Molly-Mae Hague’s sister Zoe Rae left Bali after just 48 hours to jet off to Dubai instead. And people have thoughts.
The 28-year-old fitness influencer had travelled to Indonesia with her husband, Danny, to celebrate their first wedding anniversary.
However, in a new YouTube vlog, Zoe revealed that Bali didn’t live up to her ‘high expectations,’ which included ‘beaches, lovely places to eat, gyms, and coffee shops.’
Despite staying in a spacious room at the five-star Radisson Blu hotel, Zoe claimed she had been misled by influencers who only post the ‘luxury side of things.’
She said that Uluwatu, a village on Bali’s southwestern tip, had been recommended as one of the best places to go.
Her reaction was the opposite: ‘If this is one of the better places, I’m not sure what the others are like.’
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Before signing off, Zoe said she’d heavily researched Bali ahead of their trip. And, in a controversial comment, concluded: ‘I think it is just personal preference, and our preference was that this isn’t for us, and we are making the executive decision to go enjoy our anniversary somewhere we know that we love and can relax and can drink the water.’
Those who have spent time in Bali and other parts of Indonesia disagree. It’s a fascinating part of the world with an abundance of culture, food and history to boot.
On YouTube, one viewer described Bali as a ‘real place, with real culture, real problems and real people.’ They said ‘it’s not going to be picture perfect’ like Dubai because it’s ‘not a manufactured concrete jungle made for Instagram and selfies.’
‘It’s a developing country, and to me personally, that’s what makes it so interesting. I’d much rather less glamorous travelling with some real culture. Not sure what you expected,’ they concluded.
Another echoed this sentiment: ‘Bali is a beautiful island, but if you’re used to going to Dubai, then it’s absolutely nothing like that.’
‘There’s so much rich culture if you’re prepared to look for, embrace it, and come out of your comfort zone,’ they continued, adding that the people ‘couldn’t do enough for you.’
Finally, another commenter, who honeymooned in Bali, said they were ‘surprised’ by Zoe’s comments. They shared their experience: ‘We stayed in a villa in the jungle part of Ubud. The people are so friendly and kind, that’s part of the magic. And sadly, influencers can be a big problem for countries like this.’
Metro contacted Zoe about the furore, but she hasn’t responded.
We did manage to speak to Ravindra Singh Shekhawat, Intrepid Travel’s Indonesia General Manager and Bali resident, to get his take on her comments.
He told us: ‘It’s an important reminder that social media can often show the “highlights” or just one side of a destination.’ When in reality, there are multiple ways to experience a country and definitely no one way to see this island.
‘Bali has a lot to offer beyond luxury experiences and its beaches. It’s a very spiritual place with a mix of different traditions and religions. We live by the Balinese concept of “menyama braya” which promotes wisdom through harmony. We love to welcome and share our culture with travellers.’
With that in mind, we’ve done some digging to find five Indonesian experiences that would live up to anyone’s expectations.
Flores
Just an hour’s flight from Bali is Flores, a stunning ‘hidden gem’.
It’s one of Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands, and paradise beaches, natural hot springs, coral reefs, and impeccable surf spots are everywhere. It’s the perfect destination for wildlife lovers, as Flores is home to some of the world’s most beautiful marine life.
Indonesian travel company Adventure Archipelago offer a 12-day trip exploring the best of Flores.
From visiting the remote villages of Bena and the Ngada Tribe, to discovering hidden coves, you’ll also head to a mountain complete with three coloured lakes.
Prices for this once-in-a-lifetime trip start from £1,498 per person. A steal, really, considering the jam-packed itinerary.
Sumatra and Java
Sumatra and Java are Indonesia’s biggest islands, so there’s a lot of tropical ground to cover.
Bamboo Travel, a company that offers private tours of Asia, reveals how you can spend 19 days making the most of both.
Spend time in Medan, Sumatra’s capital, before heading to Bukit Lawang,in the Gunung Leuser National Park. There’s a good chance you’ll spot wild orangutans here.
