I love Bali
Supafreak wrote:
Can only imagine the carnage on the way home. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEO-lM3x2jR/?igsh=dW10dWl2MjhmM3dp
Now that is a disgrace. What’s happening to that place?
goofyfoot wrote:
Can only imagine the carnage on the way home. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEO-lM3x2jR/?igsh=dW10dWl2MjhmM3dpNow that is a disgrace. What’s happening to that place?
Some real farkwits getting around. Alcohol and fireworks just don’t mix. A couple from , I’m assuming Norway, as they were both draped in that flag, pissed as , obnoxious, rude to staff , dangerous. Eventually got in a fight after letting off fireworks into a crowd of people . I saw young women getting their instagram shots hanging onto 8 shot roman candles , oblivious to the fact that these can be faulty and explode in the chamber and blow your fingers off . Most people out trying to enjoy themselves but some real ‘ special ‘ one’s amongst them . First time I’ve made midnight in about 15 years , completely sober, haven’t had a beer in 2 months, ticker started playing up so knocked it on the head .
This is on Lembongan and he seems sober , you can imagine the dickheads fully pissed with this in their hands .
Supafreak wrote:
Can only imagine the carnage on the way home. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEO-lM3x2jR/?igsh=dW10dWl2MjhmM3dpNow that is a disgrace. What’s happening to that place?
Some real farkwits getting around. Alcohol and fireworks just don’t mix. A couple from , I’m assuming Norway, as they were both draped in that flag, pissed as , obnoxious, rude to staff , dangerous. Eventually got in a fight after letting off fireworks into a crowd of people . I saw young women getting their instagram shots hanging onto 8 shot roman candles , oblivious to the fact that these can be faulty and explode in the chamber and blow your fingers off . Most people out trying to enjoy themselves but some real ‘ special ‘ one’s amongst them . First time I’ve made midnight in about 15 years , completely sober, haven’t had a beer in 2 months, ticker started playing up so knocked it on the head .
That’s a good effort, especially over there in the heat. It’s so easy to grab a cold beer.
Hope you’re getting some waves supa.
Engineering on these road building projects aren’t always the best and they want to build a tunnel from airport to Canggu.
^ so hectic..
(jeez, people make odd music choices.. that drone clip, I was expecting a voiceover "dare to be different... choose the road less travelled... tackle challenges that others won't... live for today, but.. reach for the future..")
I know it's indo, but that sort of cutting without any battering or benching of the walls just wouldn't happen elsewhere in the world. That just screams engulfment.
fitzroy-21 wrote:
I know it's indo, but that sort of cutting without any battering or benching of the walls just wouldn't happen elsewhere in the world. That just screams engulfment.
First time I drove through there I was thinking WTF , who designed this ? Cheapest way of doing things always comes at a price eventually .
There is no way I would go through there, especially now I've seen those photos above.
So sad but no surprise at all. Same type of "engineering" going on out at Ulu's.....
We stayed nearby last year and the other main road in (JL Pantai Pandawa) is similar but the cliffs above are lined with unfinished construction. A couple of huge hotels just sitting there, multiple stories of concrete slab and steelwork. Were supposed to be completed pre COVID but is now just sitting there waiting for the cutting to collapse. Weird vibe off the place. Didn't help getting a bad dose of the belly there
seaslug wrote:
So sad but no surprise at all. Same type of "engineering" going on out at Ulu's.....
Be frightening if there is a big shake on the bukit.....
I haven’t been out that way since 2017 , some italian’s had claimed the left out there as their own . Farking funny shit .
andy-mac wrote:
So sad but no surprise at all. Same type of "engineering" going on out at Ulu's.....Be frightening if there is a big shake on the bukit.....
I’ve got the local BMKG weather app, it alerts to the latest earthquake with size location & tsunami warning . 4.9s seems fairly regular around indo , one the other day 50 ks of East Java with a depth of 10 klms . ….. edit …… here’s today’s report 
Any day Now- Uluwatu - from Ayodhya across to Bluepoint to Singlefin
That whole Area will Slide down into the Ocean...Domino Effect
Nil Engineering Done especially Ulu steps Shops ETC
Can Streetview Walkthru that Area... New 2025 footage ... Shocking vision .... Faark Me what a Joke
udo wrote:
Any day Now- Uluwatu - from Ayodhya across to Bluepoint to Singlefin
That whole Area will Slide down into the Ocean...Domino Effect
As horrible as it sounds, I actually hope it does.
