I love Bali

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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.

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evosurfer Friday, 1 Apr 2022 at 9:57pm

superfreak I was in Bali when they did that and had a few Brazzos opoligise
about their overbearing Brazzos countrymen. It was out of control.

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udo Wednesday, 6 Apr 2022 at 6:30am

A Expat friend wrote :
Bali Tuesday the 5th of April 2022. Beautiful morning at first light at .......
with a 4-foot solid swell. Managed a few waves and had an enjoyable session with 3 friends.

Then the Russian surfers invaded the spot and that was the end of first light serenity.

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Supafreak Wednesday, 6 Apr 2022 at 7:27am
udo wrote:

A Expat friend wrote :
Bali Tuesday the 5th of April 2022. Beautiful morning at first light at .......
with a 4-foot solid swell. Managed a few waves and had an enjoyable session with 3 friends.

Then the Russian surfers invaded the spot and that was the end of first light serenity.

Going to be interesting when a dozen brazzos and Russians turn up at the same break in the early morning . SERENITY NOW !

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Supafreak Wednesday, 6 Apr 2022 at 8:17am

ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BUT NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL THE SURAT EDARAN IS RELEASED

April 04, 2022

Government Will Remove Covid-19 Entry Test (RT-PCR) Requirements for People from Abroad

The government will remove the mandatory Covid 19 test rules for foreign travelers who have just arrived in Indonesia, either by air, land, or sea.

Coordinator of the Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) Outside Java and Bali, Airlangga Hartarto said that for the next time there will be no more Covid-19 tests when arriving or entry tests if they have tested negative in their home countries.

Overseas travellers would have to receive full vaccinations then provide a negative PCR test result valid within 48 hours before departure in their home country,” said Hartarto.

However, they will still go through the health screening process with a body temperature check, if the body temperature is above 37.5 degrees Celsius then it will be directly pcr by officers at the entrance of the country.

The entry test rules for foreign travelers to enter Indonesia will also be revised to increase flights entering Indonesia without causing a buildup at the airport.

Details on this matter will still be discussed and decided. And it will happen immediately when the SE Task Force has been issued," concluded Luhut.

More Airports to Open

Luhut Binsar Panjaitan added that the government will again open the door to international arrivals at three airports to restore the national economy.

The three airports include Yogyakarta International Airport, Kuala Namu Medan International Airport, and Makassar Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport.

Luhut said this was an attempt by the government to improve the economy by increasing the capacity of international flights that are still far from normal.

In addition, visa policies will continue to be relaxed close to the rules before the pandemic," he said

https://www.suara.com/news/2022/04/04/155302/pemerintah-akan-hapus-syara...

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Supafreak Friday, 8 Apr 2022 at 12:54pm

Latest from smart traveler.
Indonesia
To travel to Indonesia, you must be vaccinated with at least 2 COVID-19 vaccine doses. You must also provide evidence of a COVID-19 (PCR) test taken within 48 hours of departure to Indonesia. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms or a body temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius on arrival, you must take a COVID-19 (PCR) test. You'll need to self-isolate until you receive a negative result. If you test positive for COVID-19 and have moderate or severe symptoms, you may be taken to a hospital for treatment or an isolation hotel at your own expense. Children under 6 are not required to be vaccinated to enter Indonesia. Partially vaccinated 6-17 year olds may be required to complete vaccinations by local authorities. You can apply for a tourist visa on arrival in some cities such as Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Makassar, Yogyakarta, Medan and Manado, if you meet certain requirements (see 'Travel'). Check the latest visa, entry and vaccination requirements with your travel provider or an Indonesian Embassy or Consulate before travel. https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/indonesia

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udo Friday, 8 Apr 2022 at 1:08pm
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eat-your-vegies Friday, 8 Apr 2022 at 1:27pm

So udo
Does that mean no more PCR test required before leaving australia if full vaxxd etc?

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eat-your-vegies Friday, 8 Apr 2022 at 1:27pm

.

