I love Bali
Koster is bringing this up again. He really has it in for the low budget tourist . If he thinks this will help the traffic congestion he’s dreaming . People will be forced into cars with a driver which will increase the problem . He’s still very keen also to introduce a daily tourist tax so as to discourage the Aussie bintang brigade that he sees as the trouble makers . Apparently rich people are well behaved . He doesn’t seem to have a problem with locals txting while riding , going the opposite direction on major roads because of lack of u-turn opportunities, 9 year old kids riding to shops & school, locals entering major roads without first looking as if they get hit from behind it’s the other persons fault and if you’re a bule it’s your fault regardless .
Has anyone here sent their kids to school in Bali? I see there's an Australian school there and the fees seem reasonable.
juegasiempre wrote:Has anyone here sent their kids to school in Bali? I see there's an Australian school there and the fees seem reasonable.
My daughter goes to a government backed school but it’s not your typical government school which are free . This one isn’t expensive , around $50 a month and is small , only about 80 students , there’s 12 in her class so she gets plenty of attention .They are multi cultural and all religions are excepted . They teach Bahasa Indonesia, Balinese , English and Japanese. Also very big on art which she loves. Government schools are different in that junior school hours are 7.15 am to 11 or 12 then the seniors come in , 6 days a week . The school year starts towards the end of July snd ends in June. They have all public holidays and religious holidays over 3 religions. Some government schools particularly in the poorer regions, the teachers don’t turn up and kids are left to their own devices . A friend sent his two kids to a good private school in sanur which was around $7000 a year , not sure of the name . Most private schools follow the Australian calendar year for start & finish along with holidays . It’s a fairly big industry ( private schools ) in Bali so a wide range to choose from .
Supafreak wrote:juegasiempre wrote:Has anyone here sent their kids to school in Bali? I see there's an Australian school there and the fees seem reasonable.
My daughter goes to a government backed school but it’s not your typical government school which are free . This one isn’t expensive , around $50 a month and is small , only about 80 students , there’s 12 in her class so she gets plenty of attention .They are multi cultural and all religions are excepted . They teach Bahasa Indonesia, Balinese , English and Japanese. Also very big on art which she loves. Government schools are different in that junior school hours are 7.15 am to 11 or 12 then the seniors come in , 6 days a week . The school year starts towards the end of July snd ends in June. They have all public holidays and religious holidays over 3 religions. Some government schools particularly in the poorer regions, the teachers don’t turn up and kids are left to their own devices . A friend sent his two kids to a good private school in sanur which was around $7000 a year , not sure of the name . Most private schools follow the Australian calendar year for start & finish along with holidays . It’s a fairly big industry ( private schools ) in Bali so a wide range to choose from .
I priced up living in full and I was pretty surprised. Prices seem to have really jumped since I was there in 2022! It's hard to believe but after everything is taken into account it's actually cheaper to live in Australia (after family tax benefit and child care subsidy). Australia! On the fucking 'cost of living crisis' east coast!
The visa fees work out to be $500 odd a month for a family of 4 which seems to be taking the piss but good on them I guess and rentals are really overpriced when you take into account the traffic, pollution, location from the beach etc.
I don't know why you'd spend so much to live in Bali if you didn't even surf but hopefully all this bule money is helping out the local Balinese and they can install some drinking water and half decent plumbing. God knows they deserve it after whoring out the island.
How/why have prices jumped so much in such a short time? Who's paying these rates to live in the third world? Are Australians the new poor and the rest of the world isn't?
I pay $800 a year for visa ( multiple entry ) using an agent, if I did it myself it would be around $300 I think but any mistakes on application then you do your money . Next year I’m applying for a kitap which is a 5 year visa ( multiple entry ) $3500 , again way cheaper if I do it myself but risk doing my money if any mistakes. I use an agent for peace of mind, it can be a complicated process doing everything involved yourself . Inflation on food is high , supply and demand. Electricity is also high . Petrol is around $1.30 a litre for the good stuff if you’re running a car . Bali is way more crowded than 2022 .
