After hearing about President SBY's offer to receive calls on his cell phone I started thinking how valuable customer feedback is. Some of the businesses I frequent in Bali offer goods and services that change over time and have management that is out to lunch. My reaction is to vote with my feet and go somewhere else. Whether the owners realizes why people leave is another matter.
An example of this is when I go to a place and ask for carrot juice and instead of pure juice get half a glass of juice mixed with water. The customers definitely do notice when things like this happen and might eventually look for somewhere else. Carrying that thought along I would like to hear people's thoughts on where Baliblog is going.
Questions I would like answers to include:
Your opinions are greatly appreciated even if it means cutting me to ribbons. Go for it.
{ 26 comments }
Baliblog good…. Baliwaves sick….
http://www.baliwaves.com
Hi nick!
This site are looking fine to me.
These site making me missing bali so much,but you not attach enough image of bali,the people,the scenery.
the art,beach,ceremonies,hotel review etc…most tourist from west and east knew about it.
if i do want a good hotel im most likely got it
with the packages air fare and accomodation,because most hotel have already made a deal with the travel agents.
so about hotel ,not really my intrest,i prefer to know more about new tourist attraction,new club,money changer rate,how the bali conditon per monthly,example:the rain season,the fruit season,because i belive who ever is reading baliblog have visited bali before,or balinese who is living overseas,and need to know its country origin condition.
That my opinion the rest is up to you to find out.
G’Day Nick,
Here is my input for what it’s worth.
How does the site LOOK to you?
Although I initially I was sceptical of the new layout, it is looking better and much more pleasing to the eye than the old site. The layout and structure with its drop-down menus are a bonus to users.
How does the site FEEL to you?
In this respect it is difficult to interpret your request. But, it is a comfortable and engaging site which constantly, in my opinion, has the user checking out every article. I think its layout has a lot to do with this.
How does the site NAVIGATE in your opinion?
Easily navigated with one exception. When you wish to bring up the previous 10 postings, it seems to take forever to view them.
What content (arts, ceremonies, hotel reviews, tourist attractions, beach, Bali news etc.) do you want more of?
I can only iterate what I have mentioned to you in emails and discussions. With the old site, the longer posts and numerous fotos were fabulous. It was as if, every time you went out into the country, you took us on your journey with you. As I say this is only my opinion, but, it gave the reader a ‘feel’ of being in Bali and being able to see this with your great fotos.
The set-up now with roughly four short posts a day doesn’t seem to give enough information about Bali as in-depth as the old blog did. More cultural articles and in-depth looks at various towns on the island would be good. This would those coming to Bali an idea of where to go etc. I realise you have already done some of this albeit briefly.
What content do you want less of?
Nothing really. I covered my opinion in the above.
What other structural changes would you like to see?
Finding previous posts much easily would be good. By that I mean from last year and perhaps from when you set up the site in the beginning.
What other Bali sites have something Baliblog does not?
I thought BaliBlog was the only site!.
Is Baliblog useful for you if you are planning to come to Bali?
How could we make it more useful?
I think the way you have structured it with the numerous sections, it gives the prospective visitor to Bali an educated understanding of the island and what it has to offer. My main bitch is and will always be that you need longer posts and heaps more fotos!.
Hope this helps mate. C’mon folks let’s give Nick the input he needs!!.
I check the website every few days to get my Bali fix and here’s my thoughts;
How does the site LOOK to you?
The site looks great, very easy to read and appealing to the eye with very little in-your-face adverts.
How does the site FEEL to you?
It feels like a travel blog should, it’s got all the relevant information on hand.
How does the site NAVIGATE in your opinion?
The site is fast and easy to use, the tabs at the top are great.
What content (arts, ceremonies, hotel reviews, tourist attractions, beach, Bali news etc.) do you want more of?
