Random thoughts on Balinese experience!

It’s been eleven years since I first visited Bali.  After Thailand in the early 2000’s, my first trip overseas, I was hooked.  Traveling so much, dealing with constant adaptation, being flexible in the moment, I realized I can travel anywhere.  I flexed my schedule and took a quick side trip to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat and fell in love with the Cambodian people!

The next trip was to Vietnam as it was described as “Thailand 20 years ago but changing fast”.  I wanted to see it before it changed too much.  People were lovely and friendly perhaps reflecting me.  Reviews often spoke in less than glowing fashion about how difficult the people were and travel in Vietnam as well.  I experienced none of that.

Then I came to Bali hearing it was unspoiled and quiet and green and lovely!  That was several years before “Eat, Pray, Love”, the movie, was released and that changed Bali dramatically.  People came here for the love.  However, most realized, after their romantic dreams were dashed, that it doesn’t work that way.  Until you have a relationship with yourself like the one you would like to have with another, the other can’t show up in your life.

Nonetheless, hordes of people flocked here.  Roads filled with tour buses.  Yoga became trendy.  This was the place to be!

Remembering that early energy and the trips since, I was apprehensive about the growth, expansion, recent explosion in the purchasing of personal cars, mindless expansion, water and trash challenges, and the rising cost of my favorite places to stay.  They have expanded, gone up, have tripled or more in the number of rooms they offer and the energy of the home feel has changed.

Now, after one week here, I can say that all those things have happened.  However, the heart and Soul of the Balinese people hasn’t.  I smile and glance at people from my motor bike and they glow back.  It seems as if their Soul and heart smile through their face and eyes.  Glow and beam are two of the best words I can use to describe that!  Security guards, parking attendants, dish washer’s, cleaning staff, restaurant staff, etc…it’s a recurring theme.

Bali has great heart if you do!

Tonight, dinner was an unusual “treat” that I occasionally do.  I went to a more upscale restaurant for pasta, a dining change of pace.  My meal cost $165,000 Rp in Indonesian currency, slightly over $12 US.  That is more than I ever spend in a day.  Lunch was $30,000 at a local wrung, family run and joyfully prepared for me.

For the authentic experience here, look for the local warung’s!  Your money goes to a local family and the food is freshly and personally prepared just for you.  The sense of appreciation as I leave is palpable.  My restaurant tonight was friendly but felt like a “business”.

Times of day can be crowded!  Traffic is worse than before.  Crazy drivers exist here as well as anywhere else in the world.  It’s Bali!  Take a breath!  Relax.  Be patient.  Smile and be happy!

Tourist are generally the least outwardly happy and frowning people I see.  Tonight, I ran into Thony whom I had met once.  He lit up and gave me a robust handshake and hug at seeing me again.  He invited me to come to the restaurant at 8:00 and help him cook!  We only just met!  His friend was just as welcoming!

So my verdict on Bali, after the passing of these years, go!  But be aware!  Make it the experience you want.  Pick a part of town that is quiet and you get exposed to the local neighborhoods and the local warung’s.  Go slow.  Smile a lot!  Let go of stress.  Try your best to mirror back the happiness of the people you encounter.  Laugh freely!  Savor life and the privilege of being here, a dream many share but not many fulfill!

Ciao!