Single In Sydney: Sarahs’ Bali break leaves her wondering if it’s time to ditch the dating apps

AFTER a break from men in Bali, Sarah’s not sure she wants to jump back into the dating game again — especially after she cops another blow.

Sarah Swain’s trip to paradise was exactly what the doctor ordered, but has it brought back the spark she needs to find love?

• Sarah’s struck with a sense of irony after weird OKCupid phone call
• Sarah drags herself from her sickbed for a date
• The future of dating is robotic

JOURNALIST Sarah Swain has been single (but dating) for longer than she cares to remember. That’s because it’s tough out there, as any single will tell you, so to bring hope to others across the city, she’s sharing her no-holds-barred adventures on the Sydney single scene every week

CHANGE OF SCENERY

Don’t worry, last week’s absence of a column didn’t mean I’ve eloped with a Tom Hiddleston look-a-like on a private jet (oh Tay Tay, I’m so jel).

I was just in Bali for a week.

And man, did I need it.

After covering the Sydney storms, which hit my patch on the northern beaches badly, plus getting everything finished before my holiday, my shoulders were up around my ears.

Thankfully, a week on a sun lounger helped relax them to a normal position.

And I even deleted all my dating apps.

Well, I did download tinder again for a look once I arrived: it was full of Eat Pray Love-type backpackers, as well as a Balinese Michael Jackson impersonator, so I deleted it again.

The only time I thought about dating was when a taxi driver asked if I was married and I said no.

When I flicked through guidebook in the villa later, it informed me that if you were over 30 and not married, the locals would, and I quote Lonely Planet: “Think you had a serious personality disorder.”

Well, I’m sure the commenters below will have plenty to say about that, but unless you’re perfect yourself, how about you don’t criticise others, hey?

Anyway.

To be honest it was a bit of a relief not to have to send chat to blokes with the hope there might actually be a date at the end of it.

Or indeed chat on a date with the hope there might be a message at the end of it.

You see, the week before I’d left, on that stormy Sunday afternoon, I’d ventured out in the rain to meet a cop I’d met on tinder.

We’d chatted for a couple of weeks, and he’d called me too.

He even offered to pick me up and drive to The Grounds, where we’d planned to meet for a coffee.

When I jumped in his car he suggested a proper drink, which was fine.

So I had a couple of glasses of wine at the Rocks Brewery which is a pretty nice spot on a dull industrial estate.

The rain hammered down as we chatted.

It was a pretty nice date — and I reckoned I’d see him again perhaps.

Except I never heard from him.

He even ignored my friendly text a week later, just like that American bald Eagle a few weeks ago.

I mean it’s hardly a criminal offence, but it is a bit rude.

Dating guru said I dodged another bullet, and that made me feel a bit better.

The thing is, I so enjoyed my time away from internet dating, I don’t know if I want to start again.

But does anybody actually meet in real life anymore?