I thought the wet season was over after beautiful weather all week but it’s turned nasty . Heavy rain this morning in Gianyar & at the moment on NL it’s like a mini cyclone, maybe not that bad but sideways heavy rain and strong onshore winds, shit getting blown everywhere. Forecast has 14 - 24 knots over the coming weeks . Is there a cyclone forming of WA ? Looks like some weird very short period large swell coming from the west . I thought after 2 weeks of ESE ENE air patterns , that the trades were coming early . Apparently not .
Looks like shits flying everywhere in the gu too .
Yeh still a bit of weather around.
Wife,in Bali ,Sanur,reporting conditions
I’m still in Sumatra surfing
That’s a great relationship I reckon.
She is a beautiful woman but defininetely a Sumatran tiger
AWAS
Dumai wrote:Yeh still a bit of weather around.
Wife,in Bali ,Sanur,reporting conditions
I’m still in Sumatra surfing
That’s a great relationship I reckon.
She is a beautiful woman but defininetely a Sumatran tiger
AWAS
Isteri orang Batak ya?
All the Batak people i know are so strong headed, good business people though
SF, there's a low near Cocos sending the west winds and swell (also a low forming near the NW WA coast next week)
Some great shots of you ripping the other day mate
seaslug wrote:SF, there's a low near Cocos sending the west winds and swell (also a low forming near the NW WA coast next week)
Thanks seaslug , I’m out injured for awhile so probably best for me that it’s howling onshore here as I tend to get easily tempted and not heal up properly before getting back into it .
What happened SF?, hope ok
amb wrote:What happened SF?, hope ok
Yeah all good I think , just some soft tissue damage in the wrist from trying to hang onto board duck diving a bomb , bent the wrist back as board was ripped from my clasp . I’ve got a bit less than a month before heading off west so hopefully all good by then . Sorta sucks trying to do my gym routine, have to just focus on cardio and leave the weights alone .
Just heard Jetstar canceled some flights , apparently volcano in Flores is playing up again . Jetstar & Virgin get dictated to what flight route they can take through indo. Batik & Garuda usually keep flying .
Indonesia's Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano erupts; some Bali flights cancelledhttps://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/indonesias-lewotobi-laki-laki-volca...
Internet canceled for Nyepi day , no doubt a few idiots will take to the streets and get arrested. https://en.antaranews.com/news/349257/indonesias-bali-to-suspend-telecom...
Yes she is Indo and you are correct on both counts
Cheers
I'm going to bali for 2 weeks for the first time with a mate in July. I'm 18yo and so keen to travel and surf what looks like you can't get a single bad day around this time of year. I've got a few questions I'd love some indo-experienced guys to answer.
Location - where's the best area to stay if I want to be generally close to all breaks from ulus-balangan? Would love to be a 10-15 minute scooter ride from all of these breaks, so would it be best to stay sorta in the middle a bit inland from, say, bingin? I've heard you've gotta sorta go inland and then around each break to get from spot to spot.
Swell - from what i've gathered, the predominant swell angles range from SSW (200 degrees) to SW (240 degrees), with some pretty insane period from 12s to 20s. As someone who lives aus east coast where coral sea swells are generally shorter period from 7s to 12s, this seems like a whole new world to me. Would love some general info on what breaks work good in what direction and period. Such as ulus may be good with a swell with more south in it (being at the upper part of the bukit), whereas somewhere like balangan, the swell may not wrap at this angle?
Tides and shallow reef - obviously some spots work good at high tide and some low. Coming from the land of sand bottom rights, the idea of trying to pig dog a pit over half a metre of sharp reef in a place with a wonky health system is daunting, but intriguing. I've accepted the fact I'm going to get a few reef tattoos, but man it would suck to have a trip ruined by a major injury. What breaks break over the most amount of water and can be considered the 'safest'? Am I best to just stick to high tide camping and surf fatter turn-ier waves?
Oversized waves - if I arrive in bali at the time of the 'swell of the season', and have days on days of a 10ft at 19s SW swell, wheres the spot to go to thats more protected and manageable? Like, would dreamland have some nice 4 footers when ulus is 8 foot?
