Posted by lauren on Saturday, 10. October 1998 at 06:26 Bali Time:
In Reply to: JUST RETURNED FROM MY HONEYMOON IN BALI posted by Emily on Friday, 9. October 1998 at 22:30 Bali Time:
I read the forum and several guidebooks before my trip to Bali, so I wasn't expecting a tropical paradise. If I had been, I would have been disappointed too. Bali is a beautiful interesting place that also has crowds, traffic and poverty. The beaches are not known to compete with the likes of Tahiti or the Caribbean-- any guidebook will tell you that. If you read about Bali in publications such as Islands Magazine or Conde Nast Traveler, the articles all talk about the wonderful culture, the art and the beauty of the rice paddies. This beauty is to be found at least 1/2 hour away from the Jimbaran Bay area. The south is more barren and more commercialized than the rest of the island.
Also, by staying at the Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay you were very isolated. While the rooms are beautiful and the service is top-notch, the atmosphere is very sterile. And the view across the bay of the planes landing and taking off doesn't enhance the ambiance.
While I did not fall in love with Bali, I had a wonderful vacation that was everything I had hoped for. It's too bad your expectations were so out of line.