Post: #26

Are there any times in the year when there are more Australians then usual on Bali? I want to avoid that (have April in my mind).

Post: #27

(01-15-2019 06:12 AM)Lime Wrote:  Are there any times in the year when there are more Australians then usual on Bali? I want to avoid that (have April in my mind).

November is the absolute worst time as it's the "schoolies" period when you get all the 17/18 year olds heading up there to get shitmixed. Like a Spring Break for HS.

Otherwise the best way to check is to find the school holidays online and avoid those, April almost always has this so could be a bad period. Avoiding school holidays avoids the families.

On top of that avoid Easter (not sure if it's in April this year or not) as it's 4 day weekend in Australia so a lot of people will take a holiday around this period as it uses two days less leave.

Otherwise the other time to avoid is the September/October end of footy season trips where you get groups of 20+ guys going together, obviously this really fucks things up. You can also get hit with cricket trips, haven't played in so long I actually forget when the season ends but I'd guess it's Marchish give or take. These aren't quite as bad as the footy trips but they're close.

Ultimately though, Australians on Bali are unavoidable. With a bit of hunting you can get return flights for under $200AUD, it's cheaper than flying to places in Australia half the time so it's just always going to have a lot of Aussies there.

Avoid Kuta and Seminyak and you'll avoid the majority so if you do get there and there are just too many to handle (Bali gets our very worst travelers as well, please don't judge the rest of us by that crowd) then get out of those two areas in particular. Gili T is generally not full of Australians for example.

Post: #28

(01-15-2019 09:13 AM)JimBobsCooters Wrote:  Avoid Kuta and Seminyak and you'll avoid the majority so if you do get there and there are just too many to handle (Bali gets our very worst travelers as well, please don't judge the rest of us by that crowd) then get out of those two areas in particular. Gili T is generally not full of Australians for example.

I second this. I'd even go so far as to say if you avoid Kuta, you avoid 80-90% of the Australians and will for sure avoid the worst ones. Do a roadtrip through Kuta's main streets in peak season and you'll see what I mean.

I have nothing against Australians and some of my best buddies are from there, but let's just say the types of Australians JimBobsCooters mentions aren't exactly the brightest nor the most pleasant to be around. Keeping it civilized here.

Post: #29

(01-15-2019 09:13 AM)JimBobsCooters Wrote:  Avoid Kuta and Seminyak and you'll avoid the majority so if you do get there and there are just too many to handle (Bali gets our very worst travelers as well, please don't judge the rest of us by that crowd) then get out of those two areas in particular.

It's always interesting to see how wildly experiences can vary regarding a location. That saying "One man's trash is another man's treasure" seems to hold true here. I guess there's a ton of unique circumstances of any particular visit that shapes the overall experience in different ways.

Case in point, I just got home after a 2 week stay in the heart of Kuta (that is supposedly swarming with Ozzie troublemakers) and it was a great time. Below, I share my thoughts on it, take it or leave it and remember that your YMMV:

Our Setup (and why Logistics is King)
We set up near Sky Garden, like a 400m walk away, with myself and 3 of my boys. Were primarily in Bali for the surf (and to get away from the winter). It ended up raining a shit-ton, but they came in short, intense bursts, after which the sun came out again and all was good. We spent the daytime surfing right out front (Kuta break, although I liked Double-6 more, up the road in Legian)

The short walk to nightlife made all the difference in the world. Sky Garden's surrounded by tons of smaller bars and clubs with no entry fees, so you just start your night at those places. Ended most nights at Sky Garden, which has an entry fee for guys (girls are free), but I honestly prefer it this way. Gets the girls in and keeps the riff-raff (mostly) out. I was in Kuta last around 2013 and remember it being filled with local gangsters looking to pickpocket tourists. No mas.

Canggu: The next Kuta
I last visited Canggu in 2013 and holy shit that place is unrecognizable now. It's looking like the next Kuta. We rented out rooms nearby (Easton? Aston? something like that) for 2 nights and hit Old Man's hard. P

We were 4 Asian dudes, so again your YMMV but the only interest we generated here were from FOB Chinese chicks on vacation. 2 of my boys were feeling it so we helped wing for them, but I personally didn't get any play. There seems to be a certain "look" or "style" that Canggu girls go for (some weird mix of grungy long unkempt-hair musician-surfer or 6'5 manbun-wearing, tattooed, steroid-munching, heavy facial haired dudes). And you know all the hate Kuta gets about retarded Ozzies doing dumb shit when drunk? It's switched places with Canggu now.