Cheers, would love some help here as I get ready for whats hopefully my first of many indo trips :)
@swellsam , my first trip to indo was as an 18 yo , cut short as I got typhoid after 5 weeks . Mate honestly it is unbelievable how crowded it is on the Bukit that time of year. Getting around on a scooter in heavy traffic ain’t a lot of fun . If you’re only going for 2 weeks then I would seriously consider going to G-land instead. You won’t have to put up with so much bullshit believe me . Yes G-land gets crowded but go sit up the top end of the reef and you will get waves .If it’s huge then head further down the bay . Get covermore travel insurance . The international hospitals in Bali are very good . That’s my suggestion mate , enjoy your trip .
swellsam wrote:I'm going to bali for 2 weeks for the first time with a mate in July. I'm 18yo and so keen to travel and surf what looks like you can't get a single bad day around this time of year. I've got a few questions I'd love some indo-experienced guys to answer.
Location - where's the best area to stay if I want to be generally close to all breaks from ulus-balangan? Would love to be a 10-15 minute scooter ride from all of these breaks, so would it be best to stay sorta in the middle a bit inland from, say, bingin? I've heard you've gotta sorta go inland and then around each break to get from spot to spot.
Swell - from what i've gathered, the predominant swell angles range from SSW (200 degrees) to SW (240 degrees), with some pretty insane period from 12s to 20s. As someone who lives aus east coast where coral sea swells are generally shorter period from 7s to 12s, this seems like a whole new world to me. Would love some general info on what breaks work good in what direction and period. Such as ulus may be good with a swell with more south in it (being at the upper part of the bukit), whereas somewhere like balangan, the swell may not wrap at this angle?
Tides and shallow reef - obviously some spots work good at high tide and some low. Coming from the land of sand bottom rights, the idea of trying to pig dog a pit over half a metre of sharp reef in a place with a wonky health system is daunting, but intriguing. I've accepted the fact I'm going to get a few reef tattoos, but man it would suck to have a trip ruined by a major injury. What breaks break over the most amount of water and can be considered the 'safest'? Am I best to just stick to high tide camping and surf fatter turn-ier waves?
Oversized waves - if I arrive in bali at the time of the 'swell of the season', and have days on days of a 10ft at 19s SW swell, wheres the spot to go to thats more protected and manageable? Like, would dreamland have some nice 4 footers when ulus is 8 foot?
Cheers, would love some help here as I get ready for whats hopefully my first of many indo trips :)
Well bud, similar to Supa, went at 18. Only a small group of huts on beach at Bingin when I went first. Good walk in to Ulu and crowd was generally lightish. Last time was 20 yrs ago and it was a shit show then and would not go back. Impossible is good when it is big and if you are natural and not to flash on the backhand tubes. Balangan can get very good but generally middle of the road. Kuta left is ok - can't imagine the crowd now. Middles was great and not a sole around but hear crowded now. Not many rights in that neck - airport right maybe as it tends to be smaller than some other places if it gets sizey. Nusa Dua is just sick with size and a right. Pretty much if there is size there is sweet fa if you are not very competent., outside of watching the Euros get smoked while drinking Bintang and laughing your ass off. Most waves on Bukit are not ones to play with at size unless you are comfortable. Head the other direction up Medewi way if its big and you prefer a bit more ease. Don't ride a bike/scooter - get a car - seriously it is way too dangerous.
Bingin to my mind is a great place to stay and a fn sick wave even on the backhand. We stayed in a hut there for months sleeping on bamboo beds with the board bag underneath, eating jaffles and the occasional fish the locals brought in fresh and cooked on fire. (for about $3 compared to the $0.50 jaffle or Mie Goreng). You will lose flesh at some stage though.
A lot of Indo is a bit of a shit show in crowd terms unless you travel and/or are in the know. Still - never failed to score good waves in Bali so there will be something if you can deal what it is now.
@supafreak Thanks alot mate. Getting sick another thing I'm wigged out about, it seems almost like an inevitable. For the crowds, it seems like theres so much reef spread out from ulu-balangan that I may be able to find less crowded spots? I'm more than happy to surf the less pumping spots and just get more waves than try and get the 'wave of my life' with 50 guys surrounding me. I was initially thinking about heading over to Java, but for a first indo trip, I think I'm gonna stick to bali. What's nusa lembongan like? Looks like some fun rights, but also looks super crowded.
