Guest ryanasia Posted January 1, 2017 Posted January 1, 2017 It is forbidden by law in many countries already: people take a lot of bags when bags are free, and that is bad for ecology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase-out_of_lightweight_plastic_bags#Indonesia http://jakartaglobe.id/news/indonesian-cities-now-charging-shoppers-plastic-bags/ Yes I understand the policy very well and it is something Thailand should start doing yesterday. Quote
vinapu Posted January 2, 2017 Posted January 2, 2017 Yes I understand the policy very well and it is something Thailand should start doing yesterday. I agree and even small charge like 1-2 baht would reduce garbage substantially because we people hate paying for something we can avoid to. Quote
Popular Post worldatlarge Posted January 7, 2017 Popular Post Posted January 7, 2017 Long report from my trip to Bali at the beginning of December 2016. After two and half nights of fun in Bangkok (the half is that I landed at 1h am and just got the time to see the dismantling of Patpong night market before going to bed!) Thai Airways brought me to Bali. (Good service by the way!) Ryanasia had given nice recommendations (Thank you Ryanasia!) but I had to go with Expedia and decided on the “gay-rated villas” recommendation on Travel Gay Asia, Blue Karma Resort. (http://bluekarmaresort.com/our-hotels/seminyak/ ) A 600 sq ft villa with one bedroom and a private pool very well appointed at 120 USD per night. Be careful when checking prices because there is a 23.5% tax added so above rate is really 145 USD per night. It adds up fast if you decide to take a more expensive room. For 20 USD each way I booked the airport transportation directly with the hotel. They were waiting at the exit of the arrivals and the drive to the hotel was comfortable in a mini-van even if it took 40 minutes due to traffic. Traffic is quite bad in Bali (but worst in Jakarta!) The rate includes Wi-Fi and breakfast. They leave some cards on your bed so you can choose one of the 5 breakfasts they prepare; Indonesian, Australian, Japanese, continental and forget the last one (!) But even if you do not choose any they will make you eggs and they have buffet of fruits, yogurt and toast. The good thing about the hotel is it is well located at crossroads of 2 main streets so lots of boutiques and restaurants close by as well as only 1000 feet from all 4 gay bars. A 5 minutes’ walk. They also have a golf cart that will bring you to the beach by the Anantara Hotel. Once installed, we walked to the beach and decided to continue trying to find the gay beach. Best way to find it is to find the Seaside restaurant. It’s right across. If you go by taxi, they will drop you at the end of Jl Arjuna (Double Six street) as they cannot circulate on the beach road. From there it is a 270 m (1000 feet) walk. No more gay flag but parasols with Bali Joe bar publicity gives it away. Waiters are really fun, smiling at attentive even if not talking a lot of English. Beers are cheap at 2 USD and they can offer some food too. Not a lot of people as rainy season was starting. All 5 days were cloudy with not much blue sky. But it was 31 degrees C (88 F) so who complains considering I had left at minus 5 C (23 F)! Beach fills up close to sunset. People are just coming with friends and taking a beer and look at the sun coming down. Mainly straight as there are many other bars on the beach. During the rainy season there is a natural phenomenon that makes sea currents bring all stuff from other islands. So a lot of wood (and I mean big branches and even trunks of tree are being swept on the beach. Naturally and sadly it also means it brings all the plastic people are throwing away. Bottles, bags even shoes are found on the beach. People working on the beach shops are cleaning but it is a difficult battle. True that the water itself is clear as Ryanasia mentioned but still a bit a downer to have plastic around your legs sometimes. I did not go to other islands and/or beaches so I cannot comment but must say that even the main beaches are clearer than Pattaya. After a rest at the hotel, it was time for dinner. I think there are more Italian restaurants than Indonesian ones in Bali! Really the cuisines are really mixed due the variety of tourists I assume. It’s an international destination after all. During our stay we ate; Italian, Indonesian, French, Indian and Balinese. Food price is cheap but your bill is always twice the food price because of the alcohol! Dinner for 2 were always between 80 to 100 USD inclusive of the drinks. Less the last night. At Chandi restaurant, we had some appetizers, a Balinese satay hot plate for 2 (10 brochettes/each) for about 40 USD and dessert (about 65 USD for the food) which is really reasonable, but ended with a bill of 155 USD due to drinks and bottle of wine!! In any case, we ate quite well during