I love Bali
The heat seems to be off the Brazilians now that Russians have moved in big numbers.
andy-mac wrote:https://coconuts.co/bali/news/balinese-man-says-he-bashed-australian-bro...
Fkn hell!
Kid just lost his old man. That’s fucked
I hope they start deporting some of these dude’s , bribes will be flowing though . https://coconuts.co/bali/features/exclusive-unlikely-social-media-activi.... You must be a special kind of fckwit to have a lambo on Bali roads. https://coconuts.co/bali/news/bali-police-track-down-and-confiscate-whit...
Supafreak wrote:I hope they start deporting some of these dude’s , bribes will be flowing though . https://coconuts.co/bali/features/exclusive-unlikely-social-media-activi.... You must be a special kind of fckwit to have a lambo on Bali roads. https://coconuts.co/bali/news/bali-police-track-down-and-confiscate-whit...
No longer Morning of the Earth ey.... :(
Try talking to a cop like that in Oz luv....
https://coconuts.co/bali/news/ive-been-here-for-23-years-aussie-woman-in...
is it just me... or are a large number of these supposed earthy spiitual yoga type chicks, the most highly strung, high maintenance, entitled, arrogant, aggresive, almost hot chicks, you thought you wanted to get your hands on?
and, if she's lived there 25 years... aside from some bad bahasa, she really hasn't learnt much at all..
Bahasa indo, except for the abbreviations a lot of Indonesians use or regional dialects in east or west of islands, bahasa indo is probably the easiest language to learn in my opinion.Particularly if you mostly travel alone and hang out with local Indonesian friends. I lived with a local indonesian english teacher and our only understanding of eachother was speaking in bahasa indo to eachother as all he knew how to teach kids was "hello mister", "can i have some money white man?" or not even that.
He gave me a cheap deal which covered two months of his rent, his families food and my own food and my main bedroom- my food was (dried fish white boiled rice and some tempeh, and occasional decent sized fish he caught) when i only stayed there until it was a flat spell for at least two weeks according to forecasts but the deal was to teach some day his students real english.
Surf pumped for the first three or four weeks but i left and as a gift for me overpaying him and letting him keep the change was him cooking a large bream looking fish for myself, i tried to share with his kids but they had there own.
Only Bali and Jakarta you will get stung not wearing a scooter helmet most other places the cops dont give a shit and rarely fine people for bs reasons like in Bali.
And some parts of indo have had early season good swell and good winds after weeks of storms and bad winds. here is one of a guy i know but what name him, the spot or the photog as it will give location away...Solo sesh besides the photog.
That's a timeless pic there. After a long stint of bread and butter waves at home it's just so exciting to be in the islands on waves like that.
That's an epic photo GS
Yeah pretty envious of that guy right about now
andy-mac wrote:Mmmm
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/14/bali-to-ban-tourists-from-...
Shit! What will the influencers do? All those videos of them cruising on motorbikes, waving hands, exotic materials, filming themselves...Surely no accidents ever occurred from such behavior?
This will upset a lot of locals if introduced. Many get bikes on credit and hire to tourists to pay them off . They are often staff at hotels and it’s a way of making a few extra bucks . Sure there’s plenty of drunken idiots on bikes and young guys out for a hoon but locals txting while riding cause plenty of accidents. Asking tourists to hire cars and drivers isn’t going to do much for the congestion of the narrow laneways and goat tracks to surf spots . Thailand will be the winner again . I’ve been picked up for no helmet in 2017 and it was operation zebra and couldn’t bribe my way out so wasted 1/2 a day going to court in Denpasar and got fined 50,000rp ( $5 )
Supafreak wrote:This will upset a lot of locals if introduced. Many get bikes on credit and hire to tourists to pay them off . They are often staff at hotels and it’s a way of making a few extra bucks . Sure there’s plenty of drunken idiots on bikes and young guys out for a hoon but locals txting while riding cause plenty of accidents. Asking tourists to hire cars and drivers isn’t going to do much for the congestion of the narrow laneways and goat tracks to surf spots . Thailand will be the winner again . I’ve been picked up for no helmet in 2017 and it was operation zebra and couldn’t bribe my way out so wasted 1/2 a day going to court in Denpasar and got fined 50,000rp ( $5 )
1: The law will never happen
2: Wear a helmet. It's pretty simple.
