The last time I went to Bali it has been a disappointment, and this time I was apprehensive from the beginning. I was glad that my family was coming over to spend Christmas with me but I was aware that Bali had become expensive and a bit (well a lot) of a tourist trap. Maybe it is from my time living in Jogja but I just don’t enjoy Bali anymore. It just doesn’t have an authentic Indonesian feel to it; rather it seems to have become a centre for tourists and vendors to prosper and ignore traditional culture and values. Although I am sure this is not true for all of Bali (my experience of Katrina’s 21st taught me this) I can’t help but be saddened by the depreciation of traditional Balinese culture to make way for nightclubs, pubs, restaurants and shops all to cater for the tourism market. Whilst, signs of traditional culture remain – offerings for the gods, traditional costumes, and food being some examples – much of it now seems to be more to create a façade of traditional culture rather than being true beliefs.
I’ve been in Bali for over a week now with family and friends and I’ve been astounded by how materialistic and commercialized Bali has become. Even though I still have a soft spot for the Isle of the Gods, after all Bali is in WA’s backyard, to me it has become an over-priced tourist haunt, the likes of which can be found throughout Australia. People no longer come to Bali to experience the culture and the unique-ness of Bali (or if they do they’ll leave sorely disappointed) but to experience the comforts of home in resort style living. The prices are no longer cheap but comparable to those at home in Australia and the service and food is often quite average. It has become difficult to find authentic Balinese or Indonesian food at a reasonable price and that which exists tends to be substandard and ridiculously priced. I may sound obnoxious or like a snob right now but I just don’t like the direction in which Bali is heading and believe if tourism continues to override traditional cultural values tourists will grow pessimistic and the tourism industry here will suffer further loss. Granted people still love to visit Bali but there are places world-wide that cater to people at cheaper prices and the uniqueness of Bali is becoming a thing of the past.
That is not to say I haven’t enjoyed my holiday here and enjoyed indulging a bit. It’s been a treat to eat some delicious and nutritious gourmet food after 6 months of Indonesian food or unik adaptations of western food (usually involving cheese and/or chocolate). It’s also been great to spend some quality time with family and friends. Highlights of being here have dining at the hippy-tastic Bali Buddha in Ubud, with its spirulina, maca and wheatgrass (yum!), raw foods and vegetarian delights (as good and as flavorsome as food in Australia), and enjoying good Italian coffee, the likes of which aren’t easily found in Jogja. Introducing Ina to my family and having my parents and brother accept her as another family member is something I will also always treasure (Ina has become like a sister to me, it’s only fitting my parents see her as a daughter and my brother sees her as a sister to). Spending New Year’s Eve on Seminyak Beach and seeing in 2011 with my Jogja family (or most of them) and new friends also has become a highlight of my Bali trip.
The beach has also been something I’ve treasured on this trip. The ability to walk to the beach and jump in the ocean is something I definitely miss from home and something I find lacking in Jogja (the nearest beaches are about 2 hours away from Jogja and not that fantastic – although fantastic times have been had). Bali beaches do remain truly amazing and through the masses of tourists, beach-side resorts and other tourist ventures you capture rare glimpses of what Bali must have been like years ago. The sheer joy of watching Balinese families wading around in the water on the weekends, old couples bathing whilst holding umbrellas and children running around on the beach is something special and shows why people choose to visit Bali.
Unfortunately, tourism has come at a price and that is the corruption of local culture to pave the path for tourism. I can honestly say that this time around Bali has been a bit of a disappointment. The food is over-priced and authentic Indonesian or Balinese food is little and far between. In areas such as Sanur, where I’ve been staying, Balinese culture is not apparent on a daily basis instead it’s replaced with commercialization and materialism. Vendors have become greedy asking exorbitant for lackluster and sub-standard products. Jet-skis and speedboats pollute the ocean and rubbish is scattered all over the beaches, saddening me furthers.
Whilst this trip to Bali has been fun and I am greatful to have spent time with my family and friends I am ready to go back to Jogja and explore more of Indonesia, and hopefully find places just as great as Bali where traditional culture remains in-tact and tourists haven’t exploited the land and people to the extent that materialism and superficial wealth are placed before tradition and believes.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. Have a brilliant 2011 and all the best for the future.
Semoga Sukses
Alex
xoxox
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| Renaissance Museum in Ubud
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| The Bird Woman |
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| The somewhat overgrown Ubud Botanical Gardens |
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| Joey - what more do I say? |
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| Ina and me and good Italian coffee makes three |
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| Beaching it in Sanur |
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| Ina and I being ever so slightly inappropriate |
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| My Family |
