In Reply to: totally agree! posted by trayden on Saturday, 27. March 2010 at 21:24 Bali Time:
From an old fart,Bali was absolute paradise from the first time I stepped it's shores in 1979.Many trips thru the 80's until '91 when i considered never to come back.I discovered Malaysia, and travelled there instead of Bali... I returned to Bali after a 12 year absence in 2003(fares were cheap after the bomb-sadly)
I speak Indo and will always thank the Balinese for teaching me-when you could sit down in a shop/warung/losmen and just stay and talk and enjoy the company for days.Now, because they are used to money, sadly they may chat for a few minutes but then it's 'now what do you want to buy?'I have been back many times since, due solely to the budget carriers,but Malaysia truly has stolen my heart.Phuket? no way! As with other advice here-Ko Samet-oh yes so underdeveloped. Ko Bulon? Yes one of my faves.Thai has so many islands,beaches,experiences to explore, go find them.Lonely Planet is a curse on the travel industy-throw the book away and find your own accommodation.
Seek out your dreams and they will appear.From the 'old fart' x