Influencers Clash Over Bali: Zoe's Review Sparks Debate on Digital Nomad Life

Molly Mae Hague’s sister Zoe Rae came under fire for leaving Bali just 48 hours after she arrived because it ‘did not live up to expectations set by other influencers’.

After sharing her honest review in a YouTube video, Zoe’s followers claimed they were ‘surprised’ by her reaction because the country is a developing area of the world where many live in poverty.

While the five star resorts – like the Radisson Blu Utuwata where Zoe stayed – portray exclusive luxury, a lot of the country does not match up to the flawless social media aesthetic projected by influencers online.

Many poked fun at Zoe, 28, for not realising this was the case after she complained that she and her husband Danny had ‘missed the mark’ when they decided to celebrate their anniversary in Bali.

However, others have agreed with the former army medic and said that they were also shocked by the reality of the country – which they described as ‘dirty and smelly’ – in their own scathing reviews.

After a look at the opinions on TikTok, influencers are at odds over their Bali experience, with contrasting reviews both raving over the area and slating the country as a ‘terrible’ holiday destination.

Molly Mae Hague ‘s sister Zoe Rae came under fire for leaving Bali just 48 hours after she arrived because it ‘did not live up to expectations set by other influencers’

While the five star resorts – like the Radisson Blu Utuwata (pictured) where Zoe stayed – portray exclusive luxury, a lot of the country does not match up to the flawless social media aesthetic projected by influencers online

Despite staying in a huge sea view room at the Radisson Blu, a five-star hotel, they decided to leave early and jet to Dubai instead (pictured in Dubai)

Despite staying in a huge sea view room at the Radisson Blu, a five-star hotel, they decided to leave early and jet to Dubai instead.

Zoe explained that Bali looks better on social media than in real life, as influencers make it look luxurious, despite it being a developing country.

She claimed that it did not meet their high expectations after being promised ‘lovely places to eat, beaches, gyms and coffee shops’.

However she insisted that the ‘reality’ of Bali is not shown online, which she believes is down to influencers sharing a misleading version online.

HATE IT

One of the online critics who agreed with Zoe and Danny’s point of view was fitness and travel influencer Harry – whose Tiktok handle is @resurgent_harry.

Harry told his followers he was ‘so glad’ the couple had voiced their opinion after he travelled the country for two months and ‘tried so hard to like it’.

In a new clip shared to his page, Harry said: ‘I’m so glad Zoe and Danny said what they did. Bali is Dubai for people that can’t afford Dubai.

‘Went to Bali for two months and I tried so hard to like it. I’ve known Danny for years and I just felt exactly the same.

‘It’s for people who want to post fancy pictures and tell everyone how great their life is. But Dubai has created its own infrastructure and it’s own ecosystem and lifestyle and everything, and Bali doesn’t have that.

One of the online critics who agreed with Zoe and Danny’s point of view was fitness and travel influencer Harry – whose Tiktok handle is @resurgent_harry

Also in agreement was @pavlazarou, who claimed he felt too scared to eat and complained about the smell after being ‘gaslighted’ by Instagram

He said: ‘We’ve spent three days now in Seminyak and three days in Jangu now, it’s an unpopular opinion but Bali is a f***ing s*****e

Revealing what he didn’t like about Bali, he continued: ‘It is completely overcrowded. There’s no infrastructure, but somehow it’s still quite expensive. It is aesthetic, only is very small pockets. The gyms are amazing but as soon as you leave the gyms, you are being run over by scooters on the pavements.

‘You can’t go for a run, there is trash everywhere. The beaches are completely covered in trash. The people there are just trying to convince you, themselves and everyone that they’re really successful. And then try and convince you to buy their course.

‘I’m sorry I never normally say bad things about places online and I’ve been to a lot of places but Bali was the worst place that I have travelled to. And I went to Ukraine last year.’

Also in agreement was @pavlazarou, who claimed he felt too scared to eat and complained about the smell after being ‘gaslighted’ by Instagram.

He said: ‘We’ve spent three days now in Seminyak and three days in Jangu now, it’s an unpopular opinion but Bali is a f***ing s*****e.

‘Everywhere is dirty, it stinks everywhere. You feel too scared to eat the food. Instagram and TikTok has gaslighted me into thinking this place is nice but it’s not. It’s minging and there’s nothing to do.

‘I don’t mean to be so negative but I’ve come all this way to try and enjoy myself but I just don’t get the hype. Like is this really what people come all this way for? I don’t get it.

Meanwhile, Corrin’s main complaint for the country was the traffic, which she told her 4,000 TikTok followers was completely ‘unbearable’

‘We’re meant to be going to Ubud, Uluwatu and Gili Islands and I’m hoping it’s so much better than this. Right now I want nothing more than to leave and go home.’