Every other person (guy or girl) I chatted up here was a digital nomad. I honestly don't know how 90% afford their stay here. I mean, there's only so much business you can get as a "spiritual guru" or personal trainer when literally everyone else is doing the same shit. One of the bar owners we became friends with said that probably half the girls he's fucked here come with no money and bounce from dude to dude for a place to sleep at night (and to pay for their shit). If they have the words "wanderlust", "gypsy", or "mermaid" in their Insta handles, that's how you can spot them lol.

Seminyak: Not as great but still ok
I remember La Favela in 2013. It was tits. Beautiful models everywhere, no dress code, and even when at its busiest, never felt like there wasn't enough space inside.

Well, that's all gone. Security at the door that seem do a bit of face and gender ratio control, with 1 or 2 of them patrolling the premises in body armor and some kind of semi-automatic rifle (bro...why?), long-lines out the door after 11:30 or midnight, strict dress code, and, most importantly, a decline in female quality.

Maybe I'm just being more critical since I remember a time when it was great. But I feel like this place has become a victim of its own success and therefore attracts tons more Indonesian locals and tourists from India and China as well as overly aggressive bodybuilding bros who wear tshirts 2 sizes too small and just go in to stare down other dudes (like WTF? you here to get laid or to stare into other dude's souls?). Great if that's your cup of tea, but I preferred when it was just full of Insta models from Europe, Brazil, and Australia and laid-back surfer dudes.

But anyway, /rant. The key here is to either roll in with a few birds or to come earlier (before 11). Be fun and social and high-energy. Stay away from the obvious hookers (they hold very strong eye contact and may even open you). Don't do that weird shit where you form your own circle on the dance floor. Find some birds you think are cute, smile, walk over and dance with them. Periodically, call all of your boys over for a round of shots and to check in with them, see where they're at with girls.

Summary
5 girls in Kuta
0 in Canggu
2 in Seminyak

Smashed some great waves towards the end of my stay. We were going to hit up Omnia for a Sunday hangover day of relaxation but it rained so we just stayed in. Plus we were hungover, not in the mood to sit in a car for an hour.

PM me if you guys wanna chat Bali. I had to come home for work, but damn I had a great time and can't wait to go back. I'm already organizing for a March visit.

Post: #30

Great report and it indeed goes to show that everyone has their own perspective and experiences. I personally don't see the appeal of Kuta and Sky Garden as I mentioned in this thread, but kudos to you as it seems to have paid off.

There's loads of people living in Bali who are very succesful with online businesses, but even more bullshitters. Canggu has definitely blown up during the past 2-3 years as the next "place to be" for these types of people, and as a result it has unfortunately become infected will all kinds of hipsters and what have you.

Regarding "digital nomads" in Canggu: you are absolutely spot on. 90% of people there identify themselves as such, whatever the hell that means. You don't hear about the other 10%, who happen to be the ones who actually make bank with location independent lifestyles. The reason you don't meet them is because most of them spend their time actually working and living a healthy lifestyle, they don't have time to get shitfaced in the bars every night.

There's been a ton of incidents and violence in and around La Favela in the past couple years and they try whatever they can to bury the news. You'll read about it from time to time in some of the expat Facebook groups. There is a reason they have a guy with a rifle at the front door these days.

Post: #31

(01-20-2019 01:16 AM)GyopoPlayboy Wrote:  

(01-15-2019 09:13 AM)JimBobsCooters Wrote:  Avoid Kuta and Seminyak and you'll avoid the majority so if you do get there and there are just too many to handle (Bali gets our very worst travelers as well, please don't judge the rest of us by that crowd) then get out of those two areas in particular.

It's always interesting to see how wildly experiences can vary regarding a location. That saying "One man's trash is another man's treasure" seems to hold true here. I guess there's a ton of unique circumstances of any particular visit that shapes the overall experience in different ways.