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juegasiempre Saturday, 9 Apr 2022 at 9:02am

Still got to do the PCR before you leave, just not at the airport when you land anymore so no quarantine, as I understand it.

I'm still hanging for visa free travel though as Australia still had to do VOA.

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udo Tuesday, 12 Apr 2022 at 11:52am
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goofyfoot Tuesday, 12 Apr 2022 at 11:57am
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Carolinah Woblin Wednesday, 13 Apr 2022 at 9:01pm

how much does one pay for the visa to bali?

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Bnkref Thursday, 14 Apr 2022 at 7:16am

Carolinah I think I saw something about it being about 500,000 IDR / $50 Aus

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mickseq Friday, 15 Apr 2022 at 10:15pm

Bali is very busy tonight, tried to get into 2 different restaurants and both had queues, traffic is crazy and many aussies from WA arrived today in a resort I’m staying at. I’d say 2 months and things will be back to normal or at least close.

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evosurfer Saturday, 16 Apr 2022 at 1:41am

Im staying at Blue Point three quarters empty and very run down just like
the rest of Uluwatu. Not that many people around like it use to be. Heaps of
shops, Homestays, warungs, shut down and almost impossible to hire a bike as they have
sold them to survive its quite sad actually. In the surf its at least 70-80% Brazzos
and there still dead shits very few Aussies. The waves are the same the Balos are
friendly and happy to see some Aussies back in town. Also a lot of female surfers
you need to be a bit cautious with they tend to do strange things.

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indo-dreaming Saturday, 16 Apr 2022 at 7:37am

Nice to hear an on the ground report, wonder what the brazo thing is about.

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indo-dreaming Saturday, 16 Apr 2022 at 7:37am
mickseq wrote:

Bali is very busy tonight, tried to get into 2 different restaurants and both had queues, traffic is crazy and many aussies from WA arrived today in a resort I’m staying at. I’d say 2 months and things will be back to normal or at least close.

I think your right, bookings for place i manage are still dead for April just two guest the first for over a year, but May heats right up then June, July, Aug, Sep pretty much fully booked.

Wish i was there now but cant get to Indo until June-July.

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cd Saturday, 16 Apr 2022 at 8:16am

Evo- caution with the female surfers- on land or in the water?

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juegasiempre Saturday, 16 Apr 2022 at 9:20am
indo-dreaming wrote:

Nice to hear an on the ground report, wonder what the brazo thing is about.

+1 why so many Brazzos? Flights to and from South America are harder/more expensive than pre COVID.

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juegasiempre Saturday, 16 Apr 2022 at 9:35am

After thinking about it, I'd bet they're the Brazilians that live on the gold coast.

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campbell Saturday, 16 Apr 2022 at 9:39am

The brazzos that travel are wealthy, way more so than the average Aussie surfer ,normal and poor brazzos can't afford to go anywhere
Kind of explains why they are such entitled cunts too .
Generalising here but if the hat fits...

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Supafreak Saturday, 16 Apr 2022 at 10:41am

I find brazzos when traveling with just their girlfriends to be really nice blokes in and out of the water but when they hunt in their packs of ten they tend to become a different kind of animal.

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indo-dreaming Saturday, 16 Apr 2022 at 12:06pm
Supafreak wrote:

I find brazzos when traveling with just their girlfriends to be really nice blokes in and out of the water but when they hunt in their packs of ten they tend to become a different kind of animal.

I do agree with this, when alone even with a mate or GF they can be top blokes in and out of the water, it's really the same deal with any nationality though, Aussies when in groups can be as bad or worse than anyone, especially the ones from areas of Australia with crowded waves where snaking and dropping in is the norm.

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Supafreak Saturday, 16 Apr 2022 at 1:14pm

Can’t say I’ve ever come across a group of 10 or more Aussie surfers traveling together in Indonesia, bogans in kuta that don’t surf , definitely yes and it can be embarrassing to admit to being Australian when they are about .

