I love Bali
Apparently there are plans in place to get rid of all that and build a massive “white lotus” style resort there and privatise the beach.
Whether that’s accurate or not I’m not sure.
Jeez I hope not.
It’s Indonesia - anything could happen
Island Bay wrote:Police shut down all the businesses on the beach and cliff at Bingin this morning. They were serious!
Because? As in why did they shut everything down? Is it because of the supposed white lotus style resort? And how far towards Impossibles did the shutdown go?
5 out of 568 dead after nth sulawesi ferry fire
donweather wrote:Island Bay wrote:Police shut down all the businesses on the beach and cliff at Bingin this morning. They were serious!
Because? As in why did they shut everything down? Is it because of the supposed white lotus style resort? And how far towards Impossibles did the shutdown go?
All structures built illegally without permits apparently
The whole lot below the cliff edge
andy-mac wrote:https://www.facebook.com/reel/2974873266040950/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
You can just picture Paul Hogan standing there going:
"You call that a sledgehammer - this is a fucking sledgehammer"
Bingin update:
People are carrying microwaves, lamps, furniture etc up the hill, while demolition continues on the bottom warungs.
Looks like tourists are still in accommodation, but everything has been cordoned off.
Surf is quiet, but did have my first taste of surfing with Russians; can’t recommend.
What’s Russian etiquette like IB?
AndyM wrote:What’s Russian etiquette like IB?
That's funny
Hah!
Hard to put into words, but maybe a geeky kind of macho?
The vodka bottles on the beach in the morning should be a bit of a give away.
Where’d you surf today Ib?
What board?
Impossibles this morning. Very inco, but the three biggest sets I’ve seen this swell.
Ulus later.
Both on the Keogh
Island Bay wrote:Impossibles this morning. Very inco, but the three biggest sets I’ve seen this swell.
Ulus later.
Both on the Keogh
How good does the Hazquad feel on a big green wall!
It’s been dreamy. Super relaxed mostly, but exhilarating when on bombs.
Just been enjoying boardies, clean walls, size, and no crowd stress.
if anyone is around Bingin, could you get a good, focused, squared up shot of one of those red notice of demolition eviction Satpol PP notices off of a shop front? I want a t-shirt, I'll send the photographer one for their trouble..
Will do tomorrow, basesix
Island Bay wrote:Will do tomorrow, basesix
mate, that would be amazing, thank you.
Was a good place to have a beer and a feed at those establishments
fer sure, @seeds, lotsa memories for us all while complaining about progress.. seems progress is about to go turbo. If you can get something approaching this @IB.. this is what team b6 could manage, from that angled, top-corner missing shot that @udo posted from instathingo.. really didn't turn out too bad considering the source, some fuzzing, colour and form warping around the place, but perfection could be achieved with a solid source shot! cheers, again, @IB.
(I'll chuck in a McCabe hoodie if you get Didis actual notice : )
Use to love stopping for beer and sunset at Dreamland after surfing Ulu's on way home.
Seems Bingin is going the same way.
Feel for locals. Same at serangan, locals lose their livelihoods.
Sad...
havent been in about 10 years, best memories were having sunset beers at uncle slams bar at kuta beach, every time I went always seemed to be the same people there supporting the same locals was always one of the highlights of my trip. now I heard you have to buy a chair to even sit at the beach now... crazy
Bingin was already on the Crossfit/vegan cafe/co working space when I was there in 2022 but that sucks that everything is getting destroyed.
I don't think I'm ever going back. That whole island is a corrupt, floating landfill. The locals are awesome as well so I really feel for them.
wavie wrote:havent been in about 10 years, best memories were having sunset beers at uncle slams bar at kuta beach, every time I went always seemed to be the same people there supporting the same locals was always one of the highlights of my trip. now I heard you have to buy a chair to even sit at the beach now... crazy
One area that hasn't seemed to have changed too much is the Seminyak/ Legian stretch. Was staying there last Sept and if anything the roads seem the same or quieter than back in 2014. Also still great to have a sunset beer on beach, good vibe and scene.
Still has the beach bar thing going on and the sidewalk they have built along beach seems to work well.
