Ever been to Bali?

[Baz]

I just found out a good friend from Oz bought a place in Bali.

I'm invited out to stay - the only condition is that I tip the service folks and provide my own food and beverage.

Not sure where it is yet but from the photos it looks amazing...not some little shack...it's a full blown villa with landscaped grounds...very lush....pool of course, etc.

Can I bring my 2 blue girls with me? That would make a difference...

[tweezers74]

My cousin lives in Bali. Moved there from Hawaii. I was thinking of visiting her... Hear it is a beautiful place.

[Baz]

Cool Tweez.....I just looked it up and this place is on the other side of the island from the famous surf breaks like Padang Padang....I'll research more later - gotta get back to my real job now...

[Geary]

I've spent a great deal of time in Bali .. but it has changed so dramatically from our early trips in mid '70s. And unfortunately, Bali has been overrun by Javanese, which has diluted the culture tremendously.

The first time I went to Uluwatu, the four of us paid local kids .50 each to carry our boards the 2-3 miles in, and we had great 5-6' waves to ourselves. Forward 15-20 years: A small surf city has been developed cliffside, with benches, bars, board rental & repair .. not to mention crowds. I can only imagine what it is today. But we have Hawaii friends still living there after all this time, so it's obviously retained some of its charm. Mikala Jones lives there half the time, getting way more uncrowded surf than here in Hawaii.

Forget G-Land surf camp (quick boat hop over to Java). I think there are 3 camps now, putting 100+ into the line-up.

Our friend Star Black wrote "Guide to Bali" in the '70s .. probably still a good book to read before going.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Be aware Kuta Beach is "topless" (or was when I went there). You will NOT see anything you want to see.