September 3, 2012
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the island of foreign gods.
I could describe how beautiful the island is. I could share you pictures of breathtaking landscapes that keep tourists coming back for more. I could enchant you with its hundreds of years of tradition that’s reflected on the buildings and ethnic dances and costumes. And I could enthrall you with its local dishes that speak volume in spices and intricate preparations. Yet, what was on my mind for the whole 5 days and 4 nights breathing the air and walking the sandy ground of Bali, is the fact of how foreign the island has become in comparison to the rest of the country. The very reason why I chose to keep returning to this island of the Hindu gods.
With the cool breeze flowing north from the continent of Down Under, Australian winter air keeps Bali cooler this time of the year, each year. The sun still shines blindingly but the lightness and freshness of the tropical-winter air makes it easily bearable. The humidity is at its lowest, thus my under arms stayed drier for a little longer than I was expecting. It made walking a much welcoming task. With the sand under my toes, I was a happy camper.
As in any of my travels, excellent nourishments come in first before anything else. However, it is NOT the overnight fire-pit roasted Babi Guling (suckling pig) smothered in chilies and spices that got my knees all weak. It is NOT the island’s famous bbq ribs that everyone was searching for that got me salivating. And it is NOT the staple Nasi Campur Bali, with its steamed coconut rice covered with various toppings ranging from fried, stewed, grilled, roasted, boiled, and sautéed goodies flavored in spices, herbs, chilies, coconut, palm sugar, and more, that making me loose sleep the night prior to my early morning flight to Bali. No, not those. What's beautiful to me, aside from its miles of fine-grained-sand-stretched beaches and lush green rice fields, is the many options available on various foreign cuisine, and nicely prepared at that.
Most would think that it is such a waste for someone to go to Bali and NOT basking oneself under the sun with orders of freshly cut coconut for its sweet water and silky cellophane-white meat. Or to bestow oneself to heart’s content with the many choices of spiced delicacies that could easily send one to a state of dehydration. I, on the other hand, would search for the opposite. For the opposite is what my heart desires.
This is not my first trip, and I couldn't help but noticing how the island has genuinely evolved to better suits the needs of its travelers. Specifically, foreign travelers. Even more so than before. Now numerous mini market shops can be seen within a walking distance from a hotel, any hotel. Countless number of western cafes and bars available, providing a quick relieve for an addiction on coffee or alcohol. And don't get me started on the restaurants. If sandwiches, puff pastries, and gelato you want, they all there. If you desire chili crabs & sautéed kai-lan, duck confit & foie gras, sauerkraut & crispy pig knuckles, humus & lamb gyros, pizza & gnocchi, sashimi & pork ramen, tom yum goong & green curry, or something as simple as nasi goreng & satay, you can have them ALL. And foreign travelers cherish these choices, as I do.
From the eyes of many local Indonesians, Bali is not Indonesia. Bali is… BALI. An island it may be, but an almost nation of its own. A tiny little island that encompasses diverse international tastes and lifestyle. It's a place for those who crave to get-away from it all, but want the availability and comfort of their own home-continent cuisine. No longer would I need to travel too far to pamper my palate for a good Greek food, or simply hang out at an outdoor café with no fear of pollution from the many traffic fumes such in the capital city. I, like many others, have come to call it the IT place to go domestically. Because in Bali, not only one will always have a full stomach, one is also encouraged to hang loose, wear flip-flops all day, and act like the world doesn’t matter. And you won’t be hissed for it either.
Comments (18)
I like your observations. It's interesting how international travel/tourism has changed places. In my "hood' similar observations apply to Spanish or Italian coastal areas. They are infested by Germans, Brits, and Dutch. Nothing Spanish there anymore.
Interesting. I should ask my Indonesian coworker if she has the same opinion as you about Bali (how's it's Bali and not Indonesia).
It's a dream destination. But I have yet to visit all the nice islands of the PHL first. One day...
I have been told that by some visitors and I dearly want to go to Bali. Of course, here it isi flip-flops all day too with shorts and t-shirt
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Lucky you! Bali is just a stone's throw away from your home.
I have noticed there are more frequent traffic jams nowadays, especially after the film 'Eat Pray Love' was released.
