Bournville Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 I was living in Thailand for about 6 years. I took several trips in recent years to South Korea.. Malaysia.. Ecuador.. Columbia. Lucky for me I can tell about my experiences now....i wasn't gunned down. Latin America... Dangerous and police at every corner. South Korea... Cold winters. Expensive. I decided to just stay in Thailand.. Better the devil I know. Then I arrived in Indonesia 1 month ago... Bali. Wow. What prompted this post was leaving the airport here in Bali to do a visa run to Singapore. Denpasar Airport is modern.. very friendly staff and immigration people are actually pleasant! The officer scanned my passport... looked at the ONE page where my entry stamp was from 30 days earlier and 30 seconds later... I'm on my way! Leaving BKK I was ALWAYS questioned about my OA visa and they always read my passport like it was a fascinating novel! Idiots. Balinese people are very very friendly... both make and female! They are curious... engaging and thier English in tourist areas is fantastic! Thier knowledge of the "hospitality industry" is excellent.. almost on par with the USA. The wait staff.. wait on me! They ask if I need anything else... Or if I have an issues. I'm in restaurant heaven for SE Asia! 555. I can't rent a motorbike yet because I need a IDL or a local license... No license... No bike rental! Amazing! What a concept. Long term visa options are available... After my Singapore trip I'll have a 60 day visa renewable 4 times inside Indonesia for a total of 6 months. During which time I can apply for 1 year.. Renewable to 5 years. Bali.. Indonesia.. Is a fantastic alternative for those looking for a change from Thailand. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingtlger Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 Different strokes for different folks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexRich Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 Be careful with the corruption. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vacuum Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 6 minutes ago, AlexRich said: Be careful with the corruption. Or terrorist bombings.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimmer Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 The Language is also much easier to learn in Indonsia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mavideol Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 Tsunami, earth quakes, flooding, land slides...none of that in Bali? hummm interesting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacessit Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 The OP is in for a bit of a shock if he wants to stay in Bali long-term. Most rental contracts require the tenant to pay a year's rent in advance. That's standard Indonesian practice. The other aspect to Bali is many beaches are badly polluted. In the Suharto era, his cronies went on an orgy of beachfront hotel building, without too much regard for sewerage infrastructure. Most of Denpasar is floating on a sea of raw sewage. Every apparent paradise has its flaws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacessit Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 13 minutes ago, Rimmer said: The Language is also much easier to learn in Indonsia Terimah Kasi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColeBOzbourne Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 "Latin America...Dangerous and police at every corner". A gross exaggeration. I've been all over S. America and throughout Colombia many times. You've been to Colombia yet you don't know how to spell it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Youlike Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 Plus the food comes with loads of small side dishes and tastes much better . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmen Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 You better start learning Australian slang Cobber, Bali is basically another Australian state. Thousands of them roaming around pissed out of their brains. I avoid Bali and Im Australian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bournville Posted May 8, 2019 Author Share Posted May 8, 2019 Tsunami, earth quakes, flooding, land slides...none of that in Bali? hummm interestingI never said that. I can die any number of ways... Death on the road in Thailand would be a higher probability than a volcano eruption. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puchaiyank Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 How does the cost of living stack up with Thailand? My Thailand in baht per month: Rent 3/2 modern home...... 8,300 Water + Garbage pickup..... 300 Power (fridge, 2 A/C units, washer, fans all rooms,water heaters... 2,000 Food, clothing, paper,toiletries 6,000 Entertainment............................ 2,400 19,000. Roughly $635. USD per month. How about Bali? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bournville Posted May 8, 2019 Author Share Posted May 8, 2019 "Latin America...Dangerous and police at every corner". A gross exaggeration. I've been all over S. America and throughout Colombia many times. You've been to Colombia yet you don't know how to spell it?OK smarty pants... Yes.. A typo... Yes I was there... One more thing about expats in Bali... They are not as miserable and have thier heads buried in the sand. Not a gross exaggeration at all... I've lived it... No thanks Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bournville Posted May 8, 2019 Author Share Posted May 8, 2019 You better start learning Australian slang Cobber, Bali is basically another Australian state. Thousands of them roaming around pissed out of their brains. I avoid Bali and Im AustralianYes. In Kuta... I used to live in Sydney.. Kuta seems to be a suburb of Sydney! 5555.. I m in Ubud for the time being... Lovely spot of heaven Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmen Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 2 minutes ago, Puchaiyank said: How does the cost of living stack up with Thailand? My Thailand in baht per month: Rent 3/2 modern home...... 8,300 Water + Garbage pickup..... 