@FrazP Mate that sounds unreal. Nusa Dua looks like a sick right, but with the dry season trade winds it doesn't look like an option for when I'm going. I've heard the traffic is unbearable in a car. I'm debating either getting a scooter for the whole trip, or spending a bit more cash and trying to be walking distance to some spots.
My advice is go stay in a few areas to get a taste and idea of what different area's have to offer and avoid the big name spots where possible.
Dont ride a scooter hire a car and driver, way to dangerous if dont understand Indo traffic and ways especially if you dont ride a motorbike back home
Sample the party scene but dont do drugs in Indo, sample the local lady's. but wear a rubber, and dont get sucked into the whole Kuta-Seminyak vortex.
Grab a copy of Indo surf & Lingo, its been around forever but still a good book for any first time Bali trip
Also go do some touristy cultural stuff, do a day tour up to the volcano and Ubud, go to a temple etc, Indo has a lot more to offer than just waves.
@swellsam , if ulu’s is headhigh in July expect 100 + people minimum, if it’s double overhead expect 80 odd , triple overhead expect 40 odd . Ulu’s is a long reef so crowd gets spread out unlike boring bingin which has a very tight takeoff spot and it gets ridiculously crowded . Impossibles is a better wave when bigger, easier to make than when it’s smaller . All these spots can & will get dominated by locals that rip , then you have the expats to deal with then big tourist numbers . Getting around by car with driver is the safer option but leave before the sun comes up as cars get gridlocked during the day especially late afternoon when everyone tries to get back to their digs . NL is packed come July , the European invasion is mind blowing, again if it’s headhigh expect 40-80 out at each of the 3 main breaks . Different story when it’s double overhead but still plenty of crew on it . You can get lucky and the east coast can be ok for the first few hours in the morning before trades kick up . The book Indo recommended is well worth the $ . Good luck with whatever you decide, I haven’t surfed the Bukit in about 17 years I think, so can’t help you with any accommodation recommendations. Stick to beer and keep an eye on your drink , that’s assuming you drink alcohol . Above all , be respectful , polite and smile , try to understand indo’s have a habit of smiling and saying yes mister , even when they haven’t a clue what you’re talking about . Good luck mate & hope you get your expectations met .
Nice weather this morning but 1 hour ago a storm blew in with incredibly strong winds and sideways rain which hasn’t let up yet . The initial first few minutes of the storm was intense . More on the way by the looks of the forecast .
Hey swellsam,
You are going to have an epic trip regardless.
Ulu's does get busy, but if you stay out there you can score some pretty good sessions.
One day may be packed , the next not so bad.
These days the crowd may look really thick from the beach. but a lot of floaters that really should not be surfing Ulu, especially when small.
So many sections, from Secrets, better on lower tides, Temples, tide really needs to be 1.3 or over, south swell more of a long running wave, west swell becomes a great barrel that can tend to close out and break ya board, Peak, Racetrack on lower tides.
If gets big 6 foot and over, one of the best waves on earth starts to come alive, Outside Corner, the lower the tide generally the better, likes west swell and will give you probably the most rippable big wave on the planet. If south in the swell expect a massive late drop and then a fatter wave, but still unreal. West swells there are the good ones for Padang, but good luck getting a wave there.
If big and south in the swell the bombie comes alive, but you want a big board there, same applies to Outside Corner, but even more so at the bombie.
The first time you paddle out through the cave you will never forget!!
It's a very special place.
Locals there are I reckon the friendliest in Bali, probably won't give you any waves though. :)
Finish the day off with a cold Binny watching the sunset at Lana's bar The Edge.
Also if you stay out there, you can easily access all the other Bukit waves from Nusa Dua to Balangan pretty easily.
Busy place out there at night so heaps of food, socialising options.
No need to go to Seminyak these days, pretty dead. I'm too old for party scene, but Canggu or Bukit seems to be the go these days. Single Fin at Ulu's is the main spot I think, but maybe that's changed.
Stay safe on bikes, if you are going to ride one take it easy and get a proper helmet.
I like Tuban also, still has old Bali vibe, can catch a boat to Kuta reef, middles etc as well as access to beachies from Kuta through to Legian.
Canggu is super busy and if you stay there you may not make it out...
If the crowds too much, do as @supa recommended and shoot over to Gland. Incredible waves and location.
Heaps of options on East coast but a bit of local knowledge required there to find optimal conditions.