Supafreak wrote:
So sad but no surprise at all. Same type of "engineering" going on out at Ulu's.....Be frightening if there is a big shake on the bukit.....
I’ve got the local BMKG weather app, it alerts to the latest earthquake with size location & tsunami warning . 4.9s seems fairly regular around indo , one the other day 50 ks of East Java with a depth of 10 klms . ….. edit …… here’s today’s report
Was in Jogya not long after their earthquake.
Amazing how on one side of Jl Prawirotaman 2 was levelled (north i think) and the other side as left in tact like nothing had happened...
Have been in a couple of shakes, make you feel very small indeed...
the real crazy thing about all of the above is, it has become one of the most popular Instagram locations for domestic tourists. not sure if they designed it that way, or it was just the cheapest and nastiest way to create beach access, but that's what it has become...
without a word of exaggeration, those walls are often lined with 50 - 100 people, tripods, harley davidsons, sports cars, convertibles, models, bikinis, photog umbrellas, family portraits, the whole she-bang...
often from sun up to sun down
so much so, they even had to make a traffic plan to deal with it
it's a miracle no one has been hurt, I guess mainly because it was heavy rain days that would have caused it
can't really see them changing it, because it's indo... but because of the attraction it's become also...
open now, after 3 or 4 days of that one part of road being shut, ...sweep it up and start again...
it is an impressive sight to ride your humble little bike through though...
spectacular
@andy-mac , it’s another reason investment in Indonesia is risky as you know . Earthquake’s , tsunami’s , bombings , volcano eruptions , pandemics . It’s not a matter of if , it’s a matter of when . Tourist related investments can and do break people . The Indonesian people survive but many investors walk away bankrupt. The amount of empty buildings, half finished or abandoned due to running out of money or disputes waiting to be settled in court. Then you have all the new investors starting the whole process up again . Keeps locals employed though.
Beaches are spectacular also compared to other parts of Bali. Nice swimming in those lagoons. Imagine the carnage if the Kuta to Seminyak Aussie 7 day holiday package crew knew there was blue water in Bali.
Supafreak wrote:
@andy-mac , it’s another reason investment in Indonesia is risky as you know . Earthquake’s , tsunami’s , bombings , volcano eruptions , pandemics . It’s not a matter of if , it’s a matter of when . Tourist related investments can and do break people . The Indonesian people survive but many investors walk away bankrupt. The amount of empty buildings, half finished or abandoned due to running out of money or disputes waiting to be settled in court. Then you have all the new investors starting the whole process up again . Keeps locals employed though.
Definitely @supa
I have lost some coin there, but overall on top.
Kind of like the old gambling saying of don't bet more than u can afford to lose.
Edit. Was there through both bombs, 9/11 which had huge impact and was probably as bad as covid for locals.....
sypkan wrote:
the real crazy thing about all of the above is, it has become one of the most popular Instagram locations for domestic tourists. not sure if they designed it that way, or it was just the cheapest and nastiest way to create beach access, but that's what it has become...
without a word of exaggeration, those walls are often lined with 50 - 100 people, tripods, harley davidsons, sports cars, convertibles, models, bikinis, photog umbrellas, family portraits, the whole she-bang...
often from sun up to sun down
so much so, they even had to make a traffic plan to deal with it
it's a miracle no one has been hurt, I guess mainly because it was heavy rain days that would have caused it
can't really see them changing it, because it's indo... but because of the attraction it's become also...
open now, after 3 or 4 days of that one part of road being shut, ...sweep it up and start again...
it is an impressive sight to ride your humble little bike through though...
spectacular
Apparently a young lady died this last week with her falling off the cliff at ulu temple area taking a selfie of all things. Sad.
