I was told by a camper previously that a person living on a pension is allowed to spend 3 months of a year overseas without losing pension rights and that the cost of living can be very cheap to the point that one could live comfortably for a time without overspending the pension.

As a solo grey nomad that appeals to me and I have just added a Return Resident's Visa to my UK passport. It is done electronically and immediately and most countries do not need to see any Visa stamp because it is linked to the passport elecronically. Cost me $300 for the priviledge.

I have joined Airbnb to find inexpensive living options outside the hotel and tourist structure      http://www.airbnb.com/search?location=Jalan%20Raya%20Sanggingan,%20Ubud,%20Bali,%20Indonesia&sort_by=2&checkin=&checkout=&number_of_guests=1     and am currently looking for the best flight options.

I would appreciate any advice from forum members who have any comments for me regarding this proposed venture. I think it is still within the bounds of this forum but if Cindy thinks otherwise she will close the thread but I will be happy to post my adventures from Bali as I have been doing since I left Queensland.

John

Patto44 wrote:

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If you want more info on Bali, try this forum:- http://www.balitravelforum.com/

We really enjoy Bali and have been there numerous times.

Food is very cheap. (Went to top class restaurant for our wedding anniversary and had three course meal plus a drink - total cost $au25)

You can get a room (hostel style) for about $10 per night.

Enjoy your trip.

Cheers
Patto

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 Thanks Patto have joined the forum and will study the posts. Have enquired about the following listing of accomodation from Airbnb

http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/319904

The $300 per month is without breakfast and I am getting the price including.

John

Here is another link too John, with FAQ's on Bali;

http://www.inm-asiaguides.com/Bali/ebalifq.htm 

Made a decision and booked 4 weeks in  http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/319904   From 28th February until 26th March flying Asia Airlines out of Perth. All booked and paid for even obtained an international driver's license.

It will be an interesting exercise to keep a record of the total expenditure and compare the results with 2 pension payments. So far the accomodation including breakfasts and the airflights have added up to $700. If the end result comes below the pension it could be an exciting addition to the solo grey nomad's itinerary. Phuket from Darwin would be a distinct possibility later when I arrive there.

My main interest is in seeing as much of the island as possible similar to my travels here, using this site as a transport guide    http://www.bali-travel-life.com/bali-island.html

I am learning as much of the language as possible from http://www.learningindonesian.com/   and have loaded the first 9 lessons on my iPod and am listening often.

John

Happywanderer wrote:

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I've often thought about doing what you have planned John. Thought if I ever get to Darwin would get a flight across to Bali, find some cheap accommodation and chill out there for a while.
Been there back in 2002 and loved it. Would find somewhere to stay up in Ubud.
I bet they don't have flights out of Darwin to Bali, do they?

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 Hi Marj,

Air Asia do have flights from Darwin to Bali and return, for the trip that I am making the cost would have been $169 out and $108 return plus booking fees, all up under $300.

John

As far as I know you have to notify Centrelink if you are leaving the country

Enjoy your trip John

Yes it is true you can stay up to 3 months in Bali whilst on a pension and live quite cheap in private rental one condition is you must employ one of the locals such as a gardener or house keeper which also is very cheap to do.The one thing you dont hear much about is the hidden dangers, with a lot of brake in and assaults on temp residents, the medical service may as well not be there, I dont wish to put you off as my wife and myself done this for several years and loved it made us feel like millioners, have fun but be very alert cheers Red Dog [Dave]

Cruising Granny wrote:

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Where will you store your van while overseas John?

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 You can be lucky, I was talking with a camper who lives just outside Perth and when we were discussing the Bali trip he asked me the same question and when I didn't have a ready answer he offered to allow me to leave it at his place behind his caravan.

He invited me to come a couple of days early to show me around and will take me to the station in time for the train to catch my flight. The flight is for 1.30am on the 28th so I will leave his place on the afternoon of the 27th as late as possible.

People are very friendly at the free and low cost council run camping grounds and Parry Beach is no exception.

John

Regards the train John, don't travel on it after dark as they can be dangerous.

