Headed to Bali soon. Do you know about these new rules

Planning a trip to Bali? 

The Island of Gods has long been a bucket-list destination for so many. But with millions flocking to its shores every year, Bali's had to deal with some growing pains: overtourism environmental strains, and some tourists behaving less than respectfully. You've probably seen the headlines- nude photos at sacred sites, tourists killed or injured in moped accidents - and it's now clear Bali's ready to set things right. 

Tourism's a double-edged sword for Bali. It's a lifeline - accounting for around 60% of the island's GDP - but it's also stretched Bali thin. Back in 2017, a "garbage emergency" choked the beaches with plastic waste, while incidents like influencers posing naked on sacred trees have infuriated local leaders. Governor I Wayan Koster announced these changes on the 24th of March 2025, right before Nyepi Bali's Day of Silence-saying

"This ensures Bali's tourism remains respectful, sustainable, and in harmony with our local values," according to Bali Expat. It's about keeping Bali's soul intact. The details come from the Governor's Circular Letter No. 7 of 2025, building on 2023 guidelines

So, they're rolling out new tourist rules in 2025, so, here is what you need to know to navigate them like a pro. 

To enter Bali, you'll need a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining, a return or onward ticket, and a visa on arrival (VOA) for most nationalities, or potentially an e-visa depending on your citizenship. You also need to complete a SATUSEHAT Health Pass online before your flight.

What You Should Do
Respect Sacred Spaces:
Temples and traditions like Nyepi--when the island goes silent-are sacred. Participate respectfully, not as a photo op.

Dress Modestly: 

Bikinis stay at the beach. In public, cover shoulders and knees-pack a sarong for temples.

Pay the Tourist Levy: 

Before you arrive, pay 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (about $10 USD) via the official Love Bali site. It funds cultural and eco-projects-skip it, and you're barred from key attractions

Stick to Licensed Operators
Use registered guides and accommodations for legit, local-supporting experiences.

Mind the Roads: 

Renting a scooter? You'll need a valid international driver's license, and a helmet - roads are chaotic enough without rule breakers. If caught without a helmet, you can expect a fine, which can be significant.

Pay in Rupiah: 

Use Indonesian currency; QR code payments are a bonus.

What You Shouldn't Do:
No Sneaking into Sacred Zones: 

Temple sanctuaries are for prayer in Balinese attire only - menstruating women are respectfully asked to abstain.

Don't Climb or Disrespect: 

No scaling sacred trees or risqué pics at holy sites - keep it classy

Ditch the Plastic: 

Single use plastics like straws and bags are out as Bali pushes sustainability.

Keep It Civil: 

No public swearing, fights, or online hate speech - your posts could get you in trouble.

Avoid Illegal Stuff: 

Drugs or smuggling artifacts? That's a hard no under Indonesian law.

Enforcement: 

They Mean Business
A task force, including the Bali civil Service Police Unit, is on patrol. 

Consequences include:
Hefty Fines: 

Skipping the levy or dressing immodestly might hit your wallet.

Jail Time: 

Serious offenses like temple disrespect would mean lockup.

Access Denied: 

No levy, no entry to top spots.

Deportation: 

Push it too far, and you're out, you will be deported and band from returning to Indonesia.

These rules tie into bigger goals, Bali's been green focused topping Indonesia's environmental index at 99.65 in 2010 - and now bans single - use plastics. Pack a reusable bottle to help them out.

Bali's new rules might feel stricter, but they're about preserving what draws us here. Overtourism's hit places like Venice hard - Bali's fighting back. For us, it's a chance to travel thoughtfully, respecting the culture and land that make this island magical. 

Need help? 

Contact the tourist hotline at +62 81-287-590-999 via WhatsApp

Val Kilmer, star of Top Gun, dies aged 65

This news is very sad as Topgun is my all time favourite movie. I have watched the original Topgun movie hundreds of times and Topgun Maverick about twenty times so far.

Actor Val Kilmer was born on the 31st of December 1959 and died on the 1st of April 2025. The star of Top Gun and Tombstone, has died aged 65. He died from pneumonia. 

He played a lead roll in Topgun but was also known for donning the batsuit in Batman Forever, following Michael Keaton.

Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and later recovered, Ms Kilmer said. Val, a 2021 documentary about his life, showed him needing a breathing tube.

After losing his voice, a cameo in Top Gun: Maverick was made possible with the aid of AI technology. Kilmer's breakthrough role came with the 1986 classic Top Gun, and his role as Tom "Iceman" Kazansky.

But it almost didn't happen. Kilmer was courted by director Tony Scott but initially baulked.

"I didn't want the part. I didn't care about the film. The story didn't interest me," he wrote in his memoir.

