Looking for a non-Bogan Bali experience

[ozzguy]

Hey everyone. I've got a spare week of leave mid-year 2020 and looking to pop up to Bali. Never been before (but flown over Indonesia many times). I'm trying to avoid the stereotypical Bogan Aussie experience that Kuta/Southern Bali is (in)famous for. Should I be looking at Nothern Bali regions (Lovina or Kubu), or one of the nearby islands like Penida or Nusa Lembongan instead? Looking for a bit of relax time and a but of cultural experience/scenery. Any suggestions?

 

[Dr Ralph]

"Looking for a non bogan experience"

We all want the impossible.

 

[Pushka]

Try Nusa Dua (we are heading there in March) or something like the Intercontinental at Jimbaran Bay. Others like myself might also go to Lombok in one of the nice resorts. Basically don’t go anywhere near Kuta or Legian. Seminyak has its pockets as well. Fly Qantas not Jetstar.
I don’t ‘do’ bogan. And have been to Bali many times.

 

[ozzguy]

"Looking for a non-Bogan Bali experience"
We all want the impossible.

Thanks. I knew it was a stretch but thought I'd ask anyway.

 

[exceladdict]

If you want to avoid bogans, you want to avoid people. Harder to do on the plane, but easy-ish when on land.

But avoiding the cheapest flight of the day, or paying to sit up front, will help.

Get a villa in Canggu or somewhere equally away from Kuta and you'll be fine.

We enjoyed Gili T, and will go back to Lombok one day.

 

[Tropic]

Well don't head to the Boganister famous Bintang Supermarket either...apparently it burnt down last night...

 

[Deleted member]

We go to Lombok , however if we stay over in Bali we stay in the resort and only leave to fly home.
The last place we stayed was the Intercontinental, couldn’t recommend it more highly.
When in Lombok we stay at Qincci villas.

 

[Daver6]

You make no mention of budget or what sort of things you'd like to do. If you want to relax in luxury in a beautiful location that's a bit out of the way, Four Seasons Sayan could fit the bill.

 

[theblank]

If thats what you want, then avoid Bali. there is plenty of amazing places to go for holiday in Indonesia (google it), though on your own might be a bit of a drag.
For first time in Bali, I would suggest just go to Bali and stay away from Kuta and you will love it. If you are adventurous, and dont mind being alone in a strange place, I would go to Bandung. Bucketloads of sightseeing/tourist spots, its not as hot, and has a fairly active nightlife too. Anywhere in Indonesia its easy to make acquaintances if you are not shy (they will be shyer than you), as opposed to everyone being in your face in Bali

* indonesians commonly go to Bali too for holidays, but plenty of other places they go to also

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Can you speak a language other than English?
i try to avoid speaking English overseas.
it helps avoid other Australians, Americans and Brits and locals treat you differently too.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

The two things I'd suggest: stay away from Kuta and avoid school holidays. The former is easy but as you are travelling mid-year the latter may be difficult/impossible. I'm spending two weeks in Ubud soon after Australia Day. Ubud can be busy but has some very fine restaurants and a great market. Its outlying villages though are quieter, rural and represent more what Bali was like thirty years ago.

 

[stm1sydney]

Why the insistence on Bali? You can try to avoid bogans, but they'll still be on the plane.

Heaps of other places to go in SEA with cheap airfares, good culture, great food, and a very low bogan ratio. KL, Saigon, Bangkok, Singapore.

 

[Pushka]

Can you speak a language other than English?
i try to avoid speaking English overseas.
it helps avoid other Australians, Americans and Brits and locals treat you differently too.

I use that strategy in Europe to avoid the Gypsy’s.

 

[Happy Dude]

It sounds as though it will be more difficult to avoid the bogan-avoiding crowd.

As society's definition of bogan has now expanded to include everyone who is Australian except "you" and "your immediate circle", I would suggest that you'll need to fly private and rent your own island.

There is nowhere on Bali that will be free of others you deem to be bogans. How you interract with them is up to you, not the other way around. Despite condemnation, largely from those that haven't been there or only visited Kuta and Nusa Dua, Bali offers some of the best travel to be had in SEA. I recommend hiring a cheap car in Ubud and driving wherever you think looks interesting. You'll be able to stay in little homestay-type places, eat in family warungs and stop wherever you like.

 

[jb747]

Flights to Bali were always interesting. The coughpit door was a wonderful thing.

It was a bogan special going up, and the great unwashed coming back.

 

[theblank]

As society's definition of bogan has now expanded to include everyone who is Australian except "you" and "your immediate circle", I would suggest that you'll need to fly private and rent your own island.

More likely it was just a bit of tongue in cheek, and what he is really asking is for some recommendations to get away from tourist congested spots. Its a reasonable question many people ask.

 

[ozzguy]

More likely it was just a bit of tongue in cheek, and what he is really asking is for some recommendations to get away from tourist congested spots. Its a reasonable question many people ask.

Yes, you are right. A bit of tongue in cheek with the original question. Looking to get away from the usual tourist spots and interact with locals rather than fellow Aussies.

 

[ozzguy]

If you want to avoid bogans, you want to avoid people. Harder to do on the plane, but easy-ish when on land.

But avoiding the cheapest flight of the day, or paying to sit up front, will help.

Get a villa in Canggu or somewhere equally away from Kuta and you'll be fine.

We enjoyed Gili T, and will go back to Lombok one day.

I have to accept the fact that I can't really avoid it on the flights, was more concerned when I land. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[RisingPhoenix]

Do you SCUBA Dive?

Kubu can be nice, Also Amed.

Villa Alba is lovely accomodation just out of Tulamben and not far from Kubu, lovely resort and owners. Alway been free from bogans in my experience.

 

[Stealthflyer]

Head to Ubud. I stayed at the Arma museum and resort last year. It’s owned and run by the David Walsh of Ubud. For a reasonable fee he’ll take you on a private tour at dawn (an easy hour if you’re travelling from AEST) of the ancient temples in the forest surrounding Ubud. The museum is terrific and they have free art, music and dance classes for the local kids as a way of keeping the traditional culture alive. By staying there you help contribute to these programs. The grounds are beautifully landscaped with sculptures and winding paths throughout. I can’t wait to go back.