Prices for air tickets Goa – Denpasar Bali by month. Travel to Bali: beaches, places, vacations Which is better: Goa or Kerala
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Goa and Bali are among the most popular Asian resorts today. So what to choose – the sights of Bali or the platinum sand of Goa?
Goa
Goa is undoubtedly the most famous beach resort in Hindustan. But this is not only 40 kilometers of beaches and picturesque forests, but also a rich excursion program: ancient buildings, temples, tea plantations and national rituals.
The main distinguishing feature of Goa is its universal education. Even if you get lost and there are only locals around, you can easily communicate with them in English. Also, not far from Goa is Mumbai, the financial center of India.
A visa to Goa can be easily obtained at the Indian Embassy in Moscow or at the Consulates General in Vladivostok and St. Petersburg.
If you decide to fly to Goa, then plan to do it between the end of September and May. The weather at this time is the best. Be sure to book your hotel in Goa in advance.
Find cheap flights to Goa
Bali
Don't think that Bali is only a beach resort. Beautiful nature reserves, elephant safaris, diving, various excursions - this is an incomplete list of tourist offers that the islands of Bali offer.
You can also, of course, lie on the beach and even order the services of a massage therapist who will knead your tired body for only 10-15 dollars.
Don't forget to visit the bird park in Bali.
Of course, a holiday in Bali costs a little more, but you won’t have any hassle with a visa: it’s issued right at the airport.
Find cheap flights to Bali
Here are a few opinions on where it is better to relax, Goa or Bali
Nikolay: I don't recommend comparing. It’s better to ride there and there!
Inna: The nature in Bali is noticeably more diverse, but GOA is India, it has an indescribable magical atmosphere.
Kozlova: I am for Bali, there is finger-licking fish, excursions, nightlife, in short, there is everything! I recommend going there! 😉
Kolyan: There is no such magic as in Goa! But the truth is, not everyone can experience this. And, if you’re stupidly lying on the beach, then Bali.
Comparison is always a thankless task. Especially when it comes to different tastes. I have long wanted to write an article reviewing the most popular resorts in Asia. From the very beginning I am sure that someone will agree with me, someone will disagree, since there is no arguing about tastes. So, this article is my subjective opinion about the pros and cons of Asian resorts, where thousands of tourists go every year. We compare Goa, Sri Lanka, Bali and Thailand - the whales of tourism that simply have no competitors in Asia. There are also Vietnam and Cambodia, but these countries are still very far from the first four in terms of the flow of tourists. Malaysia is developing various programs in Langkawi, but even given my love for this country, its resort is not yet as popular as its competitors. Let me make a reservation right away that I am comparing typical resorts for these countries: in Thailand these are Krabi and Pattaya, in Bali these are Kuta, Nusa Dua, Seminyak, in Sri Lanka - Bentota and Hikkaduwa, in Goa - resorts on the northern and southern beaches combined . For each criterion, I will give 3 points to the first place, 2 points to the second, 1 to the third and 0 to the last. Go!
1. Beaches. Goa 3, Sri Lanka 2, Thailand 1, Bali 0.
The easiest way to identify an outsider. Bali has the ugliest beaches, and people mainly go to this island to enrich themselves spiritually rather than to bask in the sun. On average, the beaches in Sri Lanka are not bad, but unfortunately, there are waves almost everywhere and swimming is quite difficult. I love the deserted beaches of Bentota and would give it first place, but since I’m giving the score based on average indicators, it must be admitted that other beaches in Sri Lanka are much inferior to Bentota. Thailand has both beautiful beaches and unremarkable beaches. The beaches I visited did not impress me. The advantage is that you can swim everywhere, there are no strong waves. And Goa wins. North Goa has terrible beaches, but what beauty awaits you in the south! My favorite is Cola Beach, a beautiful, spacious and green beach that you will remember for the rest of your life! You can also take a boat to other beautiful beaches in the south. The photo shows Bentota beach, as unfortunately the photos from Cola Beach are of low quality.
2. Food. Thailand 3, Goa 2, Bali 1, Sri Lanka 0.
When it comes to food, the winner is obvious - Thai cuisine is one of the most delicious in the world! I miss nothing else in Thailand as much as the delicious Tom Yum and seafood salads! In Goa, I also liked Indian cuisine, very filling and cheap. But Bali and Sri Lanka are approximately in the same range - nothing remarkable. Since Sri Lankan cuisine is almost completely copied from Indian cuisine and has only a few typical dishes, the item goes to the Indonesian resort. The choice there is more varied. Pictured is the Crab Company seafood restaurant in Aonang, Krabi.
