I love Bali
a bit harsh stunet
just trying to avoid yet another diplomatic disaster
we do have a unique ability to make it all about us
sorry
just to show what Im on about, conversation with indonesian partner...
"they are praying at the monument"
"yeh, australians aren't really happy"
"why?"
"because they showed videos of the bombing at the ceremony"
"and... ...what's the problem?"
'bule don't want to see it"
"why? ...its on every channel anyway...same same..."
... ...
"looks no good, drinking beer at the ceremony..."
and, I find it both encouraging and alarming that the comments on a smh article are much more nuanced than australia's official diplomatic channels...
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.smh.com.au/world/asia/no-one-wants-to-s...
and now those 100 odd comments from this morning are not only turned off, but deleted...
(insert clever shoulder shrugging squiggles here)
20 years people... valuble learning opportunity lost....
over and out
stunet wrote:You know you don't have to comment on every fucking thing, mate? It's OK to let some events pass without passing judgement, especially on people attending a memorial for god's sake.
Just shut the fuck up.
You OK Stu?
He’s perfectly OK
@sypkan
I think you are on the money, its just a cultural difference and not an intended insult or lack of compassion, and yeah while it's important to Aussies, it's also an important and sad event for not just Balinese but most Indonesians.
Like you said "ever watched Indo news"
If you havent you would be shocked at what they show, they show everything if it's a murder they show the body in a pool of blood, pretty much nothing is off limits unless its bare skin/sexual.
To them the footage would have just been the reality of what happened and not to be hidden.
On the flip side just looking at articles of it all and what people were wearing I wouldn't be surprised if in Indonesian media or at least in living rooms around Indonesia there would have been much criticism of westerners at the ceremony not dressed appropriately which is seen as highly disrespectful, women with shoulders showing even women with stomach showing, men in tang tops with tattoos showing, even shorts and T-shirts would not be seen as a good look, if a beer was there that would be even worse.
So basically just cultural differences and lack of cultural understanding that goes both ways.
indo-dreaming wrote:@sypkan
I think you are on the money, its just a cultural difference and not an intended insult or lack of compassion, and yeah while it's important to Aussies, it's also an important and sad event for not just Balinese but most Indonesians.
Like you said "ever watched Indo news"
If you havent you would be shocked at what they show, they show everything if it's a murder they show the body in a pool of blood, pretty much nothing is off limits unless its bare skin/sexual.
To them the footage would have just been the reality of what happened and not to be hidden.
On the flip side just looking at articles of it all and what people were wearing I wouldn't be surprised if in Indonesian media or at least in living rooms around Indonesia there would have been much criticism of westerners at the ceremony not dressed appropriately which is seen as highly disrespectful, women with shoulders showing even women with stomach showing, men in tang tops with tattoos showing, even shorts and T-shirts would not be seen as a good look, if a beer was there that would be even worse.
So basically just cultural differences and lack of cultural understanding that goes both ways.
Totally agree Sypkan and Indo.
I focus wrote:stunet wrote:You know you don't have to comment on every fucking thing, mate? It's OK to let some events pass without passing judgement, especially on people attending a memorial for god's sake.
Just shut the fuck up.
You OK Stu?
I'm fine. Weird ol' day on Wednesday but in a way it was one of the most memorable days of my life.
My point: Perhaps Australians make things about themselves, but skip the social commentary when the context is a memorial for mass slaughter. Wednesday brought about a mix of sadness and anger, and people do/say emotive things, not always using a rational mind. Reckon we should give those people some space and patience free of judgement. The media, of course, did the opposite, rushing to make a story, but the audience doesn't have to reciprocate in the charade. Step back a moment and see it for what it is.
Don’t think I’ve ever seen channels 7,9,10 post anything positive when it comes to a Bali story regardless what it’s about.
indo-dreaming wrote:@sypkan
I think you are on the money, its just a cultural difference and not an intended insult or lack of compassion, and yeah while it's important to Aussies, it's also an important and sad event for not just Balinese but most Indonesians.