all our time there. An 11% sales tax is added as well as service of about 5 to 7% is included most of the time. They do not expect more tips. The other gay beach is by the W hotel. Was going there by taxi at the end of Jalang Batu Belig street and then turn left on the beach road Jl Petitenget a bit rocky road but the taxi still brings you to the beach restaurant/bar called Cantina just before the hotel. Much quieter area. Not too many people but guys bring their boy of the day to eat and swim a little. Long chairs are rented at about 4 USD for the day (same price as the other beach). They also have a good menu and many people go to eat. The staff is friendly and will even call you a taxi. Taxi is about 3 USD per ride. Drivers will round up and not give you little change back. When called they have a minimum fee of about 2.30 USD. Funny thing about this place is that the Wi-Fi will let me enter and see all of Grindr and Hornet which I was not able to do at the hotel or the other beach. At the hotel I could log on but did not see any thumbnail pictures or profiles but since I was logged-in I was receiving messages but I was not aware. Nice fellow told me that I needed to download a free VPN so we can go around the blocked sites. I kept to GR which I was able to connect at all places. Too bad I had to respond to the messages after having left! Regarding those apps, the Indonesian are fast on their keyboards!! Wow did I get messages in no time! Difficult to answer all! Many cuties and many not money boys (or so they say) but you also get offers of massage and other MBs. Can certainly fill your days easily there!! And, unlike Ryanasia, I can say there are many twinks in Bali and Jakarta considering the quantity of messages received. Different facial features than Thais so it is a question of personal taste but still some quite nice! Which brings to the gay bars. Or I should say bar (singular) as I got to go only at Mixwell. Entered there are quarter to 11 and we got seated right away by nice smiling staff at one of the tables close to the street. Not too busy at that time. Price for beer is good at about 2 USD. Was quite good considering we had a good view of both stages the drag queens use to their shows. More little performances of one or 2 songs and they go away and come back 20 minutes later. So not one full show but spread during all evening. Quite good and even with dancers. At one point there is a 3 go go boys dancing on the bar. Very nice specimen of men but too short a show! By quarter after 11 the place was packed and I was glad to have the table we had because it was not walkable. Just going to the bathroom was an adventure but a fun one considering you HAD to rub against everyone going there. So I had to excuse myself quite a few times due to “being pushed” on people!! ☺ Very good bar. Waiter were always close by to get us new drinks. Party on a Saturday night was entertaining. Lots of cruising too. Was so fun we did not even move to go see the other 3 bars that are all beside each others. I was also glad the hotel was closed by because the rain started and after too many “let’s take another drink until the rain stops”, we decided we really had enough and decided to make a run for it. No matter it was only the equivalent of 3 blocks, we were drenched even to the shoes and socks! Apart from the routine of breakfast, beach, siesta, shower, dinner and bed, we took a private tour from the hotel (54 USD). Only the 2 of us with a driver/ guide which accommodated us with things we wanted to see. But there again the traffic is the limitation to things you can visit because it takes a lot of time out of the day. Just for the first village to see the handcraft of batik, it took one hour for a distance that should take less than half that time. Then to the wood carving while skipping the silver crafts considering I had my share of silver from the last trip to Mexico. From there to the Indian temple (Pura Tirta Empul) and then Mount Batur volcano and its 2 calderas. We skipped the Ubud Palace at our driver’s suggestion as we wanted to go to Pura Tanah Lot temple which is normally on a separate tour as it is on the west coast and all the previous is on the east side. And we needed the time because it was more than 2 hours to get there. We did stop at the Tagalalang Rice Terrace on our way so we certainly saw all we wanted to see. A long day from 8h30 to past 7pm but quite interesting. So very nice time in Bali even if I would probably choose another time than December considering the weather. Definitely it could be even more entertaining if going alone! From there we flew on Air Asia to Jakarta. Quick flight, good service. Lots of traffic in Jakarta and pollution too. Not much to see but we did have a little tour to main National Monument, National museum, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia (Istiqlal