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indo-dreaming Saturday, 16 Apr 2022 at 3:12pm

Yeah Sumatra is different especially offshore islands crowds generally turn up in charter boats or resort boats so generally 6 to 8 guest but as high as 12 and most are Aussies, more often than not mates all trying to impress each other or their mates watching from the boat,

Often they havent seen a female for days to a week or longer and on the piss as much as they are surfing so the testosterone levels and the wanker factor can be pretty high, add to that they are often paying $300+ a day/night and only on a 14 day trip so there is a sense of entitlement.

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mickseq Saturday, 16 Apr 2022 at 6:16pm

Well I certainly haven't been surfing the bukit, but not many brazzos I have seen, generally just Euros.

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mickseq Saturday, 16 Apr 2022 at 6:41pm

Today I drove to echo beach and surfed there for the first time, every cafe which was open was full in that area and many people in the water, though easy to catch waves as most were just learning or average. Not sure what it is usually like as I have never been there before. Prior, Keramas and Nusa Lembongan were quiet, not many people about and easy to find waves with mainly just locals or angry expats. Earlier, and closer to xmas, I surfed mainly around Nusa Tengarra, good spots that usually had random surf camps, but are now deserted, surfing by myself usually most of the time. Anyway, I hope it comes back strong, I really didn't mind it before covid and the Indo locals are keen to see everyone back.

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evosurfer Wednesday, 20 Apr 2022 at 2:01am

Surfed Ynang Ynang 2 days ago 11 Brazzos and one lonely Aussi ( me ) that was interesting
but to be honest I got a shitload of sets. ALONE. Yesterday surfed it again maxing out and
heavy as with clean up sets and close outs in great conditions though and some smoking
inbetween waves with just my son and I. Sometimes you score.

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udo Thursday, 28 Apr 2022 at 10:02pm
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udo Thursday, 5 May 2022 at 5:44pm

Id like 2hrs out here atm then a couple of Bintang / Garams at Single Fin to finish the day off...very nice
https://balibelly.com/pages/uluwatu
Supa any updates on the Nusa L Barge .....?

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amb Thursday, 5 May 2022 at 6:10pm

Whats the deal with the app & unlocking your phone prior to entry, can anyone explain in laymans terms?

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donweather Thursday, 5 May 2022 at 8:49pm
udo wrote:

https://balibusinessconsulting.com/how-to-register-imei-phone-in-indonesia/

"How to register a phone in Bali
If for some reason you have not been able to register your phone in Jakarta, then you can do so in Bali at the office of Taxes and Duties. In order to do this, you have to provide a ticket to Indonesia or your boarding pass, a letter of quarantine, and a QR code you received when registering your phone on the website."

What do they mean by "letter of quarantine"?

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donweather Thursday, 5 May 2022 at 8:55pm

Also according to this article you may be able to use your foreign phone with a foreign SIM when in Bali?

Has anyone travelled recently and can confirm this please?

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evosurfer Tuesday, 10 May 2022 at 8:01am

Donweather was in Bali two weeks ago. Only need a local sim card.

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donweather Tuesday, 10 May 2022 at 11:50am
evosurfer wrote:

Donweather was in Bali two weeks ago. Only need a local sim card.

Ok thanks. Does your Aussie phone work on Bali hotel wifi without local
Sim or without getting phone unlocked at Airport?

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indo-dreaming Tuesday, 10 May 2022 at 1:08pm
evosurfer wrote:

Donweather was in Bali two weeks ago. Only need a local sim card.

Im betting your phone is older than late 2020 and you had already used an Indo sim in it???