Same governor that recommended a shot of arak morning and night . He really is full of good idea’s. https://coconuts.co/bali/news/1-shot-of-bali-arak-in-the-morning-1-in-th...
burleigh wrote:Supafreak wrote:This will upset a lot of locals if introduced. Many get bikes on credit and hire to tourists to pay them off . They are often staff at hotels and it’s a way of making a few extra bucks . Sure there’s plenty of drunken idiots on bikes and young guys out for a hoon but locals txting while riding cause plenty of accidents. Asking tourists to hire cars and drivers isn’t going to do much for the congestion of the narrow laneways and goat tracks to surf spots . Thailand will be the winner again . I’ve been picked up for no helmet in 2017 and it was operation zebra and couldn’t bribe my way out so wasted 1/2 a day going to court in Denpasar and got fined 50,000rp ( $5 )
1: The law will never happen
2: Wear a helmet. It's pretty simple.
Reckon true on both points!
3. Have a license...
4. Don't bitch about being fined for riding a MB without license.
5. Don't start a GoFund me page when you come off ya bike and need $$$ for medical care.
I’ve always found it easier to have a laugh and joke with police in Bali. This dude is just asking for more trouble than it’s worth. I’d like to see him talk to Thai police like that and see how far he gets. https://coconuts.co/bali/news/you-want-to-steal-money-shirtless-tattooed...
Supafreak wrote:I’ve always found it easier to have a laugh and joke with police in Bali. This dude is just asking for more trouble than it’s worth. I’d like to see him talk to Thai police like that and see how far he gets.
https://coconuts.co/bali/news/you-want-to-steal-money-shirtless-tattooed...
True... and ask if you can pay the "fine" right now, with a big smile and 50 or 100k rp at the ready. Honestly some of those yanks (and orzies) are the most self-entitled arrogant dicks out.
Supafreak wrote:I’ve always found it easier to have a laugh and joke with police in Bali. This dude is just asking for more trouble than it’s worth. I’d like to see him talk to Thai police like that and see how far he gets. https://coconuts.co/bali/news/you-want-to-steal-money-shirtless-tattooed...
Or Australian police!
I always had license (international bike) and wore helmet up there and never had a hassle. If stopped as soon as showed license was on my way, many times did not check for bike stamp. This was up until 2014 anyway when living up there. Cops were after money, but as @Supa mentioned, if you smiled and polite, had a joke you were generally ok with a small 'fine.'
Had a mate who had a piece of shit Tiger and if he got pulled over (no license) he would just tell the police to take the keys and they would not know what to do and get flustered and move him on his way. He spoke Indo fluently and did it with a smile....
Supafreak wrote:I’ve always found it easier to have a laugh and joke with police in Bali. This dude is just asking for more trouble than it’s worth. I’d like to see him talk to Thai police like that and see how far he gets. https://coconuts.co/bali/news/you-want-to-steal-money-shirtless-tattooed...
Its certainly changed hasn't it back in the day that would cause you a lot of pain treating bail police with such disrespect regardless of the required "fine" at the time.
Sounds a bit like a meth head.
One of my most memorable indo taxi cab conversations was when the driver told me how bad westerners drive.
He said his indo taxi driving mate went to melbourne and as soon as he pulled out from the airport someone crashed into him......
troppo dichotomy wrote:One of my most memorable indo taxi cab conversations was when the driver told me how bad westerners drive.
He said his indo taxi driving mate went to melbourne and as soon as he pulled out from the airport someone crashed into him......
Haha Gold...
Never had an issue with cops over there. I've been cautioned and warned but not so much as an 'on the spot fine'. Pays to be contrite for your indiscretions anywhere you go.
Talk to a cop from Singapore like that and see how far you get.
Nyepi day today...How on Earth are the Influencers going to Cope...
udo wrote:Nyepi day today...How on Earth are the Influencers going to Cope...
They will be partying at the bar on Gilli’s
Or doing this:
Deport the disrespectful pricks
burleigh wrote:Or doing this:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqFHrDWtjr0/?igshid=YjNmNGQ3MDY=
Disgraceful, send the pricks back to where they are from... Shits me. Entitled bule fuckwits...
Insane. This is the age of entitlement.
Total disrespect.
Gotta feel for the balinese or anyone who has this attitude thrown in their face be it here or anywhere world. Wild. Should be regulated as the Indonesians see fit. Sad state when this is becoming a regular occurrence. Just fine and deport the cunts. Or at least sell the scooter and tent to a respectful local or traveler.
And we wonder why local people world wide become hostile or resentment lingers from poor practice and behaviour in regards to local customs and culture. #fuck wits travel too. It's no different anywhere else people can get away with being entitled. It only takes a few to so the seeds of neglect and disrespect. We have many instances in this country too.
Maybe we have dumbed down travel too much, Promoted, prioritised self entitlement over basic foundations of respect. From our schools to our holidays, who needs customs anyway when you've got entitlement?
Australia wide, worldwide, fucking pathetic.