There are other waves besides Keramas.
Have a great trip.
PS. Don't worry about getting sick, the local food is epic. I find it is usually the fussy eaters over there that end up crook.
Have fun!!
Edit: Balangan can get good, likes the south swells, west swell tend to section and close out.
I love Bali because of the authentic Aussie vibe.
These storm cells hitting various parts of Bali have been really intense lately, today’s one of the worst I’ve witnessed on NL . All over within an hour but the initial intensity had been ferocious . Parts of roofs were uplifted on more than one beachfront property including where I am . Wednesday’s storm claimed at least 2 lives in karangasam when a tree took out 2 locals on bikes and an Australian tourist died in a boating mishap when it flipped near nusa penida . Today’s storm claimed another 2 in kuta . No doubt there’s probably many more around indo at the moment . Not everything gets reported .
More of Wednesday’s storm in the gu
Supafreak wrote:These storm cells hitting various parts of Bali have been really intense lately, today’s one of the worst I’ve witnessed on NL . All over within an hour but the initial intensity had been ferocious . Parts of roofs were uplifted on more than one beachfront property including where I am . Wednesday’s storm claimed at least 2 lives in karangasam when a tree took out 2 locals on bikes and an Australian tourist died in a boating mishap when it flipped near nusa penida . Today’s storm claimed another 2 in kuta . No doubt there’s probably many more around indo at the moment . Not everything gets reported . https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHfVU0JxqGz/?igsh=MWoybXc5OGFvNGt4aw==
Same as in the Philippines
When a typhoon hits , a lot of people don’t seem to know , ,or care about it, and just carry on normally , walking around.
Geez that is tragic....
Sad...
2030 ? Maybe 2130 . This is talked about every 5-10 years. Major hurdles for these projects are what country is going to pay for it . If and when it ever happens , where do the tourists flying in stay ? Better hope that investors build a shit load of accommodation or traffic will be going south and who is seriously going to fly in and then travel another 2-3 hours by road or train . Personally I don’t believe it will happen. Land prices go up with announcements then it all goes quiet for 5-6 years, land prices drop then a few years later another announcement is made .
Swellsam for a first trip you could do a few days around Tuban. Accom not exxy there and close to airport. Get a taste of the local reefs.
Then head up to Bukit. I drive a scooter around there to the surf breaks but wouldn’t venture any further and I take it easy. Check whether travel insurance covers you.
I tend to stay near Padang. Short ride up to Ulus. Impossibles a walk if it’s too big at Ulus.
Yeah it’s crowded but you’ll still have a ball.
This is the boat an Australian female tourist died on while heading to nusa penida. The boat & captain were from Bali and that can be a problem as they don’t know the waters like the local skipper’s from the 3 islands . Nearly 100% of diving accidents around these 3 islands are from Bali businesses that again don’t know the area as well as locals . Money drives them to do stupid things like instead of canceling the trip because of bad weather they will go regardless in case they miss out if clients don’t rebook.
Shit skipper.
Thanks heaps everyone. Just ordered a copy of Indo Surf & Lingo. Found a nice tide chart on their website for when I'm heading over too.
swellsam wrote:Thanks heaps everyone. Just ordered a copy of Indo Surf & Lingo. Found a nice tide chart on their website for when I'm heading over too.
A little tip for you when catching indo waves ……take an extra paddle before popping up .
careful.. what if he's on a SUP @Supa?
basesix wrote:careful.. what if he's on a SUP @Supa?
Last week there was a goat boat out at shipwrecks , the guy was about 6’8” and 125 kg and he actually surfed really well. I haven’t seen one out for decades and 3 days later an old fella out on the east coast had one but he sucked and ended up on the rocks . 2 sightings in a week was a bit much, I hate paddling out with one coming towards me .
a guy reported getting abused in the Adelaide gulf today by a young blonde dude in the notes above. I had a look at the cams, and around 1pm there was a sup and a goat boat operating with surfers in a cramped little take off zone.. aggro is totally shit, and speaks of insecure and unhappy people trying to impress invisible ghosts, but I wondered if maybe it had something to do with the sup or ski making a bit much of themself..
