SIobh had only planned to stay there from Oct to April as she had a return flight booked for the 1st April. Beg had only planned on being there from Feb (was that when she went over?) to April as she had a flight booked home around this time too. They both briefly mentioned it on their stories and Siobh mentioned it in one of her vlogs. They both mentioned coming back to Ireland as they were looking for validation/approval from people online. They were looking to be re-assured that it was ok to travel during a global pandemic.....
In reality we all know that these places aren't "home". They are just cheap sunny places that you can spend a few months in before flying back to Ireland. They can get some good pictures for the gram and life long sun damage as a bonus. None of them 'live differently', they just go on an extended sun holiday. They are able to spend that long there as it is so cheap. It's all smoke and mirrors just like the Oven waiting list.
They like to think of themselves as being like the characters in 'The Beach'. (Siobhan is Sal and the Beg is Daffy).
There are two reasons why they call these places "home" and it really started when they were all tying to get back when the Bali borders were closed;
1. It makes them seems unique and exotic and that they are living some type of alternative hippy lifestyle on a tropical beach somewhere.
2.
They used it as their excuse to travel during a pandemic. How could anyone be annoyed/angry with them for travelling when they were just trying to get
home....cue the smallest violin in the world playing the saddest song.
The 2nd point above is the MAIN reason they call it home.
I think the reality of Bali has shocked them in the last few months.
1. The locals are really suffering now that tourism has dried up. That would be hard for anyone to see on a day to day basis no matter how much you try and ignore it
2. It's no longer the fun place it was in pre-covid times as a lot of the bars are closed, close early or are empty
3. From looking at the instagrams of others based in Bali there seems to be an increase in bikes and helmets getting stolen
4. Siobh is locked into a lease at pre-covid prices
5. The majority of villas that most visitors live in aren't built to be lived in during the rainy season. They aren't all water proof under some of the more extreme rain falls
6. The majority of the villas have outdoor living which doesn't seem very comfortable in the rainy season and it provides little protection from insects and lizards