Had some fun beachies also, but not the surf you go to Indo for.
juegasiempre wrote:Bingin was already on the Crossfit/vegan cafe/co working space when I was there in 2022 but that sucks that everything is getting destroyed.
I don't think I'm ever going back. That whole island is a corrupt, floating landfill. The locals are awesome as well so I really feel for them.
I’ve got young kids and I can’t wait to take them on their first trip to Bali.
Yeah it’s not the same as 10 years ago but for a reasonably cheap overseas family holiday that’s a short flight, epic food, amazing locals, warm water and weather for kids…. Can’t beat it.
Did that work, basesix? Best light I could find, and most posters have been torn down.
Also, for some reason I can’t find the Imgur share links on my phone.
Moonah][quote=juegasiempre wrote:Bingin was already on the Crossfit/vegan cafe/co working space when I was there in 2022 but that sucks that everything is getting destroyed.
I don't think I'm ever going back. That whole island is a corrupt, floating landfill. The locals are awesome as well so I really feel for them.
is it still cheap though ? I've had mates come back and say its almost on par as here in Aus. but i guess it depends where you go. every time I went I stay at sayang maha mertha hotel for $12 a night $18 if Iwanted air con. and always budgeted $100 a day which would cover every meal and and drinks if I went out at night. can you still do that ?.
I have a whole family now just doesn't seem like it could be a cheap over seas holiday these days
You can still have Nadi goreng and a mixed juice for $6.not sure about cheap accommodation
wavie][quote=Moonah wrote:juegasiempre wrote:Bingin was already on the Crossfit/vegan cafe/co working space when I was there in 2022 but that sucks that everything is getting destroyed.
I don't think I'm ever going back. That whole island is a corrupt, floating landfill. The locals are awesome as well so I really feel for them.
is it still cheap though ? I've had mates come back and say its almost on par as here in Aus. but i guess it depends where you go. every time I went I stay at sayang maha mertha hotel for $12 a night $18 if Iwanted air con. and always budgeted $100 a day which would cover every meal and and drinks if I went out at night. can you still do that ?.
I have a whole family now just doesn't seem like it could be a cheap over seas holiday these days
Eat local, its still cheap. Ive heard people saying that in some places beers are more expensive than Australian pubs.
wavie][quote=Moonah wrote:juegasiempre wrote:Bingin was already on the Crossfit/vegan cafe/co working space when I was there in 2022 but that sucks that everything is getting destroyed.
I don't think I'm ever going back. That whole island is a corrupt, floating landfill. The locals are awesome as well so I really feel for them.
is it still cheap though ? I've had mates come back and say its almost on par as here in Aus. but i guess it depends where you go. every time I went I stay at sayang maha mertha hotel for $12 a night $18 if Iwanted air con. and always budgeted $100 a day which would cover every meal and and drinks if I went out at night. can you still do that ?.
I have a whole family now just doesn't seem like it could be a cheap over seas holiday these days
I’m talking cheap relative to any other overseas holiday. Where would be cheaper? Maybe Vietnam?
I was eating down near where the boats head out to Kuta reef last time and staying in Tuban and food was delicious local food mixed with western, we stayed in a nice hotel near the water and yeah compared to an Oz holiday it’s still cheaper.
It would cost more to go to the Gold Coast for two weeks than Bali imo.
Agree, I can still feed the family, 2 adults & 2 teenagers, at local warungs for under $20AUD per sitting.
On the other hand, there’s now exceptionally good food at almost western prices. Ms IB shouted us an incredible dinner the other day: two starters, two great cocktails, two mains with proper beer, and two desserts.
$100, but it was proper fine dining, and something we’ll remember for a long time. Ate for two hours, Ulu Garden, just before the Ulus turnoff.
Island Bay wrote:Did that work, basesix? Best light I could find, and most posters have been torn down.
Also, for some reason I can’t find the Imgur share links on my phone.
awesome, mate! Nicely done. May your Keogh never pressure ding, and your waves be ever ribbit and bauble free!
.
Great! Happy to help out :-)
No more baubles!
