When you think of Bali, Indonesia’s most popular island, you imagine a tropical paradise home to picturesque sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, dotted with traditional culture and rich history.
It is a very popular choice for young solo travelers, thanks to its vibrant nightlife, hostels and tours available.
However, a British tourist traveling through the Indonesian island has been left with an experience that is not worthy of Instagram.
On social media, he expressed surprise at the “disgusting” beaches, stating that he “didn’t expect” it to be like this.
Travel influencer Anya Roscoe posted a TikTok of the trash-filled area under her handle. @anyaroscoeand has already been seen by more than 400,000 people.
A British tourist traveling through the Indonesian island has had an experience that is not worthy of Instagram
Alongside the footage he filmed, he wrote on the screen: ‘Wow. I didn’t expect Bali to be so unpleasant. These are Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta and Legian.
The video showed beaches littered with rubbish: crisp packets, plastic containers and empty bottles.
The sea also seemed to be a dark, muddy color, a far cry from the bright blue waters the traveler thought she would visit.
Anya added in the caption: “If this is what’s on the surface, imagine what’s at the bottom of the ocean, so depressing.”
However, the video sparked heated debate and people rushed to defend the island.
One user angrily wrote: ‘You’re so fucking shallow. Then go to Ibiza and leave Bali alone, I would gladly live there for the rest of my life.’
A second added: ‘Some white travelers or travelers from Western nations are really something else. You realize that Bali and Indonesia have local people who have their own lives and problems.”
Meanwhile, a third joked: “Umm, first of all, I bet tourists have trashed Bali in the first place.”
The clip showed beaches littered with rubbish: crisp packets, plastic containers and empty bottles.
Anya added in the caption: “If this is what’s on the surface, imagine what’s at the bottom of the ocean, so depressing.”
However, the video sparked heated debate and people rushed to defend the island.
A fourth asked: “Maybe you’ll get out of the capital and visit Bali?”
Canggu, Seminyak and Kuta are on the south side of Bali, with Legian on the west coast, north of Kuta and south of Seminyak; All of them are areas frequented by travelers.
It comes as Bali introduced its new tourist tax last month, meaning foreign tourists must now pay a tax of 150,000 rupees (£7.60) to enter the popular destination, paying upon arrival at Gusti Ngurah Rai airport or port of Benoa.
Some Brits agreed with Anya’s perception of Bali and shared their own “disappointing experiences.”
Someone recalled: ‘My boyfriend and I sunbathed for a whole hour next to the body of a dead, rotting dog in Bali, we were so confused as to why it stunk and why all the stray dogs were coming up and sniffing behind our heads.’ I really cried afterwards.
Another added: “Seminyak was the vilest place I’ve ever been,” and someone else wrote: “Sadly, so was my experience in Bali.” The north was beautiful but I was very surprised by the tourist places.”
Someone else advised: ‘I was really disappointed in that. If you want to help there are some groups that clean the beaches every day!’
One traveler suggested: ‘These areas aren’t very famous beach spots so they obviously won’t be great. Uluwatu is where they love the beaches and they are much prettier.’
However, some Brits agreed with Anya and shared their own “disappointing experiences.”
However, Anya replied, “I will inform you that we will go there soon, but I have seen photos of people there now and, unfortunately, it looks the same.”
Others commented: ‘I think this is the impact of Westernization on Bali’ and ‘The Gili Islands are what Bali is expected to be! They are essential. And Ubud is great!’
Another chimed in: “Sorry but if you do a little research you’ll know Seminyak and Kuta aren’t beautiful, Bali is so beautiful you just have to visit the right places.”
Someone else recalled: ‘Wow, Seminyak wasn’t like this in 2017! This makes me very sad.’
The divisive video comes shortly after another British traveler revealed why she “absolutely hates” Bali and tried to warn people on the side that “people don’t show you”.
Corrin, who posts under the name @corr_98 on TikTok, racked up views for warning her followers about the destination by filming busy roads and littered beaches.
In one video, he said: “Everyone says come to Bali, it’s an amazing place to come, I honestly absolutely hate it, look at this,” while pointing the camera at the chaotic traffic.
He adds: “There’s traffic everywhere, look how busy it is, it’s horrible, you can’t even move, you can’t even cross the street.”
‘You are at a zebra crossing and everyone is still passing by. You are literally about to feel run over – the traffic is unbearable and I have never seen anything like it in my life. Honestly, it has completely changed my perspective.”