In Reply to: Bali vs Phuket: From Kuta to Kata...... posted by CISWI on Friday, 7. December 2007 at 00:24 Bali Time:
But want to elaborate on the Balinese people. After many trips I feel I am getting to know the Balinese better than after my first few trips where I only did tourist things and stayed in tourist areas.
Of course there's the tourist dollar aspect. I have traveled a bit and nowhere else do locals always have a smile, say good morning to you and stop to chat with no view to getting anything (there are those out to get money of course). Where else in the world do you stop in a village to get something to eat and the waitress invites you to her village and the husband takes you out fishing in his boat. Then they refuse to take money.
Sure there are friendly people everywhere but I have not encountered the open, happy attitude of the Balinese. I think their beliefs and religion is fascinating.
I went to Phuket only because I said I'd take my mum somewhere for her 70th and sh chose Phuket. I liked it but I knew I would be comparing it to Bali. Phi Phi Island and James Bond Island (can't remember the real name) were fantastic. The rest was a poor comparison to Bali.
I wouldn't bother going somewhere that was like Bali as I feel I might as well go to Bali again (and I will). When I go to other places I choose places with different cultures, history and scenery.