And we wonder why people kick back. The balinese should have kicked back long ago but the lure and glow of the westerners $$$ rapidly took hold. Just like anywhere else that is 3rd world. Exploitation reins and entitlement follows. Customs, culture and and environments come second. The entitled traveler is a scrounge to the customs and practices of the world and dosen't gain or contribute anything of real value when leaving home other than headaches for those who respect the areas they choose to visit and tarnish. This is the modern world of entitlement. An age we have fast created and curated. Cause when it's all about me, no one and nothing else exists. Entitlement is fast becoming the leech of humanity.
Total lack of respect and taking advantage of the balos kind nature.
Would have been a different story if they pulled that shit in some other parts of Indo, golok would have appeared pretty quick.
Haha Impossible b—ch
ps. cue Southern Paul’s outrage!
I hope the authorities get serious and start deporting these f-wits , fencing off whole areas believing they then own and control what’s around them . https://coconuts.co/bali/news/govt-to-form-a-task-force-to-handle-badly-...
I'm surprised it's taken that long. I don't know anything about engineering but I can't imagine huge developments and the sucking dry of underlying water table would be a recipe for long term success.
dandandan wrote:I'm surprised it's taken that long. I don't know anything about engineering but I can't imagine huge developments and the sucking dry of underlying water table would be a recipe for long term success.
it’s actually probably caused by the opposite. Lots of rain
donweather wrote:dandandan wrote:I'm surprised it's taken that long. I don't know anything about engineering but I can't imagine huge developments and the sucking dry of underlying water table would be a recipe for long term success.
it’s actually probably caused by the opposite. Lots of rain
Has there been lots of rain Don?
Bingin '88. Surfed with the same 4 guys every single session.
Island Bay wrote:Bingin '88. Surfed with the same 4 guys every single session.
Paradise lost....
Wow. Went to Bingin once in 2009 and never returned. Crazy crowded and claustrophobic.
What a change IB!
Island Bay wrote:Bingin '88. Surfed with the same 4 guys every single session.
Surfed it a lot in 92' but not really much at all since then.
Bit of a story.
Gold Coast legend 'Bobby Knight' (RIP, true gentleman, lovely guy and is missed) was the first guy to surf it regularly I am told, often alone. He never boasted about this but had old photos that he had shown me which was evidence enough. I was lucky to spend quite a lot of time with BK when he was in Bali. Nothing on the beach and just him in water with another guy taking the pics.
Story was elaborated on once when talking to Tony 'Doris' Etherington when he told the story that Bobby would catch a boat out from Kuta reef area and when going past the surfers would hide his board in the boat and pretend and tell the blokes he was going snorkelling. They used to call it Bobby's left.
The early days in Bali truly must have been a magical time. My first trip was 90'.
Would be magical, I can't believe it was like this like 30-ish years ago? The place is overrun now, a great wave but tight and super crowded takeoff. When I surfed there I felt like I was in a small sauna with 30 guys.
Yeah my brief love affair with the Bukit is very complicated these days. It's still gorgeous when you can find a spot without the rank developments in sight and you get a brief reprieve from the music. I still get plenty of quiet surfs, and when it's above eight foot it is like going back in time (to 2018, not to 1974). But it's hard to accept what has happened in such a quick period of time, and how it will be impossible to undo any of it in my lifetime.
My last trip to Bali I just stopped thinking about surfing and went elsewhere on the island, and mostly separate surfing from "the Bali magic" that everyone talks about. Surf capitalists and those that came after them have basically squeezed as much of that magic out of it as possible.
Island Bay wrote:Bingin '88. Surfed with the same 4 guys every single session.
Thats cool, I think my first trip there was 98 (started surfing 87) and it looked much much different, but i can still see how it grew from that, you can see it's pretty much the base/foundations of what was to come latter.
It was still really cool even in the late 90s though, free to stay at the front beds under mozzy nets in open air just had to eat and drink there, just a small nit crew and a great place to watch the sunset with a binny.
But it was sadly already crowded most of the time with such a small take off area, although Impossibles was always empty nobody bothered surfing it same with Dreamlands and Balangan
I havent been there for over 20 years id never bother surfing the Bukit again, I dont even go there if in Bali, only reason i will go back sometime is just to take the kids for a look and do the touristy thing, but i know it will be sad to see, its bad enough seeing the photos, must be heartbreaking for guys that went in 70-80s to see what its become.
It's not just Bali or surfing areas though, i remember when i was dating my wife and rode a bike on the outskirts of her city in Java through rice paddies and tiny villages green everywhere and it now just full on crazy city massive malls and houses from slum style to houses as big as hotels.
Of course, if you drive another 15 minutes you can find that green belt again, same with surfing there still plenty of places like Bingin left in Indo, even similar waves that you can surf with four guys still.
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.