There are 6 billion realities on this planet and many thousands of lifestyles. Mine is just one of them, and if I get through till the end, without disrupting anyone else’s, I’ll consider that success. One lifestyle that I’m somewhat ignorant about, but aware of, is the Gay scene. My neighborhood, the Castro District (Seminyak), is the epicenter of Gay Bali. Leonardus Nolly, from Jakarta, give us his tips for a good time in Bali.
Leonardus recommends a strategy similar to most other tourists in Bali, hit the beach during the day, then go out at night. The difference is where he recommends for Gay travellers. According to him, the beach at Petitenget (in front of KuDeTa etc.) is a major Gay cruising area. In my opinion, the whole coastline from Kuta Halfway, up to Petitenget, is a Gay cruising area. Either that, or I’m just lucky / unlucky depending on your point of view. I get comments every time I go for a late after beach walk, its like clockwork.
As regards Leonardus’s comments on Seminyak nightlife, I’d agree, and say that anywhere closer to the beach than Santa Fe, on Jl. Dhyana Pura, can be considered a Gay place. I don’t go out so late, so miss a lot of what goes on, but do remember from 2003, that the floor of Double Six was divided roughly into quarters (straight people, Gay people, hookers, drug dealers).
Bali is a non-threatening, accepting place and I see on a daily basis, older western men out with their ‘new young friend’, nobody giving them any hassle. So if you are a Gay person, you will love Bali. Great weather, culture, art, beaches, food, great spas and plenty of new friends to meet.