3. Prices. Goa 3, Sri Lanka 2, Thailand 1, Bali 0.
Goa wins in terms of prices. No matter what they say, prices have risen in India, but compared to other countries, it is very cheap there. Due to the cheapness of Goa, other factors suffer (for example, the contingent, which leaves much to be desired), but now we are talking about the pricing policy of the resort. I am also delighted with the prices in Sri Lanka. even in Bentota, which is considered expensive, prices for hotels and restaurants are very decent. For example, I rented a room with a balcony in a beautiful villa for only 14 (!) dollars. Within walking distance from the sea and with breakfast. Despite many reviews about the cheapness of Thailand, in my experience, the average bill in this country has always cost me more than in Sri Lanka or Goa. The most expensive resort is Bali. It is considered more prestigious, it is much more difficult to get here, so the prices are appropriate. If with housing the prices are even lower, but in order to have a delicious lunch by the ocean, the price tag is much higher than that of competitors.
4. Atmosphere. Bali 3, Sri Lanka 2, Thailand 1, Goa 0.
There is no such energy as in Bali anywhere. Text cannot express how you feel when you walk through the rice fields or secluded streets of Ubud. Bali is the most spiritually rich resort. Sri Lanka, in turn, does not have the same magic as Bali, but it has a very cozy and quiet atmosphere, nice people, peace and quiet. You will never remember your holiday in Sri Lanka with stress or negativity. Thailand is unique. There are a lot of drunk and ill-mannered tourists here, which often ruins your stay in this beautiful country. In Goa, the contingent is even worse, so it’s very difficult to somehow get into the atmosphere of this resort (I don’t mean India as a whole, we’re talking only about the resort).
5. People. Sri Lanka 3, Bali 2, Thailand 0, Goa 0.
People are the main component of a country. Even when going on vacation, we are constantly in contact with local residents, and often their behavior shapes our opinion about local resorts. The most wonderful people in Sri Lanka. They are well-mannered, do not try to deceive you, are sincere and unspoiled. In Bali, unfortunately, the situation has already deteriorated, as many Indonesians from other islands rushed to look for a “gold mine”. But not yet to the same extent as in Thailand. Thais and Indians, in my opinion, are the most unpleasant. Deception will await you at every step, everyone will strive to cheat you, and you will be of interest to the locals solely as a “money bag”. I don’t give any points to either side, because they simply don’t deserve it.
6. Attractions. Thailand 3, Bali 3, Sri Lanka 1, Goa 0.
Thailand and Bali have no equal in terms of attractions. It is useless to argue where there are more of them - they are all around. Thailand, in my opinion, is one of the richest countries in the world in culture and history. Sri Lanka does not have such a huge number of attractions as its competitors, but nevertheless there is something to see there: Sigiriya, Dambulla, Galle Fort and much more. But Goa, as a state, has the lowest number of historical beauties. Basically, you need to take one-day or two-day tours and travel out of state to see something meaningful. Moreover, such tours are very expensive, which should be taken into account when planning a trip to Goa.
7. Entertainment and infrastructure. Thailand 3, Goa 2, Bali 1, Sri Lanka 0.
Thailand has no equal in terms of entertainment and its quantity; it is not for nothing that this country is constantly among the leaders in world tourism. It's fun here, and everyone will find something to do for every taste and budget. Goa and Bali are in the middle. Sri Lanka surprised me a little in a bad way, with all my love for this country. In the most expensive resort, Bentota, there is not a single restaurant with a sea view, except for the unfortunate Loft bar. On the one hand, it’s great that the beaches are not cluttered, but on the other hand, since there is a Loft, it means others could build them too? Moreover, there are only a few of these restaurants in the entire resort. Very few hotels. There are also few discos in Sri Lanka, and in the evenings it can get quite boring. This is not Thailand! I can’t resist putting a cow on the beach. I don’t go to discos, and for me personally, watching the cows that accompany you on the beaches is also entertainment!
