Bali

[danny99]

Just back from another wonderful holiday in Bali. No wonder so many expats live on this incredible island. The Balinese must be one of the gentlest and fun-loving races in the world. I know that it is 3rd World and they accept a simple village life as the norm, but even with little or no money they always seem to be happy.

I usually avoid the general tourist coast, full of Indonesian imports from other islands, pushy and money-hungry. Whilst Ubud is my base [and now beginning to develop local friends] a week in Amed is what I look forward to most. Not much more than a fishing village, the hotels are mostly small [6-10 rooms] and run by couples [foreign-local as a rule] with many different nationalities. The local cafes [warungs] sell simple food [mostly Indonesian Chinese in style] using really fresh fish, usually caught only hours before, and local chicken. Cafe Indah [on the beach at Lipah], Warung Brith and Wayan's Warung are all excellent. You can feed a table of 8, as I often do, for Rp. 200,000 [$US 20 approx.].

The boys are straight, but very willing, otherwise just like teenagers everywhere...very horny!

No wonder so many expats live on this incredible island.

You mean everyone didn't flee -- along with the investment and tourism -- after the bombing(s)? That's what someone here said would happen to Pattaya when/if there is ever a terrorist act there.

Danny...

I will be going to Asia and will be spending my first time in Bali. What are your recommendation for places to stay and any tips in general? Thx.

Hi Flipper

Please PM me with more information on what your budget and expectations are - also when you are expecting to visit

As a resident of Indonesia and a resort owner on the wonderful island of Lombok I am sure I can advise you better than most

Please see my most recent post on the Global Forum

Regards

FB and Yogie

[danny99]

No wonder so many expats live on this incredible island.

You mean everyone didn't flee -- along with the investment and tourism -- after the bombing(s)? That's what someone here said would happen to Pattaya when/if there is ever a terrorist act there.

12,000 expatriate families live in Bali, but none in the low-level tourist areas,

Only the tourist trash go to Kuta anyway, Bali is quite a big island, most locals have never even visited the Kuta area unless they actually work there.

In fact January and February 2007 saw an all time record of tourists arrivals for those months. Quality accommodation is already very heavily booked for July/August/September.

No wonder so many expats live on this incredible island.

You mean everyone didn't flee -- along with the investment and tourism -- after the bombing(s)? That's what someone here said would happen to Pattaya when/if there is ever a terrorist act there.

12,000 expatriate families live in Bali, but none in the low-level tourist areas,


None? Not a one?

Well, they DO live -- lots of them -- at Jimbaran, where the horrific bombings occurred on the beach.

What I'm saying is that no single terrorist act results in the death of a resort. Memories are short.

[danny99]

Danny...

I will be going to Asia and will be spending my first time in Bali. What are your recommendation for places to stay and any tips in general? Thx.

It all depends on what you want your holiday to be? Wild, quiet, discos, meeting locals in the villages, beach, mountains, a primitive fishing resort, fine dining [only $50 p.p.] a variety of ethnic food...see www.balieats.com (http://www.balieats.com)

For spas, including gay friendly, see www.balispaguide.com (http://www.balispaguide.com)

Danny

Only the tourist trash go to Kuta anywayKuta, Pattaya, same same

I have decided to give myself a break from Thailand, so thinking about a trip to Bali, probably next January/February 2008.

Budget about 30-40 UK pounds per night for Hotel - some of the Villas (gay friendly) look lovely.

What are the gay bars/clubs like?

From what was said at the start of this thread a lot of the boys around are "straight but willing" which suits me fine, but what are the guidelines around tipping etc. I presume there are no go go bars like the ones I am used to in Thailand, and so things are less "up front", so what information can people give me about meeting boys etc.

I should be most grateful for any more information.

Cheers!

I've never been to Bali. As far as tipping, why not just use Thai tipping as a guideline, say, a tip equivelant to 1000 baht. I've heard tipping is about the same in Manila.

[danny99]

The 'straight but willing' applies to the 'suburban' or village boy, who you will probably not even meet if you stay in the general tourist strip of Tuban-Kuta-Legian-Seminyak-Kerobokan, and certainly not if only there for a short time.

In the Legian-Seminyak area there are gay bars, and discos. There you will have no problem meeting boys, they will meet and greet you but very few if any will be Balinese, they will be Inodnesian Muslim fom Java, Sumatra, Lombok etc. Business boys by any other name, no different to the major cities/tourist areas of the world. They will charge whatever you are willing to pay.

If you want to meet the locals then get out of that area [maybe some in the main hotels but many will be too shy about socialising with foreigners in front of their friends]. Hire a car [$10-15 p.d.] and go out of town, Amed, Lovina, etc. In these areas a Rp.100,000 present [they are all from very poor villages, particularly in the Amed area] will always be appreciated and make you a life time friend, as well as inviting them for meals [I recently had a dinner for 8 at Warung Brith, Lipah, Amed that cost me Rp.250,000 [$30] including drinks.




I have decided to give myself a break from Thailand, so thinking about a trip to Bali, probably next January/February 2008.

Budget about 30-40 UK pounds per night for Hotel - some of the Villas (gay friendly) look lovely.

What are the gay bars/clubs like?

From what was said at the start of this thread a lot of the boys around are "straight but willing" which suits me fine, but what are the guidelines around tipping etc. I presume there are no go go bars like the ones I am used to in Thailand, and so things are less "up front", so what information can people give me about meeting boys etc.

I should be most grateful for any more information.

Cheers!