The brochures promoting Bali as a holiday destination paint an idyllic picture of sun-kissed beaches, palm trees, luxury hotels and days of glorious weather, an ideal place to chill.
Sadly, the heavens opened on docking for our cruise ship, and the rain lashed down for most of the day. You could surmise from what comes next as the mumblings from a frustrated traveller.
Think again. Bali has something to offer, undoubtedly, and the Aussies, we were told, love the place, but once was enough for me.
My perception was arrived at via clever marketing and quality photography. That impression of the island was shattered within minutes. Litter stood out in the green areas as our as our tour bus left the port.
Verges were in serious need of TLC and so were some of the statues en route.
Shabby shops were positioned in the shadow of five-star, international hotels. Unsightly telecoms and power wires lined the main road.
We entered one section described a tourism area near a top hotel. The hotel looked good but grubby looking cafes, restaurants and bars vyed for trade. None appealed.
Yes, you can find similar in other parts of the world, but it came as as a shock.
The busy road was packed by scooters – they are everywhere as an inexpensive form of travel – plus trucks and private cars.
Locals say they don’t have road rage in Bali. You cold fool me with the number of car horns blaring as we inched our way ahead at around 10mph. First and second gear at best.
Eventually, we reached our first destination. A much-photographed Uluwatu Hindu Temple. The iconic, 11th-century sea temple is perched on a 70-metre-high cliff in South Kuta with views over the Indian Ocean.
It is one of Bali’s nine directional temples meant to protect the island from evil spirits and it is recommended as a must see.
After the hour-long bus trip a comfort break was called for. Bad idea as the men’s loos were not up to scratch. The ladies was, however.
Warning from guide, watch out for the monkeys. Good shout.They were everywhere and seemed to hunt in packs to shock unprepared tourists.
They homed in on stragglers with mobile phones along with baseball caps and glasses their top targets. The pesky placenta mammals came at you from behind, front-on and overhead, hanging in the trees, ready to pounce.
Luckily, we had a tail-gunner with a catapult and stick, but some still got through and those of a nervous disposition should be particularly wary. Their constant presence were an attraction for some but detracted from the visit for others.
Oh, almost forgot what we came to see. The temple attraction was in desperate need of remedial work. Our guide – call me Indie – tried his best to sell it, but I could not get over the negatives.
We moved on, dodging the showers. Our next stop was GWK, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana cultural park. Impressive, yes, but one could not wonder what it cost. Poverty was on its doorstep.
The GWK is 121-meters-tall of Lord Vishnu riding the mythical bird Garuda. Inaugurated in 2018 and one of the worlds’s tallest statues. You approach between two natural rock formations and cameras clicked under a slate-grey sky, even as the rain re-started. This time they opened every valve to full throttle.
Exit stage left via spotless loos to the sanctuary of our bus. Through misted windows we retraced our steps through more dense traffic.
Of course, we had to visit a local souvenir store. Nothing changes on bus trips. It was ultra-modern and air conditioned and the shelves were stacked with bangles, bracelets fridge magnets and T-shirts to name but a few items. Shop till you drop for some, but get me out of here. Got stacks of them.
Super-slick salesmen exhorted you to purchase for those back home. Their prices could not be beaten, they said. We shopped carefully.
Back to the ship to dry off, have and lunch to reflect. Hours later my mood remained and one figure stood our from what the guide had told us.
He estimated that 80 per cent of the Bali economy is floated on tourism.
Tourists from around the world continue to seek new destinations to explore, and there was real excitement on the ship ahead of the stop over. Many we spoke to post the visit expected more.
We only scratched the surface and cruisers who had bought into different tours, thoroughly enjoyed their day, but some did comment on the environment outwith the big hotels.
One can’t overlook the fact that there areas are in urgent need of care and attention. Yes, I am aware Bali is not alone in this, and tourist destination Edinburgh also has areas in need of TLC, but I can’t rid myself of the disappointment weeks after returning from the Indian Ocean.