8. Cleanliness. Sri Lanka 3, Bali 1, Thailand 1, Goa 0.
For many of us, cleanliness is an important factor when choosing a travel destination. How clean are the beaches and free of trash? Is it pleasant to walk along the streets of resorts? If you are a pedant in this matter, Sri Lanka is for you. Buddhism here played a role in contrast to Thailand, and Sri Lankans do not litter, and the beaches and streets of resorts are clean. You leave the hotel early in the morning, walk through the villages - and the locals sweep up the trash. A peek and maximum points from me to Sri Lanka. But the other three resorts, I apologize for the expression ass**t. Especially Goa, where the streets are just full of garbage dumps.
9. Security. Sri Lanka 3, Bali 2, Thailand 1, Goa 0.
Security in Asia is approximately the same - robberies are extremely rare, pickpockets are more likely to snatch your wallet if you are careless. But there are some points I want to highlight. The worst thing in Goa. Stray dogs walking in packs. Naturally, if you have stayed in luxury hotels in south Goa, then you are not familiar with them. But we judge resorts by the overall picture. And then there’s just trouble. It is simply impossible to leave the hotel early in the morning, as there is a chance of being bitten. Dogs also love to run after bikes, which causes a lot of unpleasant sensations. Thailand also has a problem with stray dogs. There are also a million wires hanging on the streets that, God forbid, fall on your head. Horrible traffic, Thailand is the first country in the world in terms of the number of people on the road. Bali is inferior to Sri Lanka due to the presence of the street mafia, which can simply break your car if you drive an Uber to places where they control them. Sri Lanka is the most peaceful place. Although this indicator is very relative. Compared to Africa and Latin America, all four countries are safe.
10. Personal factor. Sri Lanka 3, Bali 2, Goa 1, Thailand 0.
The next factor is my personal perception of the resorts. The last thing I would like to do is go back to Thailand. I visited three times and each time the trip was associated with unpleasant episodes. The most repulsive thing is the disgusting local people (I don’t speak for everyone, but mostly) and the huge number of drunk and ill-mannered Russian tourists who occupied this country. Goa is also a place with its own nuances. If you close your eyes to the garbage, the contingent, then it is a very interesting option to return to. You can fly to Bali countless times and discover this island in a new way each time. Bali is amazing! But my winner is Sri Lanka. Kind and sincere people, low prices, convenient flights and electronic visas, the beautiful beaches of Bentota and many other factors are the reason why Sri Lanka came first for me personally. I loved this country with all my heart.
Total score (without 10 criteria). Sri Lanka 16, Thailand 14, Bali 13, Goa 10.
I often write that you should never trust what you read on the Internet and you should always go to different cities and countries to form your own opinion about a particular place. Every review is subjective. For example, I can't find anything good in Berlin or Munich, but I love Brno and Marseille. Strange, isn't it? This is what happened with this rating. I tried to be objective, but in the end it turned out that Sri Lanka won in terms of the total number of points, which completely coincided with my opinion regarding the best resort. Although on the other hand, I don’t like Thailand, and it took second place in the ranking. What is your favorite resort? Do you agree with my opinion, or do you have your own favorite? Write to the comments, let's discuss!
They are very similar, but at the same time have many differences. Indonesia and India have different climatic features, so the duration of the rainy season, the amount of precipitation, air and sea temperatures are not the same at certain times. In addition to weather conditions, resorts differ in attractions, beach infrastructure, entertainment and documents required to enter the country. Let's look at a comparison between Bali and Goa based on key parameters.
Flight
The price of a one-way ticket from Moscow to Goa is from 17 thousand rubles for a flight with two transfers from Ataturk and Indira Gandhi to Dabolim. There are flights with one transfer to Indira Gandhi for 20 thousand rubles. Also, there are flights through Mumbai for 20-22 thousand rubles. Round-trip tickets cost from 38 thousand rubles.
One way costs from 20 thousand rubles with one transfer in Changi, with two transfers in Changi and Kuala Lumpur 24.5 thousand rubles, with three transfers through Changi and Kuala Lumpur, Soekarno-Hatta - 26 thousand rubles. Round-trip tickets cost from 44 thousand rubles.
Departures are carried out from Moscow. There are also flights to St. Petersburg. The flight duration without transfers to Goa is 6.5 hours, to Bali – 10 hours.
