In Reply to: Is Bali right for us..Opinions Please??? posted by Luckybee on Saturday, 7. August 1999 at 14:01 Bali Time:
Good question, and a realistic one at that! Again that depends on you. Are you looking for clean, pristine environment with familiar activities, etc? Bali certainly has developed it's share of resort luxury compounds like the ones you've mentioned in your previous posts. Plenty of pampering is available. On the other hand, outide of these compounds lies a remarkably enduring and fascinating culture and perhaps the warmest, kindest, friendliest people on earth. It is a mecca for "cultural tourism" quickly being overrun by a culture of tourism. To get to the good stuff, you must be prepared to wander crowded streets and alleys, endure congested and seemingly out-of-control traffic, overwelming odors of kerosene, kreteks(clove cigarettes), incense, sewage, litter, perhaps the most pitiable canine population on earth, and all the other wonderfull treats associated with a third world country on a fast track to uncontrolled development. Factor in that Bali and the rest of Indonesia is just beginning to recover from near economic disaster and historic political and social upheaval,and...well, maybe you get the picture. It's truly an amazing place. It has scenery such as magnificent seascapes, lush, velvet rice terraces, religious pomp and pagaentry to make the Pope envious, unparalleled ritual, dance, art and ancient architecture. No where else on earth will you find many of the things that make Bali special. But, make no mistake...it is not Canada, the US, Western Europe, Hawaii, Fiji, Tahiti or any of the other "tropical" destinations that come to mind...think Bankok, Manila, India...now you're getting closer, but Bali is none of those places either. Only you can answer your initial question...do you have a thirst for something different? Do you have interests in exploring a unique culture? Are you flexible in terms of comfort (at least when you're out of your hotel room)? Or...do you just want what you're used to...only in a different setting. My guess is that you'd probably be happier here in Hawaii (I live in Maui). I say this seriously as I feel the posts here offer excellent information regarding both the good and bad that Bali has to offer, but things are a bit weighted towards to good side, or the "how cheap can I by my pirated goods for...?" If you're already apprehensive...give it some more thought...seek out other information. Lonley Planet and Insight Guides (I think they might be caled APA Guides now) are readily available in most bookstores around the world. Besides the things I mentioned above, the other two main things that draw people to Bali are 1) it is, perhaps, the least expensive place in the world to spend holiday and 2) surfing. It doesn't sound as if either one of these things are an issue or of interest to you...
And...I bet the rest of you thought I was gonna be a smart-ass, huh?