Case in point, I just got home after a 2 week stay in the heart of Kuta (that is supposedly swarming with Ozzie troublemakers) and it was a great time. Below, I share my thoughts on it, take it or leave it and remember that your YMMV:

Our Setup (and why Logistics is King)
We set up near Sky Garden, like a 400m walk away, with myself and 3 of my boys. Were primarily in Bali for the surf (and to get away from the winter). It ended up raining a shit-ton, but they came in short, intense bursts, after which the sun came out again and all was good. We spent the daytime surfing right out front (Kuta break, although I liked Double-6 more, up the road in Legian)

The short walk to nightlife made all the difference in the world. Sky Garden's surrounded by tons of smaller bars and clubs with no entry fees, so you just start your night at those places. Ended most nights at Sky Garden, which has an entry fee for guys (girls are free), but I honestly prefer it this way. Gets the girls in and keeps the riff-raff (mostly) out. I was in Kuta last around 2013 and remember it being filled with local gangsters looking to pickpocket tourists. No mas.

Canggu: The next Kuta
I last visited Canggu in 2013 and holy shit that place is unrecognizable now. It's looking like the next Kuta. We rented out rooms nearby (Easton? Aston? something like that) for 2 nights and hit Old Man's hard. P

We were 4 Asian dudes, so again your YMMV but the only interest we generated here were from FOB Chinese chicks on vacation. 2 of my boys were feeling it so we helped wing for them, but I personally didn't get any play. There seems to be a certain "look" or "style" that Canggu girls go for (some weird mix of grungy long unkempt-hair musician-surfer or 6'5 manbun-wearing, tattooed, steroid-munching, heavy facial haired dudes). And you know all the hate Kuta gets about retarded Ozzies doing dumb shit when drunk? It's switched places with Canggu now.

Every other person (guy or girl) I chatted up here was a digital nomad. I honestly don't know how 90% afford their stay here. I mean, there's only so much business you can get as a "spiritual guru" or personal trainer when literally everyone else is doing the same shit. One of the bar owners we became friends with said that probably half the girls he's fucked here come with no money and bounce from dude to dude for a place to sleep at night (and to pay for their shit). If they have the words "wanderlust", "gypsy", or "mermaid" in their Insta handles, that's how you can spot them lol.

Seminyak: Not as great but still ok
I remember La Favela in 2013. It was tits. Beautiful models everywhere, no dress code, and even when at its busiest, never felt like there wasn't enough space inside.

Well, that's all gone. Security at the door that seem do a bit of face and gender ratio control, with 1 or 2 of them patrolling the premises in body armor and some kind of semi-automatic rifle (bro...why?), long-lines out the door after 11:30 or midnight, strict dress code, and, most importantly, a decline in female quality.

Maybe I'm just being more critical since I remember a time when it was great. But I feel like this place has become a victim of its own success and therefore attracts tons more Indonesian locals and tourists from India and China as well as overly aggressive bodybuilding bros who wear tshirts 2 sizes too small and just go in to stare down other dudes (like WTF? you here to get laid or to stare into other dude's souls?). Great if that's your cup of tea, but I preferred when it was just full of Insta models from Europe, Brazil, and Australia and laid-back surfer dudes.

But anyway, /rant. The key here is to either roll in with a few birds or to come earlier (before 11). Be fun and social and high-energy. Stay away from the obvious hookers (they hold very strong eye contact and may even open you). Don't do that weird shit where you form your own circle on the dance floor. Find some birds you think are cute, smile, walk over and dance with them. Periodically, call all of your boys over for a round of shots and to check in with them, see where they're at with girls.

Summary
5 girls in Kuta
0 in Canggu
2 in Seminyak

Smashed some great waves towards the end of my stay. We were going to hit up Omnia for a Sunday hangover day of relaxation but it rained so we just stayed in. Plus we were hungover, not in the mood to sit in a car for an hour.

PM me if you guys wanna chat Bali. I had to come home for work, but damn I had a great time and can't wait to go back. I'm already organizing for a March visit.

Nice report.