To travel to Goa you need a visa. You can apply for it at the Indian Embassy in Moscow, or contact the Indian Consulates General in St. Petersburg and Vladivostok or a visa center. With a tourist visa you can stay in the country from 30 to 90 days. The consular fee is 1600 rubles.
Upon arrival in Ngurah Rai, the tourist is issued a visa called Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) or “visa on arrival”. It costs $35 and you can get it right at the airport. According to it, you can stay in the country for 30 days and, if necessary, extend it for the same period.
Accommodation prices
Goa has long been a favorite destination for budget tourists. But the hotel business is very well developed here. In Goa there are decent apartments for 20 USD, a room in a guesthouse for 7 USD, and a villa for 30-50 USD. Housing prices depend on the area. The cheapest are in Arambol, Calangute, Varkala and Kovalam. More expensive in Vagator, Cavelossim, Ashvem, Baga. If the hotel has access to the sea, then the room rate can cost from 25-80 USD per day. You can rent accommodation on Agoda or Booking.com.
The cost of apartments depends on the area, rental period, distance from the beach. The most expensive housing in Sanur, Nusa Dua and Seminyak starts from 70 USD for a villa, 50 USD for a room and 24 USD for a guesthouse room. It is cheaper to rent a villa in Kuta, Ubud, Jimbaran for 45-60 USD per day. When renting for a month it comes out to approximately 450-600 USD. Hotel rooms from 40 USD.
Climate
This is due to the climatic characteristics of the island. From December to April there is a rainy season, and from May to November there is dry weather. The average water temperature is + 28.8 °C, air temperature during the day + 29.4 °C, at night + 26.7 °C. The sunniest months are September-November.
It's much hotter in Goa. The average air temperature during the day is +33.2°C, at night +28.4°C, sea temperature +29.7°C. The warmest months are January-March. Summer is the rainy season in Goa, so from June to August there is rainfall almost every day.
Goa's beaches are great for swimming. All of them are equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas, there are coastal restaurants, and the entrance to the sea is gentle. There are white sand beaches and steep coastlines for active entertainment. The water is clean, warm, emerald-aquamarine in color.
From Goa and Phuket. There is a rocky coastline, black volcanic sand beaches and snow-white bays for swimming. Bali is a popular resort among divers and surfers. The most popular beaches on the island are in Sanur, Nusa Dua and Bukit. There is a good entrance to the sea, so you can swim even with children.
Transport
Renting a scooter in Goa costs from 4 USD, a motorcycle 8-20 USD per day. For a month 100-150 USD. Gasoline costs 1 USD liter. Bus fare is about 4 USD, taxi 6-12 USD.
It will cost 8 USD, and a motorcycle 12 USD per day. You will have to pay up to 200 USD per month. Gasoline 8 USD liter. Public transport costs from 2 USD, taxi from 4 USD.
Attractions
Goa is the cultural center of India. The state has many natural and architectural attractions, museums, cathedrals and temples.
There are many religious sanctuaries concentrated here, but it attracts more tourists thanks to the rice terraces, waterfalls, beaches and mysterious places that are abundant here.
Each city has its own merits, so which resort to choose for your trip depends solely on personal preferences.
When going to Asia, many are faced with a choice: Goa or Thailand? The choice is subjective and depends on many parameters. Where it is better to decide only on personal experience, taking into account your preferences. Even within the Goan coast there is a division between the prim south and the party north. Therefore, it is very difficult to compare the former Portuguese colony with other countries and even other states in India. Moreover, determine the advantages and disadvantages of a holiday in Goa or Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Bali or Thailand.
Where to go if not to Goa?
If you have never been to the countries of Southeast Asia, but have flown to Goa, then all roads are open to you. Different cultures, mentality, nature and national color are worth seeing with your own eyes. Other countries are perceived well after visiting India. On the contrary, it is more difficult. Therefore, it is much better to go to Goa or Sri Lanka, or, for example, to the islands in the Caribbean, after traveling to India.
Which is better: Goa or Vietnam
When choosing Goa or Vietnam, take into account, with almost the same climate:
- The Vietnamese are very clean, unlike the Indians. If you prefer service and pay special attention to hygiene, then Goans are seriously losing out, even in five-star hotels.
- Next to Vietnam are Cambodia and Laos, which can be reached on a tour by land or water. The rest of the states of India are accessible from Goa.
- Vietnam attracts tourists from China; Goa is dominated by Russians and Europeans.
