Bali, Indonesia

Bali is one of thousands of islands in South East Asia, between Singapore and Australia. At 5,500 square meters, it is a relatively small island in Indonesia, with a rare status of being known worldwide.

Bali is sought after mostly by people from cold climes who want to soak in its sun, sand and seas. As early as the 1920s, Bali has been visited by artists, noblemen, ethnologists and adventurers. The images of them arriving in white linen and wooden suitcases are forever stamped in pop culture. Some of these bold guests stayed on and adapted quite well to the “sarong and sandals” modus vivendi of Bali.

It’s hard to imagine that just thirty years ago, Bali lifestyle simply meant chicken fights, trips to the market in the early morn, and rituals for every occasion. A typical laid back and uncomplicated life in the tropics. Although these still dominate the Balinese lifestyle, some developments were noticeable since Bali opened itself to newcomers and “Expats”.

“Bali living” is now divided into two styles that are interwoven. The Expats’ Bali lifestyle covers the nostalgia of bamboo huts and the more lavish tropical estates and high-end villas. The locals’ Bali revolves around rice farming and village dwellers as well as western-influenced houses, estates of affluent landlords and Rajas, businessmen and multinational corporations.  

From the perspective of travel magazines, Bali is “a beautiful, peaceful, smiling island of the gods”. Effortless smiles do greet the first timers. The warmth of the people just seems to bounce off the beautiful lush, tropical vista. But behind the usual cordiality of island dwellers and scenic rice terraces, the Balinese appeal lay in its integration of demons and social conflicts in the arts.

That is what distinguishes Bali from many tropical isles. The Muslim and Hindu culture is alive in rituals, dances, paintings, music and wood carvings. Set in the beauty of high mountains, fruit plantations, rice fields, rivers and beaches, this ritualized life has enriched Bali. It is often picked as the absolute setting for a vacation and a honeymoon.

Vacationers and honeymooners end up coming back to again feel the spirit of Bali. Off its natural riches grew businesses centering on furniture, handicrafts, wood, garments, silver and ethnic jewelry. 

Europeans, Americans, Africans, and others who seek solace, adventure or both can certainly find their niche in the multicultural lifestyle of Bali.

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