To Bali, or not to Bali

[kpc]

A colleague of mine was due to go to Bali on Wednesday for a conference, and he cancelled the trip today as his daughter was not happy for him to go. The travel agent told him that they had received many cancellations since the W/E events...

 

[Bali Belly]

We have just booked for feb 09 for 3 weeks and are in the process of looking at a return trip in sept i guess when you feel relaxed and positive about a hoilday destination then with a little carefull planning you can enjoy a nice trip

 

[vt]

Stupid question coming...but a genuine one. :mrgreen:
I have never been to Bali.

What is there in Bali that you cannot get in say:
coughet (although it is still predominently Muslim) or any Thai beach place.
Sabah or again any Malaysian/Singaporean beach place.
Fiji, Vanuatu...although not "Asian" culture.
Even further north into China/Taiwain/Japan/Korea.

I understand the further up you go adds hours to the trip, but getting out of Oz any is a PITA. (NZ is domestic according to my work travel policy).

Some of these places are also more expensive.

Does it come down to Travel Time and Cost?

 

[serfty]

Generally Bali can be less expensive than other places mentioned ... not always, but mostly.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Stupid question coming...but a genuine one. :mrgreen:
I have never been to Bali.

What is there in Bali that you cannot get in say:
coughet (although it is still predominently Muslim) or any Thai beach place.
Sabah or again any Malaysian/Singaporean beach place.
Fiji, Vanuatu...although not "Asian" culture.
Even further north into China/Taiwain/Japan/Korea.

I understand the further up you go adds hours to the trip, but getting out of Oz any is a PITA. (NZ is domestic according to my work travel policy).

Some of these places are also more expensive.

Does it come down to Travel Time and Cost?

1/ As mentioned by Serfty...Bali is very cheap compared to most other "nearby" places.
Thailand is good value too...but my last trip to Bali was clearly cheaper for food, beer and accommodation of comparable quality.

2/ Culture, people etc..

While some (including myself at times) might only base the decision for a "holiday" on the desitination as a beach, hot weather and low food/accommodation costs etc, Bali is also a great destinaton for its People, Culture, Religion, Art etc etc.

Bali is unique and provides a different travel experience due to this.

I know that for example that anytime I think of Bali that it's distinctive music pops into my head...which I am sure is the case for many others too.

Last time I stayed in Ubud I stayed with a Village Chief and as such was invited to various ceromies and festivals in addition to those for "tourists".

If you enjoy your Theatre then Balinese Theatre and Dance is also a treat.

I deliberately stay at family run businesses so that I can interact with the local people and culture more.



I like Thailand...I like Bali...I like Fiji...but they are not the same...though yes all 3 can provide beach holdays....but all 3 provide different travel experiences anda lot more than hot weather and tropical beaches.


I mean say Italy and France are both in Europe, have wine and old buildings....but are not the same

It all depends what YOU are looking for in your travels...

 

[vt]

1/ As mentioned by Serfty...Bali is very cheap compared to most other "nearby" places.
Thailand is good value too...but my last trip to Bali was clearly cheaper for food, beer and accommodation of comparable quality.

I'll pay that one. Most often, I find a trip to Thailand or Malaysia much more cheaper than an Australian getaway. Heck, even a trip to HK and then a local tour works out better for me.

2/ Culture, people etc..

I deliberately stay at family run businesses so that I can interact with the local people and culture more.

I applaud you for choosing to go to someplace for the culture. Sadly, the only image I see in the Australian media is the typical drunken ozzie out on the booze in Bali. Always had the impression that Kuta was just another Patong.

I like Thailand...I like Bali...I like Fiji...but they are not the same...though yes all 3 can provide beach holdays....but all 3 provide different travel experiences anda lot more than hot weather and tropical beaches.


I mean say Italy and France are both in Europe, have wine and old buildings....but are not the same

It all depends what YOU are looking for in your travels...

Very true....looking at your France and Italy comparison, for me it would be to visit the winery regions. So both to me, although providing differing tastes, from Burgundy to Bourdeax to Loire to Piedmont, would be about getting sloushed. And if the French dont want me...:mrgreen:

 

[superchris]

After the second bomb went off, I cancelled a family holiday to Bali.
It was quick and easy as I had not yet paid for airfares (via a Travel agent) and my accomodation was done via Starwoods.
This was the September 2004 school holidays and we ended up going to Honolulu and had a fantastic trip (and have been back since).
Terrorism can occur anywhere at anytime and for any reason. It should not control our plans but sometimes we may choose to alter our plans.
We are , of course , free to travel virtually anywhere and this freedom does come with responsibility.

 

[Keith009]

I don't really dig culture and hence it doesn't really make a difference whether I'm in Bali or Hong Kong or Barcelona in that respect. So the main difference for me - Partyyyyyyyyyyyy!!

I found Bali far more versatile and diverse than the other places. coughet is fun but gets a bit trailer trash at times. Bali has a good mix of class (Seminyak) and the cheesy backpacker elements (Kuta). Full moon party at Phi Phi was great the first time but got over it pretty quickly, especially when I nearly stepped on a syringe! Bangkok is awesome but different - no beach there for starters so not the place to watch sunset by the beach with an Earl Grey martini and a pair of Badgley Mishka Floyds, same goes for China/Japan/Honkers etc.