Vietnam and the most European state of India are approximately in the same price category; there is a choice of quiet beach idleness and active parties with visits to all the attractions.
Which is better: Goa or Thailand
The question, Goa or Thailand, has long become rhetorical. Each direction has its fans. Moreover, you can relax in different ways inside Thailand. Phuket is different from Pattaya. And Bangkok is from Koh Samui.
It’s good to weigh whether Thai or Goa is based on the following starting points:
- In Thailand (with the exception of Pattaya), clear water and snow-white coastline await you. There is an unpleasant bonus - poisonous jellyfish. In Goa they are dangerous, but not fatal, and the water is cloudy and the sand is anything but white.
- On average, the western coast of Hindustan has a drier climate during the tourist season. There is high humidity in Thailand at this time.
- Hotels and infrastructure in Goa or Thailand simply cannot be compared. In India it is dirtier, the level of service is an order of magnitude lower, and the concept of comfort is very different from what is generally accepted in the world.
- Thailand has more variety of food and more fruits. For Goans, it all comes down to rice, vegetables and seafood, heavily seasoned with spices.
In general, Thailand is more expensive and more comfortable for package tourism, but there is not such an unforgettable atmosphere of freedom and relaxed shanti as the Goans have. In addition, Indians, despite the natural desire to make money from tourists, are distinguished by their friendliness, sincerity and spontaneity.
Phuket
Absolutely different, incomparable resorts. It is useless to compare Goa or Phuket. Phuket is urbanized and modern, Goa is provincial.
The paradise landscapes of Tai are a real “bounty” from the tourist avenues. No animals. Infrastructure at European level. True, the prices are several times higher. But alcohol and fresh drinks in Phuket cost the same.
Pattaya
If a trip to Phuket will cost several times more, then when choosing between Goa or Pattaya, cost cannot be used as the main criterion. It is higher than in India, but not critical. The flight is certainly more expensive and takes about 10 hours on a direct flight.
Pattaya is a completely tourist city in Thailand. The sea is muddy, but not far from the coast there is a whole scattering of islands. A real paradise for diving and beach holidays, the waves are clear and soft. Serious infrastructure, huge selection of hotels. Private housing for rent is more difficult to find.
Which is better: Goa or Sri Lanka
The island state of Sri Lanka is located in the south of Hindustan. The culture and attitude to life of local residents is different. When deciding between Goa or Sri Lanka, Russians choose the islands: you don’t need a visa here if you fly for up to a month.
Otherwise, Sri Lanka is much calmer than the Goan coast. There is no nightlife. Alcohol is hard to come by. The climate is humid, and as a result the nature is more picturesque. Beautiful, clean beaches, narrow coastline, rocky bottom and good waves. The hotels have excellent service and 100% hygiene.
Prices in Sri Lanka are on average twice as high. The infrastructure is designed for respectable Europeans.
Goans are good-natured and cheerful; in Sri Lanka, communication with local residents is more difficult. The predominance of Islam is taking its toll.
Which is better: Goa or Bali
In Bali, tourism is financed at the government level. The infrastructure provides elite service and that says it all. Goa or Bali, the choice is yours, but the holiday will cost more. The beauty of man-made beaches, the riot of tropical bushes on the coast and coral reefs nearby. The clear sea attracts divers. Surfing and, of course, beach holidays are available.
Which is better: Goa or Kerala
India's rich cultural heritage attracts tourists not only to Goa. Other states cannot boast of such a flow, however, vacationers are gradually exploring their expanses. The Goa or Kerala question is incorrect. States are very different from each other.
In Kerala, tourism is just getting started. One of the most densely populated states creates its own special atmosphere. If Goa can be called the most European state of India, then in Kerala you will touch and feel the authentic culture of the peninsula.
The sea is characterized by strong waves. The beaches are rocky, high, uneven. The length of the coast is 0.5 thousand km. The climate is humid. The relief is richer: waterfalls, rivers, rocks facing the sea. Kerala is one of the top ten paradises on the planet, according to Traveler Magazine.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the Ayurveda centers, which are famous far beyond the borders of the state, and the acceptable level of cleanliness.
Prices are on average lower than in Goa. There is little entertainment, for example, in Varkala they can only be found on the Cliff, a tourist promenade.
