Experiences of Bali or alternative ideas please

budgetflyer

Andaman and Nicobar Islands (off India East Coast)

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g297583-Andaman_and_Nicobar_Islands-Vacations.html

Bob_the_Saver

budgetflyer wrote: »

Andaman and Nicobar Islands (off India East Coast)

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g297583-Andaman_and_Nicobar_Islands-Vacations.html

Good for sand flies and extra hassle for the visa endorsement on top of the normal Indian visa, if you're happy with those OK. Also flight out there aren't that cheap.

Or you could always take the ferry!!!
http://www.indiamike.com/india/andaman-and-nicobar-islands-f41/cruise-from-chennai-to-port-blair-t61941/#post565744

Plus they've stopped the 'human safaris'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/14/andaman-jarawa-india-human-safari

Incapuppy

Mr_Wang wrote: »

As Bob said, one of the most overrated destinations on earth.

Really Mr Wang? I can't believe that you would disagree with our lovely mutual friend here, whose advice is always so accurate?

Mr_Lahey wrote: »

I rocked up in Bali last night and woke up this morning to realise I am in Kuta.
So a huuuuuuuuuge thankyou to Incapuppy for being such a darling and convincing me to head down here. It is awesome

Mr Lahey is never wrong, Mr Wang! When will you admit that Bali is fabulous but it rained a bit so you had a tantrum and left?

budgetflyer

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

Plus they've stopped the 'human safaris'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/14/andaman-jarawa-india-human-safari

Are you going to stop going to Thailand too Bob. Exploited girls there are expected to do a bit more than a tribal dance for tourists

Bob_the_Saver

I didn't say I was going to stop going anywhere, I don't mind a bit of exploitation, to my mind it's often unclear exactly who is being exploited.

globetraveller

Bali is a beautiful place, well worth exploring. Personally I would totally avoid Kuta though- we had one evening there and really didn't like it.If that was your only experience of Bali then I could understand why you wouldn't like it. I have found the local people to be friendly and have never come across any hassle apart from the begging at the usual tourist traps that you get anywhere in the world.
Also if you go AI( which is really uneccessary) and if you never want to take the time to explore- then you would be as well somewhere with a lot less flying time.
It is a stunning island.

Incapuppy

globetraveller wrote: »

Bali is a beautiful place, well worth exploring. ......
It is a stunning island.

Indeed!

No-one sensible would go to Bali just for the beaches as there are much better beaches elsewhere and nearer. AI on Bali would be pointless (to me) The island scenery and temples are simply breathtaking (to me)

I sent Mr Wang to Besakih. He moaned about the journey up there because it was wet, he moaned when he got there because it was misty, so he sulked a bit and left the island!

Mr_Wang

Incapuppy wrote: »

Indeed!

No-one sensible would go to Bali just for the beaches as there are much better beaches elsewhere and nearer. AI on Bali would be pointless (to me) The island scenery and temples are simply breathtaking (to me)

I sent Mr Wang to Besakih. He moaned about the journey up there because it was wet, he moaned when he got there because it was misty, so he sulked a bit and left the island!

I turned up at Bali around midnight via ferry from Java and as we approached the island it was so beautifully mystical I get a kind of warm feeling when I reminisce.
I admit too that first impressions of Bali were very good.

But, after a day or two my patience had simply run out and it was not a great place to be.
Yes it rained a little, and yes it was misty - But all that added to the mystique of Besakih. BUT.......What took away from Besakih was the con artists at every turn, the fact that it is nothing compared to other temples we have been to and really is quite fitting for Bali - An over rated temple complex on an overrated island.

The lovely Incapuppy sent me to Sri Lanka too - Now, THAT is somewhere to write home about.
So how about it pup', would you fly half way around the world to Bali or nip over to Sri Lanka?? Given the choice of course.

http://thesummerholidayofalifetime.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/pura-besakih-bali.html

Mr_Wang

Thanks btw for reminding me of Sri Lanka, I had forgot about it and am now going to have to have a mooch back there in August.

:cool:

bylromarha

Can't comment on Bali, but went to Bandos with kids.

It is large for the Maldives - very family friendly, but as it is one of the few family friendly islands, then I suspect there will be more families there than you are looking for. Other people's kids can be a nightmare when on holiday.