Like you said "ever watched Indo news"
If you havent you would be shocked at what they show, they show everything if it's a murder they show the body in a pool of blood, pretty much nothing is off limits unless its bare skin/sexual.
To them the footage would have just been the reality of what happened and not to be hidden.
On the flip side just looking at articles of it all and what people were wearing I wouldn't be surprised if in Indonesian media or at least in living rooms around Indonesia there would have been much criticism of westerners at the ceremony not dressed appropriately which is seen as highly disrespectful, women with shoulders showing even women with stomach showing, men in tang tops with tattoos showing, even shorts and T-shirts would not be seen as a good look, if a beer was there that would be even worse.
So basically just cultural differences and lack of cultural understanding that goes both ways.
100% agree. Very sad day for anyone involved. Doesn't feel like 20 years have gone by.
udo wrote:https://thebalisun.com/balis-most-popular-beaches-brace-for-incoming-tid...
Jeez, imagine going on holidays and this happens
udo wrote:https://thebalisun.com/balis-most-popular-beaches-brace-for-incoming-tid...
Humans. Pfft.
ferk Bali is coping it too
Patrick0710 wrote:udo wrote:https://thebalisun.com/balis-most-popular-beaches-brace-for-incoming-tid...
Humans. Pfft.
Thats fucking hideous.
Supafreak you in Lembongan? I've arrived into Bali for a few weeks. Anyone else here?
Ms Island Bay and I are on the Bukit.
I.B. can you run your Mitts over a Jim Banks Free Form while your there and Report on it
And get his thoughts on the D.S.
udo wrote:I.B. can you run your Mitts over a Jim Banks Free Form while your there and Report on it
And get his thoughts on the D.S.
Has Jim Banks lowered his prices to bring them back to 2022 yet?
He He ..Fill out his Custom order form for a Price Check....
Add on all the Bells n Whistles...
Would love to. Where can I find his boards?
DS went very nicely yesterday. W winds today and raining. A bit surfed out and don’t fancy a scooter ride in the rain to ND, so might just relax with the missus.
Keep us updated IB.
freeride76 wrote:Keep us updated IB.
Will do. So far it’s been up and down: perfect tradewind OH Impossibles on Saturday, then crap on Sunday. Well OH Impossibles yesterday with sideshore SW..
Winds look W next few days, so ND missions to come.
Mostly just loving chilling with my wife.
seaslug wrote:Supafreak you in Lembongan? I've arrived into Bali for a few weeks. Anyone else here?
Nah mate I was there mid june to early July, not the best place in the wet season although some years were good but got my doubts for this one , good place to chill as it doesn’t get as much rain as Bali but snorkeling diving and fishing are depressing because of the amount of rubbish in the water .
Where are you staying?
freeride76 wrote:Where are you staying?
Up on the cliff between Bingin and Impossibles
SF, thanks for reply, yes not the best in WS, seems early this year, maybe its due the negative IOD ? I've landed into Legian area but thinking of moving over to east coast Sanur/Keramas way for a couple of weeks
IB, with the G20 coming up, have they ramped up the security/restricted access ND way?
seaslug wrote:SF, thanks for reply, yes not the best in WS, seems early this year, maybe its due the negative IOD ? I've landed into Legian area but thinking of moving over to east coast Sanur/Keramas way for a couple of weeks
There’s some fun beach breaks to be found to yourself along there , though some of the creek outlets are a bit putrid, specifically the one coming out of Denpasar .
So much for the PeduliLindungi app, not asked at JS checkin Perth nor on arrival in Bali :);):)
With all the rain and recent flooding event, mmmmmm yummy
Not been to ND yet (only day three), but we did see some black limos with heavy police escort on the way from airport.
Just had a look at White Monkey surf shop. Seems to have gone downhill, with a not that interesting board selection and really surly staff (the guys in the bird section).
Everywhere else it’s been a joy to laugh and joke with the Balinese again. What good humans!
Off to BoardLab tomorrow to check out some Dylan guns - just window shopping.