Gosh I could use some of that cool Australian air here to push away this humidity ! In fact I had a co-worker who left her job five months before I did and she left to go travelling. Her first stop was actually Bali, which she had been before, and then on to Thailand. I have seen the pictures and I can definitely imagine it's a true paradise. With all of those amazing places to eat that makes it all much better.
I saw the Eat Pray Love movie as well and while I found it to be incredibly boring, I really did appreciate the great scenery from the movie. It's great that you live close enough that you can take advantage of such a wonderful jewel in your country. Take care and have an awesome start to the week, bye for now.
Kyle
Bali was one of the most beautiful islands I have been to. Gorgeous beaches, and stunning smiles all over. Loved the place totally. I hope I can go back to this idyll once more.
No one ever visits where I'm from.
Bali is beautiful, food is delicious, the people there are nice......But somehow I didn't like the way they are being treated by some of the foreigners a.k.a the Tourists..... the moment I stepped into the airport arrival hall, I heard people yelling at the staff, the local travelers with indecent language just because their movement was a bit slow......why?
Bali is on my list of places to visit. Tawn has been twice for work meetings but I have yet to go.
I haven't been to Bali in over 20 years. I'm glad it's still enthralling!
@beowulf222 - considering your "hood" is in europe, it is understandable to get so many nationalities found at any given place. it's the convenience of being a european that sparks jealousy in many of us non-europeans. we feel we have been deprived of the chance to do country hopping with such ease, even if a language may still be a barrier.
@brooklyn2028 - i think it's safe to assume that ANYONE would feel the same way once they have the chance to visit bali as well as other parts of indonesia for comparison.
@oxyGENE_08 - yes, i have been told how nice some of the islands in philippine are. i do hope i'll get a chance to experience them in person.
@Fatcat723 - hahaha... yes, it might not be worth it for you considering you are living in a similar surrounding. unless you're looking to experience the tropical humidity and ethnic cuisine here, while pampering your eyes with sights of rice fields.
@CurryPuffy - hahaha... you know, since that movie came out, there are more traffic heading to the place where the "fortune teller" is residing and practicing his craft. as for the traffic of tourism in bali, well, it has always been that many. especially during the local holidays.
@kyle061685 - yes, i too wished the australian winter air would blow all the way north west to jakarta, where i live. unfortunately, it doesn't. but i don't take for granted on the fact that bali is only a short flight away. i'm sure south america has plenty of similar tropical paradise such in bali.
@ZSA_MD - thank you for your rec, zakiah
i do hope you'll get a chance to return to this island. though i understand that india also has many places that are similar to bali. some relatives of mine had a chance to visit the maladives and i'm at awe at the beauty of the location by looking at their pictures. the maldives part of india, right?
@secade - now, now. hugs. should we have a xangan gathering in south korea?
@agmhkg - i'm not surprised to hear certain grumpiness by the tourists. bali has such a relaxing 'beach' mixed in with 'village' culture that result in a 'slow' culture. many who come from big metropolitan cities from around the world may find this rather frustrating, though they may be on a holiday, thus what you heard at the airport. some people just can't get away from thinking that they are more superior in culture than the one they are visiting. such travelers are plenty, unfortunately.
@christao408 - you have YET to visit bali? no worries, my friend. i too have yet to visit the islands in thailand. i heard good things about them and anxious to visit them in my lifetime.
@CareyGLY - 20 YEARS?? oh my, carey, come come. i'll be your personal guide
@rudyhou - And us Europeans admire the diversity in Asia. The grass is always greener on the other side.
@rudyhou - Yeah. A lot of them are virgin islands which make it a lot more special. The commercialized ones like Boracay is just too much for my liking already.
@rudyhou - Hopefully we make it there one of these years.
@beowulf222 - hahaha... yeah, it always is
@oxyGENE_08 - well, i've never been to boracay, so i wouldn't know which island i should compare it with. i can only assume it's closer to the commercialized Pataya or Phuket in Thailand?
@christao408 - let's hope so. and maybe i should visit the islands in thailand before you and tawn visit bali
@rudyhou - I've never been to Pattaya or Phuket either but if it screams party island...pretty much so. hehe
@oxyGENE_08 - party island? WOOHOO! boracay, here i come