The population's morals are stricter than in Goa. There are many Muslims and a very small flow of vacationers. Ecotourism is well developed. The sights and interesting architectural eclecticism of different styles and eras attract attention. Huge historical heritage.
Which is better: Dominican Republic or Goa
If you can compare the countries of Southeast Asia and ask the question, Goa or Sri Lanka, it is logical at least in terms of the geographical proximity of these regions, then flying to the Caribbean islands, firstly, costs more, and secondly, it is a completely different culture, service, nature and climate.
The Dominican Republic, which our tourists are interested in after Goan Shanti, is located many times further than Hindustan. This is the main reason why they are practically not there: a tiring flight discourages you from flying to a resort for several days. But Americans vacation in the Dominican Republic.
In the Dominican Republic you will find clean beaches, clear seas, impeccable service and well-developed infrastructure. Suitable for relaxing beach tourism. Excursions and entertainment are not very diverse.
Thailand, India, Vietnam or Sri Lanka attract not only with their tropical climate and the opportunity to soak up the warm sand. These countries have a rich cultural heritage, huge ecotourism opportunities and a real mecca for extreme gourmets. Every tourist resort finds its admirers. Deciding on the best place to fly is very difficult.
After a six-month winter in Russia, I decided not to return immediately to Russia, but to travel further, choosing , because I had long wanted to visit there!
Bali: pros and cons. Comparison of Goa and Bali
I flew from India with transfers through my favorite one (a post about this a little later), just like last time, I walked there from morning to evening, returning to the hotel only to sleep, there were a lot of impressions :) Having arrived on , I decided to first stop for a few days Ubud, since I didn’t have much time to study information about Bali, and I only knew 2 places here: this Kuta and Ubud, Kuta, I dismissed immediately, because according to reviews, this is local Sochi, and therefore the choice fell on Ubud. After India, Ubud seemed almost like a fairy tale, everything is very nice and beautiful, there are temples, flowers on every corner, clean streets, beautiful restaurants, green, clean, in general I liked everything, and everything is good there, but there is no sea in Ubud...
Rice fields:
(I don’t drive a bike, I just sit :))
Monkey Forest in Ubud:
The dragon's fang turned out to be strong)
Features of Bali beaches:
It was the absence of the sea in Ubud that forced me to go further along the coast, to look for the place where I would like to stay for at least the next month near the sea, because, as my numerous practice has shown, I can’t live without it for a long time :) . After living a couple more days in the area of Canggu Beach, and also having gone on reconnaissance to Kuta, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua and other environs of southern Bali, I chose Jimbaran for myself (the name is not very good, but the place is okay :)), precisely because it is the only a place where you can swim normally: go in calmly, lie on the back, etc. Having booked a hotel for the next couple of days to independently search for accommodation on the spot, I was upset that there were only hotels near this very coast, and nothing like what you can find for a long deployment in GOA (a full-fledged apartment with a kitchen, refrigerator or something... it’s like) it’s simply not there. At most, tiny rooms, most often without even a refrigerator, not to mention a kitchen, rented out by our compatriots for some money unimaginable for such housing.