Mosque) right in front is the Jakarta Roman Catholic Cathedral, the port Sunda Kelapa with their old schooners and the Jakarta History Museum in the Kota Tua (Jakarta Old Town). Lots of shopping can be done as many large malls are in the Central Jakarta along with hotels. Last day was quiet in preparation of the 30 hours return via Bangkok and Beijing. Also that food was getting on my stomach but that’s another story (which won’t be told!). Final comment is; leave plenty of time before your flight. Google map was saying 45 minutes to the airport when we left the hotel but it quickly changed and we did one hour 40 minutes. So, as Ryanasia asked, would I come here again? No need for Jakarta. It was more of a “we are closed by” and we should see something else of Indonesia kind of thing. But I will place it in “Check the box, been there, done that” category. For Bali, I am not sure. Maybe if in the area at a less wet time, I could drop by again but considering the quantity of people even in December and cloudy skies and cannot imagine how crowded this place must be at high season. So maybe also see other islands instead. Guys wise, I think one can find some company every day. Just a matter of preferences of each one but surely you can find someone to your taste! Moses, reader, traveller123 and 4 others 7 Quote
Guest abang1961 Posted January 7, 2017 Posted January 7, 2017 Thanks for bring back the fond memories of Bali. I have not return since 2011 and boy, your report nail the thought that I should schedule some time for it. I will revisit Ubud again. Instead of Jakarta which is chaotic, I would recommend at least a 2 day visit to Jogjakarta. It is the place to see the old world charm and of course, Borobudur and catch Ramayan at the other temple. I speak sufficient Bahasa Indonesian and I do find that despite Bali being a tourist attraction, English is not the lingua franca of the local people. Quote
vinapu Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 I would recommend at least a 2 day visit to Jogjakarta. It is the place to see the old world charm and of course, Borobudur and catch Ramayan at the other temple. Prambanan temple is another gem from UNESCO list in Jogyakarta's vicinity, can be done in one long day tour from Jogya but better to overnight at Borobudur to see sunset and sunrise recommended in another thread DivineMadman 1 Quote
Guest ryanasia Posted February 25, 2017 Posted February 25, 2017 I would say the rooms if you want a pool villa are cheap. However when you leave your room the environment can be disgusting. You won't get a pool villa for that in the USA not even close. Despite that in Indonesia or Asia I have to pay disproportionately to stay in a place that is free from pollution. So the rooms are not too expensive for what is offered but once you leave the room... it is pretty sad. Quote
Guest abang1961 Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 I would say the rooms if you want a pool villa are cheap. However when you leave your room the environment can be disgusting. You won't get a pool villa for that in the USA not even close. Despite that in Indonesia or Asia I have to pay disproportionately to stay in a place that is free from pollution. So the rooms are not too expensive for what is offered but once you leave the room... it is pretty sad. Not a very fair assessment of Bali's hotel. I had been there and all my hotels provided breakfast besides the swimming pool. Of course, my threshold is different from yours but I do want to point out that if you have no expectations, Bali is still better than Pattaya any day. An older picture taken at the gay beach in Bali... enjoy the humps... Quote
worldatlarge Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 Which of the 2 beaches did you prefer Abang? Quote
vinapu Posted March 1, 2017 Posted March 1, 2017 , Bali is still better than Pattaya any day. but Pattaya is better than Bali any night reader, Alexx and santosh108 3 Quote
Guest abang1961 Posted March 1, 2017 Posted March 1, 2017 Which of the 2 beaches did you prefer Abang? I really ignore the overall cleanliness of the beach as I don't get into the water much. What I care for is a small patch of land where I can lay my poncho sheet on. I wil be happy as a lark when I can tan naked or in my g-string. but Pattaya is better than Bali any night Yes you got the point if you are looking for commercial sex. I prerfer Bali for its serenity. Quote
Guest ryanasia Posted May 14, 2017 Posted May 14, 2017 Not a very fair assessment of Bali's hotel. I had been there and all my hotels provided breakfast besides the swimming pool. Of course, my threshold is different from yours but I do want to point out that if you have no expectations, Bali is still better than Pattaya any day. An older picture taken at the gay beach in Bali... enjoy the humps... I will take Pattaya if that is the argument. Quote
