Originally Posted by
RustyC
Well, lessee...have any young kids carry the food while in the Monkey Forest (be sure to bring extra and carry in pockets) and then show 'em "The Wizard of Oz" on DVD that night ("Look, those monkeys can fly!") That'll change their view of monkeys for a good long time
Seriously, though, when I was there you got pestered too much by all the hawkers around Kuta. Ubud was the cheaper, more culturally serious area. Car daytours are often a good idea for surface-hitting things that might otherwise be a logistical challenge to get to, though they do sometimes overdo the visit-the-artisans-and-the-gift-shop thing. Besakih, like Kuta, had too many hawkers and was chaotic (not unlike the scene outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok), but still a must-see.
Many of the problems stem from too many people trying to eke out a living from the tourism, but it's still a beautiful island with great cutlural offerings.
There is a reason for all the hawkers and - people who eke out a living from tourism.
Before tourism the balinese farmed and were self sufficient - what they grew and did not need they traded.
Now the hotels and shopping centres occupy the farm land and they have to earn a living somehow .
Now if we westerners did not want to travel and experience other places - they would still be farming.
So you are a guest in there country - put up with it - or stay home