In Reply to: familyof six posted by stormy on Saturday, 15. September 2007 at 12:13 Bali Time:
That was a strange remark "They come by the planeload in large groups". Isn't that exactly what the Australians do when they travel from Australia to Bali?
That the pool areas at hotels get packed is the result of people filling up Bali again. Isn't that what you on here always want to happen? Unfortunately it means less seats by pools and in restaurants. And Bali has enticed new nationals to visit the island to fill the space that Australians left more or less vacant since October 2002, and these nationals are arriving on planes and in groups.
We Europeans may be early risers due to the fact that some of us are on the elderly side and do not need so much sleep or because we skip partying all night and thus go to bed before midnight. Personally I think that a vacation is not a competition on how many Bintangs I had last night. I wake up without an alarm at around 6 o'clock feeling fresh and see no point in sleeping till late - Bali is too nice for that, and breakfast are best when not too many people have been sneezing or coughing over the buffet or handling food with their hands.
Yes, every country has its bad and good nationals more or less experienced in interacting with other nationals. The thing is to realise that and not accuse other nationals (than Australians) for all the things that do not exactly match your views on how to behave and interact. Speak a bit slower and clearer and try to approach us and you shall see that there are smiles and humour behind that grumpiness we Europeans are accused of here.
I, too, sometimes have been what you call a "hog", and from Europe as well! I confess, my name is ... and I am lounge hog :)
To avoid what you guys seemingly enjoy making into a WWIII, I shall in October bring my own camping bed (lightweight aluminum frame that folds nicely and is easy to carry - which is much more comfortable than the somewhat rickety beds with dead, thin and hard plastic mattresses provided by most hotels) and sit anywhere I like, when I want and in comfort, too. An inflatable camping mattress is another option, and that can also be used in the pool for floation.
Problems solved without harrassing anyone in any way! A vacation is so much better when not having to worry about how others behave. Besides, are we all totally perfect on a vacation? A tourist should think he or she actually is an Ambassador for his/her country of origin. In four weeks I hope to be precisely that and also fully enjoy all what Bali has to offer. May the remaining weeks pass quickly!