I love Bali

Blowin's picture
Blowin started the topic in Thursday, 19 Mar 2015 at 6:55pm

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.

amb's picture
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amb Friday, 26 Jul 2024 at 11:54am

@pop down , where is the counter respective to the VOA area?

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Pop Down Friday, 26 Jul 2024 at 12:17pm

I think , head left . There are a few counters .

Ask , staff are very helpful .

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burleigh Friday, 26 Jul 2024 at 12:28pm

Or just don't pay it like 99.9% of the people flowing through the airport.

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Supafreak Friday, 26 Jul 2024 at 12:32pm

@pop down , so what was the online declaration ? Is it declaring that you have paid the tax ?

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Supafreak Friday, 26 Jul 2024 at 12:53pm

^^^ far out, big fire , a locals house on Lembongan went up the other day , young man with young family and a good bloke who ripped . Hat got passed around the local boardriders club and a few bule’s helped out too , great community spirit .

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Pop Down Friday, 26 Jul 2024 at 12:56pm

Supafreak

It's the form that Declares what U are bring IN , eg cigs , alcohol and money .

Nothing about Visa or Tax .

If U bring in more than 4 billion baht ( or gazillion ) , the Indo government gets 10% , really , on the spot tax :) .

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Supafreak Friday, 26 Jul 2024 at 1:00pm
amb wrote:

@pop down , where is the counter respective to the VOA area?

Here ya go https://bali.com/bali/bali-visa-indonesia-entry-regulations/bali-tourist...

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Supafreak Friday, 26 Jul 2024 at 1:04pm
Pop Down wrote:

Supafreak

It's the form that Declares what U are bring IN , eg cigs , alcohol and money .

Nothing about Visa or Tax .

If U bring in more than 4 billion baht ( or gazillion ) , the Indo government gets 10% , really , on the spot tax :) .

All good pop down, I was having a “ senior “ moment trying to understand what declaration you were talking about .

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old-dog Friday, 26 Jul 2024 at 1:53pm

It's so quick and easy to pay the $15 tax and the free customs dec. forms online before arrival, and then pay the $50 visa on arrival at the airport. We got through the airport in about 5 minutes. There was a mob of confused people at the airport doing the QR code on their phone to fill out the customs dec form online and we sailed straight past them. Btw you can only pay the customs dec form within 3 days before arrival. Never did notice any love bali counters to pay the tax at the airport, could be a new thing. We had to show proof of paying the tax on the Bali Mandara toll road once on the way up to Keramas, so were glad we had paid it, our driver also handed the uniformed guys with machine guns a few small notes and looked a bit worried and guilty and relieved when they waved him on.

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Supafreak Monday, 5 Aug 2024 at 9:48am

https://www.baliwaves.com/2024/08/rip-curl-cup-padang-padang-2024-trials/. Click on picture for more photos . Here’s hoping the 15th pumps , or earlier.

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burleigh Monday, 5 Aug 2024 at 10:17am
old-dog wrote:

It's so quick and easy to pay the $15 tax and the free customs dec. forms online before arrival, and then pay the $50 visa on arrival at the airport. We got through the airport in about 5 minutes. There was a mob of confused people at the airport doing the QR code on their phone to fill out the customs dec form online and we sailed straight past them. Btw you can only pay the customs dec form within 3 days before arrival. Never did notice any love bali counters to pay the tax at the airport, could be a new thing. We had to show proof of paying the tax on the Bali Mandara toll road once on the way up to Keramas, so were glad we had paid it, our driver also handed the uniformed guys with machine guns a few small notes and looked a bit worried and guilty and relieved when they waved him on.

Get through fast then wait 45 minutes for your boards.

amb's picture
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amb Monday, 5 Aug 2024 at 2:59pm

@old dog, interesting, what do u think would of happened if you didnt have proof of paying it? pay another $15 each?

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old-dog Monday, 5 Aug 2024 at 4:05pm

@amb, I reckon they would have asked us to pay them the $15. and pocketed it themselves, they looked more like security guards and acted really suss, and something didn't smell right, our driver was shitting himself about something though.

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ashsam Monday, 5 Aug 2024 at 5:26pm
burleigh wrote:
old-dog wrote:

It's so quick and easy to pay the $15 tax and the free customs dec. forms online before arrival, and then pay the $50 visa on arrival at the airport. We got through the airport in about 5 minutes. There was a mob of confused people at the airport doing the QR code on their phone to fill out the customs dec form online and we sailed straight past them. Btw you can only pay the customs dec form within 3 days before arrival. Never did notice any love bali counters to pay the tax at the airport, could be a new thing. We had to show proof of paying the tax on the Bali Mandara toll road once on the way up to Keramas, so were glad we had paid it, our driver also handed the uniformed guys with machine guns a few small notes and looked a bit worried and guilty and relieved when they waved him on.

