Long ago nestled in the heart of the tropics, there was an island shrouded in magic and mystery.
A land of a thousand temples where Gods, Spirits and Mortals coexisted in harmony. Here, life was a celebration, expressed through intricate architecture, hypnotic music, vibrant art and festivals that honoured the unseen. For centuries, it remained untouched by the modern World’s relentless march, earning its reputation as a Paradise.
This enchanting island has grown to become a Paradise for travellers seeking adventure and serenity, but times have changed and no more is it far away from the corruptions of the 21st Century.
Welcome to Bali.
Some people love it, others hate it. We’ve all seen the clickbait shared on social media about traffic and useless tourists riding around drunk on mopeds without helmets. But Bali has evolved. The waves continue to roll in with unmatched frequency and the charm is around every corner.
I’ve just got back from Bali and had an amazing experience. So to ensure you do too, here’s a few things worth knowing before you go.
The Allure
- The Waves: Excuse the average imagery in the lead photo but this beautiful beach and completely empty surf spot is 5km away from Canggu (also a spot where we take our guests)
- The Culture: From the delicately designed temples to traditional dance performances, the island pulsates with a deep cultural heritage – even the standard local houses look like temples.
- The Natural Beauty: Rice paddies, volcanic mountains and of course the aforementioned most amazing waves breaking into scenic beaches
- The Food: Vegans and vegetarians have you ever heard of Nasi Campur or Gadio-Gado? No? Think hearty wholesome meals consisting of tempeh, tofu, sautéed vegetables, spicy sambol, and coconut-based dishes served at all the local spots for less than a Boots discounted sandwich. Meat Eaters do you know what Babi Gulang is? Google it. It is one of the best things you will ever eat. With regards to the ex-pat / tourist influence, it’s hard to describe the amount and the level of the options available. For example I definitely didn’t think I would ever be eating Whipped Butter and Salmon Row on Sourdour for breakfast in Bali.
0.0% Bintang for the win!
The Pitfalls
- Overcrowding: Seminyak and Kuta have been bustling forever and now Canggu is the new kid on the block. Yes it is busy, but the extra tourists, ex-pats and digital nomads means a serious amount of choice of everything and the infrastructure has accommodated the influx.
When we first ran our trips based out of Canggu, the town itself was essentially a strip of a several shops leading to the beach. Now ‘Canggu’ has spread out by about 20 square km and within lies the most amazing food, drinks and shopping experiences you can imagine, as well as practical amenities.
On the trip I ran in 2016 I had to take a guest to a medical centre which was a bit of a faff including a drive to essentially the next town which was quite stressful. Now there’s a medical centre on every corner.
With regards to the traffic jams shown on social media, there are some heavily congested areas but they only really apply to those traveling out of Canggu back towards the airport, not a journey anyone is taking often on a surf trip and even if you do have to go that way, what was a 45 minute journey now takes an hour.
Regarding the waves, I was pleasantly surprised to surf very quiet waves every single day. It’s all about timing the surfs, something we at Ticket to Ride know well.
- Environmental Concerns: The surge in tourism has strained local resources, leading to issues like waste management challenges and beach pollution in certain areas, however from my recent experience the Balinese are doing a great job. Recycling initiatives are everywhere, you don’t get plastic bags anyway and of course plastic straws aren’t a thing.
- Commercialisation: Some would complain that parts of Bali have become commercialised, losing some of their authenticicity and using Canggu as an example this is obviously true. I could tell the classic story about my first trip to Canggu nearly 20 years ago when the place was just the beach and two warungs (local eating spots) overlooking, but the positives of the development outweigh the negatives when it comes to enjoying a surf trip. Also all you have to do to get that slice of peaceful paradise is head 5km in the right direction (mentioned above), then after a surf session in empty waves with hardly anyone around, you get to head back for a non alcoholic beer with your delicious, healthy (and most importantly clean) dinner before hitting the sack in a comfortable air conditioned room. Sounds like a win win to me.
Brand new sticks from £250
Top Tips
- Manage your expectations: Read the above and understand that some parts are busy but go with the flow. The outlet store wouldn’t be selling top branding boardshorts and surfing bikinis for £5 if the people weren’t there to buy them…
- Enjoy the exploration: If your Trip Leader says “hey be ready for 5am as we are going to a different surf spot” go with the flow with this as well. Also soak in the non-surfing related activities on offer
- Mindfully travel: Support locally where you can. Whilst the Australian influenced award-winning coffee shops are appealing, hit up the local warung for your lunch then wash it down with the bougie coffee. And whilst Uber might seem like an easy option to get home from the club, the guy hustling at the taxi stand will appreciate your western buck a lot more.
Like surfing and life, practise balance to get the most out of the experience whilst giving back to the community that relies on you.
For more information on our Bali trips, click here.