn't plan on bad weather, or where you planned to stay isn't how you thought it would be, that's fine, Bali is a big Island, with different weather and different landscapes, what a great excuse for an unplanned adventure