Java is considered the cultural heart of Indonesia. Whether you hit up the colonial town of Bogor, famed for its botanical gardens, or experience modern Indonesia in the thriving city of Bandung, the island’s surrounding landscape is made up of fertile plains, towering volcanoes, and spectacular beaches.
You can request a quote for this tour, as prices vary depending on which country you arrive from.
Bali
Zoe Rae may have been disappointed with Bali, but in 48 hours, there’s no way she can have explored all it has to offer.
‘At Intrepid, our trips are all about experiencing a destination like a local. We hope that our travellers come away from their holiday having seen more of the country than just hotels and hotspots,’ says Shekhawat.
Bali is famous for its cuisine, which combines fresh ingredients, aromatic spices, and unique cooking methods.
And Shekhawat says that no trip to the island is complete without a guided market tour: ‘Try Kreneng Market in Denpasar, where you can eat like a local and enjoy traditional snacks like bakso soup or jasuke, a sweet, steamed corn dish.’
Intrepid offers a three-hour Bali Heritage Food Tour at this market (£34), where travellers can dig into delicious Indonesian cuisine and try authentic coffee in an old antique coffee shop.
To learn more about the issues Bali faces and to give back to the community, visit a local social enterprise.
Shekhawat says: ‘We support a local NGO Scholar of Sustenance which is focused on reducing food waste and hunger, collecting food from hotels, supermarkets and farms and distributing it to those in need.’
His next recommendation is checking out a traditional Kecak dance performance. It’s not driven by musical instruments, but by human chanting.
And of course, Bali is renowned for its temples. Shekhawat’s favourite is Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. ‘Taking part in a blessing and purification ceremony is a great way to encapsulate the spirituality of Bali.’
Keen to fit all of these experiences into one trip?
Intrepid’s nine-day Beautiful Bali package starts from £537. During this getaway, you’ll explore Undisan by cycling through backstreets, villages and rice fields, and marvelling at intricately carved temples. You’ll also hike to the summit of Mt Batur for a sunrise view.
Other highlights include a night in Sibetan Village – a community-based tourism experience where travellers stay with locals and can explore a traditional village.
Lombok
Seeking turquoise waters, stretches of white sands, and miles of verdant forests? Lombok, an island east of Bali, should be on your bucket list.
As beaches are its main selling point, head to paradise hotspots like Kuta Beach and Tanjung Aan, which boasts unique rock formations and a beautiful bay. Selong Belanak is popular for swimming and surfing, while the famous Pink Beach is a snorkelling haven.
Hikers, climb Mount Rinjani, or visit Tiu Kelep or Sendang Gile, two unique waterfalls. The famous Gili Islands are also a must-see: three tiny islets characterised by sandy beaches, palm trees, and coral reefs led Metro to coin them the Indonesian Maldives.
Want to experience life like a local? Traditional Sasak culture tours start from £29 on Get Your Guide, and feature pottery classes, Sasak weaving, and a window into rural life.
Derawan Islands
If Indonesian island hopping is on the agenda, Borneo’s 31 Derawan Islands are a must-visit. They’re renowned for their diving and snorkelling spots, where respectful travellers can explore diverse marine life and vibrant coral reefs.
Scuba Junkie, a local diving company, offers dive packages which include dreamy bungalow accommodation. A two-day diving course in a twin-share bungalow costs £310. If you’re happy sharing a dorm, it’s a little cheaper at £274.70.
However, to guarantee a proper dive trip to islands such as Maratua and Kakaban, a minimum of four to six days of diving will need to be booked. Four days in a dorm costs £510.
Thrillseekers, make sure to visit Kakaban Lake on the aforementioned Kakaban Island to swim with stingless jellyfish. In the local dialect, Kakaban means ‘hug,’ and refers to the way the island looks as though it’s hugging the lake. The islet is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
On Sangalaki Island, you can watch turtles nest and hatch, while notable beaches include Derawan Beach, Maratua Lagoon and Nabire Beach. This particular gem is known for its breathtaking sunsets. Cocktail, anyone?
So you see, Indonesia is anything but less-than. We know we’ll be adding plenty of these experiences to our bucket lists.
