Posted by Liz on Tuesday, 6. October 1998 at 14:31 Bali Time:
In Reply to: Bad trip posted by Caitlin on Tuesday, 6. October 1998 at 14:14 Bali Time:
I agree with everything you say, I remember a trip to Kintamani a couple of years ago being made into a nightmare with the hawkers hanging off the bemo and yes the bat caves have some of the most persistant hawkers in the world - However I still love Bali and continue to go back, I limit my time in Kuta to a couple of days and spend the rest of the time in Ubud, Candi Dasa, Amed and surrounding areas. Here I find the balinese don't hassle you may get asked half heartedly if you want a massage and they seem surprised when you say yes. The people are just happy to sit around and talk to you about their families and yours and what Australia is really like (Tell them we may be rich but a house costs $250.000aud and they think Australia is a very expensive place to be the same with the level of taxes we pay!!!) there are definately different sides to Bali and it can take a while to discover the one not manufactured for tourists. Over the weekend I met a lady who had recently returned from Bali and didn't enjoy the experience, she had spent 3 weeks there and not left Kuta once. As someone else said it's like staying for three weeks at Surfers and saying you hate the whole of Queensland. Bali has an enormous amount of diversity to offer those care enough to find it.