AIBU that I'm nervous that I booked the wrong country for a holiday...BALI

[Sinalley1]

I usually spend a long time researching. I don't know why I didn't. Two families said they loved Bali - they avoided all the shit areas and went to quiet places. They said it was perfect for their young kids (8 and 6), same age as mine and we're likeminded.

But I've read so much slagging off of Bali since I booked it. We're not going till next year, we've booked some top notch accommodation in off-the-beaten track places - or, shall we say, the quieter places - but I am nervous that it's going to go tits up and we'll be massively disappointed. We haven't done a long haul trip in years.

I realise this is a first world problem. I really do.

how many awful Aussies

Yes. Australians are terrible. Especially all those Australians who got blown up in the Bali bombings.

Or did that not come up in your internet research?

I hope every Australian who meets you is as awful to you as you think they will be.

Except they won't be. Because, you know, Australians aren't awful.

I have been to both Thailand and Bali and you can't really compare. It is like Spain and Greece, I can compare a Greek Island with another Greek Island, but I can't compare Mallorca with Krete.
They offer different things, different culture different atmosphere. If I really really had to compare Thailand teachers with Bali beaches, I think Bali is the winner, easily. And beaches in Thailand are stunning.

We went to Bali on honeymoon the busiest place that we had was Ubud and even that wasn't crazy.
We booked a walking tour in Ubud and loved it went through jungle, paddy fields etc.

There are loads of ways to get to the quiet places, yes the south is a bit like Benadorm for Aussies but if going no where near then you will be fine!

Excuse me, but I didn't say that about Aussies. I was repeating what I read. My ex, the kids dad is an Aussie FFS

I also went to Sanur and liked it a lot. We did day trips to lots of other places on the island from there. It's a beautiful place and there are lots of lovely things to see.
Eating breakfast of tropical fruit on the beach was amazing.
If you are not vegetarian, make sure to eat fish in the beachside restaurants that cook it over a charcoal grill. I've never had such amazing fish and seafood as I did there.

So your children's father is Australian and you are worried because people are saying there are lots of Australians who go there?

Okay.

We had three weeks there last October, mainly in Ubud but also visited Seminyak and toured around a bit with a driver too.

Ubud is just lovely. You must visit the Monkey Forest with the children, and if you are the tiniest bit into yoga, do take a class at the Yoga Barn .. you don't need to be experienced in yoga; everyone is welcome and it's amazing. Especially the Friday evening relaxation session.

You can get fantastic massages which are very inexpensive; worth taking turns looking after the kids and having one each.

Your hotel can recommend a driver ( I think he asked for about £8 a day and we gave him £20 and we were all happy) and you can get out in the countryside and explore. The Tegallalang rice terrace was fun to see.

We also visited a school for children with SN, open for visitors on Fridays to watch a show by the pupils and dance with them too. That was one of the best things.

We also did a cookery day with a local family, but that might not be interesting for your kids.

Ubud feels very safe indeed - though watch for scooters when crossing the road! - and the people are gentle and lovely.

And the food is fantastic; as usual it's worth getting a coupe of streets away from the most touristy spots to eat.

I honestly think you will have a great time

I found so many people say how shitty it is, how many awful black people, how .... etc etc.

You see how it reads? Substitute for Australian. Seriously offensive.

FFS - in exactly the same way I would be worried about a ton of British people going to Magaluf, YES

I apologise profusely for repeating what I was told without saying that it was not my view. I was generally voicing a concern about a holiday place being slagged off. Ok, FFS? Let's not bash me on this thread, please.

88 of those awful Aussies died in the Bali bombings. Suggest you do some research and have a think about how you repeat what other people have said before arriving as you may have to brush past them.

Spain is not bigger, Indonesia is bigger in both land mass and population. I think it may be the 4th most populous country. Bali is a fascinating place and a wonderful place to go - so much to see and experience. I’d be a bit nervous about all the seismic activity in that region at the moment but I think that’s unpredictable

It's beautiful, or it was when I went a very long time ago.

The food is lovely, the scenery, listen to some lovely music, and just magical.

Try sweet tea or coffee made with condensed milk. And young (green) coconut water. Listen to Balinese Gamelan (traditional music) and yes, avoid Kuta.

weblogtheworld.com/formats/featured/balis-ubud-full-of-creativity-serentiy-culture

lifeismeantforexploring.com/2017/12/16/what-it-was-like-to-live-with-a-balinese-family/

Bloody hell I am so jealous! ENJOY!

FFS - I was thoughtless. I''ve apologised. I do not need to be scolded endlessly. Thank you for bringing my attention to my ignorance, now please. Enough. I am well aware about how to be compassionate towards others. Thank you. Good night.

Yes, FFS. You really have made your point and OP has apologised.

Bali is by far the best holiday I've ever had. Chill OP. It'll be fine.

I loved Bali. I actually liked Kuta. Some nice restaurants and the beach was actually gorgeous. I hear great things about Ubud. You’ll have a blast.
For fear of wading in....yes there are lots of Aussies but I can’t say I found them any more or less offensive than any other races. The Balinese are lovely gentle people. Would you go to Lombok for a few days? The Oberoi there is lovely.

Stop wobbling! I;ve been to more than 40 countries and Bali is stunning, right up with my favourites. It is just so beautiful - I could have stayed there for months I think! The people are just lovely and really welcoming to tourists. Ubud is amazing and I spent a bit of time in Candidasa. I did a brilliant bike tour where they take you to the top of one of the volcanoes and you just roll down through the paddy fields and villages. It's stunning.

YYY to just wandering around Ubud in the evening listening to gamelan music. It's like old Thailand in a way. Also the food is amazing..nasi campur mmmm!

I seem to be in the minority here but I didn't much like it. I could see a lot of it was very beautiful but it didn't click with me and what people see in Ubud escapes me. Never seen so may t-shits on sale in one place. I also loathed the Gillies, so polluted and depleted and full of drug addiction and despair.

We stayed in Nusa Dua and adored it - 5 star beach resort. It was our honeymoon and we hoped to go back - 3 DC later and it may be a bit of a stretch.

I didn't like Ubud but I had a dodgy tummy that day and the facilities left a lot to be desired.

Other than that it was amazing. Lucky you.

Bali is unique & gorgeous. Ignore the major tourist traps and you will have a wonderful time.

Btw Bali is an island, not a country.

First up, Bali isn’t a country - it’s an island in Indonesia.
I went 5 years ago and liked it, but not as much as some other Indonesian islands, just because it is quite touristy. Ubud is busy with tour buses in the day, better at night, and the surroundings are beautiful. Taxis are cheap, food is cheap and good (if you eat local - our worst meal was supposed to be our treat day at a steak restaurant, so disappointing!)

whoops! Island not a country. Sorry.

There is no need to twist the OP's words. We all know what she meant.. And I live in Australia.
She was just worried about Party Central, fair enough. I think it is a legitimate concern.

I have just got back from bali third time.... It's amaaaaaazing, the areas you mentioned are lovely!!