Bali Expat Forum - Bali Travel Forum

[BaliLife]

I typed this before seeing roys post - his says it all..

can anyone tell me if concrete is widely used in Bali, or are buildings usually made from another material?

Concrete is used extensively. Far far more than in australia and north america. Reinforced concrete, unlike in north america and australia, forms the main structure in the large majority of residential construction in Bali, plus of course being used in commercial structures. Steel, for the reinforcing of the concrete, and the ReadyMix itself are two of the larger cost components of the building - pre-fabricated finishing materials aside. The structure of most buidings is based on a concrete footing / foundation, with concrete columns - all load bearing structures are typically concrete. The wall 'fills' use red brick.

As to whether you're allowed to volunteer with your social visa - that has been the topic of much debate here. I personally think you'll have no problem - even though you may not be allowed to, and if you do encounter a problem, a small payoff for someone to turn a blind eye would usually do the trick.

Ct

[calitobali]

hmmmm thanks for your answers, it would be interesting to see any difference in they way they do things at the very least.

[Jimbo]

Calitobali

I am curious to know if you have travelled much outside the states?

[Roy]

hmmmm thanks for your answers, it would be interesting to see any difference in they way they do things at the very least.

Just for starters, you’ll be amazed how the concrete is poured. Aside from the very large commercial projects, it is generally by bucket brigades, and I kid you not.

[SG]

hmmmm thanks for your answers, it would be interesting to see any difference in they way they do things at the very least.

Just for starters, you’ll be amazed how the concrete is poured. Aside from the very large commercial projects, it is generally by bucket brigades, and I kid you not.

True, but of note is the arrival of large commercial construction cranes on the Kuta skyline..there are four at the moment. A sign of things to come I guess

[Harro]

Calitobali,
I, like Jimbo are also curious as to how much travel you have done outside of the U.S. and where you are sourcing your finances from unless of course it is from cash reserve/ savings.
Personally, I am always stunned at how many westerners wish to continue working (be it volunteering) outside of their homeland; when on extended stays abroad.

[calitobali]

No real travel outside the states. vacationed in bermuda when I was and also visited canada. I am looking for a new experience.

I have a small cash reserve along with blog revenue. I will be living with a couple friends and a couple other americans in a large house paying less than $100 a month rent.

[AussieDeb]

Good Luck getting any answers to your questions, there seems to be a click on this forum which is dissapointing, to say the least.

[milan]

In what way, Aussiedeb? I think so far, Calitobali has gotten his questions answered. Don't you think?

[bolli]

Good Luck getting any answers to your questions, there seems to be a click on this forum which is dissapointing, to say the least.

Of for god's sakes, there's little worse on a forum than a new comer who gets all miffed because they don't get immediate answers within an hour or so. Put that bottom lip in darlin'.
Deb be patient, people post here from all over the world and are different time zones including Bali.
BTW it's clique.

[BaliLife]

You'll be fine calitobali.. What's the worst that can happen? You come here, hate it and then go home.. Well many worse things could happen I guess but they might be just as likely to happen to you wherever you are. You've got mates here to stay with - you'll be fine, but like Roy said, just exercise caution..

Ct

[milan]

Just so you really stay alert all the time and not only cautious, I'll give you a story very close to home personally. The son of my cousin was murdered in Bali. Yes! That's a reality, sorry to jolt you a little after having been lulled by our assurances that all will be fine. I don't want to give you a false sense of security either.
This nephew was a very beautiful looking boy as well as handsome and angelic - aged 20. A gay Balinese man fell in love with him and wanted him at all cost. He abslolutely shunned and rejected the guy and lo and behold, he was murdered. Horrendous and terrifying and since I wasn't in Indonesia, and we never talked about it whenever I met his mother; I don't know the details of the story.
So, just stay alert at all times and don't give the wrong message to people around you.

[mimpimanis]

I would think he has far more chance of being murdered in USA than in Bali.

Cali, Bali is the one place I feel safest of all in the world. Though there is crime, there is little crime with violence.

I am sure like most people you will love it here.

[milan]

Well, that's not exactly true. Say hello to Michael Rockefeller. He was about your age when he first came over here and look how he ended up!

But it happened in Irian Jaya and not in Bali.

My cousin and her family just returned from Tokyo after 5 years living there. Then this tragedy happened in the island of paradise - in their own very country.

[Harro]

Hi Calitobali,
Seeing that your living expenses are relatively low you should be able to enjoy yourself immensely whilst in Bali. It is also beneficial that you will be staying with friends as more the merrier and quite often safety in numbers. If you respect that you are in a foreign country with a unique culture and act accordingly you will have a blast! As for inspecting construction sites, gain approval first; but I feel you'll find working completely out of the question.

[Jimbo]

Cali, Bali is the one place I feel safest of all in the world. Though there is crime, there is little crime with violence.

18 deaths by knife in the UK in the last few weeks and I do not feel unsafe when I am there and even less so in Bali or in Indonesia.

Come across and enjoy and experience all of thos things and adventures that travel can give you.