Supafreak wrote:
@andy-mac , it’s another reason investment in Indonesia is risky as you know . Earthquake’s , tsunami’s , bombings , volcano eruptions , pandemics . It’s not a matter of if , it’s a matter of when . Tourist related investments can and do break people . The Indonesian people survive but many investors walk away bankrupt. The amount of empty buildings, half finished or abandoned due to running out of money or disputes waiting to be settled in court. Then you have all the new investors starting the whole process up again . Keeps locals employed though.
the multi story hotel unfinished concrete frames blackers is referring to are massive. the crazy thing is the clifftop has a heap of abandoned projects too, with new guys having a go right next door...
the new ones seem to have a better finishing, and potential finishing outlook though, such is the climate at the moment... and it appears a few russos and euros have got their routine down now...
it blows me away the amount of money invested and wasted just driving from jl. uluwatu down to dreamland beach. even the few that are finished and operating are run down and look like ghost towns. you'd think the overheads would've sent them broke by now... some big names around there too...
it's probably largely Jakarta money, the taste, look, and 'eksklusif' nature looks very china / Jakarta big money...
it just beggars belief no one has go at finishing them whilst so much demand is currently there
the market has changed though I guess... all about villas now...
but then again... what a loose term that has become!
it's all just bizarre to watch, you never see a half finished project last for years like that in oz... they always go up or down eventually..
watching half the island live in poverty amidst all that big money is pretty confronting - not for indo's though - they simply don't do equality...
sypkan wrote:
@andy-mac , it’s another reason investment in Indonesia is risky as you know . Earthquake’s , tsunami’s , bombings , volcano eruptions , pandemics . It’s not a matter of if , it’s a matter of when . Tourist related investments can and do break people . The Indonesian people survive but many investors walk away bankrupt. The amount of empty buildings, half finished or abandoned due to running out of money or disputes waiting to be settled in court. Then you have all the new investors starting the whole process up again . Keeps locals employed though.the multi story hotel unfinished concrete frames blackers is referring to are massive. the crazy thing is the clifftop has a heap of abandoned projects too, with new guys having a go right next door...
the new ones seem to have a better finishing, and potential finishing outlook though, such is the climate at the moment... and it appears a few russos and euros have got their routine down now...
it blows me away the amount of money invested and wasted just driving from jl. uluwatu down to dreamland beach. even the few that are finished and operating are run down and look like ghost towns. you'd think the overheads would've sent them broke by now... some big names around there too...
it's probably largely Jakarta money, the taste, look, and 'eksklusif' nature looks very china / Jakarta big money...
it just beggars belief no one has go at finishing them whilst so much demand is currently there
the market has changed though I guess... all about villas now...
but then again... what a loose term that has become!
it's all just bizarre to watch, you never see a half finished project last for years like that in oz... they always go up or down eventually..
watching half the island live in poverty amidst all that big money is pretty confronting - not for indo's though - they simply don't do equality...
Yep it's pretty crazy, but same thing was happening in Seminyak in 00's. From memory late 90's they changed laws so foreigners could long term lease land.
Jakarta after Krismon was nuts, half finished sky scrappers all over CBD....
Here’s a snapshot of the Pandawa development.
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https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-3453326591-aerial-view-pandawa-…
on another note, strange things afoot in party central too...
aussie footballers losing their high end 'massage' parlours... ukranian twins drug dealers going down... russos found with a meth lab and mull crop in villa complex basement... an aussie couple just got done for swingers party's unauthorised video distribution...
ubud sex cults, tantric workshops, russo porn vids...
the place is loose
and it appears someone does not like it like that...
Jakarta pressure?
the falling and failing enterprises have been plentiful the last 12 months
facebook groups are full of reading pleasure...
it's like watching days of our lives... with internet porn and prostitution, tinder, grinder, afrcan exoticism, crypto bros, russian mafia, extortion rackets, melrose place style housing complex ponzi schemes... all set in an Indonesian ricefield...
the movie one could make!
(half the filming is already done... and its all available on onlyfans...)
sypkan wrote:
on another note, strange things afoot in party central too...
aussie footballers losing their high end 'massage' parlours... ukranian twins drug dealers going down... russos found with a meth lab and mull crop in villa complex basement... an aussie couple just got done for swingers party's unauthorised video distribution...
ubud sex cults, tantric workshops, russo porn vids...
the place is loose
and it appears someone does not like it like that...
