In Reply to: what is bali really like posted by neely on Saturday, 29. April 2006 at 09:38 Bali Time:
Aloha Neely,
(and a quick shout out to felllow former Baltimorean...or is that "baltimoron"?, sunshinecoasts who posted the reply below this one).
I'm not quite sure where to begin responding to your query, as you have already implied some concern about encountering stray dogs and trash on the beach and your equating Mexico to Bali. I will begin with these comments and personal experience...
Bali is a third world island within a very crowded third world country. Once you exit the airport compound, you will immediately encounter what appears to be relatively grim surroundings (I say grim in reference to what you know of San Francisco). There is pollution, congested traffic, poverty (by western standards, at least), odd smells (until you get used to them) and all the other things one might associate with a developing nation.
There are, indeed, several sanitized, luxurious and relatively pristine tourist resort ghettos where you can experience clean, sanitized travel brochute versions of Bali such as Nusa Dua, where 4 & 5 star resorts, restaurants with familiar foods, etc. can all be found, just like within the tourist compounds of Mexico. And...just as in Mexico, once you exit the fortified gates of the upscale tourist ghettos, you will again encounter dirty beaches, pollution, aggressive (less so in recent years) street & beach vendors, and all the other unpleasant things associated with the third world. If encountering these things is of great concern to you, my advice would be to avoid Bali and the long travel time stuck in an airplane seat and head to Disneyland or Hawaii, if you seek the tropics.
That said, to avoid Bali would be to deny yourself and your family the opportunity to experience how much of the world outside the US & Europe live. And...Bali is even more unique in that it is one of the last remaining medivial hindu kingdoms on the planet. Just outside of the resort areas of South Bali are vibrant, aggrarian communal villages, ethinic art colonies all conducting daily business as they have for a thousand years. In general, the residents are warm, friendly and curious, though you may initially feel as though they treat you as nothing more than a wallet with legs. Slow down, take the time to get past the sales pitch and try to engage them...you will be amazed at their warmth & friendliness.
Take a day or two at least to travel around the island. Hire a local driver and sit back and relax...you will be treated to amazing vistas of ancient, verdant green terraced rice paddies, magnificent ancient hindu temples, steep eroded mountainsides covered in jungle and exotic life. As you drive, your guide will usually be more than happy to also provide you with fascinating glimpses into the sociology, anthropolgy, & religious habits of the island's ancient inhabitants. By the end of the day, if you have shown an open mind and a small sense of adventure, you may even be invited to his home to meet his family. Be sure to ask him about cultural goings-on...there will most certainly be at least one temple ceremony & dance, cremation or other religious event taking place during your stay and these are not to be missed. Unlike most other cultures, balinese devotion and religion are central to everyday life and their ceremonies have enough color, pomp & pageantry to make a pope envious. Late into the night, children gather in the front of the crowds at temple, fascinated by the performances of drama and dance, meant to primarily entertain the gods and encourage them to linger, but enjoyed equally by the mortal audience as well.
Besides the unique cultural education aspects of visiting Bali, there are lots of western style entertainment too. Everything from jet-skiing, parasailing, snorkel trips, video arcades, cheap shopping, and great food, both western & ethnic. You mention family, so I am assuming you might have kids. Rest assured, they will make many new and fast friends instantly in addition to seeing how others manage to live without things like Playsations, computers, and all the trappings of the priviledged western lifestyle.
An open mind and a sense of adventure is required, but the rewards recieved in exchange are irreplaceable, in my opinion. Yes, without doubt, you will encounter dogs, some of them them the most pitiable creatures on earth. Yes, you will see trash, and not only on the beaches. Yes, you might even see ghastly poverty as defined by western standards. Still, there are many great things about Bali that you will find in no other destination.I made my first trip there in 1980 and was overwhelmed, swearing never to return. Twenty six years later, my wife has a business there, we own land there and are planning our home with an eye to moving for much of the year.
Do a little more research...only you can answer your question about travel to Bali. Your answer will depend largely on your expectations of your vacation. I encourage you to toss expectations aside if your interest remains piqued. Should you decide to travel to Bali, one way or another, it will be an experience you will never forget.
Best of luck to you and happy travels no matter where you eventually end up.