I also enjoyed Honolulu hugely, but Bali is closer and cheaper (no i refuse to fly onestar).

I try to catch up with other Aussies or Americans when overseas and both Bali and Honolulu are good for that.

Stupid question coming...but a genuine one. :mrgreen:
I have never been to Bali.

What is there in Bali that you cannot get in say:
coughet (although it is still predominently Muslim) or any Thai beach place.
Sabah or again any Malaysian/Singaporean beach place.
Fiji, Vanuatu...although not "Asian" culture.
Even further north into China/Taiwain/Japan/Korea.

I understand the further up you go adds hours to the trip, but getting out of Oz any is a PITA. (NZ is domestic according to my work travel policy).

Some of these places are also more expensive.

Does it come down to Travel Time and Cost?

 

[sr81]

I flew out of Bali at 2350 on the evening of the excutions. The only people talking about it was the Australian's with the French, Japanese and others knowning very little about it.

I will be back in two weeks as my DONE commences from DPS and I am not overly concerned. I am staying in resort style accomidation and this seems better than a hotel at Kuta.

As with all travel you need cough the risks but I am not overly concerned.

 

[freofan]

We were in Bali the first week of November and noticed nothing unusual. Personally I had no quarms going and believed by cancelling my well made plans would only let the terrorists 'win'. If there is such a thing in these situations.

That being said I wouldn't bother going back to Bali again - much prefer the Thai people and coughet/Bangkok for the resort/sun/beach/shopping kind of escape.

 

[QF WP]

Haven't been to Bali for years. Can remember the lengthy BNE/CNS/DRW/DPS 12 hour trip and not one that I would want to do again soon (although I know I could fly BNE/SYD/DPS).

Like others here, I stayed (and would stay again) only at the better resorts, so I would have less issues given at least some security guards around (although the ones that I saw didn't seem to overly interested in seriously attending to their duties).

Kuta and other places don't interest me...but I'm not as young as QF009

 

[Keith009]

Kuta and other places don't interest me...but I'm not as young as QF009

I didn't like Kuta, a thoroughly classless and trashy place. Did its job in confining all the westies, yobbos and generic shampoo users in one area though. Partied in Seminyak. Hard a grand ol time the first nite there with a cute boyo from France, his gf and her mum who'd be around your age.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

We were in Bali the first week of November and noticed nothing unusual. Personally I had no quarms going and believed by cancelling my well made plans would only let the terrorists 'win'. If there is such a thing in these situations.

That being said I wouldn't bother going back to Bali again - much prefer the Thai people and coughet/Bangkok for the resort/sun/beach/shopping kind of escape.

There is alot more to Bali...than Kuta and shopping.. (both of which I avoided).

But yes I too like Thailand...but again inThailand...as in Bali...I tend to not just go to resort areas and also get out and about to places that are to me a lot more interesting, but less travelled.

 

[Will]

Hard a grand ol time the first nite there with a cute boyo from France, his gf and her mum

Now that does sound like a party

 

[Keith009]

Now that does sound like a party

Oh you totally can't even begin to imagine...

 

[GDSman]

We got to Bali because there is a perfect blend of relaxation, culture and above all value. On leave I like to treat the family as much as possible and find I get the best bang for buck in Bali. It's got all things for all tastes in my view and whether your partying with the QF009s or surfing or whatever it has a lot to offer.

I've lived in Thailand so it doesn't appeal quite as much (mostly because it's so hard to avoid the sex-trade activities that dominate in most tourist spots).

Going to Bali means a short-ish flight, the option 5* villas with pools and decent food.

We're still planning on our Tuesday departure - I'll keep you updated...

 

[bonyudaisuki]

We got to Bali because there is a perfect blend of relaxation, culture and above all value. On leave I like to treat the family as much as possible and find I get the best bang for buck in Bali.

Given Australian reluctance, Japanese companies in Tokyo have been running some really really cheap deals recently (all inclusive). My old PA is there now, but reports it's wonderful. Best of luck with your holiday. I agree that the bang-for-buck in Bali is good, sans wine.

 

[Bali Belly]

we have justed booked for 3 weeks for mrs bellys 50th birthday we will take kids and relax for june holidays
to change subjest justed booked with ff points 50.000 with qantas
or 195.000 with jq any set how does this work?

 

[geoffl]

Go, Go, Go...you are ultra safe at the Intercontinental and Ubud, and if you stay away from the 20-25 year old bars in central Kuta, you can't do much else to be safe.
We go twice a year, and have done so since 2002, so enjoy yourself, I envy you, wish I could pack up and go now, guess I will just have to wait until March

 

[geoffl]

Hi Modereator,
My wife and I are each in our 60's and we go twice per year to Bali.
Like you Kuta doesn't interest us but Seminyak, Ubud etc are great.
We always stay in Villa's, with our own plunge pool, so we can relax, do a little sightseeing and eat out, (lots), all in our own time.
The new private Villa's that are spring up are all 1st class, and equal to any 5 star accomodation you will find.