In Reply to: Remember Kirstys post? I actually found posted by Aussie Girl on Wednesday, 4. August 1999 at 07:28 Bali Time:
I could not agree more...as much as I love Bali, there are many things about the island that drive me completely insane. Maybe far too often the reports back are very positive, often glossing over many of the grim realities often facing first time travellers. As in all things, Bali has both good and bad, right and wrong...it is hot! It is dirty! It is crowded, it appears at times and in certain places to be overtly corrupt. It is also an opportunity to peer into a fascinating and wonderfull culture, one that embraces both the good and bad,one that recognizes the essential duality in all things. Those that arrive expecting a sanitary, pristine golf resort by the sea, populated by starched and smiling faces waiting to serve are likely to be very dissappointed. Those that arrive with an open mind and few expectations are more apt to get a glimpse of the magic. My initial poke at Kaz was not so much at the "quality" of her experience, but the tone of her post and her complaints about it "not being what she expected". If she expected a 5 star resort in any third world country, best to stick to the ones with recognizable names and reputations. I respect her "experience", for what it was. The tone of her posting was begging for a bit of parody. Those of you posting that Kaz would have had a better time if you had only been there to guide her...get a clue...had you been subjected to spending your holiday doing what Kaz likes...well, I think we might be reading a similar post from you. To each his own...but...if you plan to whine endlessly on a public forum, you've got to expect a poke or two...or maybe not...comments, Kaz?