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Bali is a type of locations that’s been hyped a lot by influencers, digital nomads and social media stars. However is Bali value visiting? Or is Bali overrated?
I spent a 12 months residing in Bali and I at all times discover it troublesome to reply this query. Personally I don’t have a lot want to return and I at all times inform folks that they might have a little bit of a shock once they get there.
Nonetheless I do assume it’s value seeing, simply because it has a singular tradition and I believe it’s value seeing anyplace as soon as.
If you happen to’re anticipating an idyllic island with pristine white seashores although, Bali is certainly not that. It’s extremely chaotic, there are tons of scooters in all places and lots of the seashores on the west coast are plagued by trash.
Pre-pandemic, Bali attracted round 6.3 million vacationers per 12 months and so there’s little question it’s extremely widespread. However the inflow of vacationers has introduced with it the development of many boutique lodges and luxurious resorts all around the island. The price of residing in Bali has shot up and issues price much more than they did 10 years in the past.
Bali is now recognized for its worldwide eating places, Aussie-style cafes and stylish seashore golf equipment like Ku De Ta, Potato Head Seashore Membership and Azul. Whereas these issues are cool for guests, it clearly feels just like the island is dropping slightly little bit of its soul.
With Bali being one of many closest locations to Australia, it additionally naturally attracts plenty of Aussies who’re on the lookout for an affordable trip outdoors of their dwelling nation. A few of them drink excessively, get into brawls, crash their scooters or simply don’t have a lot respect for the native tradition. After all not the entire Aussies who go to Bali are like that, but it surely does appeal to a sure crowd.
On high of that you’ve got all of the influencers snapping photographs in lengthy, flowy clothes, making the island appear to be one thing out of a style shoot. The fact is considerably totally different and the Instagram photographs don’t fairly seize the precise chaos and air pollution of the island. Sure, Ubud is gorgeous, however no-one’s actually posting photographs of the site visitors on Sundown Highway or footage of plastic baggage washed up on the seashore.
Anyway, is Bali value visiting? To reply that query, let’s check out the professionals and cons. I’ll begin with the cons, then end with the positives.
Cons About Bali
Polluted and Soiled
Bali is polluted and lots of the seashores are lined in plastic and trash. That is particularly the case in Kuta and Seminyak. The wet season is totally the worst time to go to as a result of the rains appear to clean every thing into the ocean.
Whereas residing there I travelled all around the island and there are some nicer seashores for positive. Balangan, Bingin and White Sand Seashore (Bias Tugel) in Padangbai had been a few of my favorites.
However loads of them are troublesome to get to or situated on the backside of steep cliffs. Locations like Bingin and Uluwatu have plenty of rocks and sharp reefs that make them troublesome for swimming. These seashores are nice for browsing however not that nice for sunbathers.
Kuta Sucks
Kuta actually sucks. It’s tremendous touristy, very trashy and simply not very good. Whereas it has loads of low-cost lodging for backpackers touring on a funds, there isn’t very a lot going for it. The seashore is brown with plenty of trash and plastic baggage in all places. The eating places are form of mediocre.
Sure, there’s loads of nightlife there and plenty of locations the place you will get drunk for affordable. And if you wish to purchase a Bintang T-shirt or some low-cost souvenirs you will discover them there.
However usually I’d say skip Kuta, you’re actually not lacking something.
Too Many Influencers
Bali attracts tons of influencers and digital nomads. Many individuals go to Bali to allow them to work from their laptop computer whereas searching on the iridescent rice fields in Ubud. Plenty of style designers additionally go to (or stay in) Bali since they’ll get their items made cheaply there. The island has fairly a thriving expat neighborhood and subsequently it’s an extremely widespread spot for working remotely.
Bali is nice for digital nomads, however clearly that comes with its downsides. The island is crammed with folks trying to get that good Instagram-worthy shot. If you happen to scroll by means of Instagram you’ll see photographs of influencers on swings overlooking rice fields or pictures of bikini clad women subsequent to swimming swimming pools.
Plenty of foreigners are visiting the island staying in fancy villas and utilizing the Balinese panorama as a backdrop for his or her photographs. Are they actually discovering the Balinese tradition? Is their cash going again to the Balinese folks or is all of it going to expat-owned companies? I’m undecided.
Instagram makes every thing look good however the actuality is that Bali, like many locations, will not be so good.
Cash Scams
There are a selection of scams that you need to be conscious of in Bali. The primary one to be careful for is ATM skimming. That is the place folks connect gadgets to the ATM to be able to steal bank card data from the magnetic strip and cameras to report you coming into your pin.
Whereas lots of the minimart ATMs are protected, if you wish to be additional cautious, take your money out solely on the airport at respected banks. Banks reminiscent of Financial institution Rakyat Indonesia, Central Financial institution Asia, CIMB Niaga and Financial institution Negara Indonesia all have 24-hour cameras and safety.
One factor to notice is that some ATMs provides you with your money first, then your card. In locations like Australia, the US and Europe, ATMs normally give again the cardboard first after which the money. Don’t make the error of strolling away with the money however forgetting your card. I made this error a few instances whereas I used to be residing in Bali!
Guru Scams
Whereas in Bali I visited Ketut Liyer, the drugs man who was featured in Eat, Pray, Love. I went to him for a studying however Ketut turned out to be an entire con artist.