To be honest I want more about your life in Bali, I don’t visit the website to read many details about hotel pricing etc as I can find them all over the net. I enjoy reading about what you get up to each day and love reading about your BBQ’s and conversations with fellow travellers. It makes me look forward to going back to Bali and I do feel that this is a blog and should be mostly about you and your life in Bali.
Is Baliblog useful for you if you are planning to come to Bali?
Definetly!…you have covered all manners of topics and a traveller could learn so much from this site and if they can’t then there’s always the forums or emailing you.
Keep up the good work Nick.
Hi Nick,
I read most of what you [and Barrie] post, but comment only occasionally, which I’m sure is the case with many people.
Like Barrie, I miss the long detailed travel posts, with a succession of BIG photos. I like the inclusion of appropriate maps. We can enjoy the trip vicariously and look forward to making it in reality.
When posting, I realise that the procedure will take a little time and I also realise that my post, for whatever reason, may not appear immediately. Some people presumably don’t realise what is happening and make the same post two or three times.
I find your subject matter suitably varied and interesting.
For audience participation, the Bali Travel Forum gets a huge amount of posts, many very helpful, many very repetitive. [And some censored!] But I’m generally happy with the way you are doing things and I’d like to say “Thank you”.
How does the site LOOK to you?
It looks great. I have no complaints about how it looks. I just miss those almost-daily pictures at the home page.
How does the site FEEL to you?
Well, this is very personal. I feel it’s only directed to some foreigners (from the US and Australia, mainly). We, from other parts of the world, who happen to speak English, can go through it, get informed, etc., but with a very specific perspective that doesn’t really appeal to us. Maybe I’m as wrong as I can be, but that’s my feeling about it, usually, when I read Baliblog. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it. I just think it could be more attention catching for outsiders (other than US nationals or Australians).
How does the site NAVIGATE in your opinion?
I agree with Barrie on this subject. I wish past information could be more handy.
What content (arts, ceremonies, hotel reviews, tourist attractions, beach, Bali news etc.) do you want more of?
Bali news are plenty in Baliblog (Even with Nick’s insides which are great!), ceremonies too (One of my favorite topics). I think that it lacks the art scene. That could be very interesting. I’m not very fond of the party scene, although I assume that’s almost everyone’s focus.
I’d love to see more adventure, more villages, more off the beaten track of Bali. You published some material about it, but have stopped. Maybe the logistics is a problem.
What content do you want less of?
The party scene. That sounds like Cancun (I’d rather stick to the Mayan sites).
What other structural changes would you like to see?
Newer maps, Nick, please! Besides, I’d like to read about travels from Bali to other islands. They’d be just great, even if they’re done by somebody else. I’m quite sure there are travellers in Bali coming from other islands.
What other Bali sites have something Baliblog does not?
I usually go through Indahnesia.com. The forum is quite interesting and helpful. But, like Barrie, I haven’t seen another Bali-only blog.
Is Baliblog useful for you if you are planning to come to Bali?
Yes, but not completely. I need to know more about transportation hints into the island (from Java or Sulawesi, etc.), by land and sea.
How could we make it more useful?
More pictures would help, the way you used to post them.
Nick, please fordon’t tkae me wrong. I didn’t mean to cut you to ribbons. I hope I didn’t.
Nick, I hope my feedback helps.
How does the site LOOK to you?
It looks great. I have no complaints about how it looks. I just miss those almost-daily pictures at the home page.
How does the site FEEL to you?
Well, this is very personal. I feel it’s only directed to some foreigners (from the US and Australia, mainly). We, from other parts of the world, who happen to speak English, can go through it, get informed, etc., but with a very specific perspective that doesn’t really appeal to us. Maybe I’m as wrong as I can be, but that’s my feeling about it, usually, when I read Baliblog. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it. I just think it could be more attention catching for outsiders (other than US nationals or Australians).
How does the site NAVIGATE in your opinion?
I agree with Barrie on this subject. I wish past information could be more handy.
What content (arts, ceremonies, hotel reviews, tourist attractions, beach, Bali news etc.) do you want more of?