Meanwhile, Corrin’s main complaint for the country was the traffic, which she told her 4,000 TikTok followers was completely ‘unbearable’.

The influencer – whose handle is @cor_98 – said: ‘ Everyone says come to Bali it’s an amazing place to come. Honestly I absolutely hate it, look at this.

‘Traffic is everywhere. Look how built up it is, it’s awful. You can’t even move. You can’t even cross the road.

‘You stand at a zebra crossing and everyone still goes by. Literally you’re just asking yourself to be run over. The traffic is unbearable, I’ve never seen something like this in my life. It’s changed my perspective completely.’

LOVE IT

However, there were many staunch advocates for the Bali who praised the ‘beautiful’ views across the ocean in scenic videos of the area.

Fiona Wang – who goes by @heyfionawang – insisted that the ‘real Bali’ is not overrated as she posted a sneak peek at her accomodation.

She said: ‘If you think Bali is overrated like I did the first time I came here, it’s because you don’t know where to go. Because look at this, oh my lord, that’s the ocean and the pool and that’s so beautiful and that’s my villa.

‘Actually have the views directly to this and all this is only $120. So this is called Segara Seaside in Nusa Ceningan and in my next video I’ll give you a full review and show you the real Bali that is not overrated.

Meanwhile, Tom Birchy – known as @tombirchy on the platform – revealed that Bali was growing on him after previously being a ‘hater’ of the country.

He said: ‘When we got here two days ago we were driving through the streets and we were like wow it’s a bit dirty here like, look, there’s a river – not looking its best.

Meanwhile, Tom Birchy – known as @tombirchy on the platform – revealed that Bali was growing on him after previously being a ‘hater’ of the country

Alex (alcross) was also in favour of encouraging others to visit Bali, as she recommended the nice restaurants and stunning sunsets

‘But after two days here I’m kind of getting the charm. It’s definitely not for me, it’s different – but I get it.’

He admitted he can see why people are drawn to the island as a place to base themselves as a digital nomad.

He said: ‘If you’re in your late 20s, early 30s, a digital nomad looking for a place to base yourself with a load of likeminded individuals Bali’s got that. Especially this area I’m in now, Changu.’

Revealing what it’s got going for it, he said: ‘It’s got brekkie spots and artisan coffee shops, everything you could want.

‘But I do kind of go, ah, it doesn’t really have much authenticity. It seems like Australia light. I guess that’s kind of the business model here.

‘Indonesia is an Islamic country, but a secular one. So they have zoned all the s*** to Bali. All of the nightclubs, party culture.

‘All of that stuff is kept here to concentrate it so it doesn’t over spill into other locations. Kind of cool. But yeah, it’s interesting. I like all the little shops, they’re different and there’s lots of boutiques. It’s a cool place, maybe I’ll change my mind about Bali.’

Alex (alcross) was also in favour of encouraging others to visit Bali, as she recommended the nice restaurants and stunning sunsets.

She said: ‘I’m just on the beach in Uluwatu in Bali and I just wanted to do a quick review. I’ve only been here for four nights and the great thing about it is that it’s much quieter than Jangu. That’s the only place I’ve been so far.

‘The beaches are nicer and quieter, it’s a much more chilled vibe. The only thing I would say is that you need to learn to ride a scooter or you can’t get around that easily. But it’s really good. Much more of my kind of vibe than Jangu. There’s so many nice restaurants and places to eat, and a beautiful place to watch the sunset.’

Sharing his own honest review of Bali, Liam Etheridge (liametheridge2) said that he was drawn to the country because of his love of beaches and it didn’t disappoint

In his own expletive-laden review, Mashtag Brady said: ‘So far, honest review of Bali. Greatest place ever! What is everyone talking about? The amount of messages I got saying why are you going there it’s f***ing shit’

Sharing his own honest review of Bali, Liam Etheridge (liametheridge2) said that he was drawn to the country because of his love of beaches and it didn’t disappoint.

He said: ‘A lot of people are asking at the moment if Bali is worth going to if you’re travelling around SE Asia. My simple answer for this is yes. Three reasons why I wanted to come here was purely because I love beaches.

‘So the beaches in Bali are absolutely insane. Especially if you like surfing the waves here i Uluwatu to Noosaduwa are really good for that. And the second reason which we haven’t actually done yet is the diving.’

‘In Ko Tao (Thailand) we got our diving licences and every instructor said go to Bali because the diving in insane. There’s so much to do here, you’ve got the rise terraces and mountains. You can hike for sunrise, volcanoes.

‘And then you’ve also got the waterfalls. So if you enjoy all of that then Bali is definitely worth the trip.’

‘You’re a boring c*** this is the best place ever. I’m having so much fun. I love it. The freedom is amazing.’