I sat on his porch and he recited a splendidly rehearsed speech whereas studying my palms and my neck. He then proceeded to say the very same factor to the girl who went after me. I couldn’t assist however chortle.
Loopy Visitors
Visitors in Bali is loopy. The roads are crammed with scooters and plenty of vacationers have scooter accidents. Public transportation in Bali is nearly non-existent which implies it’s important to get round by scooter or rental automotive.
Personally I wouldn’t advocate renting a scooter until you’re a professional. I rented a automotive for many of my time residing in Bali however in the direction of the tip I made a decision to hire a scooter as a result of it was cheaper. I got here off the bike however was carrying shorts, so I ended up with nasty highway rash and burns on my legs. I nonetheless have the scars in the present day!
Plenty of roads don’t have any site visitors lights so that you simply must beep and be careful for oncoming site visitors. If you happen to’re driving on again roads there aren’t any road lights both, so in case you’re driving round after sundown you’re mainly driving round in full darkness.
If you happen to don’t wish to drive, then you definately’ll have to get round by taxi or by hiring a non-public driver for the day. That’s tremendous if you wish to journey between main locations like Ubud and Seminyak, but it surely’s rather more troublesome if you wish to get off the overwhelmed observe for the day.
If you happen to needed to journey to say a distant seashore for the day, you’d have to be sure you have the variety of a driver and organize a time to be picked up and brought again.
Bali Professionals
Distinctive Tradition
Bali has a very distinctive tradition that units it other than the remainder of Indonesia. Whereas most of Indonesia is Muslim, nearly all of folks in Bali follow Balinese Hinduism. There are literally thousands of temples on the island and wherever you go you’ll normally run into some sort of Balinese ceremony.
There are many fascinating festivals all year long, together with Nyepi, Galungan and Tumpek Wayang, which sees wayang (shadow puppet) performances being held all through the island. Whilst you’re in Bali it’s best to attempt to catch a conventional dance efficiency, such because the Kecak Dance, Barong Dance or Fireplace Dance.
Within the streets and on the pavements you’ll normally see Canang Sari, that are small palm leaf baskets crammed with flowers, rice, meals and incense. The Balinese folks ogive these choices to the gods every morning as a type of gratitude for peace on the earth.
Cool Panorama
I’m positive by now you’ve seen plenty of footage of the attractive iridescent inexperienced rice terraces, but it surely additionally has some stunning mountain surroundings.
Sitting on ‘the ring of fireplace’, the island can be dwelling to some majestic volcanoes, together with Mount Agung, Mount Batur, Bratan and Mount Merbuk.
Mount Batur is essentially the most lively volcano on the island and it’s extremely widespread for mountain climbing excursions. If you happen to do the dawn trek you’ll depart tremendous early within the morning in an effort to take pleasure in dawn views with refreshments on the summit.
The island additionally has plenty of seashores which are very totally different from one another. For instance, the seashore in Canggu is black sand whereas Bias Tugel in Padangbai is powdery white. Some a are fully flat and lined with lodges whereas others are backed by rugged cliffs.
Tasty Delicacies
One factor I actually do miss about Bali is the meals. Whereas I do want Vietnamese and Thai meals over Balinese meals, it’s nonetheless fairly rattling tasty.
For breakfast I cherished consuming Nasi Goreng, which is mainly fried rice with a sunny facet up egg on high and a few cucumbers on the facet.
For lunch I usually ate Babi Guling, which is roast suckling pig filled with a combination of turmeric, coriander, lemongrass, shallots, galangal, chili, shrimp paste, and garlic. It’s normally served with some rice, greens and a dollop of spicy sambal.
Different widespread Balinese dishes embrace Satay Lilit, Gado Gado and Nasi Campur.
Pleasant Folks
The folks in Bali are usually very pleasant and are at all times smiling.
Balinese folks don’t earn very a lot cash and the minimal wage is round 2,297,968 IDR monthly, which is roughly $148. It’s not very a lot cash in any respect, and but the Balinese folks at all times appear to be very optimistic.
Sure, in the primary cities you’ll typically be hassled by taxi drivers and other people attempting to promote you issues. However typically the Balinese are tremendous pleasant and useful.
A Last Phrase…
So is Bali value visiting? I’ll allow you to be the decide of that. Personally I believe Bali is overrated, however I’d nonetheless counsel you go see it.
I can consider a number of islands in Southeast Asia that I most well-liked greater than Bali. I spent a few months renting an condominium within the southern tip of Phuket and loved that. I LOVED Boracay within the Philippines and likewise Koh Rong in Cambodia.
There are additionally tons of nice options to Bali inside Indonesia. You would go to Lombok, Sumbawa or the Mentawai Islands. You would see lovely orangutans in Borneo or komodo dragons on Komodo Island. Indonesia has 5 primary islands and hundreds of smaller islands so you’ve got loads of choices to select from in addition to Bali.
Nonetheless, I do assume that it’s best to see Bali for your self. If you happen to’re naturally curious and also you’d prefer to expertise Balinese tradition, then by all means, go. Simply attempt to search out genuine experiences and positively rent a automotive (or a scooter in case you’re prepared to danger it) so you possibly can go all around the island. If you happen to’re not assured with driving, then rent a driver to take you there.
Don’t simply persist with Ubud or Seminyak. Get off the overwhelmed observe, discover the seashores and fewer visited locations. You possibly can positively discover the “actual” Bali you simply must search for it.
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