Harry Mackarness: British tourist says Bali ‘crushed’ his spirit and claims Aussies are ruining the island

A British fitness coach has launched an attack on Bali and has criticised the way that Aussies behave on the island, sparking intense backlash.

Harry Mackarness spent two months in Bali, expecting to experience “the spiritual, magical, wonderful island of the gods,” but instead was left “depressed, disillusioned, and determined never to return.”

Reflecting on his experience, he posted a 43 minute scathing review on YouTube elaborating on his time on the island, claiming that overcrowding, pollution and over-tourism have destroyed the spiritual paradise it once was.

“Everywhere you go, there’s rubbish, construction, or scams . . . the infrastructure just can’t handle the number of people being sold this dream.”

He says many fellow travellers suggested that he should get out of the Canggu region to experience the ‘real Bali’ but he experienced the same issues throughout the island.

“I found dirty beaches and overcrowding in all of the places I visited,” he claimed.

He elaborated that one of the lowest point of his trip was when a spitting cobra slithered into his villas living room and the landlady dismissed it.

“I’ll deal with it in the morning” she said, brushing it off.

‘That just summed everything up . . .there’s this attitude that once you’ve paid, nobody cares anymore.’’ Mr Mackarness said.

Mr Mackarness also focuses on the types of tourists who visit Bali, claiming that Australian tourists seemed to treat it like the Brits treat cheap Spanish holidays.

“There is this weird disparity between what European audiences see and think it’s this spiritual magical island, and then Aussies, who see it as Tenerife.”

While he compliments the coffee on the island, Mr Mackarness suggests it’s as a result of the numerous Aussie tourists and claims the island is being treated like a cheap UK holiday park called Butlin’s.

“I would say the coffee is very good, but that’s because it caters to Aussies. But that then leads to a whole other problem as well, the ‘Aussie Butlin’s.’”

However, as a fitness instructor, Mr Mackarness did compliment Bali’s booming fitness scene.

“If you’re coming purely for the fitness, you’ll love it,” he said.

His lengthy review did spark backlash with some people commenting that he was presenting an unfair portrayal of the island.

“Bali is an island, like Britain. Parts, like London, are rough. Other parts, the majority, are quiet, serene and filled with beautiful people,” one person said.

“A part of me is happy though, because maybe you’ll convince some people not to come, and I’m not mad about it,” another commented.

Others were quick to agree with the Brit, claiming that rowdy tourists were destroying Bali.

“Just got back from what I planned as six weeks in Bali and completely agree with everything you say and experienced the same things! Left the island after three weeks, completely overwhelmed,” one person commented.

“What’s unsafe and ruining the vibe are drunk tourists being rude to locals, going only for booze and tattoos, not taking a minute to understand the culture or appreciate the beautiful people who are surviving on very little,” another said.

At the conclusion of the review, Mackarness claims that his time in Bali flared up his PTSD from serving in the army.

“You know that I or if you followed me for a while, you know I have PTSD from my time in the army. I go through my kind of waves of ups and downs as is normal for everybody. But Bali really crushed, crushed my spirit.”