I'm not sure which line you are talking about but all can be dangerous.

I once warned some NSW visitors about travelling on our trains at night (in this case on the Fremantle line, linking up from Perth to Midland and others).

They (mother and two teenage sons) ignored me and yes the boys got beaten up on the train by a "local" gang and ended up in hospital.

You'd be better off getting to the airport a bit early and hanging around there until take off time.   

Glad you got there ok John, what's that white stuff on the table in the pic?

Looks comfortable, hope you have a pleasant stay!

Most of the electronic stores might be in Kuta or Denpasar, I am sure someone there will know.

Keep the pic's coming and stories please when you can 

Thanks for your help and advice Vic, I am now in Bali with my van being looked after by Vic. Arrived this morning and already had a good look around Ubud whilst the room was being prepared, plently of photo opportunities available later. Have posted photos of my home for the next four weeks.   John

Thanks for the info John, I thought the "white stuff" might have been talcum powder or ant killer or something.

That was a good buy with the adaptor.

For anyone wanting to visit Bali, does that mean that your wireless laptop will work there ok without anything special and using your Aussie dongle, but for the mobile phone use you need to buy a dongle suitable for use up there?

Thanks 

Vic wrote:

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Glad you got there ok John, what's that white stuff on the table in the pic?

Looks comfortable, hope you have a pleasant stay!

Most of the electronic stores might be in Kuta or Denpasar, I am sure someone there will know.

Keep the pic's coming and stories please when you can 

-- Edited by Vic on Tuesday 28th of February 2012 09:38:09 PM

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 Hi Vic,

the table cover is glass and the "white stuff" is a reflection from the trees above.

The reference to electronic stores came from the blog where I had indicated that whilst briefly and very early yesterday in Denpasar I had no time or opportunity to buy an electrical adapter but later I went for another walk in the other direction and was directed to a store where I was able to buy one for the equivalent of $2.00 with many more features than the one from Bunnings for $8.75.

So today I will have the opportunity to adventure further and hopefully get some local photos.

John

Vic wrote:

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Thanks for the info John, I thought the "white stuff" might have been talcum powder or ant killer or something.

That was a good buy with the adaptor.

For anyone wanting to visit Bali, does that mean that your wireless laptop will work there ok without anything special and using your Aussie dongle, but for the mobile phone use you need to buy a dongle suitable for use up there?

Thanks 

As far as I can understand if your laptop can locate wifi without a dongle it doen't need one.

Am not clued up with the mobile phone, have no intention of using it whilst in Bali other to tell the day and time but have read about special sim cards being available.

John

-- Edited by Vic on Wednesday 29th of February 2012 12:19:25 PM

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Thanks John,

I haven't had too many enquiries yet on my hire fleet of three campervans, at least that is what it looks like at our place, either that or a campervan sale yard, lol  

The first afternoon was taken up visiting the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.

Took the shuttle bus to Kuta to see the famous beach and swim there, felt right at home with Maccas on the sea front.

Looks like you are having a ball John!!

Thanks for the pictorial updates.

Stay happy.  

If you are expecting to see elephants at the Elephant Temple you will be out of luck because it is named after the Elephant River which flows near by. There is a combination of religeons sharing the grounds as you walk in on the right is the Hindu Temple using the Elephant Cave for it's base location and across up the hill is the Buddist Temple which was almost destroyed by eathquake in the early 90's. The rocks shown in the photo were part of the original temple built in the 11th century and tumbled down in the earthquake. As a solo traveler I had no quided tour but one of the sellers perched on the steps was very helpful with the above information and I bought some of her fruit, not sure of it's name but it broke in half and was very white inside, tangy and sweet. The last picture is of a meditation cave in a serene setting where the devotees would sit and contemplate the universe.

A more interesting shot would have been me hanging on the the back of the scooter that took me there but there was no thought of photography just self preservation and hanging on.

Your message has been flagged as potential spam and needs to be approved by an administrator before it will appear on the forum.

If I see that message again I may stop posting on this forum

John