Bali news are plenty in Baliblog (Even with Nick’s insides which are great!), ceremonies too (One of my favorite topics).
I think that it lacks the art scene. That could be very interesting. I’m not very fond of the party scene, although I assume that’s almost everyone’s focus. I’d love to see more adventure, more villages, more off the beaten track of Bali. You published some material about it, but have stopped. Maybe the logistics is a problem.
What content do you want less of?
The party scene. That sounds like Cancun (I’d rather stick to the Mayan sites).
What other structural changes would you like to see?
Newer maps, Nick, please! Besides, I’d like to read about travels from Bali to other islands. They’d be just great, even if they’re done by somebody else. I’m quite sure there are travellers in Bali coming from other islands.
What other Bali sites have something Baliblog does not?
I usually go through Indahnesia.com. The forum is quite interesting and helpful. But, like Barrie, I haven’t seen another Bali-only blog.
Is Baliblog useful for you if you are planning to come to Bali?
Yes, but not completely. I need to know more about transportation hints into the island (from Java or Sulawesi, etc.), by land and sea.
How could we make it more useful?
More pictures would help, the way you used to post them. Nick, please don’t take me wrong. I didn’t mean to cut you to ribbons. I’m sure I didn’t.
Thanks everyone who posted so far. This is great!!! I will go thorugh this list again and try to pick things for new articles.
Keep cutting, I love the pain.
Hi Nick,
I discovered this site by accident and quite recently actually. I found it nice and interesting. It also gives the pictures how expatriates are living mostly in Bali. Whenever you write a journey, I have the impression that you are taking me with you experiencing that journey. Good job and keep on doing. For what I need, this site is ok. Some of my comments are already put by Barrie. Sorry if any of my previous comment was inappropriate, I don’t mean to be rude to you, please accept my apologies. Thank’s again for this beautiful site.
Hi Nick,
I think Bali Blog is very useful and always a good read.
About me: I’m a student from Germany, I’ve been to Bali first time this year in march and have really been amazed. I’m going back to Bali in about 4 weeks and cant wait to go. I discoverd your website in April and have been a frequent visitor to Bali Blog since then.
I enjoy reading posts about your expat life on Bali like when you wrote about visa runs, or how you caught Mr Tokek to get him out of your house, or when you rent a car and fixed it with superglue - there are so many funny stories you should write a book with them.
I think your hints and tips on e.g. renting a motorbike are very valuable. Hotel reviews are interesting, too but since I’m kinda on a student budget I cant really go to the all great hotels, so I’ll just stay in a cheap place in Legian. Restaurant tips are great - I have a long list of places to eat now…. I also like Word of the Day, it is very nice to learn some things about Bahasa Indonesia. I’m currently trying to learn some but I guess I’ll just have to try it when I’m over there.
Navigation is good, maybe the message boards could get an own category at the top of the page next to home, bali travel and so on. Maybe you could add the current Rupiah exchange rate to USD, AUD and EUR to your site.
All in all, Bali Blog is the best Bali Site on the Web, updated all the time, always new info and a personal touch.
Have my best wishes for the birth of your child and everything going allright.
Jan
G’Day Nick,
Wow, good response so far!. I would just like to raise one point that Hermann mentioned that the site seemed to be aimed mainly at US and Australians.
I tend to disagree on that fact. A year or so ago, Nick and I did ‘traveller profiles’ whre we interviewed travellers who came into the Internet Outpost. From the percentage I interviewed, 60% had read or heard about Baliblog.
Because English as a language is universal in many respects, there are travellers from all over the world who log-on to Baliblog daily but don’t necessarily comment. Nick is always getting phone calls from Baliblog readers who have just arrived in Bali and want to meet him.
hi Nick…
how’s Ika? when is the d-day? soon ya?
here’s some inputs
How does the site LOOK to you?
