Bali

[johnnysneakers]

I am thinking of going there in the next year. Does anyone have any escort advice or info on this paradise? Would appreciate it.

[trilingual]

Johnny --

 

Please be careful. Although Bali, I understand, is more Hindu than Muslim, it's part of a Muslim nation and there have been some very ugly threats recently by student extremist groups, with their members bursting into hotels demanding to see the guest lists and being very scary. Westerners may be at risk. Check the U.S. State Dept. warnings and the equivalent in Canada before you travel to be up-to-date on what's happening there. It may be a good time to go to some other tropical paradise this year far away from the Islamic world. There are beautiful resorts elsewhere in the world where you'll run less danger. The world HAS changed since September 11, and some countries may just not be very safe choices for the time being.

[johnnysneakers]

Actually I am just thinking of going and it would not be for many months, late spring, or next autumn, so the situation would hopefully be clearer by then. I believe most of the problems have been in Jarkata, not Bali, but still thanks for the warning.

 

If others have any info on Bali, please post. Updates would be appreciated, as well as advice on the boys and where to find them.

[Losgatan]

Johnny,

 

I was in Bali a couple of years ago and was very disappointed – especially in comparison to Thailand which I visited on the same trip. The **only** action is at Kuta, a beach area on the southern tip of the island, near the town of Denpasar.

 

The following paragraph from my guidebook is all too accurate:

 

“Kuta is essentially five kilometers of close-packed pubs, chic boutiques, tacky restaurants, juice bars, bookstores, supermarkets, surf shops, tie-dye T-shirt outlets, travel agencies, money-changers, beauty parlors, and blaring cassette shops. You can’t walk 10 meters without someone demanding you buy something. At night, when the sun sets, Kuta Beach Road is an evil-smelling maze of bicycles, motorbikes, pedestrians, and cars plying their way through a smoggy layer of dust with thousands of milling people.”

 

Yes, some of those milling people are hustlers who tend to gather at the open beer bars in the early evening. If you decide to hire one, be very careful with your valuables. Unfortunately, there are no true gay bars (or Thai-style host bars).

 

During December and January the area is overrun by loud, drunk and invariably straight Australian college students who are as rude and pushy as you’ll find anywhere else in the world.

 

To make a long story short, I suggest you avoid Bali – or if you do go, to spend as little time as possible in Kuta.

:'(

[trilingual]

The bad behavior I've heard about has been on Java, not Bali, but there also have been ugly things going on elsewhere in Indonesia, like in the Moluccas, so just be aware. Friends who've been to Bali certainly said it was beautiful, but I think it's pretty low key (in good times) compared to Thailand. I gather there are some magnificent resorts, and if that's what you're looking for you can probably get some great deals! But it's a Muslim country, overall, and it's probably a good idea to be very low-key for the forseeable future, if you do go.

[Guest Verde]

For some fun, Kuta is where you should base yourself. But you don't go to Bali for gay fun. There are no (strictly) gay baths, bars, establishments. If you hang out by the beach late afternoon/evening you are liable to be approached by pimps... for female prostitutes. However, they can also get young boys for you. Over two years ago I had a cute 18 y.o. muslim Indonesian for about $50 for an overnight. Negotiate the price but make it clear that you're not paying any extra amount for the pimp's commission. Bali is I think a little overrated. To me, its beaches are a disappointment, overall it's not quite the exotic destination that it's cracked up to be (not nowadays, maybe 50 years ago yes). Nevertheless, I recommend hiring a car with driver/guide (don't dare drive as roads are treacherous and local drivers reckless, speed maniacs) and do a grand tour of the island. Tons of interesting Hindu temples, gorgeous rice terraces, volcanoes, rain forests, lots of monkeys, beautiful houses.

I hear of sporadic disturbances mostly occurring in Jakarta the capital, but be aware that there are militant muslims in the country. Although Bali is predominantly Hindu, it too could be seriously affected by the current unstable situation.

[adriano46]

Why go all that way for bad beaches, possible cultural problems and perhaps little fun when you can find beautiful Indonesian boys frequenting bath houses in Amsterdam? Seriously, Johnny, I found some hot numbers at THERMOS, all woprking in the hotel industry, and as uninhibited as possible, and cost free as they are not escorts so my "fee" ended up being entry to the sauna, and an orange juice AFTER a very long encounter.

 

I have now begun eyeing the hotel help in Amsterdam more closely, and find especially in some of the upscale chains, some amenable boys ready for anything after hours.

[johnnysneakers]

Adriano:

 

That brings new meaning to the hospitality industry. Do tell, how do you get them to take their pants off?

 

Thanks everyone on the info on Bali. Sounds like more of a hassle than its worth!!!:*

[adriano46]

Johnny,

 

Well in THERMOS, pants (and everything else) are left in the lockers. One guy, who worked then at the Airport Hilton, had only the smallest towel and a nice jade neckless which was not at all effeminate on him (nor was anything else). He was the one who introduced me to some other Indonesians - all very hot, very pliable, and very very hospitable.

 

Now if I can only find out about some of the concierges working in Moscow!!! One would put anyone's gaydar on overdrive with his ice blue eyes, clean, shiny blond hair, broad shoulders, slim waist (all in a beautiful outfit which shows off his "ASSets") and then that beautiful, warm smile.

[Guest JT]

Hi Johnny,

 

I went to Bali about a year ago and stayed there for almost a month. While there were "problems" (like bombing and mass demonstration) in Jakarta, the situation in Bali was completely different. The differences were like night and day! The island was full of tourists and personally I felt very safe.

 

To be honest, I do agree with other posters that Bali is not particularly a destination for "gay actions". While I enjoyed the natural scenic beauties (like volcanoes, sunset at the "snake temple", the tropical rainforest, and a few nice beaches, etc) and the relatively ancient and mysterious culture (seeing many Hindu temples and dances), I did find Bali paled in comparison to Bangkok/Thailand in terms of gay activities.

 

I did make arrangement via emails to meet some guys there but the overall experiences just turned out to be so so. Since I was staying at one of the hotels in Nusa Dua, the hotel security also created a little problem when the "local" boys tried to meet a "foreigner".

 

If you do go to Bali, it's probably the best to fly via Taipei or Singapore (instead of Jarkata) to Denpasar (Bali Airport). Also, try to hire a dirver/guide (the rates were very reasonable when I was there) when you get there. It can save you the headache of trying to drive among cyclists, scooterists and drivers who know no traffic rules! Plus, you can enjoy the scenery while someone else is driving.

 

Have a good trip. Relax and enjoy the hot weather, hospitality, seafood and natural tropical beauty there. ;-)

 

JT

 

(P.S. BTW, watch out for the monkeys! Some of them could be quite vicious. I have personally witnessed a few of them attacking "unexpecting" tourists as well as stealing their glasses, cameras and wallets! And I'm not joking!)

[johnnysneakers]

I have to admit that since I have a zillion airpoints and Starwood Hotel points, I had thought of going here only because of the freebies. For example, hotels under the Starwood plan are absolutely incredibly inexpensive on the points scale. It looks like you can stay there for just 2 or 3K per night, whereas most other wonderful desitinations cost many more thousands of points.

 

But I take all your advice very seriously. I think there are many more interesting parts of the world where I would rather spend my time and money. Plus I want some good MEN, not boys, where I do go.

 

Thanks Gentlemen.

 

JJJ:) :7 ;-) :o