Re: Bali
 

I enjoyed Seminyak. Stayed in a villa down a gang off Jalan Kayu Aya, a street full of different eateries ranging from cheap and cheerful cafes to more expensive restaurants and bistros. Good shops selling local handicrafts, relatively light traffic and a 10 minute walk to the beach.

I liked that we were never accosted in the street to buy this or that (unlike Kuta which is a nightmare), and we felt safe walking around even late at night. Actually, there was one time we were asked to buy something in the street - walking back to the villa one night we passed a few young men leaning against their motorbikes. They must have spotted scouse's greying hair and one of them called out 'Viagra, boss?' I laughed and said he didn't need it, they laughed as well, and that was it.

I also find the Balinese people to be lovely, very interested in where you live and what it's like, and happy to chat about their lives if asked. A couple of Javanese taxi drivers have tried to pull a swifty, 'forgetting' to turn on the meter. All you have to do is tell them to turn it on and they do.

For a cheap as chips relaxing destination from Perth, I think Bali's hard to beat. The only reason we didn't go more is I'm not a fan of the humidity.

Re: Bali
 

Cheap as chips does not describe Bali at all. Its positively extortionate compared with the rest of SEA. Maybe cheap to get to for the Aussies tho.

I'm split on Bali. Been twice. The first time in 2009 we had a car and traveled all over the island, Lombok and the Gillies and I didn't think much of the place compared with the other countries I have been to in SEA. Had to go back for a destination wedding in prob 2013 and had a good time.... although that was probably more to do with the company. Wouldn't rush back as I can only imagine it getting steadily worse.

Re: Bali
 

Horses for courses. Bali most definitely is a 'cheap as chips' destination for Perthies. When you've paid $18 for a pint, a $1 Bintang is very welcome.

I've traveled a lot through Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam. In my experience, Bali compares very well in the 'cheap as chips' stakes.

Re: Bali
 

I feel your pain. $18 is there or there abouts the going rate for a beer (in a normal bar) here.... A large glass of white is about twice that! :eek::ohmy:

When was it that you were last in Bali? I 'think' you'd struggle to find a $1 Bintang in all but the diviest of places these days.....

Re: Bali
 

That's a scary amount for a glass of wine :( I don't know a lot about the cost of living there, but everything I hear points towards it being a very expensive place to live.

It's probably 4 years since I've been in Bali so prices may well have increased. I might have been exaggerating a bit about the $1 Bintang, I don't 'do' dives so it was probably a bit more. Definitely $1 or less in a supermarket though, it's quite nice to get a few in and drink them while floating around in your private pool :thumbup:

Re: Bali
 

I last went to Bali in 2014. I didn't find it expensive. I think I had a budget of $40-50 USD night for a comfortable room and ate pretty well without spending much money. Nor was alcohol unreasonable. Memory, of course, is a funny thing.

I just checked booking.com and found pleasant looking accommodation in Amed and Nusa Lembongnan and the Gillis for $50/night or less.

The Gilis do seen to be getting more and more developed.

Re: Bali
 

A 375ml. bottle/can of cold Bintang costs between A$2.50-$3 in most pubs in Seminyak....maybe more if entertainment. Also, many pubs have happy hours and other incentives like a bucket of beer etc.
Bintang can be found for around A$1.80 in supermarkets.
A glass of imported plonk-wine costs around A$8-12 in restaurants.
Bali produced wine from imported grapes in my local British-style pub costs A$4.70 and a large bottle of Bintang (750ml.) costs A4.00.

Re: Bali
 

I'd be interested to know where you make your comparison to Bali and why.

Retired Canadian friends of ours have spent the last 2 seasons, during their winter 4 months, traveling SEA and Australia and have just returned from this last trip.
They said the best place on their independent ventures, which included Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Australian East Coast, including a cruise from Sydney to NZ and vv...... was Bali.
In a couple of years they plan to spend most of their time in Bali and tour other close islands like Flores etc. I suggested a train trip thru' Java might suit their adventuresome spirit but they seen to think Java is like Aceh....I will have to re-educate them.

Re: Bali
 

When I hear Bali I think of this....


(NSFW lyrics).

Re: Bali
 

Bali has a lot of the mod cons for western living. There's even Starbucks! I can see why some people would prefer that over Vietnam/Cambodia and the rest of Indonesia.

Re: Bali
 

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy yourself, mission. I've been places I wasn't very enamoured with but I tend to have a good time wherever I go.

I think I did warn you Bali is getting gridlocked and Seminyak is getting a bit too much like Kuta! And from what I read of the Gilis the other day, you'd be about ten years too late there too :(

Disagree with a few of the things you and others have said about the island and the people but horses for courses.

Re: Bali
 

On the topic of selfies and cursed technology, thought I might share this video. Seems I am the little kid in there.

Re: Bali
 

I LOVE that.

Re: Bali
 

i have travelled all over the world, but for me Bali - or more to the point Seminyak was truly the pits. I just think we were too long in the same place.
We stayed in a nice four bedroom villa with own private pool leading from the living room....we had a maid who came and cooked us breakfast every morning and cleaned the whole villa on a daily basis....all this was great...but the place itself was just full of bars/restaurants....the traffic was truly horrendous...and the food i didn't really rate.
The only upside i felt was that it was pretty much cheap as chips...but the frigging currency with it's zillion of zeros was a bit of a nightmare to get your head around initially. I need to sort out my next vacay:lol:

Re: Bali
 

Scamp - you wanna start a book?