It’s ok….the readibility is important, and you have it already
but….graphic design wise you can add more….
may be the design for the header or the button…
add with something more Bali, something ethnic may be?
How does the site FEEL to you?
I can feel the ‘warmth’ of Bali through this blog
How does the site NAVIGATE in your opinion?
easy and helpful
What content (arts, ceremonies, hotel reviews, tourist attractions, beach, Bali news etc.) do you want more of?
1. More about ‘testimonial’ from Balinese, may be the farmer
or local artist, painter….their photo essay with the story
I like about your travel report to other area of Bali, (enough about kuta…hehe) like your trip by motor bike to east bali
or may be ‘guest writer’ from local
2. How about something more ‘audio visual’
like balinese music as background?
or video recorded from one ceremony in bali
3. Places where people can learn about local stuff like kebaya,
wearing traditional clothes,
What content do you want less of?
anything about Kuta dan sekitarnya…hehe
What other structural changes would you like to see?
hmm…nothing
What other Bali sites have something Baliblog does not?
I can’t compare, I never found other
Is Baliblog useful for you if you are planning to come to Bali?
yes….
How could we make it more useful?
create the community, like ‘insider’ in bootsnall
that’s all…
keep rocking!
Ahh, Nick, you are glutton for punishment, tossing out a bone like that. I think you will have a difficult job trying to figure out what everyone “wants.”
I can appreciate that must be a very arduous / time consuming task; researching, compiling and uploading your posts on a daily basis. I’ve been an almost daily visitor since you oppened up shop and certainly am a big fan of your site.
I did notice lately that your posts are more commentary in nature and shorter, and I figured, like Hermann, that it must be a logistical thing coupled with Ika’s progress. You’ll likely find that you will have less time, dealing with a newborn. (OK, I can pretty much gurantee it, unless you have a squad of pembantu / baby sitters lined up)
Anyway, my feedback, for what it’s worth:
* How does the site LOOK to you?
Your photos are too small. (Can you tell this is a photo editor’s point of view?) You have a great eye for clean and uncluttered compositions, a visual skill many people lack and wish for. I think you can use it to great advantage by showing your images off bigger to illustrate your text.
Try dressing up your text with photos 700 pixels wide or 800 pixels, or even bigger. By doing this, you can avoid the thumbnail or hyperlink. Alternatively, you can hyperlink to bigger photos, 900 or even 1000 pixels wide.
I know it must be a pain in Bali, but I think the majority of your readers come from places with DSL or Cable broadband that exceed 1 mega bit, so speed is not an issue
* How does the site FEEL to you?
After around 6 months, I’m still not a fan of the “California blue” template, it’s too modern for Bali. The older pages evoke that Bali charm, ethnicity, architecture, and warmth.
* How does the site NAVIGATE in your opinion?
No complaints.
* What content (arts, ceremonies, hotel reviews, tourist attractions, beach, Bali news etc.) do you want more of?
I miss the minutae illustrations of your daily life. For example, unwrapping a bunkus and showing what’s inside, menus of the last place you dined at, how it was served / presented, interesting bugs / lizards / flora / fauna that you came accross., traffic shots, the new cobblestone streets (how are they holding up?) Are there still so many missing slabs of sidewalk concrete? visits to the doctor / pix of the waiting room / hospital room, Ika’s belly progress, did the toppled papaya tree re-grow?, Ace hardware, what’s in stock there that you won’t find in the west? Where do the banjar guys buy their checkered cloths, Where do locals buy the nice sari’s / lace blouses? Interview local trades, brick workers / rice guys / thatch roof guys / how long they work / what do they do / how do they do it / how much they make.
* What content do you want less of?
You provide a broad and diversified range of topics.
* What other structural changes would you like to see?
I have a tough time following the directions on your stock Bali maps. It’s not that I don’t want to follow it, on the contrary, I do. It’s that many times I can’t find the mentioned place / street / village on your stock map. Maybe if you put a big red ‘X’ on the destination, and smaller ‘x’ on way points, we can follow you as readers.