He agreed after being promised that his role would improve from the initial script. However, it was his portrayal of rock star Jim Morrison in 1991's The Doors that earned him MTV's Movie Award for Best Male Performance.

I just wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible work you did. Your performances have brought so much joy and inspiration into my life and millions of others, and I truly appreciate the dedication and passion you brought to every role.

Thank you for sharing your talent with the world and for being a source of entertainment and inspiration. Rest in peace 🙏 

Woman tries to open plane door mid-flight

A Jetstar flight traveling from Bali (DPS/WADD) to Melbourne (MEL/YMML) was forced to return to Bali after a passenger tried to forcibly open the cabin door when the plane was out over the ocean.

The flight, identified as JQ34, took off from the Indonesian resort island at 8.41pm local time on Monday from runway 27. It had been airborne for more than an hour when a woman allegedly tried to open one of the plane’s doors, sparking panic among the 260 passengers on board.

The aircraft was travelling at a height of about 32,000 feet (9,753 metres) when the incident occurred, according to tracking service Flightradar 24. The plane then returned to the Bali citing safety reasons and landed at around 10.45pm.

“We had an aircraft return to Denpasar last night after a disruptive passenger attempted to open one of the aircraft doors and was abusive to our crew,” a Jetstar spokesperson said.

Australian reality TV star Brooke Jowett, who was aboard the plane, shared details of the incident on her social media account.

“The reason behind the bloody lady wanting to open the door was because she wanted to sit on a different row and have a chair that could recline,” she said in a clip.

“She decided to try to open the doors, which apparently triggered something to do with the emergency slide and it was a big panic,” she added.

An off-duty police officer on the flight helped subdue the woman, who was arrested after the plane landed back in Bali, while she and the other 260 passengers had to spend an additional night on the island, according to Jowett.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Jetstar Australia

Code: JQ/JST

Aircraft: Airbus A321-251NX

Registration: VH-OFW

Serial Number: 11380

Engines: 2 x CFMI LEAP-1A32

First Flew: 8th June 2023

Age: 1.9 Years

But this is not the first-time conflicts over reclining seats have troubled Jetstar flights along the same route. 

Another viral video emerged only a few days ago showing two men fighting on what is believed to be another one of the airline’s Melbourne–Bali flights, with the media reporting that the dispute stemmed from a passenger reclining his seat. The flight was reportedly flying from Melbourne to Bali, according to Australian media, however the date of the incident has not yet been confirmed.

The short clip shows a man in a front row verbally abusing another man in a black cap behind him, accusing him of being drunk. “One of us is going to die. You watch!” the front-row passenger shouts, before the man in the cap stands and attempts to retaliate, only to be restrained by surrounding passengers and crew.

Jetstar has said it is investigating the second incident and commended its staff for handling the confrontation. It also emphasised the carrier’s zero-tolerance policy towards disruptive and abusive behaviour on its flights

Alliance Airlines granted permission to fly to Vanuatu

The Government of Vanuatu, through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV), has granted a Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC) to Australia’s Alliance Airlines. This addition complements the services of Qantas and Jetstar, which have been operating in the country following the liquidation of Air Vanuatu last year.

“The service commenced on the 30th of March, with the inaugural flight operated by an Embraer E190AR, VH-UZQ (MSN 19000211) arriving in Vanuatu at 2.23 pm, 13 minutes behind its schedule arrival of 2.10 pm” said Makaba.

The return leg didn't get away until 4.30 pm, 90 minutes later than its scheduled 3.00 pm departure. 

“This development enhances the number of foreign airlines operating in Vanuatu, thereby boosting tourism. The FAOC granted to Alliance Airlines is valid for 12 months, similar to those issued to Qantas and Jetstar.” said Makaba

A key aspect of this partnership is the wet-lease agreement, under which Alliance Airlines operates Embraer E190 aircraft on behalf of QantasLink. As of October 2023, Alliance has integrated 26 E190s into its fleet for Qantas, with plans to deliver four more by December 2024, bringing the total to 30 aircraft. This enduring partnership allows both airlines to leverage each other’s strengths, providing enhanced services to passengers and contributing to the growth of Australia’s aviation sector.

Founded by aviation enthusiasts, Alliance Airlines identified an opportunity to provide safe, efficient, and reliable charter services for the resources industry. The airline’s success stems from being one of the first operators to offer cost-effective solutions for transporting workers to remote resource sites, minimizing disruptions to production schedules.

Initially focusing on the fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) sector, Alliance Airlines secured several resource contracts due to its strong reliability and operational performance. Over time, it expanded its fleet and services, becoming Australia’s largest national air charter operator for the resources industry.