300 Power (fridge, 2 A/C units, washer, fans all rooms,water heaters... 2,000 Food, clothing, paper,toiletries 6,000 Entertainment............................ 2,400 19,000. Roughly $635. USD per month. How about Bali? 80 baht a day for entertainment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmen Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 2 minutes ago, Bournville said: Yes. In Kuta... I used to live in Sydney.. Kuta seems to be a suburb of Sydney! 5555.. I m in Ubud for the time being... Lovely spot of heaven Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk Looks stunning ! https://www.google.com/search?q=Ubud&rlz=1C1CHBF_enTH839TH839&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwis1P-hroviAhU76XMBHWkyC54Q_AUIDigB&biw=1536&bih=792 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puchaiyank Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 2 minutes ago, madmen said: 80 baht a day for entertainment? I do not need entertaining daily... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spidermike007 Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 I too love Indonesia. The people are amazing, and the government beats this inept junta 100 times over. But, Bali is not my favorite. Found it to be way too crowded and the traffic is stupid. Sure, once you get north of Ubud, or up to the northern coast, it is great. Just avoid the lower SW corner of the island, and Denpasar. Indonesia has thousands of islands to explore. And most of the people are really cool, easy to talk to. And the local men, totally unlike Thai men, are curious, engaging and interested. Nice place! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMuir Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 14 minutes ago, Puchaiyank said: How does the cost of living stack up with Thailand? My Thailand in baht per month: Rent 3/2 modern home...... 8,300 Water + Garbage pickup..... 300 Power (fridge, 2 A/C units, washer, fans all rooms,water heaters... 2,000 Food, clothing, paper,toiletries 6,000 Entertainment............................ 2,400 19,000. Roughly $635. USD per month. How about Bali? You only spend 80 baht per day on entertainment? One large bottle of beer? That doesn't even buy a lady drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vacuum Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 6 minutes ago, RobMuir said: You only spend 80 baht per day on entertainment? One large bottle of beer? That doesn't even buy a lady drink. Bying lady drinks and drinking beer in a farang bar, is this what you call "entertainment"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puchaiyank Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 7 minutes ago, RobMuir said: You only spend 80 baht per day on entertainment? One large bottle of beer? That doesn't even buy a lady drink. Haven't been in a bar or had a beer in years...adjust entertainment cost to fit your particular lifestyle...???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essex Reject Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 25 minutes ago, madmen said: 80 baht a day for entertainment? Haha! 1 or 2 beers a day. Mind you that's more than most on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essex Reject Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 2 minutes ago, Puchaiyank said: Haven't been in a bar or had a beer in years...adjust entertainment cost to fit your particular lifestyle...???? What a surprise. Does anyone on this forum frequent bars or drink beer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vacuum Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 5 minutes ago, RobMuir said: What’s wrong with drinking beer? I find that entertaining Nothing wrong with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeCross Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 i love Bali, its my plan B - i had one of the best months of my life there a few years back, truly beautiful place with great people even loved Kuta.. pissed ozzies? a lot more fun (and a damn site less grumpy) than us poms ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assurancetourix Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 32 minutes ago, RobMuir said: You only spend 80 baht per day on entertainment? One large bottle of beer? That doesn't even buy a lady drink. You don't know him.. Maybe he doesn't like beer and/or women ? For 3 people , 4 dogs and 4 cats and diesel for the truck , I spent 25.000 baht every month ( 780 US dollars or 700 euros ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watcharacters Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 57 minutes ago, Puchaiyank said: 1 hour ago, RobMuir said: You only spend 80 baht per day on entertainment? One large bottle of beer? That doesn't even buy a lady drink. Haven't been in a bar or had a beer in years...adjust entertainment cost to fit your particular lifestyle...???? 80฿ Temple admission fees. ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LennyW Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 Experiences vary, i find Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Colombia and especially Argentina all very safe and pleasant, Bali not so much, i agree the airport has improved since the new part was completed...but the staff... i see no such improvement! The Kuta area i feel it to be congested, narrow streets i guess and the barrage of hawkers trying to sell something gets annoying, everybody calling you "mate" .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbezoz Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 1 hour ago, Bournville said: Yes. In Kuta... I used to live in Sydney.. Kuta seems to be a suburb of Sydney! 5555.. I m in Ubud for the time being... Lovely spot of heaven Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk It was before Mick Jagger got "married" there (since annulled). Since then it has just become yet another over commercialised area. I was there in 1984 and at that time it was idyllic. Returned in 2008 never to bother to go there again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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