* What other Bali sites have something Baliblog does not?
Trip reports, just back reports, more specific things like dive reports and photo essays, that appeal only to smaller segments of your readers. I ‘m not suggesting you to cover this, its just that it gives the reader a differing point of view.
* Is Baliblog useful for you if you are planning to come to Bali?
You bet. I print and file stuff and make it a point to check out your findings.
* How could we make it more useful?
Invite readers for article submissions?
Great responces and very much appreciated!
Yenny, Ika is doing well. Feeling the weight now as she is in the last month. Walking and swimming have helped her a lot.
I will try to get more of those road trips for you. Maybe a screaming kid is what I need to motivate me to get out for a weekend!
Chris, thank you for your photo and content tips. You are the man when it comes to photos. (folks when Chris says he packs a big camera, he’s not kidding!)
Hi Nick
Love Bali Blog to get my regular Bali Fix. I agree with a lot of the comments re the photos - used to love the many pics you used. I do enjoy the day to day posts about yours and Ika’s life (bit of voyuerism in all of us)and also the hotel reviews. It is great to get an unbiased view of what a hotel is like, you look on the net and obviously their PR people do a great job but sometimes you can be a bit disappointed when you arrive and find the pool was shot with really wide lense etc.
I also appreciate your take of what is happening over there - but I must say I get really annoyed at people that post an opinion when they are only slaggy you off. Not fair guys - Nick is entitled to his opinion without getting a blasting from some readers. If you don’t agree fine - just don’t make it personal.
Keep up the great work Nick and can’t wait to see the bub photos.
hi nick!
Sorry guys!! did i offended anyone?…
I have been so loyal to baliblog and been reading it daily,but no responsed about my opinon am heart broken ha …ha…ha…
am also did trying to help barrie with his (bahasa indonesia)am just telling the fact,and i dont not like to exaggerate thing.
and i got not good response at all,am native speaker of bahasa indonesia,and got pass my english certificate.in my opinion if you do really wanna teach bahasa you should teach it well,if you do wanna learn,do it well.use correct
verb,sentence,grammars.that all.
now i cant be bother of reading it,bcoz am annoyed i live in melbourne australia,i work in 5 star hotel because i do chat with my guest and am always trying to tell them that am from bali and bali is beautiful nice beach,cheap good food….you should thanks me also ha ha ha.
am often working with overseas student from all over the world etc…indonesia jakarta,korea,japan,china,thailand.and i have friend who is planning to come to bali for her 18th birth day,but how can i tell them,about bali?..because you as good host for bali not even treat me equaly?…huh….you miss out on good buddy nick!
C’mon Rista, Do you want me to hold your hand or what? I think your comments are great and we appreciate them. I hope to meet you when you return to Bali.
G’Day, Barrie,
As I said, it’s a very personal feeling, probably much biased. Quite surely I’m as wrong as I can be.
Nonetheless, I’d be glad to hear about South Americans and their perspective travelling around Indonesia. Or any Latin Americans’activities around Bali, like the By The Sea Store (I heard it’s owned by a Brazilian guy, very talented) or the Tango Club, run by some Argentine guys. Nick mentioned a Brazilian lady the other day + a meeting at the Spanish ladies’home, though.
I’m one of those foreigners who strive to communicate in English (even in “Australian”, didn’t you notice the G’Day greeting?).
More importantly, I do enjoy Bali Blog, and think Nick has done an excellent job so far, + your Indonesian lessons have been very helpful for me.
Thanks, Barrie.
Hi Hermann,
I’ve met a few people from various parts of Central and South America in Bali.
Several years ago I was staying at Vienna Beach hotel in Amed with my wife [who I sadly lost 3 years ago]. A couple from Buenos Aires turned up to stay there and they brought their tango music with them. One night, by arrangement with the management, they took over the restaurant and we had a great night of tango dancing. As Kathy and I were already dancers, they got us up to join in and then just about everyone joined in. One of those great unexpected occasions which seem to happen quite a lot in Bali.
