Did you know? Most Australians love Bali! Most likely because it is cheap and so easy to get to, it is the perfect holiday and retreat spot for many. However I never shared that enthusiasm and had no desire to visit Bali. I had the best beaches just 1 hour away from Brisbane. Ohh Noosa, I miss you!
However when a friend invited me to Bali at a time where I was desperately in need of a holiday (back in 2017) I booked my flight and off I went. The 10 day trip started at Seminyak, followed by Ubud and Canggu Beach. I wasn‘t sure what to expect from the country, however I was keen to see what the fuss was all about…
You are most likely wondering why I am writing about Bali now. I will tell you at the end, promise. For now, here are the 5 main things nobody tells you about Bali. Because as beautiful as the country can be there are things that aren’t talked about much.
1) It is very very busy
Bali has actually a lot of people. I was a little bit surprised. There are so many pictures on Instagram about Bali and the beautiful resorts, it always looks so peaceful and quiet. But Bali, especially the area around Seminyak is very very populated. People everywhere, from locals to tourists. I found Ubud quite crowded as well and the narrow footpath along all the tourist shops and restaurants makes it very difficult to enjoy the stroll. It wasn‘t my favourite spot to be.
2) Traffic is terrible
Big population means lots of traffic. The congestion is unbelievable. I have read that the Bali government is very aware of the problem, they just don’t seem to know how to fix it. It also appears that everybody drives crazy without following road rules (if there are any). However as crazy as they drive it also seems to flow. Small TIP: drive with the traffic and definitely be aware of all your surroundings and other drivers all the time! There are cars and scooters coming at you from everywhere.
3) It is dirty
Bali has many beautiful and modern buildings and shop fronts, clearly built for the tourists. However no matter how stunning the shop is they sit right amongst the dirtiest and poorest buildings with piles of rubbish everywhere. I believe Bali is already known for the overflow of rubbish, whether it is on the beach or the streets. It is there in big quantities.
The garbage pickup seems irregular and inefficient and I assume the locals just don‘t care. Rubbish is being dumbed anywhere and everywhere. And so most of the waste is washed into the waterways by the daily rains and carried straight into the sea. It is a real problem and quite sad that nobody seems to care to fix it or deal with it.
4) The beaches are not as nice as you might think
I never understood why you would do a beach holiday in Bali when you live in a country with the most beautiful and clean beaches (talking about Australia here). The beaches in Bali are anything but great. Due to the popularity the plastic pollution has really soared in recent years (as mentioned above). It has become a major concern for visitors and the residents.
I went for a swim at Canggu beach (that was my favourite part of Bali) but to be honest I much more preferred watching everybody else from the beach bar. A cool drink at the end of the day was a great way to finish on the rather humid days.
5) There is no such thing as cute monkeys
I must admit when I saw the monkeys first I thought ‚ohh how cute‘. Until one of the locals told me to stay away. They steal everything of you. From sunnies to hats and bags, anything that is shiny and loose. So hold on to your things.
After that I wasn‘t interested in having them near me so I stayed clear. And what is it with some of the tourists wanting to feed them? That is definitely not a good idea. Leave the monkeys alone and they might leave you alone. That said, I saw one monkey destroying the seat of a parked scooter. Cheeky little buggers they are!
The other side of Bali
Of course there is a nice part to Bali as well. The country side is absolutely stunning and gorgeous. The contrast of the endless green rice fields and the blue sky makes for great photos. The clouds of the ready to erupt vulcano Mount Agung looks awesome (from far away of course). But you have to get out of the busy tourist area to see the beauty of the country.
Bali is also very cheap. An one hour massage costs $10 so of course I had one every day. Who wouldn’t? My body loved it! So I was definitely relaxing in Bali.
Trip Summary: It is always great to experience a different culture and that is what I did in Bali. I am sure a full on resort holiday would leave a different impression. The resorts are definitely huge so I guess once you arrive you don‘t really leave the premises. Not my travel style. Why go to Bali at all then?
So why do I write about it now? Because although I might not be going back to Bali I am going to travel around Asia next! After a summer in Europe it is time to escape the winter. Leaving today!!!
I can‘t wait to write and share with you all my travels (see the Asia menu tap). So definitely stay tuned! xx