Jakarta pressure?
the falling and failing enterprises have been plentiful the last 12 months
facebook groups are full of reading pleasure...
it's like watching days of our lives... with internet porn and prostitution, tinder, grinder, afrcan exoticism, crypto bros, russian mafia, extortion rackets, melrose place style housing complex ponzi schemes... all set in an Indonesian ricefield...
the movie one could make!
(half the filming is already done... and its all available on onlyfans...)
Haha reminds me of the golden daze of 66!!
In Jakarta, just don't mention Stadium.. ha
No phone cameras back then
I heard a rumour that the hidden city in ubud had slowed down , something about correct permits not in place . They will be getting squeezed for more $ probably . Many projects go ahead without all the boxes being ticked, then pay their way out of it . This has got to be one of the more ugly style of accommodation architecture I’ve seen . 3 hectares of rain forest bulldozed .
Supafreak wrote:
I heard a rumour that the hidden city in ubud had slowed down , something about correct permits not in place . They will be getting squeezed for more $ probably . Many projects go ahead without all the boxes being ticked, then pay their way out of it . This has got to be one of the more ugly style of accommodation architecture I’ve seen . 3 hectares of rain forest bulldozed . https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCTPBhcymvi/?igsh=cGR5amdhOXhyaDV4
Really suits the vibe and surroundings of Ubud. :(
Lembongan Surf Team do a far better job of looking after their beaches. Instead of burying it in the sand , it’s taken to the local dump . Even out of the wet season , they do monthly beach & mangrove cleanups . A never ending job but the guys are proud of their island . 
Supafreak wrote:
I heard a rumour that the hidden city in ubud had slowed down , something about correct permits not in place . They will be getting squeezed for more $ probably . Many projects go ahead without all the boxes being ticked, then pay their way out of it . This has got to be one of the more ugly style of accommodation architecture I’ve seen . 3 hectares of rain forest bulldozed . https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCTPBhcymvi/?igsh=cGR5amdhOXhyaDV4
Is she speaking Russian? if so is this a Russian backed project.
Read a few comments here about the influx of Russians into Bali and I recently saw an article about how the new president of Indonesia has invited the Russian navy to carry out joint naval exercises in the region, in addition to the ones with the Australian Navy, that's gonna be awkward, as well a new (one of a few) agreement being signed for the construction of a Russian nuclear power station. So it seems that there is a real political influence happening as well just tourists
Fliplid wrote:
I heard a rumour that the hidden city in ubud had slowed down , something about correct permits not in place . They will be getting squeezed for more $ probably . Many projects go ahead without all the boxes being ticked, then pay their way out of it . This has got to be one of the more ugly style of accommodation architecture I’ve seen . 3 hectares of rain forest bulldozed . https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCTPBhcymvi/?igsh=cGR5amdhOXhyaDV4Is she speaking Russian? if so is this a Russian backed project.
Read a few comments here about the influx of Russians into Bali and I recently saw an article about how the new president of Indonesia has invited the Russian navy to carry out joint naval exercises in the region, in addition to the ones with the Australian Navy, that's gonna be awkward, as well a new (one of a few) agreement being signed for the construction of a Russian nuclear power station. So it seems that there is a real political influence happening as well just tourists
@fliplid , here’s an old article on the project from the ABC . The new ICON shopping centre in Sanur I believe was Russian backed , all the name brands in there and dearer than OZ . https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-10/ubud-bali-russian-development-hi…
Russian built nuclear power plant in a country with a lot of seismic activity , what could possibly go wrong ?
Supa can u confirm a large section of all the old beachfront restaurants in Sanur have been knocked down for a mega project...sad if true loved that section.
Fliplid wrote:
I heard a rumour that the hidden city in ubud had slowed down , something about correct permits not in place . They will be getting squeezed for more $ probably . Many projects go ahead without all the boxes being ticked, then pay their way out of it . This has got to be one of the more ugly style of accommodation architecture I’ve seen . 3 hectares of rain forest bulldozed . https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCTPBhcymvi/?igsh=cGR5amdhOXhyaDV4Is she speaking Russian? if so is this a Russian backed project.
