Comments on: Bali, An Island of Contrasts

By: Norma Chang

Norma Chang — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 23:16:08 +0000

Appreciate the photos and honest review.

By: Kristy

Kristy — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 19:56:11 +0000

It is definitely an island of contrast. It reminds me of some places I’ve been in the Caribbean. Such a juxtaposition. The resorts are just stunning though! Such beautiful water. I just can’t imagine that many people in such a small amount of space! Thank you for the visual tour. Fantastic!

By: Juliet

Juliet — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 07:34:52 +0000

This is one of the best descriptions I’ve read of Bali. I’ve never been there, but now I know what to expect. I like the way you include the smells, the noise, the footpaths and all the realistic details as well as the beautiful side. Thanks.

By: Debra

Debra — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 05:00:30 +0000

I think you’ve represented the “contrasts” really very well, Charlie. I don’t know how I’d do in all the confusion of the hustle and bustle, but the adventure of it must be extraordinary! And in the end it can really be the people that make a place extraordinary. You are quite the adventurer!

By: mjskitchen

mjskitchen — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 02:41:45 +0000

Obviously, you didn’t get paid for this review of Bali. Excellent food and great massages are not enough of a seller for me to put up with everything else. 🙂 Thank you for an honest review! HGTV makes it looks like such a wonderful place that everyone would want to go so it’s nice to get the “real” story. I’m the type of traveler that likes to go where there are no crowds, where there is lots of space, great sites and smells, as well as good food, I think I’ll stay away from Bali. 🙂

By: Coffee and Crumpets

Coffee and Crumpets — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 20:31:46 +0000

There is always some unpleasantness in some of these small places but the good always makes it worthwhile. Sounds like you had a good time! Love, love the colour of that sea.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 13:02:11 +0000

i loved it there – all those pretty little offering baskets. But I did not like the monkey forest.

By: Kari @ bite-sized thoughts

Kari @ bite-sized thoughts — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 09:34:59 +0000

It’s so nice to read a balanced account of Bali! I am sure it’s the same from most places in Australia, but certainly from Perth, Bali was a regular holiday destination and people rave about how cheap it is and how you can stay somewhere amazing at little cost. But of course the other side of that is the shambolic nature of day-to-day life there! I’ve actually never been so can’t really profess any expertise, but I have always thought it a bit one-sided to rave about the luxury resorts and ignore the rest.

I hope you are having a good time among the shambles, plus plus tax, but also good deals!

By: Mandy

Mandy — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 07:13:07 +0000

See now, if you just move the location, you have pretty much described Mauritius. Although thankfully when we lived there, we lived up North away from the city centre so we had a little reprieve from all the business and smells although we still had to drive through derelict villages to get home and the animals roaming the streets covered in mange and weeping sores near killed me!
Have a beautiful weekend Charlie.
🙂 Mandy xo

By: Eha

Eha — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 01:07:25 +0000

Charlie: I really and truly appreciated your real and practical views of Bali . . . . shall move up to reread! I am an old SE Asia ‘hand’ going back a number of decades and tho’ Bali and I have not crossed ways, much of what you describe was/is the same in many parts of that area. Sorry you don’t enjoy the bargaining still obviously there: awfully good fun! I am used to offering 50% and watching the sellers’ eyes: if they think you are a ‘fool’; you’ll have a bad time: but never, never lose your cool . . .when you smile and walk away you know whether they are willing to reduce prices! It IS a game; play it!!!! My two girls were the bestest at being ‘cool’ by age 5-6 . . .unfortunately they arrived in Europe and thought the same rules were OK 😀 !!