Is Bali Really The Best Island in The World?

plenty of media fora have done their own surveys and came to a conclusion that bali is the best island in the world, but is it really? to welcome the arrival of 2010, we think it’s the perfect time to find out the truth. not because we don’t believe that it is, but because we love bali so much that we want nothing less than reality

how we do it
The number 100 symbolises perfection. And so does 10. Therefore, we have divided our scoring system into ten categories, where the highest score is (obviously) 10, which then will be added up to measure how close Bali is to reach 100 (read: perfection).

To avoid scoring fallacy, we’ve handpicked our survey respondents. They are people who are knowledgeable about Bali, experts in the fields mentioned as categories. They love this island, but they are also fair. So after a qualitative survey, here is the truth about our beloved island:

1.nature and outdoor activities
We think one of the best proofs of the quality of nature here is the amount of animals you see in your house everyday. Lizards, geckos, dogs, snakes, you name it. On top of that, you can also do almost anything outdoors, from mountain hiking, bird watching, parasailing, surfing to riding a camel. It’s the best place to be for those who want to stop wearing shoes and go barefoot all the time. Score: 10

2.music and nightlife
Underground bars. Check. Live music venues. Check. Cocktail bars with amazing sunset views. Check. Performances by famous international DJs. Check. Gay bars. Check. A road-side haunt with the best martinis on this hemisphere. Check. Other watering holes in which you can get completely smashed. Check. But is Bali’s nightlife scene comparable to that of Ibiza? Has the island been consistently producing successful musicians? Yes, it would have been a very good score if it weren’t for those two reasons. But it’s getting better all the time and we are fully aware of this. Therefore, to encourage even more buzz, we come to a decision on a score: 06

3.food and drink
Most people, especially us here at hellobali, have learned that visiting or moving to Bali equals weight gain. What else do you do when it’s hot outside - but eat? Or is that just us? In terms of quantity, there’s no question whether the island has enough restaurants for all of us to eat out at. But in terms of quality, Bali has not yet earned the world status as the island of fine food. Having said that, the street food scene is something to boast about. Still, we reckon that we need more Mozaics and Kemiris please. Score: 07

4.arts and culture
There is no doubt that Bali is the island of artists and artisans. People also come here not merely for the natural wonders, but for the culture. The Balinese are very proud of their culture and rightfully so. Not many places on Planet Earth posses as much charm. So in terms of culture, our beloved island is perfect. But there is an on-going debate about the quality of the art scene. Critics are yearning more variety, which we are confident that Bali can produce. So, for this reason, the score is a little less than perfect: 09

5.social and dating scene
This category basically means: Is it easy to get a date in Bali? No, the ones where you end up paying the next morning don’t count. Apart from Elizabeth Gilbert [author of “Eat, Pray, Love”], how many people have found the love of their life in Bali? Plenty, of course. Look at the rapidly rising number of the local Balinese residents. But for the others, are there potential dates right left and centre? Tourists come here to honeymoon. So unless they are looking for a third partner to swing with, they don’t count. Score: 05

6.living cost
More and more expensive places have started to grow like mushrooms in Bali. We’ve found that sometimes a full-blown night out in Bali costs more than Jakarta. And taxi fares here are indubitably more expensive. But cost of rent, water and electricity are very good. One of our survey respondents claims that they pay as little as Rp. 500,000 for three months worth of electricity. So just like anywhere else in the world, it depends on your lifestyle. But for the average Joe, their pay check can go a long way. Score: 08

7.education
There are at least ten universities in Bali. But in order to be smarter than a fifth grader, most people tend to leave the island. However, for those who want to learn about the Balinese arts and culture, the venues are plentiful. Score: 06

8.health
Singapore is still the destination for anything medical. Bali, unfortunately, doesn’t compare. But for your spiritual health, the island boasts a lot of yoga studios, classes and the kind. And to be fair, you can even go for a chiropractic therapy here. Still, we need a lot more hospitals with international standards. Pharmacies that sell you almost anything without prescriptions are just not enough. Score: 05

9.accommodations
From a semi-wet bed full of bugs, to a room that costs you US$ 1000 a night, Bali has it all. And it’s getting better all the time. The choices are there, and in abundance too. Score: 10

10.environmental awareness
Yuyun Ismawati, one of Time’s Heroes of the Environment 2009 is based in Bali. And more and more eco-friendly properties are being built. There is also a recent trend to use bamboos instead of concrete to build buildings. And the UN Climate Change Conference was also held in Bali. So the island is indeed moving to the right direction in this department. Score: 06