New Years craziness in Bali
Trying to get down to Kuta this afternoon was like getting change out of a taxi driver. Even though tourist levels are down, the Balinese have whipped themselves into a state of frenzy. This afternoon it felt like everyone in Bali who owns a motorbike or car, had it on the road. The cops were blocking streets off and it was havoc. The section of Jl. Legian from Melasti down to the nightspots is partially blocked off.
All over downtown the banjar pavillions are having parties for the local teenagers. They are all testing their sound gear and were putting out some really offensive rap music, everyone blissfully unaware of what was being said. Kuta right now is thick with Indonesian tourists from Java. The beach vendors do okay with them, as they like massage and hair braiding. The street vendors hate them as they are wise to pricing.
A windy Kuta beach has poles signiying somethnig happening later, same at Blue Ocean in Legian. I know Dhyana Pura is going to be nuts and am glad I don’t have to drive anywhere. Ika wants to eat some BBQ and watch a movie. I want to go for a drink later which will probably cause trouble, but heck, you only live once.
If you are out partying in Bali and a solo Indonesian comes into the bar with a backpack, step away from him. Otherwise have a great time and try to remember which hotel you are staying at (I couldn’t one time and had to get another room at 2am!).
Selamat Tahun Baru!!!
By Nick | Permalink
Related Posts
- Kuta Beach still beautiful
- Tourism at the beach at Kuta Bali
- Poppies Lane II quiet in Kuta Bali
- Vendors, touts and hawkers in Bali
- Blue Ocean Beach: The expats afternoon hangout in Seminyak Bali
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share               
|
Comments
Hey Nick!!!
I just wanted to say hi - I read your messages on Bali Blog everyday and have found it to be so helpful. I’m actually in Bali at the moment on the month long holiday and this time around I booked all the flights and accommodation myself with help from your site. Your information on accommodation in Kuta was fantastic and spot on. Its great to be able to know what you’re getting rather than be unprepared. I hope you did go out for that drink - you are right - you only live once! I went to Bounty with my Timor boyfriend and his best mate last night and stayed there till 5 this morning - totally buggered but it was awesome to be able to celebrate such a special time with all the locals and the tourists. Anyway - that’s me - I just wanted to say hi! Stay well! Elyse
Bali, oh Bali.. Aku rindu padamu… 
It’s a great news that tourists from Java were flooding Bali. For many reasons, Bali is still ‘the destination’ for Indonesians.
I hope more tourists would come to Bali in 2006!
Salam!
hello nick, i hope its a good sign that the domestic tourists are coming in from java and other places, they must be confident that bali is in for a safe new year 2006 `i hope so too` i thought the domestic tourism might be low, as they usually just come to watch the westerners `going off` and partying hard, ive been thrown out of the aquarius star inn a couple of times cause the javanese have booked the place out for new year. i hope you all have a safe and happy new year in paradise. i`m off to the pub catch ya!