Bali Expat Forum - Bali Travel Forum

I encourage personal stories about experiences with either foreigners, Balinese people or companies in this forum. Either good or "bad stories".

In case the story you are telling puts people in a seemingly bad daylight, please don't use their real name or locations.

Don't hold back. These stories need to be told. People that live here or are planning to live here can benefit from your experiences.

Thats what this forum is for.

If someone ever doubts about publishing something, or having published something, it can be discussed via private messages with the administrator, where in most cases wise advice from other moderators will be asked.

Hi Bert...I like your idea of sharing stories. Several years ago I was in Amed for a few days of snorkling and relaxation. One day, as I sat near the hotel restaurant, a trio of kids ranging in age from about three to five years old walked by. I noticed that they were wearing very old and dirty clothes. They seemed very happy and giggled among themselves as they headed toward the restaurant. They had found an empty shampoo bottle, put some water in it, picked some flowers and were off to deliver their gift. As they got closer to the restaurant, each one of the kids had one hand on the bottle, a brilliant smile on their face, and love in their hearts. You could feel the love radiating from them!

I don't know why this memory has stayed with me all these years, but it has. Perhaps it is because they were so very poor in the material way, but very very rich in the spiritual way. Those three little rag tag children gave me such a gift of understanding what is really important. It doesn't matter what we have, how we dress, or what we give. To me, it only matters that we live from the heart and live in the moment. As Bert would say...that's it!

Welcome Dragon fly..

Share as much as you want !

Thank you Bert. I decided to post the first little story from my "happy memories". I didn't want to start off with one of the unpleasant ones. I'll post one of those next time. You know how important balance is to the Balinese. Well, it's the same for me, and I would guess it's the same for many people who read and post on this forum. Ah, life.......

The story as told by "Dragonfly" was a great "warm and fuzzy." I think we all can use, or benefit from such experiences. Matur suksma "Dragonfly." You "made" my afternoon.

Hi Bert,
This is an excellent idea. We are arriving in Bali very soon, I am always looking for stories re living in Bali the good and the bad.
I like to learn as much as possible about life in Bali,
Jogry

Well Nelis, I hope that you can share some of your stories when your life in Bali starts. A Newbie in Bali, a day to day report of Nelis and his wife; their new life in Bali. Do you want your own weblog?

Bert, we are quite willing to share our stories, but for the first 60 days we do not have a computer. because we are on holidays first.
As soon as we can reach a internet cafe, we will write our stories from day one.
Jogry

Looking forward to reading it!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Thanks Tracey.

I think I'll give this a go as I had an opinion changing experience back in 1999. If you stay in touristy places you will always be hassled by people hawking for business and your wallets are constantly open, which can get on your nerves sometimes. I had a good experience in Melaya (nr Negara) . We went travelling for the day by bemo going to Rambutsiwi then on to Palasari to see the churches. When we got to Melaya, we had to rent to ojeks to take us to Blimbingsari and Palasari. The drivers were good and also took us to the palasari dam to see the lake and then returned to Melaya. We gave them 10000rp each which is cheap as hell. When we handed over the cash the man was jumping up and down, patting his bike with the money with a big grin on his face.They were expecting to share 10000rp, not 10000 each. I have never seen anyone in my whole life so happy when taking my money. the gratitude was written all over their faces and they were still jumping up and down when we walked off to the bemo stop. I don't think I will ever forget that day.

Hi Stu and Ayu...Lovely story and a wonderful memory for you. It's amazing how doing something so small (to us) can bring such an abundance of joy to others. Good on you and thank you for sharing.

This being November and all I thought you would have some stories to share. Yes...no???

Driving from Bali to Bromo recently.... after 7 hours of driving and being stopped at a red light in Probolingo there was a busker who came up and sang a song beside the car, I then gave him only 1,000Rp which made him so delighted he started jumping up in the air waving , so his other busking mates could see. I guess people in Java are quiet a bit poorer, or more appreciative, as that would certainly never happen here for only one thousand Rps.

Richard, it's great to have you on this forum. Please be sure to share some of your photographs with us on the Bali Expat Pictures site, link upper right.

We were just up your way last weekend for the one year "oton" for the Helen Flavel Foundation. Helen is still on Bali, but hopefully when she returns to Adelaide, she will write a full report. Some pictures can be found here...albeit not very good ones. A tough day for the camera (and the photographer...bright sun and dark shadows!

http://www.sundream.com/~majapahit/imag ... lights.jpg

Hi Roy... Yes its good to be here on a forum that is not just talking about the price of massages. Pity you didn't drop in while you were here, would love to meet you, so next time drop in and have a chat.

Yes when I have time I will have at look at putting some photo's i have on the page you were talking about.