Just returned from Bingin, so sad to see that white palace type building getting sledged hammered, over the years the locals have spent so much time and effort building and artistically painting it, noted they had finished the glass pool hanging out and people swimming in (not something i would of done, construction looked close to solid but not quite!) Also feel sorry for Kellys warung , they must of spent some reasonably big dollars doing that up a few years back (assuming thats getting torn down as well?). Also if your a foreigner even how passionate you are about this dont partake in the protests, you will be arrested and deported. So sad but thanks for the memories RIP Bingin.
I haven’t surfed boring bingin since the late 80s , plenty of fond memories. It really was the road from hell to get down there , then walk in . I gave a pair of runners to Made my board carrier and he started crying in gratitude as he didn’t own any . His feet were as wide as they were long so I’m not sure how he went in them . 
some great pics Supa, jeez what a shitshow thats going to be Udu. Why couldnt they knock down that stinking hotel at dreamland instead, maybe clean the river up as well.
That’s the big empty paddock above Dreamland
Supafreak wrote:I haven’t surfed boring bingin since the late 80s , plenty of fond memories. It really was the road from hell to get down there , then walk in . I gave a pair of runners to Made my board carrier and he started crying in gratitude as he didn’t own any . His feet were as wide as they were long so I’m not sure how he went in them .
Wonder how all those kids are going now supafreak.
If that’s late 80’s they’d probably be around my age.
Moonah wrote:Wonder how all those kids are going now supafreak.
If that’s late 80’s they’d probably be around my age.
yeh, shots like that make you reflect, don't they @moonah? Could Aussies have done a LOT better by the beautiful balinese soul? Growing up, I was around academics that loved Indo, many special grom visits...
the time I went there after the bali bombings I was sooo relieved to see japanese, etc filling the spaces in the hotels left vacant by aussies, who for decades had told Bali to expect aussies to always come and for them to build their dreams around it.
I don't know I'll be back. I wanted to share Bali with my kids. never done it. Couple of times solo in the last years, on my way to UK.. felt odd.. same same, but different. And rapidly declining. More Balinese looked tired than I'd ever seen. Grimy, sweaty and tired. Heartbreaking.
Interesting time for us all to watch a thing like modern-Bali happen. Influencers and white devils need to take their privilege seriously, and make sure they love any place they visit long time. Or not at all. I'll give that one to @indo-dreaming. Blowins are fucked and should carry mild shame and humility with them, until invited to not do so by a local. Standard. Basic. Central Aussie knows it, Indo knows it. Fly-by-night tourism is for the bucket-list, bucket-hat entitled 'takers'.
@basesix i go to Bali regularly, places i go Aussies are the minority these days, mostly Euros (heaps of Russians), followed by Americans, Japansese, Korean, surprised that Sth Aficans can afford it looking at the xrate. Got lost out the back of Canggu my god you should see the residential development out there and massive health retreat, this paddle tennis sport obviously popular with the euro's.
yeh, I really want it to still be beautiful @amb, I used to base in Ubud for a month, then scoot about the coast with friends.. my gamelan teacher would store our stuff at his place in his nearby village.. I met him when the Mahabharata was performed in an Adelaide quarry, and he was the go to dramaturge. Legend.
I just feel Australia could have been the dominant outsider culture to good effect for Bali.. if we were good. Feels like an acid test, we chose Kuta drinking over Amed walking, en masse..
People on here seem to think there's still Bali to be found, which is heartening.. and if not, Lombok, Rote, Sumba, there's degrees of the turd-dropping, and you can escape it, I'm sure. Just feel a bit of culture guilt, like a SoCal might about Tijuana..
Supafreak wrote:I haven’t surfed boring bingin since the late 80s , plenty of fond memories. It really was the road from hell to get down there , then walk in . I gave a pair of runners to Made my board carrier and he started crying in gratitude as he didn’t own any . His feet were as wide as they were long so I’m not sure how he went in them .
Great pics supa.
Bobby's left.....
RIP Bingin...
Got a few photos of that warung from ‘88.
Somehow found my way down there, surfed with the same 4 Aussies most of the time. Sometimes I was alone, and would walk the coast Padang to Balangan cliff after a surf. Formative experience for a young Danish kook.
Will look for photos when back in NZ
A Beautiful Spot back then...Then a Few Yrs Later Agro Locals .
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.