I have been to Bali once and stayed 7 nights and couldn't wait until it was departure day. I honestly would rate it 2/10 at best and nothing appealing. The food is not special, the beaches are rubbish compared to Australia and it's a dirty place.
Now talking to people and hearing others rave nonstop about going to Bali how it's the best place …some even have been to Bali like 6-7 or even more times….what makes this place so amazing that people rave about it? Am I missing something?
Food wise I have to agree with OP, most dishes were nasi this or that, Babi guling etc. In saying that I did enjoy Bali mostly and the people were awesome, even if they were just being friendly as part of their job in the tourism industry.
Mate I can't speak for others but as someone who eats vegan it is one of my fave food destinations. Not much processed / from-a-specialty-packet stuff yet still manages to make this lover of junk and otherwise decadent food happy.
Yeahs there’s some fantastic food places. OP needs to check out some Warungs. Just don’t eat at the standard westernised places..
There’s also great breakfasts. And heaps of different options and types of foods to try.
There’s quiet beaches and nice peaceful jungles if beach isn’t your scene. There’s a big variety to offer on the island.
Probably hard to judge from 1 visit if you are just in the tourist areas.
food is not special because dark meat is DOG!! Well documented!!!
How likely are you to end up eating dog meat?
Reputable establishments? Cheap restaurants? Street food?
Phuket is in Thailand, not Bali/Indonesia.
Ah, that wasn't abundantly clear from your comment.
@ihfree: Trawling through people's comments for some clincher to win an argument is the lowest form of character assassination and says more about you than it does him.
@ihfree: Your post was poorly written at best. It's no surprise that someone may read it and assume you you are confusing bali and Thailand.
@ubiq: No mistake - didn't realise it would/could be taken in that way. Do you really think someone could visit another country and not realise which country they were in? Hell, it's not even that exciting a comment.
This is honestly just annoying now - just going to unpublish most of my comments.
For reference, this comment is basically all I meant but with more details - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/15930950/redir
i
Oh, the irony. If you're going to call someone out, at the very least get your language right.
Also, stop replying. I think we're done with killing the dead horse. Neg and get on with your life.
@dji1111111: Take your own advice and stop replying? That may have come in handy before doubling down on your poorly written comment…
@dji1111111: I explained, gave context. I don't know why you're so obsessed. If you're looking for conversation, maybe you can fail to properly back up your phone again, tell us your cool story, and then complain about how toxic the community is. Or, maybe run your car into some potholes.
Leave me alone. Stop replying to me.
@ihfree: Haha interesting.someone already mentioned your antic of character assassination and you do it again. You are one angry dude
@dji1111111: I don't there's an issue with it. Honestly, information in the public domain is just that - public. Your criticisms are kind of funny given your post history. Nothing worse than a hypocrite.
As we're still talking, were you successful when you tried to defraud your local shopping centre? Help the community out and give us the resolution to your issue! We deserve that much.
@ihfree: I said nothing other than pointing out that your initial post was poorly written and that's the reason behind other people misinterpreting your comment. You are just too proud to accept your flaws and keeps shooting down other people as if they were wrong to read your post that way. I guess being humble is not your thing lol
Better than being so under stress you had to request for the comment to be unpublished lol 😂
@dji1111111: There's not too much point discussing this any more. Based on your post history, it's not your thing as well. ChatGPT describes you as "abrasive." Funny for someone who once described this community as toxic.
As we're still talking, Have you started backing up your phone? Got a 3-2-1 system in place now?
@ihfree: Lol poor reader as well. Fyi that was my girlfriend's phone silly mister. I don't own or use any silly apple products. I know you do 😂
@ihfree: Defraud? Lol it was my right. Not my problem if stupid people don't know how to exercise their right. Yes i was fully compensated. Happy now? Now how does it make sense that a centre management would willingly pay out if they truly thought that they had no legal responsibility. How about you try getting anyone to pay out 400 bucks and see how that turns out.
I'm sorry your pathetic attempt has failed lol
@dji1111111: Oh, good for you! Missing a bit of punctuation there. Reading clarity could be improved a fair bit with fairly minimal effort.
@ihfree: Posting history. in that case i know you care very much about what other people think given your extensive history of polls 😂
Life is better when you think about what you like rather than what others like. 😅
@ihfree: At least I'm not the one responding continuously after asking me to leave you alone. Hilarious seriously
@dji1111111: Trying to beat JV's post count?
How's the backup strategy going? More mindful of potholes now, especially ones you already know about?
@ihfree: Yawn… Got nothing on me lol
Ask chatgpt what poll post to make next.
