I would like to ask my more esteemed fellow flashaholics if you have ever heard or visited this mystical place?
I have a friend who went there, so if you have a specific question or two I could probably ask for you. Other than that, no idea. ;)
Actually, I heard of it through the novel by Elizabeth Gilbert and also the Hollywood movie “Eat, Pray, Love ” starring Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem. It sounds like Fantasy Island from all accounts. My specific question is this : what is worth visiting in Bali and how long should one stay there for a good experience? Cos every website pushes their own hotels, restaurants and itinerary. So I was hoping for a personal recommendation with no commercial agenda involved.
Well, he can't really help with that to be truthful. He was part of group of biologist studying marine biology; or something like that. ;)
Looks like where the Avatars came from, I want to be a Navi….
Hello Orion -
Yes, I visited Bali for two days this past June (2012). I was on a two week long trip to other parts of Indonesia for work and I had a free weekend while in Jakarta, so I took a short plane ride over to Bali. My impressions? The island is nicer than the other islands of Indonesia I visited for nightlife and beaches, but not as naturally beautiful and some other more remote islands in the area. Bali is the tourist vacation spot for many middle class Indonesians, Australians, some Japanese and Chinese, and a few Europeans. Not many Americans visit because it is so far away by plane (essentially 24 hours and at least 3 legs).
The island is mainly Hindu, while the other Indonesian islands are mainly Muslim. This means alcohol use and other activities like women wearing shorts is more accepted in Bali. BTW, Jakarta is a very dirty and populous city…I would not go were it not for work.
There was enough for me to see - beaches, traditional dance show, Hindu temples, some shopping, Monkey Forrest - to keep me busy for two days. I would not want to spend more than three days there, though. All the westerners I met were there for the nightlife awith cheap booze in Denpasar, then beach sunning and surfing all day…which is not my cup of tea. For my money Hawaii is much cleaner and has more amenities, but is more expensive to stay and eat. There are better options for visits to this type of cheap paradise in rural Thailand, IMO. The one thing that Bali has is some unique plant and animal life…some of it no where else on earth… like the nearby Komodo Island - (which I did not visit).
Hope this helps, Sean.
Been there twice. I like the place. People are relaxed, friendly. Had to re-build itself as a tourist destination after the horrific bombings in 2004.
Would recommend it highly to chill… This was taken in Ubud, Bali in 2006.
Scaru, may I ask if your friend studied fixed (eg coral, seaweed) or free (eg, fish, crustacean) marine life there?
+1. That about sums it up.
I will def want to visit Ubud then! But wiki reports 2 bombings already. Where should I avoid to keep safe?
Hi Sean, that was insightful. What are these plants and animals (apart from the Komodo Dragon) you say pls?
Hi Pulsar, that looks like Tanah Lot that caught your attention and mine too!
Orion -
I am not a botanist or zoologist, so I would not be the best person to discuss. But my understanding is that in addition to the Komodo Dragons nearby, there are several types of birds (I met a couple birding) a unique type of deer, the Bali civet (maker of Kopi Luwak coffee), and some lizards. I am sure there are others….but I was more interested in the sites then the wildlife.
Couple other things I should have mentioned:
(1) It is important for visitors to Indonesia/Bali to take malaria medication (which cost me $400 for 20 days worth) and to be inoculated for typhoid and rabies. Also understand that dengue fever is an issue in most parts of Indonesia (and other tropical areas of the world), so precautions with mosquito repellent must be taken. I have travelled many places in the world and outside of one section of Africa, I had to get the most shots for this trip. I am sure this is not unique to Bali, but would not be something to worry about in Hawaii, for instance.
(2) The other thing is the “stray” dogs all over Bali. In the rest of Indonesia is mainly Muslim, and Muslims don’t typically like dogs (for cultural and religious reasons). I saw maybe ten dogs total walking around in Jakarta (a city of 25 million), but hundreds of strays all over Bali, even in Denpasar. I suspect the locals feed them, maybe as part of the Hindu faith.
Thanks, Sean.
Sean, appreciate the sharing. Tks to you, I managed to suss out a fleeting alert about rabies in some parts of Bali.
Would like to visit this lake there!
It has been traditionally a popular holiday destination for Aussies. It used to be cheap and is famous for great surf on some of the outer islands. I have many friends who have been there, Never have myself.
One friend went there every year for many years. She used to love the place. The year before the suicide bombing attack on American and Aussie tourist, she decided she would not go back again. There was a notable change of attitude towards western tourists there, going from what used to be friendly, welcoming and happy, to somewhat cynical and distant.
After the bombing, Bali suffered a lot tourism wise, but the Indonesians have worked hard to overcome that, I think it is once again a popular destination. But not wise to go there alone.
I may go with friends for the 2nd marathon next yr! Bali held its 1st full distance marathon this yr after 20 yrs in the making.