Otherwise my understanding is if you havent used an Indo sim in a phone before which registers your phone it wont work, my wife's Indo friend went back home to Indo last week and her newish unlocked phone wouldn't work and had to go through all his fairly new hassle

But the said she isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, my wife had to sort everything for her before her trip apps vax certificate etc

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Supafreak Tuesday, 17 May 2022 at 2:58pm

Anyone heading to Bali and has any of these aches and pains listed on this card ? I highly recommend Dr Torture , he’s changed the business name and price has also increased, no pain no gain treatment . He’s located near benasari kuta/legian 93-FB0-B1-F-8-EEE-4750-ADEF-6-C61-DF3-E0-E33

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juegasiempre Wednesday, 18 May 2022 at 12:03pm

No PCR test needed from tomorrow for fully vaccinated travellers according to the latest news.

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Supafreak Wednesday, 18 May 2022 at 1:00pm
juegasiempre wrote:

No PCR test needed from tomorrow for fully vaccinated travellers according to the latest news.

If you have a link to this can you post it please . Edit : just looked at what’s up bali and they are saying the same , he’s waiting for official confirmation before posting a video on it . I fly in 9 days and this will save me $450 which can be better used helping the wife’s family.

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ant01 Wednesday, 18 May 2022 at 1:18pm
Supafreak wrote:

Anyone heading to Bali and has any of these aches and pains listed on this card ? I highly recommend Dr Torture , he’s changed the business name and price has also increased, no pain no gain treatment . He’s located near benasari kuta/legian 93-FB0-B1-F-8-EEE-4750-ADEF-6-C61-DF3-E0-E33

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ant01 Wednesday, 18 May 2022 at 1:22pm

Dr Tree is great.....Can highly recommend him. Be prepared to endure some torture though. Freaked me out last time when his wife who was treating someone in the next cubicle started clucking and mooing!
When I asked Tree what she was doing; he said:"She's removing the animal hormones from the patient"

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Supafreak Wednesday, 18 May 2022 at 1:36pm
ant01 wrote:

Dr Tree is great.....Can highly recommend him. Be prepared to endure some torture though. Freaked me out last time when his wife who was treating someone in the next cubicle started clucking and mooing!
When I asked Tree what she was doing; he said:"She's removing the animal hormones from the patient"

Hahaha , yeah his wife freaks a few people out with her reiki practice, some of the noises that come from the other side of the curtain are wild . She regularly goes outside and throws up . I was getting a treatment from him one time and next door was getting out of hand , he said excuse me and went to see what was going on , next I heard him saying in a stern voice “ what are you doing here ? Get out of my practice “ I asked him when he came back what was going on and he just said it was a “ bad spirit “ and was gone now .

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burleigh Wednesday, 18 May 2022 at 2:27pm

Not sure if it’s the same guy but a few years ago I had a “treatment” from Dr Tendon.

Sounds like the same kind of torture. I was sore for days.

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freeride76 Wednesday, 18 May 2022 at 2:35pm

I've never found any benefit from painful treatments/massage.

Usually makes it way worse.

First thing you do when you are in pain is tense up.

How could someone pummelling you when you are tensed up do any good?

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Supafreak Wednesday, 18 May 2022 at 2:48pm
freeride76 wrote:

I've never found any benefit from painful treatments/massage.

Usually makes it way worse.

First thing you do when you are in pain is tense up.

How could someone pummelling you when you are tensed up do any good?

I had sciatica for 12 months, pain 24/7 from my left butt cheek down my leg and out through the top of my foot. I saw all types of doctors in Australia and spent a small fortune with no results . When l was recommended by a friend to Dr Torture I was sceptical . Once he found out how long Id had it he said it would take about 3 sessions. Well he got it in two. I’m forever grateful to this bloke, I had learnt to live with the constant pain and it’s never returned.

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flow Wednesday, 18 May 2022 at 4:20pm

How's your sciatica FR?

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freeride76 Wednesday, 18 May 2022 at 4:43pm

Everything is coming along pretty nicely Flow.

Almost got full strength back in left leg, just a bit of residual glute weakness I'm working on.

No pain.

Had a few surfs, feeling pretty good.

I reckon about 80-85% back to normal.