You are overdue for your next one. Gotta satisfy your rather meaningless curiosity, right? 😂
@dji1111111: I figured we may as well tie up some loose threads from your post history as you keep responding.
I guess I could ask ChatGPT if there are any other instances of incompetence in your post history. But seriously, have you implemented a backup strategy? And, thanks for giving a conclusion to your other post.
I'm more interested in trends within the Ozbargain community. Quite a few of them are the result of trends in comments. I don't think a poll would influence a purchase decision. Feel free to participate in any of my polls in the future.
@ihfree: It's rather hilarious you keep bringing up the phone backup story. I have no such issue so would you like my gf's number so you can ask if she is backing up her phone regularly. 😂
Yeah, someone too proud to accept a small mistake keeps going on about community lol
@jackspratt: Sure, want to join? We can all get a suite at the Grand Hyatt.
I can't buy drinks though, coz my money is doge money.
I stayed in Budapest, also well outside of the main area of Bali, and it was great.
cheap bogans mate.
not that theres anything wrong with that…
Aussies will flock anywhere that has cheap beaches and alcohol. Bali is the closest place for both.
More expensive than a night out in Australia?
There's always Balinese moonshine if cost is a concern. Bonus risk of methanol poisoning
Arak attack!
This aged like milk 🙁
I went to Bali once. I wouldn't go again. Nothing particularly bad about the place. Just nothing to stand out either. Only popular due to proximity to Australia and marketing.
Only popular due to proximity to Australia and marketing.
Id say its a mix of pricing and proximity.
It’s close, its international and its still cheap (not as cheap as it once was) to stay in 5 star hotels and get called boss by everyone.
Plus the people are absolutely lovely.
Am I missing something?
Aren't all your forum posts about "hey what's the deal with so and so?"
Anyway the answer is "people like different things".
/Thread
Well, until he had a hissy fit over this thread and wiped his account.
after being locked in the penalty box permanently with no option of any future shitposts
It's a pity, I was looking forward to "why do people eat oranges? Apples don't need to be peeled and they're crunchier"
Why DO people eat oranges?
now im wondering who it was as i missed the initial post :)
ah read below.. oh well, I'll miss his excellent retorts like 'put the fries in the bag'
Hahah
"This is a great burn that I'm sure I can pass off as my own in future context without seeming contrived or weird"
Every time.
Someone find that skit of Adam Sandler promoting another country where he says "if you're depressed and you come here, you'll still be depressed, just with a great back drop"
SOunds like OP is the problem.
I didn't know about this sketch, so I had to go and find it.
https://youtu.be/TbwlC2B-BIg?t=45
Quite funny, and there is some truth in it.
That is epic, thank you for sharing. I remember way way way back when Adam Sandler was funny. =(
Wow. Gold!
Thank you for sharing this. So true!
If you like to drink and go to the beach it's great. If you don't it becomes a lot more dubious…
Nothing special about the beaches and drink you can drink almost any country.
not for the price.
I have been to Bali once and stayed 7 nights and couldn't wait until it was departure day. I honestly would rate it 2/10 at best and nothing appealing. The food is not special, the beaches are rubbish compared to Aus and it's a dirty place.
This one's on you and your lack of planning or research. I don't like beaches at all, and still thought Bali was a pretty decent place to visit. Come to think of it, we only saw one beach, the rest of the time was inland.
What did you do- spend a week in one of the stereotype Aussie bogan towns?
when you're smashed, everything is great.
Here, a bogan is a nobody, over there they can feel like a King.
Sounds fair
they also get called boss by everyone
There are three (well 4 really) sides of Bali
Kuta - cheap alchohol, clubs, food. Its the same as Europeans flocking to Krakow or Prague or Ibiza or people who head to Phuket. Its not for everyone, but its for many. Some people love (say) George St in Sydney or Northbridge in Perth, others cant stand it. If its not for you its not for you. Kuta/partying is a part of Bali, but its not all of Bali just the same as Ibiza is not all of Spain and Mykonos is not all of Greece.
Resorts - eg around Nusa Dua. Can be luxe resorts or family resorts. Place for a holiday, alternative to Fiji/South Pacific/Thailand etc. You can head to these resorts and not leave for a week if thats your thing.
'wellness' - may not be the right word, but up around Ubud etc. Yoga and meditation places, local markets (which are just tourist markets but whatever), writers festivals and artist retreats
traditional/remote - there is a lot of Bali, especially north and west, that most people dont go to but have some great little villages, places to stay, just hang around
Plus, of course, there are those who go to surf (still one of the best spots in the world), dive etc
If you are used to Australian beaches then you will struggle to find many places in the world that have better beaches, and Bali isnt one of those places. Kuta beach and surrounds are nothing special for sure. If you want a great beach then go to NSW.
