In Reply to: Gave it a go but posted by Gracep on Thursday, 1. July 2010 at 19:30 Bali Time:
Been to Bali 23 times lastest was April this year and Just came back on Friday from Phuket (only been twice) so here's my take on the two. Please note I am comparing Kuta to Patong.
Bali --- Bali is definatley cheaper in most things however the quality is cheaper too. The restaurants in Kuta CAN be hit and miss and sometimes there is no consistancy. Taxi's easy to use and find. Beach can be really dirty with rubbish and tourists tend to dispose of cigarette butts in the sand (I am a smoker). Beach sellers can be agressive and swamp newbies I have seen this many times. Beer is cheaper but wine and spirits rediculous (apart from the nasty local arak) 2-3 star hotels are cheaper however things tend to not work now and again however if you ask you usually get things fixed.
The culture and ceremonies are displayed daily and the Balinese tend to go about their daily life around the tourists.
Beach chairs and umbrella's are only available at the Legian end of the beach so you are either in full sun or under the shade with the beach sellers if you are around the Kuta area which for newbies can be daunting.
Massages are more relaxing rather than theraputic (spelling) unless you go to a specific reflexology place. However most offer a wide range of services at a cheap price.
Sunset at Kuta is alot nicer and the beach bars tend to stay open until the sun is well set.
All ages do tend to go to Bali however at certain times of the year you do get alot of loud drunk younger crowds, which tend to think they have ownership of Bali. But you just look down at some of the local pubs here in OZ and you will find the same type there too, but they know they can get away with alot more in Bali.
There tends to be more local guys (kuta cowboys) trying to hook up with older female tourists in Bali rather than female prostitutes with males however both are freely available if required.
The nightclubs and bars offer cheap mixed spirits in large Jam Jars which is usually arak based and the headache in the morning is something else. The music in these establishments can be very loud and most people will know the songs that are played. Outside each club you are always offered so called drugs!! "speed" etc etc Dont do drugs at home so wouldnt touch the stuff overseas, could be a problem for the younger less travelled individuals though.
Patong Beach
Alot cleaner and there are beach chairs and umbrella's dotted along the entire beach. The owners of the chairs provide a cup with sand in it to use as an ashtray. Drinks on the beach are available throughout the day. The beach sellers are not pushy and if you are not interersted keep walking and actually say thank you!!
The beach isnt really a surf beach but is interesting as jetskis and parasailing is available all day so there is always something to look at.
There are alot of fast food places however alot of very good places that only sell Thai food which is a nice change as in Bali most restaurants will try and do both. There are large seafood restaurants everywhere however I feel we have some of the best seafood at home so like Jimbaran Bay in Bali we avoid these. Wine and spirits are available cheaper at restaurants and the cocktails are cheaper and far superior in quality and size. Especially at happy hour 5-7pm 2 for the price of one ($4 each).
I personally find the Thai people very business like and that makes them sometimes come across not as friendly as the Balinese, however I have seen for myself on a number of occassions that some of the Balinese do have agenda's and their friendly nature tends to be rewarded with hand outs. I personally have genuine friends in Bali that I have known for 15 odd years and they have never asked for anything from me or pleeded poverty however this does happen to alot to unsuspecting kind hearted people.
The Thai customs and culture isnt as visable or vibrant as the Bali culture and the temples arent as elaborate and ceremonies are seldom seen.
Tuk Tuk's can be a rip off to unsuspecting tourists and metered Taxi's are few and far between we find walking an easier alternative.
One thing that really annoyed us this trip was the amount of English tourists trying to sell time share to other toruists. They should go home and get a real job like the rest of us, they are embarrassing and rude.
The quaity of tailors are far superior to Bali again you are paying more but they tend to get it right and the suits and garments are totally professional.
The hotels are superior as well. When they advertise beach front it is literally beach front. We generally stay in 3 stars and again in comparison to Bali you do pay more BUT everything works, hairdryers are supplied, robes, beach towels, slippers and the aircon works. For around an extra $20 per night we enjoy it. Also the breakfasts at the Hotel are of a high standard with more variety.
Night life in Patong is exciting and is generally situated in one closed off street called Bangla road (there are bars etc outside of this area however most of the action is contained in one area). The are so many young female prostitues in the bars and clubs wanting male company. However as a female It didnt bother me and they didnt tend to try and hook up with the husband much so no drama,s. There are alot of Lady boys who parade the street for photos but like Bali nothing is free and any photos taken etc must be paid for. There are adult only shows down most alleys which are interesting.
I could go on and on and on but to finish if you asked me too choose out of the two I would Bali for the people, landscape and culture however Phuket will be a very close second