In Reply to: JBR the good bad & ugly posted by AdrianS on Saturday, 31. March 2012 at 11:58 Bali Time:
I have to agree on mnay of your comments. I was in Bali for the month of November and also 2 weeks last March. Going back this November again although it might be the last trip for awhile. Between the crazy traffic and higher prices, Bali seems to have lost some of the attractiveness. I still love Bali, especially all the culture and spirituality but the traffic if a big downer.
Many of the beach hotels have almost doubled in price in the last 3-4 years. If they can attract business with those prices and keep their occupancy high, good for them.
I know there are less busy areas of Bali but the bottom line is that as their economy grows, the traffic will just get worse and worse. I know many Balinese who have bought a car now that they have more money - more comfortable in the A/C and not breathing all the exhaust on the motorbikes. They are finding though that it is taking them a lot longer to get to work etc., so some of them are going back to the motor bikes. The roads were not built to handle the car/bus traffic so road construction in inevitable.
I've been going to Bali since 1983 and hope they can work out some of the challenges that are presenting because of the increases in tourist numbers and increased economic status of the local people.
Progress can come with pros and cons. Now the challenge will be to keep the traffic moving, the hotels full and tourists happy - and not lose the charm, character and culture that Bali has become so well known for. And let's not forget we are visitors so most important, we need to respect the Balinese and also protect them in all this development.