All in all people who go to Kuta and expect Ubud or an Ayana resort, or go to Bali and expect some tropical 'paradise' like Aitutaki or Yasawa Island, clearly (a) havent done their homework and (b) will be disappointed. To complain something isnt what it never claimed to be is weird.
Not everywhere is for everyone. I've recently seen people complaining that they spent 3 days in Rome and were bored. If somewhere isnt for you, learn and move on and dont go to those kind of places.
you will struggle to find many places in the world that have better beaches
If you want a great beach then go to NSW.
Similar vein to OP.
I prefer beaches with warmer, stiller water, and less infested with animals that bite or sting you. In Australia, NSW would be amongst the "least great" IMO.
Jervis Bay would suit
Sand without waves is a lake
Nice when it's nice. Still cold.
Nice review - have been to bali a few times but only to Nusa Dua, but have also toured around the island. Agree very much depends on what you're after.
I think for the price and location, it can be hard to beat. Its close (at least to WA) and relatively cheap - compared to what you can get in Aus. People are generally nice and respectful.
Yeah, you can get a week away in Bali for the price of a weekend in Margaret River. I've still not been though as I don't think it's really something I'd enjoy (at least if choosing the cheap option).
Agreed, its so expensive to travel in Aus like Margs or anywhere down south and if you do find something nice, its not only expensive but you have to book far in advance.
I also agree, if you're older and if you have kids, don't go too cheap in bali! Maybe when you're young and a student and dont mind and have to.
You probably paid peanuts and you expect more.
Not really , i stayed at Grand Hyatt Nusa Dua. You confusing with yourself staying in a hostel.
Did you spend all your time in the hotel?
I've spent time in cheap hotels and in 5 star hotels when travelling. There isn't really a correlation between enjoying an area and accomodation.
Lots of options in Nusa Dura within walking distance of the Hotel eg great golf course, eateries of many price points and quality….
No wonder you were bored. Nothing at Nusa Dua but resorts. Go to Seminyak or Ubud.
I like Nusa dua and especially loved it when the kids were young because it's so safe and free from traffic. However once they were older and able to deal with that better we branched out to other areas.
One thing Nusa dua is not good for is food options, which are limited mainly to the resorts (expensive and pretty average quality) and the touristy places in the somewhat dated Bali Collection shopping centre. There are far better places for this in areas like Canggu and much better value too.
There are different levels of experience in Bali. There is the budget one and the mid to higher range type experience. If you stayed in a higher end hotel with a private pool, morning breakfast brought to your private pool side daily, a private driver to take you around to all your planned activities, do proper research on the best local food, etc. The whole experience could have been top notch. But I do agree the town centres are dirty in general.
I stayed in Nusa Dua …Grand Hyatt.
I went Ubud, Seminyak…and saw most of Nusa Dua.
You stayed at a highish end resort and discovered you were bored by staying in a resort? Thats not a criticism, I cant stand staying in resorts and sitting by the pool all day. But its not a problem with the country, its a problem with being a resort.
As to the rest - well, some people hate Venice and some people hate Vietnam and some hate New York. You try places out, discover they arent for you and move on. You dont get confused that some people like something you dont like.
Quite the chain of posts
Might be time to pump the brakes on spending. Hopefully you've seen a financial advisor.
Depends on how much inheritance was
Damn OP, I was going to give you advice on your $6000 gaming PC. y u do dis?
A week in a Hyatt in Nusa Dua would be boring AF.
On the other hand, what sort of fool would do that from Oz and then complain about it?
Someone who confuses a stay in a 5 star hotel with a good holiday. They're likely someone who places value on appearance hence bragging about it. Their post history also suggests zero research.
I'm just a bit sad the grandparents would have likely worked hard their whole life for the money
is this old mate Rac00n? looks like he's deactivated
It was - press F.
Everyone has different tastes for what they want to experience on their holidays. Bali is a popular destination because it's cheap and different. People in this country frequents Asia in general as it's also simply close by. I'm sure people in the UK visit countries in the EU more often rather than Asia simply because of the distance.
The likely issue is that people fly into Bali and stay in Kuta which is the same as flying into Sydney and staying at Brighton Le Sands. If you came to Sydney and stayed at Brighton for a week, you would probably think it a shi7hole too.
Stayed in Nusa Dua
Grand Hyatt
What am i missing? Is that considered brighton le sands?
visit the beaches south of the airport and north of the national park for just 1 day and you will realise its a shithole full of fakers, posers and instagram wanabees
It is the closest cheap beach destination. Enough said.
It's different, it's lively, it's cheap.
Not my experience.
Like anywhere, depends where you go.