Read a few comments here about the influx of Russians into Bali and I recently saw an article about how the new president of Indonesia has invited the Russian navy to carry out joint naval exercises in the region, in addition to the ones with the Australian Navy, that's gonna be awkward, as well a new (one of a few) agreement being signed for the construction of a Russian nuclear power station. So it seems that there is a real political influence happening as well just tourists
Indonesia has joined BRICS....
amb wrote:
Supa can u confirm a large section of all the old beachfront restaurants in Sanur have been knocked down for a mega project...sad if true loved that section.
I haven’t seen anything but will ask my driver tomorrow . Wouldn’t surprise me , sleepy sanur is full steam ahead with shopping centres, accommodation well above the coconut trees, huge cosmetic hospitals . The main road through the guts of sanur is gridlocked on Sunday’s now . Old buildings that were derelict and overgrown are rapidly being transformed . There’s still some classic old warungs about . The legendary naughty nuri’s warung in ubud , famous for its pork ribs , has a huge restaurant in sanur now as well as Seminyak.
@ Supafreak "Russian built nuclear power plant in a country with a lot of seismic activity , what could possibly go wrong ?"
That was might first thought as well, not to mention a penchant for dodgy building regulations. Re that ABC article, it's sad to see what's been done in Ubud
andy-mac, sometimes I get the impression that we have as well considering how reliant we are on China. Could be fun and games up north during the naval exercises though
Supafreak wrote:
Supa can u confirm a large section of all the old beachfront restaurants in Sanur have been knocked down for a mega project...sad if true loved that section.I haven’t seen anything but will ask my driver tomorrow . Wouldn’t surprise me , sleepy sanur is full steam ahead with shopping centres, accommodation well above the coconut trees, huge cosmetic hospitals . The main road through the guts of sanur is gridlocked on Sunday’s now . Old buildings that were derelict and overgrown are rapidly being transformed . There’s still some classic old warungs about . The legendary naughty nuri’s warung in ubud , famous for its pork ribs , has a huge restaurant in sanur now as well as Seminyak.
just had confirmation "Where the middle Nest Spa was. Taken out about 6 shops and outdoor restaurants. In between the bend and Maya."
amb wrote:
Supa can u confirm a large section of all the old beachfront restaurants in Sanur have been knocked down for a mega project...sad if true loved that section.I haven’t seen anything but will ask my driver tomorrow . Wouldn’t surprise me , sleepy sanur is full steam ahead with shopping centres, accommodation well above the coconut trees, huge cosmetic hospitals . The main road through the guts of sanur is gridlocked on Sunday’s now . Old buildings that were derelict and overgrown are rapidly being transformed . There’s still some classic old warungs about . The legendary naughty nuri’s warung in ubud , famous for its pork ribs , has a huge restaurant in sanur now as well as Seminyak.
just had confirmation "Where the middle Nest Spa was. Taken out about 6 shops and outdoor restaurants. In between the bend and Maya."
Seen this one last night.
I'm not very familiar with Sanur, but it sounds like the area in question.
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tubeshooter wrote:
Supa can u confirm a large section of all the old beachfront restaurants in Sanur have been knocked down for a mega project...sad if true loved that section.I haven’t seen anything but will ask my driver tomorrow . Wouldn’t surprise me , sleepy sanur is full steam ahead with shopping centres, accommodation well above the coconut trees, huge cosmetic hospitals . The main road through the guts of sanur is gridlocked on Sunday’s now . Old buildings that were derelict and overgrown are rapidly being transformed . There’s still some classic old warungs about . The legendary naughty nuri’s warung in ubud , famous for its pork ribs , has a huge restaurant in sanur now as well as Seminyak.
just had confirmation "Where the middle Nest Spa was. Taken out about 6 shops and outdoor restaurants. In between the bend and Maya."
Seen this one last night.
I'm not very familiar with Sanur, but it sounds like the area in question.
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Sad, really like staying in Sanur, last kind of 'old' Bali near beach without influencer crowd, always was referred to as Snore, and I liked it like that. Old Euros mainly
Was there in sept and big new shopping centre really has changed vibe, also alot more aussie families that would normally stay in legian....
Bali is a changing......
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.