Jimbaran Beach:
By sunset quite a lot of people gather, mostly locals and Chinese:
By the way, why is cuisine so important to me: food in Asia is most often not at all what you would like to eat every day, and most often it is very overcooked and oily, you can, of course, even find salads here and there, but soups are definitely a problem - they are here even if it exists somewhere, it’s very spicy. Yes, and going to cafes every day while living here permanently is at least not advisable, although in Goa I somehow never even thought about it) But I must cancel that the food here is very tasty almost everywhere, a lot of seafood, various tasty fish, simply a paradise for seafood lovers. You can have a very good meal for $5-10 (per person). Fish restaurants are most often located on the shore, where you can have dinner while admiring the sunset:
But most of all in Bali, of course, what upset me was that there’s simply no place here without a bike (everywhere in Asia, of course, it’s better with one, but for example in Goa, I easily managed without it for half a year), and here: a good beach - in one place , take a walk - in another, good housing suitable for a long life - in a third (somewhere very far from both the walk and the beach:) and most often without shops nearby). And in general, by and large, a non-biker and non-surfer, as for me, has nothing to do in Bali at all) You certainly don’t need to go to Bali to “shop”…. Although I haven’t been to the north of the island yet, they say there are good beaches there (and the Gili Islands are nearby), when I visit, I’ll definitely tell you about them) Speaking of the bike, I’m already tired of hearing from everyone here that you can’t go anywhere without a bike, get on, study etc. I already studied in Goa, that was enough for me for now... On the second day I fell, I don’t want anything else yet, especially since the traffic here is much denser than in Goa. Let those who do it well go, otherwise, as in the proverb: “You are not a fool, but another is a fool,” I will be that other fool, do you need it? :) Maybe, of course, I will mature again next season in Goa I'll try it once, but I definitely don't want to here)
By the way, in continuation of the conversation about food, you can buy, for example, vegetables for a salad only in large retail supermarkets, to which you also need to go, as you already guessed on a bike :) With fruits it’s a little easier, they are sold in tents on the street, but you need to look for them too, this is not Goa, where you went out and immediately got fruit in one tent< и овощи… я например, возле себя пока так и не нашла
Kuta Beach in Bali
In general, in the end, I moved for some time to Kuta - the very epicenter of events and nightlife, in order to see enough of it all and with peace of mind go somewhere far away to relax)) (apparently to the north of the island, and then to the Gili Islands ), and I submitted documents for a visa extension, and now I’m tied to Kuta for a few more days
Kuta ala local: noisy, crowded, on every corner they shout: massage, onion samphing and other remarks in not very correct English) bikes, cars and people somehow manage to separate on a road 2-3 meters wide and stuff like that
To the beach in Kute I went only once, and then as an excursion, and that was enough for me) I went there with the goal of having lunch, lying on a sun lounger, sunbathing and swimming (swimming, of course, was in question, since I had already heard a lot about the sea in Kuta). But bad luck, there was not a single cafe on the beach where you can eat, there were only drinks, tents with umbrellas and boxes, and people hiding from the heat in the shade of trees:
locals sleep in the shade of trees right on the beach
I had to go eat outside the beach area and return there by sunset:
As you understand, the sunset didn’t particularly impress me either :) (although if it weren’t for the atmosphere on the beach, it probably would have been completely fine :) and so: dirty, crowds of people, fortunately the beach is quite wide and these crowds somehow scatter throughout it. There is no talk of any unity with nature and relaxation at all. In Goa, too, a lot of people gather for sunset (in Arambol, for example), but there is a completely different atmosphere, although in any case I prefer deserted beaches
I finally decided to swim, since the waves seemed to be relatively not too big and many were floundering in them. Having made our way through the main stream of waves, to where it was a little deeper, it was still not possible to swim normally, since there were surfers rushing past every minute, who, no matter how they looked, would not blow their heads off, the waves still rolled very hard and you can overcome them It was only possible to dive under them, and to put it mildly, the water left much to be desired, when I got out of there I found sand everywhere, even in my ears :)
At night, Kuta is in full swing) There are clubs on almost every corner, in Kuta itself there is most often pop music and complete trash everywhere) At 5 in the morning it’s already terrible, the local male population, which is quite decent and kind during the day, turns into very indecently behaving local rednecks , it’s better to wear longer skirts! In general, I liked the clubs in Semenyak better (a neighboring more prestigious settlement near Kuta, ala local Morjim :)))
In general, I really liked the Balinese people (except, of course, for those 5 am in Kuta:) Of all the Asian countries I have visited, they are perhaps the kindest and most welcoming, although, like everywhere else in tourist places, things have deteriorated a little in some places. They are somewhat similar to the Thais, and in general they reminded me a lot of Thai.
To sum it up: I'm a little disappointed > Bali, and I sincerely don’t understand its praise, hype and such a huge number of positive reviews, to be honest) But how to live here for a long time and what to do is not very clear to me at all (not driving a bike or surfing), and it seems like after Goa I’m certainly glad there was such a civilization, beauty and cleanliness, decent shops (in which in fact you can’t really buy anything :), but having delved deeper into the essence of the matter, I realized that even though Goa has dirt, cows and annoying Indians, but for a long deployment there the most suitable place in all respects.
And if you really look at all this globally, you understand very well that everything has its pros and cons, for example, you can taste delicious cappuccino and berry cakes (you can’t imagine how happy I was with them, after a six-month break :), which simply don’t exist in Goa, but there is something else, well, etc.)
Will I ever find that place where there is everything, or at least the maximum of what I would like to have;))
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