I went back for the first time on my own in August 2003. Whilst I was staying in Candi Dasa, I met a man from South America who used to be married to a South American beaty queen. He was working as a teaching professor in Malaysia.
Another time I was walking on the beach and got talking to a Vietnamese lady whose boyfriend was a Polish Jew and they were living in Melbourne. They introduced me to their best friends at the hotel, a Saudi Arabian man whose wife was from Nicaragua.
We had a great time together at the Shangrila in Candi Dasa when the Polish guy celebrated his birthday.
There are no racial barriers in Bali, are there.
Next time we’re in Bali we’ll check out the Tango Club. I just hope that it’s got a proper wooden floor! My lady friend Emiko and I do a number of tango variations which are popular in Australia. Maybe we’ll upset the Argentinian purists, maybe not. Who knows?
Nothing wrong with the site Nick mate. Just keep doing the same as you have always done and dnt give a shit what people may think of your opinion as after all we are all entitled to our own opinions and after all this is what creates a lively debate as in the case of Schappelle the dope dealer from Oz, oops i mean the girl Schappelle who just happened to have four kilos of wackey baccy in her boogy bag. I can hear people cursing me already, but no seriousley this is what it is all about. I mean Nicko look at all the comments that were received regarding the Schappelle whodunnit.
Yes Nick mate just carry on as usual budd.
hello nick, ive been looking hard at getting the cheapest ticket or package to bali for august, and all the prices differ bigtime, some look very cheap till they add the taxes, but even when i check out the baliblog airline tickets, they seem to be all from the US, i`d rather give baliblog $50 to $100 exta to travel with your team, maybe chris in brisbane can start something from austalia. also i caught up with stevelove25 & lara on the weekend, and we were saying it would be good if the `baliblog“boots`n`all` had a merchandise outlet in bali, i`m not into t-shirts but i would like a polo with your logo on the pocket, plus a hat and a stubbie holder. maybe you could have them on sale at one of your internet places. worth a thought!
hello hermann, although i go to bali to enjoy the balinese and there culture, it`s always nice to also enjoy a bit of other international culture. can you please tell me where i can find the TANGO CLUB. thank you. …scottycol…
To Rex and scottycol:
Thanks your your replies.
Yes, Rex, the world has turned up into a melting pot. I’m glad! I’m myself a product of such melting pot: My father is German, my mother is from Argentina, my wife is Brazilian, and myself was born and raised in Paraguay.
I hope both of you find the so-called Tango Club. Here’s one website where you might get some information: http://www.villa-kresna.com/hotel/bali/news.html . It’s not where I first read about it, but, unfortunately, I don’t seem to find that website any more. The tango thing is located in Seminyak.
I just would advice you to check out with Nick first. I wouldn’t know what it’s all about.
Nice talking to you!
sorry nick, ive just found `baliblog` flights from australia. …scotty…
I have been reading the site for a while. I really enjoy how it helps bring back the memories of my visits.
What I miss are the longer articles about trips. I also liked the ones that were interviews. Since some people want a little more international perspective, why not try to do interviews of travelers there from various nations?
ONe complint is the increasing addition of bahasa indonesian or Balinese in the posts. It is great to have them there, but for lots of us, we need the direct translation too. I know you are prowd of your improving indonesian, but we could get more out of the article, if you translated your off-hand remarks or direct quotes.
Thanks,
Diane
Re TANGO CLUB
Hi Rex, Scotyco and Herman
The Tango club - that’s us!!!!!
come to Seminyak, Jl saridewi 17
it is in the small street behind the Oberoi Hotel.
Better send me an email and I will send you a map.
All info about our Program ( and this is huge in August!)you will find in our website.www.tangobali.com
We will have Argentinean Grand masters coming for workshop and shows. Don’t miss it!!!!!!!
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