Just general surfing stuff

[Cranked]

Yes, not a pop at anyone in particular. It’s just so overrun and the infrastructure and “services” cannot support the tourism population. It’s pretty much a giant garbage dump.

I think the whole government is corrupt at every level. They are paid a pittance and are expected to augment their income by what would be considered corrupt practices in most Western countries.

[Cranked]

Oh, and to send a goodly portion of their takings up the chain of command.

[marauding mullet]

Yes, all really good points, Bali does not have the infrastructure to support the current tourist numbers.

But where do the tourist dollars go?

I'm pretty sure the high end market is backed mainly by non-Balinese investors and the benefits go back to Java.

The smaller and cheaper accommodation and facilities (shops, accommodation and services) are run by the Balinese and the profits stay local. So that cheap end of the market benefits the Balinese more effectively than the high end expensive tourists. All the really low end work is carried out by thousands of Javanese who are paid a pittance and live in truly pathetic shacks that they throw together on site.

Some of the biggest infrastructure improvements have been facilitated by UN grants.

So in summary the Balinese get the most benefit from the low end tourists as their money stays local, the high end goes to Java.

Recently there have been noises coming from those in power about changing the demographic of foreign tourists. They are aiming for a more respectful and more upmarket class of tourist. No particular group named but you could probably read Chinese into that. They stay in big resorts and don’t get drunk and ride scooters around

[Cranked]

They've already done that at Nusa Dua. It always looks pretty deserted and booring to me. Nothing as boring and dissfunctional than a bunch of high rise hotels. Might as well stay on the Gold Coast.

[marauding mullet]

Yes it’s horrible and apart from a few jobs in cleaning etc. doesn’t benefit the Balinese at all

[Cranked]

The Chinese tour groups are great. They have common items of clothing so you can identify members of the group, and a couple of leaders with an identifying flag on a long stick that they wave around.

Even family groups dress in the same colour and style, all obviously made by the same tailor.

And often there is a traffic problem as a group of 20 to 30 all using the same transport mode (bike, tuk-tuk, rickshaw, etc) cruise around enmass.

[Pants]

Mao don’t surf

[godsavetheking]

The Chinese tour groups are great. They have common items of clothing so you can identify members of the group, and a couple of leaders with an identifying flag on a long stick that they wave around.

Even family groups dress in the same colour and style, all obviously made by the same tailor.

And often there is a traffic problem as a group of 20 to 30 all using the same transport mode (bike, tuk-tuk, rickshaw, etc) cruise around enmass.

You taking notes beany?

[steve shearer]

[Drailed]

They've already done that at Nusa Dua. It always looks pretty deserted and booring to me. Nothing as boring and dissfunctional than a bunch of high rise hotels. Might as well stay on the Gold Coast.

No underpaid Javanese staff to give you 5* living for $750 a day on the GC Cranked.

[Beanpole]

The Chinese tour groups are great. They have common items of clothing so you can identify members of the group, and a couple of leaders with an identifying flag on a long stick that they wave around.

Even family groups dress in the same colour and style, all obviously made by the same tailor.

And often there is a traffic problem as a group of 20 to 30 all using the same transport mode (bike, tuk-tuk, rickshaw, etc) cruise around enmass.

You taking notes beany?

Yep, todays idiot GST posting is noted. I’ve been to China GST and we have had those same tourists with flags roaming around Bondi for decades.

[purple_pyramids]

An ‘aggressive’ sea otter is snatching surfers’ boards. Experts are puzzled

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 ... california


In recent weeks, Mark Woodward, a photographer who goes by Native Santa Cruz on Twitter and Instagram has been sharing photos and videos of southern sea otters riding on surfboards they’ve commandeered. Authorities are particularly concerned about one sea otter, known as 841, who was involved in multiple incidents and can be seen in a video relentlessly gnawing on a board that the aquatic mammal scared a rider off of....

[Beanpole]

They otter do something about that.

[Hatchnam]

Sea otters are members of the weasel family, therefore gnarly avoid them

[The Mighty Sunbird]

Especially if they want to stand on your board

[Pants]

They otter do something about that.

I’d not otter any thing similar

[alakaboo]

A bloke nearby is selling a 6'4" Nautilus for a decent price, think I'll pick it up and experiment.

At that length it's more of a rocket fish than a minimal which is what I was looking for anyway.

[alakaboo]

They're trying to catch that otter. If it bites someone they'll kill it but if not it'll end up in the aquarium in Monterey.