Get through fast then wait 45 minutes for your boards.

Boards come out quicker than luggage these days, been awhile eh ;)

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burleigh Monday, 5 Aug 2024 at 5:51pm
ashsam wrote:
burleigh wrote:
old-dog wrote:

It's so quick and easy to pay the $15 tax and the free customs dec. forms online before arrival, and then pay the $50 visa on arrival at the airport. We got through the airport in about 5 minutes. There was a mob of confused people at the airport doing the QR code on their phone to fill out the customs dec form online and we sailed straight past them. Btw you can only pay the customs dec form within 3 days before arrival. Never did notice any love bali counters to pay the tax at the airport, could be a new thing. We had to show proof of paying the tax on the Bali Mandara toll road once on the way up to Keramas, so were glad we had paid it, our driver also handed the uniformed guys with machine guns a few small notes and looked a bit worried and guilty and relieved when they waved him on.

Get through fast then wait 45 minutes for your boards.

Boards come out quicker than luggage these days, been awhile eh ;)

must be all those extra prayers.

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stuckinthe80s Thursday, 8 Aug 2024 at 3:02pm

Can anyone share their experience with taking a board to Lombok from Bali? Mine are too big to fit on the smaller planes, and looking at the process to get a fast boat but I keep seeing stories of damaged boards and getting to the pier feels rather overwhelming.

There is an option to use boards at the place we plan on staying, and it doesn't look like a terrible list of boards they have on offer, really unsure what to do, would prefer one of my own, but flying in seems a saner option. Thanks all.

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Supafreak Thursday, 8 Aug 2024 at 5:54pm

You could always jump on the ferry and if ya do go first class . https://www.adventuresnsunsets.com/ferry-from-bali-to-lombok/

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sypkan Thursday, 8 Aug 2024 at 9:24pm

mini bus to fast ferry (or slow) pretty easy to organise

I read since the the lion hike in prices there's now actually a pick up doing bali to lombok/sumbawa runs just for boards

probably not cheap, but must be competitive with lion fees that now could be 3 - 6 mil for 3 boards...

don't have a link, but must've seen it on the bali surfing community or indo surf trip reccimendations pages on fb

search them maybe

good option if you're a long boarder

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andy-mac Monday, 12 Aug 2024 at 11:55am
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indo-dreaming Tuesday, 13 Aug 2024 at 3:53pm

Super sad, i dont know the full story but heard it happened at a short fun hollow right when below head high but gets heavy when bigger, so guessing it was solid.

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Supafreak Thursday, 15 Aug 2024 at 8:56pm

Single fin comp on this weekend at Ulus

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Supafreak Thursday, 15 Aug 2024 at 8:58pm

Single fin comp on this weekend at Ulus

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Supafreak Friday, 16 Aug 2024 at 8:24am
seeds's picture
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seeds Friday, 16 Aug 2024 at 9:02am

Hi Supa, is there any type of broadcast for this event?

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Supafreak Friday, 16 Aug 2024 at 9:13am
seeds wrote:

Hi Supa, is there any type of broadcast for this event?

Unfortunately not , just checked with a mate who’s commentating the event . Apparently Burleigh boardriders bring over about 10 boards for it , pick a pig pre 1985 .

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Seabiscuit Friday, 16 Aug 2024 at 3:04pm

Howdy howdy Supa - what do you advise using for a surf forecast for NL? Heading over for ten days in a couple of weeks. Family trip but keen to sneak off for some waves here and there.

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udo Friday, 16 Aug 2024 at 3:51pm

Oi...wash your Mouth out ...is there something wrong with Craigs Indo Forecasting ?

