Anyone on forum live in or near Amed?

sherm

I have some questions for anyone living in or around Amed. We've 'purchased' land south of Gili Selang along with another couple and their adopted Balinese family. Looking at Google Earth it looks like several small enclaves along the coast west on Jl. Purwakweti - Bututan. Will we find general grocery items that direction (simple household needs, shampoo/soaps, over the counter medicines Etc.?) I'm not really too concerned about Internet access in the area because that one thing I've decided I can live without going forward but I still need semi decent cell phone service. Opinions? Because I'm not a young person and not willing to risk my health on a scooter/mororcycle, I was thinking of a four wheel quad for street/dirt (mud) road use. Also south of us the roads get dicey I've been told. Anyone anticipate issues with this? Also I'm a amateur radio operator (ham radio) anyone here also operating in Bali? I've been in contact with a club in Denpasar but think if I can offer emergency communications should the need arise locally that would be a good thing. thanks

Larnes

Hi Sherm We have land north of Amed and are commencing building next year. I am not exactly sure of the location of Gili Selang, but the area of know of as Selang is reasonably close. You can get plenty of standard requisites at both Amed Cafe (Jemuluk) and The Store (Bunutan). They are both on the main road - of course, because until Pukawerthi, there is only one road! So, you can't miss them. There are also a few little tokos in Culik which have things. In terms of medicines, there is a doctor in Culik, but personally, I would be going south to see a doc. There are apoteks in Amlapura, I haven't had cause to use on as yet, I have allergies and carry a pretty comprehensive medical kit with me as I have about 4 different levels of intervention, depending on my reaction to things. We generally go to Amlapura for most things, there is a well stocked Hardy's supermarket there. It is about 30 minutes from Amed, maybe more like 45 from where I am thinking you are. you can also take the road back the other way to Amlapura via Seraya, but it is pretty rough, narrow and bumpy in places. In the wet season, you will find it gets washed out and extra rough, because road works are only ever carried on by the villages in this section of Bali! The scooter is great to get from bay to bay but a car is definitely a necessity - I wouldn't ride a scooter to Amlapura for instance. There is a healthy and ever-growing expat group in this area, it probably won't take you long to meet people. There are quite a few characters about! Cell access is pretty good, recently we have had rolling power outages though, electricity is becoming a big issue here, as it is in the rest of Bali. Many places are now also getting onto the free wifi idea. Happy to answer any more specific questions via the forum or PM if you prefer. Regards Larnes

sherm

>>There is a healthy and ever-growing expat group in this area, it probably won't take you long to meet people. [B][I]There are quite a few characters about! [/I][/B] Good to know... I will shirley be counted among them. Thanks for offering to answer additional questions... I'll post the here so future inquiries about the area will be searchable in the forum.

hca

Hi Sherm, I was active VK for many years but let it go about 10 years ago because I was never there to use it. There's a lot of plates on doors around the place indicating a ham licence. A bit of APRS activity around the south east side of the island. Considered getting active but how much hassle for a local ticket, I assume a kitas is involved? AIS and ADS-B receivers are my only amusement these days here.

sherm

Yep KITAS is needed as I've been told. Reciprocal licensing is honored for the U.S. so the same standards should be applied for VK licensees I imagine. I was told I could bring in my rigs no problem but I just may sell off my stuff here and pick up something when in country. No reason to have things held up with customs if I can purchase decent rigs there. No need for a huge beam/amps since being DX adds 20db to you signal by default. I'm a big phone fan but enjoy cw ops when necessary. My hearing is better than my sending at this point but maybe due to being out of practice.