Eat, Pray, Love

Elizabeth Gilbert's book

My closing comments should be dedicated to this book, as I'm convinced that many girlfriends and wives convinced their significant others to spend a vacation in Bali because they'd read it. (Or, had seen the movie with Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem. It actually was showing on HBO one night while we were here). However, as much as I love that book, and even though I think Gilbert did an amazing job of trying to capture the spirit of Bali, it is so much more than that. And much more than the pretty scenery from my blog or the excellent cinematography from the movie.

The people

From the moment I set foot on this island, I've been mesmerized by the kindness and gentleness of the Balinese*. My perception is that much is guided by the main religion, but also by a genuine respect for others, regardless of who they are. You can see it especially while being on the road. Many times, I was convinced we were going to crash into that oncoming car, or hit the family of four on their scooter, but there is none of that. Quite the opposite. Somehow they'll manoeuver until there is space for all, and most of all they show the utmost patience with one another. If someone needs help crossing the street, or backing their car out of the parking lot, a helping hand is found quickly.

*) The people running the immigration office - and lots of other things so I am told - are people from Java, most likely Jakarta.

The setting

I've shown you the pretty sights and scenery, and none of the rest. You have not seen the many shops in all shapes and sizes lining these streets and roads, the sometimes messy architecture of a tourist hotspot such as Sanur or Kuta, the crazy traffic in downtown Kuta, or (thorn in my eye) the roadside garbage one can spot regularly. There's also plenty of shacks, run down or unfinished buildings, and the usual tourist traps. It's all there, but if you look carefully and if you are willing to go beyond the swimming pool of the hotel, there are a gazillion gorgeous sites to see on this island, and there are little picture-perfect gems everywhere.

Famous last words 

So is Bali worth it? To me personally, absolutely. Yet I'm also seeing the flipside of tourism. The yin is Tanah Lot, the yang is the mass tourism that's flooding its premises, with all the good and the bad that comes with it. Our guide and driver won't earn a dime if he has no tourists to drive around, yet he's responsible for feeding a family of four. One of the waitresses in the restaurants down the road told us that her monthly wages are roughly 150USD. It's less when the restaurant's revenues are down. Yet she has two children to send to school. In short: these people would be nowhere without tourism, yet tourism can do so much damage. You decide for yourselves what the right thing to do is, in this matter.