FWIW You probably picked the single best time to avoid Australians. Firstly it's the best beach weather in Australia, why go to Bali and get rained on when the weather and beaches are better at home at this time of the year, it's also basically the period when everyone is getting back to work after the Christmas/New Year break, mostly broke, so most people don't have a trip scheduled at that time. Christmas is also a family time so less groups of guys traveling as too many can't do it because of family gigs.

Could also have just got lucky and had some good crews over there instead of the usual riff raff but I'd say you timed it pretty awesomely more likely. The cost being that it does that flood the streets with rain for an hour a couple of times a day!

Post: #32

(01-20-2019 02:49 AM)Winston Wolfe Wrote:  There's been a ton of incidents and violence in and around La Favela in the past couple years and they try whatever they can to bury the news. You'll read about it from time to time in some of the expat Facebook groups. There is a reason they have a guy with a rifle at the front door these days.

It's gone way downhill, the staff there are so arrogant and condescending. The sooner it shuts down the better.

Post: #33

Not to thread jack, but do brothers have any luck in Bali? After reading this thread it may be a viable option for me this March. How is it out there that time of year and are there many balck dudes that travel regularly there, or should I look at other SEA destinations?

Post: #34

(01-20-2019 01:42 PM)Easygesus Wrote:  Not to thread jack, but do brothers have any luck in Bali? After reading this thread it may be a viable option for me this March. How is it out there that time of year and are there many balck dudes that travel regularly there, or should I look at other SEA destinations?

This is second hand, so your mileage may vary - but a good friend of mine when I was in Australia was a British black guy who said he had a great time in Bali. Aussie girls tend to be quite open to black guys because they're so rare down there, so it being full of Aussies was a positive for him. He played rugby fairly competitively though so was in great shape. He was able to match/compete with the jacked up Aussies guys for size and tick that Aussie girl preference, but had his blackness on top of that as a unique selling point. If you're a skinnier guy being black might get overshadowed by being smaller than the competition.

Post: #35

^ Preciate the feedback. I'd say Im smaller in size but have an athletic build. Funny enough I have wingmen that are also black that fit the digital nomad with a man-bun & live in the gym jacked. Might have all bases covered lol.

Post: #36

I just wrapped up a few days in Seminyak. It was my first time in Bali so can't compare to how things were in the past. Reading through past Bali reports, I came in with low expectations but managed to have a great time. Once you get outside of the congested south, there are a lot of things to explore on the island, good hikes, charming temples and villages, etc. It seemed to be low season in mid january so things were fairly subdued. Stayed next to Potato Head, and would hang out there during the day/evening for really good cocktails. I loved the layout of La Favela, but as others have mentioned the crowd must have gone down hill a bit. Many semi-pros roaming around and looking to hook a drunk tourist kid. Still enough locals and tourists to find something to take home though if your game is tight, the ratios weren't good. I can't imagine what this island is during high-season and would probably avoid it. But at the end of the day, you have slooots from the entire world descending on the island for fun, and would check it out if in the region.

Gili T was the mecca for younger backpackers looking to get fucked up. Not really my scene, but seeing as the competition was a bunch of goofy dudes it's not difficult to hook these girls. It was ridiculous seeing these tiny local islanders macking on masculine 6ft German girls, but seemed to be working out for them. Go on the booze cruise.

For nature and more authentic vibes, Lombok is really good right now. They're struggling for tourists right now after the earthquakes, so don't discount the island and stop by if in the area. Let's pool some Roosh Forum Disaster Funds for help in the recovery

Post: #37

RE. favela
"It's gone way downhill, the staff there are so arrogant and condescending. The sooner it shuts down the better."

YEP. i met the DJ guy and the management a year ago when they came on new. Quite arrogant people, i would imagine their whole staff is also that way.

Post: #38

Ill be in Bali for a month coming up here soon! Any recommendations on daygame spots?

Post: #39

Solid write up GyopoPlayboy

I'll be going to Bali sometime between late February to early March (just before Hari Raya Nyepi) and planning to base in Seminyak.
Mostly hitting the beach and nightlife in Legian/Seminyak/Canggu areas.

Gyopo I would like to hit you up regarding Bali but unfortunately I still can't send PMs.