How are the sweeps/current on the bukit. I know theres the crazy timing the paddle in against the inside current at ulus when the tides coming in, but is there much of a sweep out back? I'm used to gold coast point sweeps which can be cooked as.
I love Bali.
You wouldn't think that such a thought could be controversial . But it is.
Many people don't love Bali, in fact they proclaim to hate it. Bemoan what it has become, it's lack of purity, it's lost innocence.
Sure, I can see their point. I can't imagine anywhere on Earth that has been transformed as radically as Bali over the last thirty years. From rice paddies and coconut groves to six story discotheques . It's totally unrecognisable in the most built up areas.
But that's not what this post is about. It's about why I LOVE Bali.
I love Bali because ...
- it's still the home of an intense cluster of world class waves. Roping lefts : Uluwatu, freight train right barrels : Sanur, backlit mega tubes : Padang Padang. Rip able reefs, fun beachies. Short , slabby pits and long mellow points. River mouths and bombies. It's got the lot.
- it's still possible to get uncrowded quality waves in 2015 when it seems as though the entire planet has discovered surfing. I was trading crystal clear , rolling right walls with only two other surfers just this morning.
- it's still freaking beautiful. Watching the mist reveal Mt Agung in that unique Bali morning light from a black sand beach as the sun comes up is still special.
- the food is amazing. Walking around town building up a hunger and knowing that at any given time you are within shouting distance of fresh, exotic and delicious meals with enough variety to make your head spin is priceless.
- the Balinese are legends. Friendly, happy and always keen for a joke. Unfailingly polite and welcoming. Healthy, spiritual and decent.
- the Balinese surfers rip their waves and they still own them. A visiting Brazilian would not think twice to drop in on an Aussie local at Kirra. But you won't see the same in Bali. The Balinese surfers are treated with the respect they deserve. Because as everyone knows, if they are not treated with respect there is consequences.
- the water is so warm it's like swimming in silken angels tears.
- telling people that you are going to Bali will often elicit a response along the lines of ......"why would you go to that traffic ridden, noisy shithole ?" And then as you're kicking back with a Bintang watching the sunset over Uluwatu you can imagine them sitting at lights in their car on their way home from work in Perth. Which , for those that have never been , is a noisy , traffic ridden shithole. And this makes me laugh. Which is something I enjoy doing.
- The fruit is incredible.
- despite the millions of tourists, the fast food franchises and the Aussie over familiarity with the joint it's still exotic. The smell of clove cigarettes, the ogo ogos of Nyepi, the Buddhist offerings , monkeys , food and language are all enticingly foreign.
- there is no overreaching nanny state. You want to ride your motorbike with all four of your children and the missus on the back...whilst texting. Go for it.
- you can live like a king on a regular Aussie income. Maybe not such a great benefit for the Balinese themselves though.
- it's close to Oz. Twenty hour plane ride and a shot at developing deep vein thrombosis.....ummm no thanks. It's actually faster to fly to Bali from Perth than it is to drive to Albany. You can fly from Port Hedland in less than two hours.
- you get an opportunity to regularly witness some of the most foolhardy behaviour imaginable on a daily basis. You ever seen a man being doubled on a motorbike through traffic whilst holding a large pane of glass ? What about seeing someone hold a nail between his bare fingers while his mate tries to grind the tip off it ? It's all there folks.
- you can see people making do with not much and making it work. An exhaust system held on with a T Shirt ? An outboard motor attached to a boat with no anchoring system, just held on with a man's brute force ? Why not ? It might not work forever but it'll usually get em over the line.
- the winds can blow offshore for months at a time and when they blow onshore, well , that just makes it offshore somewhere else. It's an island !
- you haven't seen glassy oceanic conditions till you've seen Indonesian sheet glass. It's like an oil slick. And if you're ever near Benoa Harbour that could well be what it is.
- old people are accorded the respect they deserve.
- it's exciting. It's a melting pot of the world. Wide eyed villages from remote Asia, jaded techno princesses from Russia, sleek surfy chicks from Canada , your next door neighbour from Ipswich....it's a party and everyone is invited.
Including YOU. I'll see you there. You can't miss me.
I'll be the sun burnt drunk in a head to toe Bintang ensemble with hair braids and a fresh tattoo of a unicorn across my back . Don't be shy. Come and say hello.