And holy heck, the whole yoga class/wellness crew has gone through the roof. So many of them, and so serious and full of themselves. Gotta laugh.
ND was nice yesterday at Dawn ..clean 4ft.
udo wrote:ND was nice yesterday at Dawn ..clean 4ft.
You surf it?
Nah a report from a Expat Mate.
---------------------
Further up the coast a few days ago
Rose coloured glasses are truly an amazing thing. I sometimes watch these Bali taxi tour updates on YouTube as he cruises the familiar streets that almost feel like home. Such incredible memories. The strange thing is the power nostalgia grants you to overlook reality. Watching this particular video of an area of Bali that I truly love, and in which have spent much time, it’s shocking to see how ghetto it’s become. The graffiti is shocking. I get that lack of income has lead to a degree of dereliction but it looks shite. I’m still aching to return. Some might say that Kuta was always an ugly bogan joint but I love the lack of pretentiousness and the local faces. Much prefer it to the wank fest of Canggu and Seminyak.
Just hearing the Balo taxi driver ramble on with the music tinkering away in the background is like Bali porn.
Never been, but reading the details in this post made me a bit jealous of you.
I’m with you there, Dsds.
If we lived in Aus, I’d leave two big boards over here and come over on short notice much more often. It’s still a mission to get here from NZ, and so expensive, sadly.
I'm with you on that one Blowin, some serious wank fest going on. I have absolutely no plans on going to Canggu even though I've had awesome surfs there in the past and avoid the yoga class/wellness crew at all costs that IB refers to. Bakso at end of Padma around 5 is my go to, might go looking for the sate Ibu but she's most probably sold out and gone home by now
DudeSweetDudeSweet wrote:Rose coloured glasses are truly an amazing thing. I sometimes watch these Bali taxi tour updates on YouTube as he cruises the familiar streets that almost feel like home. Such incredible memories. The strange thing is the power nostalgia grants you to overlook reality. Watching this particular video of an area of Bali that I truly love, and in which have spent much time, it’s shocking to see how ghetto it’s become. The graffiti is shocking. I get that lack of income has lead to a degree of dereliction but it looks shite. I’m still aching to return. Some might say that Kuta was always an ugly bogan joint but I love the lack of pretentiousness and the local faces. Much prefer it to the wank fest of Canggu and Seminyak.
Just hearing the Balo taxi driver ramble on with the music tinkering away in the background is like Bali porn.
Wank fest has moved to Uluwatu as well. Seminyak now really just like Kuta/ Legian but bouncing back quicker. WA suburb ...
Just did 6 weeks, still great spot, and got a lot of waves. Still 'old Bali' anywhere near surf is sadly disappearing or gone ..
How were the crowds Andy Mac and IB?
freeride76 wrote:How were the crowds Andy Mac and IB?
Depends where you surfed. Had a couple at Ulu back in early September, when solid no worries, when small the influencers came out. Had guys being pushed into waves by guides ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Mainly surfed east coast spots, could say where but won't :) and was generally ok.
Few surf's at Nusa before heading back to Oz and was quiet.
IB probably catch up with Jim Banks here
https://www.themangotreecafe.com/
Firkin stoked, Pak and Ibu still there after all these years, 2 x Sate Kambing, 1 x Gula Kambing x 1 Nasi Putih, enak sekali
seaslug wrote:Firkin stoked, Pak and Ibu still there after all these years, 2 x Sate Kambing, 1 x Gula Kambing x 1 Nasi Putih, enak sekali
Aysik!!!
udo wrote:IB probably catch up with Jim Banks here
https://www.themangotreecafe.com/
Great spot but it looks like it is still closed. It was shut when I was there in April. Shame as it's one of my go to spots on the Bukit.
Had a good chat to Jim there a few years back with some mates.
And how good is a post surf beer and sampoerna. Missed it.
Big Tick
IB, with the current weather conditions and it seems through to the weekend at least, east coast base is the go at the mo? Happy for others to input as well.
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.