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Supafreak Friday, 16 Aug 2024 at 5:13pm
Seabiscuit wrote:
Howdy howdy Supa - what do you advise using for a surf forecast for NL? Heading over for ten days in a couple of weeks. Family trip but keen to sneak off for some waves here and there.[/quote I still can’t work the joint out after 44 years , me and a mate just laugh at each other when we mention that we think we know what it’s going to do . Frustrating place that can get good, a real patience tester and honestly there are way better places to go . It is a nice holiday for the family, beautiful water and world class snorkeling but fark it’s getting packed , endless money getting thrown around, streets will be like Canggu before long . I follow Craigs ulu’s forecast and just take a foot or 2 off . Currents tides and direction play a big role .
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udo Saturday, 17 Aug 2024 at 9:46am
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dandandan Saturday, 17 Aug 2024 at 3:36pm

Watched for a bit after surfing this morning. Tosh Tudor's tubes were epic. Tai or whoever was commenting very clearly wanted Mason Ho to win which was quite funny. Streaming here: https://asiansports.tv/video/uluwatu-single-fin-classic-2024-day-1/

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velocityjohnno Saturday, 17 Aug 2024 at 4:21pm

Unreal thanks Dan!

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Supafreak Saturday, 17 Aug 2024 at 6:03pm

@ddd , thanks for posting that , my source got it wrong and he’s working and surfing in the event .

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dandandan Sunday, 18 Aug 2024 at 10:30am

It was a last minute thing according to the commentators. There was some great surfing going down on very old boards. One of the "grom" heats in particular was bonkers. 15 year olds getting deeply pitted on boards 3 times older than they are. One of the young women packed a pretty deep pit too. I'm not really one for surf contents but it was great viewing once the tide dropped.

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Supafreak Sunday, 18 Aug 2024 at 10:56am

@ddd , from all reports it’s a really fun event and I was tempted to go have a look today but figured it would probably be 2 hours each way with traffic.

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goofyfoot Sunday, 18 Aug 2024 at 11:14am

Padang Padang contest to run on the 27th?
Looks like a thumping swell.

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udo Sunday, 18 Aug 2024 at 11:22am
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dandandan Sunday, 18 Aug 2024 at 11:31am

Yeah it was really good to watch. I’m not one for contests but the mix of the novelty of it and just watching Uluwatu with less than ten people on it is pretty enjoyable. Big emphasis on beers so it got kinda rowdy towards the end. Two Aussie pros almost got in a biff (won’t be hard to guess who one of them was). It was all happening I tell ya.

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udo Sunday, 18 Aug 2024 at 12:52pm

Luke Cedarman Layback Hack of the Decade

10

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Island Bay Sunday, 18 Aug 2024 at 2:46pm

Tell all, dandandan!

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goofyfoot Sunday, 18 Aug 2024 at 3:00pm
Island Bay wrote:

Tell all, dandandan!

Gotta be K Abberton

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andy-mac Sunday, 18 Aug 2024 at 3:17pm

Pave paradise... WTF.

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goofyfoot Sunday, 18 Aug 2024 at 3:18pm
andy-mac wrote:

Pave paradise... WTF.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-Y2fcDS_bs/?igsh=ZTJpcGIwZWxrbzE5

This gotta be a joke right?

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udo Sunday, 18 Aug 2024 at 3:36pm

Ulu getting Shredded by All
Russian Nikita is Ripping Ulu on a Big Red Single

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andy-mac Sunday, 18 Aug 2024 at 3:34pm
goofyfoot wrote:
andy-mac wrote:

Pave paradise... WTF.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-Y2fcDS_bs/?igsh=ZTJpcGIwZWxrbzE5

This gotta be a joke right?

Na it's serious apparently.
Article in Surfer, and Stab behind paywall.
Work already started to reinforce temple.

https://www.surfer.com/news/construction-concrete-seawall-uluwatu-cliffs

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udo Sunday, 18 Aug 2024 at 5:45pm

Tai Buddha and Team seriously Charged in the Ulu Booth....
Great Comp

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goofyfoot Sunday, 18 Aug 2024 at 7:46pm
andy-mac wrote:
goofyfoot wrote:
andy-mac wrote:

Pave paradise... WTF.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-Y2fcDS_bs/?igsh=ZTJpcGIwZWxrbzE5

This gotta be a joke right?

Na it's serious apparently.
Article in Surfer, and Stab behind paywall.
Work already started to reinforce temple.

https://www.surfer.com/news/construction-concrete-seawall-uluwatu-cliffs

Ah man, this is horrendous.

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Ash Sunday, 18 Aug 2024 at 8:04pm

Would be far cheaper and wiser to shift the temple stone by stone further back, and away from nature's relentless advances.
I hope this doesn't happen, the temple, cliffs, waves are interconnected, with the temple the easiest to relocate.

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tubeshooter Sunday, 18 Aug 2024 at 8:19pm

That's crazy.
It's not going to save the temple or the cliff from earthquakes.