Bali Paradise

It feels so good to be back in Bali. There is just something magical in the air here. Don't get me wrong, I loved Sulawesi and found it to be a really beautiful place, but in a much different way than Bali. The people and culture here create a very unique vibe that just feels so right. It's a place where people come on holiday, and end up staying forever. There's so much to do here that it would be very hard to get bored. From surfing and diving to rafting and hiking, you name it and chances are it can be done in Bali!

It is technically called an island, but I hesitate to label it as such. I've heard that you can circle it in one (very long) day, but there's no point in that as you wouldn't have time to stop and see anything. It is very big, and I have only explored a small portion of it so far. Definitely one of the drawbacks to the mass tourism here is the congested roads. There are not many streets to get from point A to point B, so naturally traffic is pretty terrible. Many times you can walk to places faster within town than you could by motor bike or car. I imagine though that once you get out of the southern part of the island that things become much less intense.

The one concept that I really abhor that most Indonesians don't seem to comprehend or care about is trash disposal. Things have gotten pretty good in the Kuta and Ubud area, as more Western influence has brought about more recycling and environmental efforts, but I can't say the same for the rest of the island. The farther off the tourist path you get, the more negligence you see. It blows my mind every time I see an Indonesian casually toss a plastic bottle or food wrapper to the side of the road. Either they don't understand that plastic does not have the same composting qualities as say a banana peel, or they just don't care. It's really a shame, especially what I experienced in Bunaken where you can be swimming amongst the most crystal clear water and pristine coral and then all of a sudden a mound of trash and murky water ruins the experience. I only hope that more people here start waking up and realizing the consequences that result from their actions.

But the only way for that to happen is for people like myself to spread the word and educate them. After all, we brought the garbage here in the first place, so it is naturally our responsibility to dispose of it properly. With a little time and effort, things will only get better. And if you are thinking of coming to this paradise, please bring your own reusable water bottle and cloth bags!!