Thread: Bali, a hyperreality? The island that is not.

Seems like you're reading some heady stuff, Bert.

...One of the things that I consider a big part of the "downfall" of Bali Tourism, is the change of perception "the world" has of Bali, after it had become part of "the world" by means of terrorist attacks vs Hyperreality created by those holiday magazines etc. People may be confused about what Bali really is...

I thought Bali was well and truly part of the "world" before terrorism raised its ugly head. Terrorist attacks here have definitely affected tourist numbers and the businesses of travel agents.

I think that Bali is a very pretty island filled with lovely Balinese people (generally), slap dab in the middle of a huge Islamic country (Indonesia). A fascinating, vibrant, mystical, at times unfathomable culture, with warts and all. A great many of the people continue to struggle to make ends meet. Escalating prices for nearly everything, be they for the cost of petrol/gas or how much it costs to pay for the cremation of a loved one and the ceremonies involved.

From my own experiences, notions of Bali as some kind of living "paradise" are somewhat myopic (and usually generated by travel agents). Bali is not necessarily "paradise" for many Balinese. It's a hard, daily slog just to get ahead, stay on top, sometimes just to survive.

...Living the Dream, hmmmm...

Precisely. Many expats carry around their own personal dreams of "living the dream". Not all dreams are good - there can be nightmares as well.

:cry:

Bali is not necessarily "paradise" for many Balinese.

How could it be? The average Balinese doesn't get a proper education, doesn't have access to decent health care, is subject to the one of the most corrupt and inefficient governments in the world and has been tempted and corrupted by the easy money of tourism. Meanwhile business is stagnant, staff sit around all day with hardly any customers or report for duty at $600 per night villas that have sprung up all over the island but are lucky to have 20% occupancy.

It fashionable for Westerners rail against the materialism and stress in their lives and daydream about the idyllic lifestyle of the subsistance rice farmer living in a paradise, plucking fruit from the trees without a care in the world. The harsh reality is one of daily suffering where the rich tourist provide a daily rude reminder of just how little progress Indonesia has provided for its average citizen over the last 100 years.

non corruption means 10

2006 2005
Neuseeland 9,6 9,6
Singapur 9,4 9,4
Australien 8,7 8,8
Hongkong 8,3 8,3
Japan 7,6 7,3
Macau 6,6 –
Vereinigte Arabische Emirate 6,2 6,2
Bhutan 6,0 –
Katar 6,0 5,9
Israel 5,9 6,3
Taiwan 5,9 5,9
Bahrain 5,7 5,8
Oman 5,4 6,3
Jordanien 5,3 5,7
Südkorea 5,1 5,0
Malaysia 5,0 5,1
Kuwait 4,8 4,7
China 3,3 3,2
Indien 3,3 2,9
Saudi-Arabien 3,3 3,4
Sri Lanka 3,0 3,2
Armenien 2,9 2,9
Syrien 2,9 3,4
Georgien 2,8 2,3
Mongolei 2,8 3,0
Iran 2,7 2,9
Kasachstan 2,6 2,6
Laos 2,6 3,3
Ost-Timor 2,6 –
Vietnam 2,6 2,6
Jemen 2,6 2,7
Nepal 2,5 2,5
Philippinen 2,5 2,5
Aserbaidschan 2,4 2,2
Indonesien 2,4 2,2
Papua-Neuguinea 2,4 2,3
Kirgisien 2,2 2,3
Pakistan 2,2 2,1
Tadschikistan 2,2 2,1
Turkmenistan 2,2 1,8
Kambodscha 2,1 2,3
Usbekistan 2,1 2,2
Bangladesch 2,0 1,7
Irak 1,9 2,2
Myanmar 1,9 1,8

Originally Posted by Allan

Bali is not necessarily "paradise" for many Balinese.

How could it be? The average Balinese doesn't get a proper education, doesn't have access to decent health care, is subject to the one of the most corrupt and inefficient governments in the world and has been tempted and corrupted by the easy money of tourism. Meanwhile business is stagnant, staff sit around all day with hardly any customers or report for duty at $600 per night villas that have sprung up all over the island but are lucky to have 20% occupancy.

It fashionable for Westerners rail against the materialism and stress in their lives and daydream about the idyllic lifestyle of the subsistance rice farmer living in a paradise, plucking fruit from the trees without a care in the world. The harsh reality is one of daily suffering where the rich tourist provide a daily rude reminder of just how little progress Indonesia has provided for its average citizen over the last 100 years.

Well put Allan. Very interesting topic Bert.

Although I haven't been physically present as a Bali resident (although I have visited in recent times)I have lived my life and raised my half Balinese sons with principles of bakti-yoga (the Vedic principle of devotion to God). I know my sons have somewhat better of a conception of bakti than many of the Balinese in Bali. Too many of the younger generation have become enamored by the Western influence, of surfing, drinking and partying. Not to say there aren't any young Balinese who haven't learned the basics of their traditional culture, but I spent a good deal of time talking with many disillusioned young people on the streets of Kuta. Not only does hyperreality exist with the expat community, but it exists with the Balinese themselves.

A reinstatement of the principles of bakti, with consideration of the time, place and circumstances is a must if the culture of Bali is to survive the continued onslaught of the Western influence. Anyone of you as expatriates that stay in Bali should be educating yourselves and others on these principles. It doesn't mean that you have to "convert" but if you love Bali and it's people, then stop being so self-absorbed, and get off your barstools long enough to do something about the mess that has been created in which at one time, was one of the most balanced cultures the world ever has known. Hence, the reason so many of you call it home, or would like to.

I understand there exist many expat's who care and want to help Bali. The most important lessons to learn are to understand the principles of bakti (spelled bhakti) in Sanskrit. There are many English language books out there to educate yourself, the best ones are by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. You don't have to learn a lot of Balinese, simply try to understand bakti, and put it into practice. One of th main differences that has brought Bali down, is the reinstatement of killing of animals for food, which is not a principle of bakti-yoga. Due to influences of other cultures in Indonesian history, (mostly Moslem and Christian) the principles of ahimsa (non-violence to all living entities) have been forgotten. For true devotion, killing of animals for food is strictly condemned, violence begets violence. This is the main principle that "Bali bhaki" has lost, hence the culture of bakti isn't pure like it once was, and the culture itself has lost it's focus. There are several thousand Balinese out there who have taken up vegetarianism, along with giving up alcohol. They are truly living the principles of bakti-yoga, and helping bring Bali back to it's eternal, original purpose on the planet, to love and serve God and by serving His servants, we serve Him as well. At one point Bali could've easily have been the perfect example of how a culture can live in balance with it's people, God and the earth. I know that when I came there in 1971, it was still largely unchanged. It's up to us, as expats, to stop waiting for everyone else (government) to do something, and act on the principles of bakti. If you truly love Bali, then educate yourself and your children back to the basics.