matsaleh
[b]Re: RE: The Bali Paradox[/b]I will think of some "publishable" stories from those days. [/quote] :P Can't wait.I also met Victor Mason last time in Ubud (at Nuri's, of course). During our conversation, he was surprised that I already knew his name and of his bird walk fame. I added, "You have no idea Victor, you're famous all over Bali chat forums". He was astonished! I did have to explain the meaning of a "chat forum", so I don't think he's a big fan of computers or the internet. :lol:
chris vinson
OK Roy,will do.Actually, my first visit to Bali was in 1967, as a visitor. I came to Indonesia to work in late 1974, and was resident in the country until late 1980. My area was East Java and Eastern Indonesia, and I lived an worked in Bali for just over a year, 1976 to 1977. I was based in Surabaya for most of that time, but, course, with frequent visits to Bali on the public holidays etc.I was young, foolish and impressionable then. Now I am a bit older, probably more foolish, and even more impressionable.There were several "characters" living in Bali, one of whom was "Captain Jack", and american pilot who used to fly an old beat up DC7 between Bali and Kupang. Victor may be acquainted with him. He used to take anything on the plane, passengers, cargo, live chickens etc, and he was quite well known on local scene in Kuta. Our local watering hole was known as "The Pub", which used to be right on the corner of Poppies Lane, at the cross roads. I used to live in Sanur, in a bungalow complex across the road from the Tanjung Sari, and owned by the Hotel. Captain Jack, and a colleague of mine visiting from Jakarta were sleeping off the effects of a pleasant night in the spare room, and a reasonably severe eartrhquake visited us. I noticed it first when the chain suspended lights started swinging. At first, I blamed it on too much Bintang, but when the floor and walls started moving, everybody ran outside. The thing was, my colleague from Jakarta weighed about 18 Stone, and was "minimally" dressed. It so happened that there were three beautiful french air hostessess who were taking their ease by the swimming pool. One of the best conversation starters you could wish for.
matsaleh
Chris, Captain Jack sounds like a real character. From my limited experience, eccentricity seems to be a pre-requisite for long-term expats! :lol: Have you returned to Bali since those early days?
Roy
Captain Jack, as I recall, was one of those notorious members of "Air America." There is another, of whom I will not say the name, or where on earth he has built his own paradise. Nuri's on a Thursday night...like right now...would indeed open up a lot of doors into Bali expatriate history. As Mats writes:eccentricity seems to be a pre-requisite for long-term expats! [/quote]Totally true my dear, totally true!
matsaleh
[b]Re: RE: The Bali Paradox[/b]Nuri's on a Thursday night...like right now...would indeed open up a lot of doors into Bali expatriate history. [/quote]If it's Thursday night, why are you not at Nuri's? Or maybe you are, and "on-line" in situ? :wink:
Roy
Nope, ma'af Mats, but Nuri's is not my Pura. At best, these days, I am there once a month, if that. I'm a "home body" with my work, and my family. Sure, I love a Thursday night at Nuri's...who woudn't, but for me now, it ain't my "regular" thing.
matsaleh
Oh well, maybe I'll catch you for a martini or two in January. And maybe Chris will be around at that time too. Now if only Bert could come and join us..... :)
Roy
Not to worry about Bert, or his wife Dewi. They know very well that the doors into my house are always open to them, and they've both been to Nuri's as well. Sure, if it's "meant to be" then yes, it would a very fun time, I think, if we all were to get together....anywhere, so long as it's Bali. :D
Bert Vierstra
Wouldn't want to leave. Would cost me 1 million anyway :)
matsaleh
[b]Re: RE: The Bali Paradox[/b]Wouldn't want to leave. Would cost me 1 million anyway :)[/quote] 1 million for what.....oh, you mean for drinks? Or do you have a private bet with Roy that needs repaying? :? :o :lol:
Roy
Nope...no outstanding bets with Bert. Bert doesn't owe me a thing, and visa versa. Bets, maybe it's time we move on to this issue...found that book yet? You could easily order over the internet, and have it by the weeks end to read. :shock:
Roy
OK, Mats, one "mercy" post. The million rups that Bert referred to, was the cost of the exit permit for him to depart Indonesia.Sorry we were talking, and "funning" around you. Ma'af I called you "Bets" it appears you reminded me of my ex-wife. :oops:
matsaleh
Nope, I've never shopped "on line". I don't feel comfortable about giving my credit card details over the net; heard too many horrific stories of credit card fraud.Call me an old-fashioned girl, but I like to see what I'm buying first! :wink:(Had to edit the spelling, drives me crazy!)
matsaleh
[b]Re: RE: The Bali Paradox[/b]Ma'af I called you "Bets" it appears you reminded me of my ex-wife. :oops:[/quote]Yikes!! :shock:
Roy
Yikes indeed and I'm sorry. :oops:
chris vinson
Matsaleh,Oh yes, I am a frequent visitor. I will be in Bali again over xmas and new year, and wil be taking up residence next summer I hope. Re your comment about eccentricity, absolutely! I was probably the only sane one on the island!!!!Roy,You know Captain Jack as well? Don't tell me he is still there.I will put together some impressions of Bali in the mid 70's, and post them in a couple of days. I am away on business for a while.
matsaleh
Looking forward to your memoirs, Chris. 8)
Ricbali
I know this is a rather old post, but just felt the need to reply. I am from Hawaii and coming to Bali seemed the most natural thing to do. Perhaps it's the island boy in me. I am bule and know from many of my Hawaiian friends that Hawaii has changed enormously through tourism. I also can say that there is a push to revive many of the Hawaiian traditions and customs. Hawaiian immersion schools have become an alternative to western style schools. My point here is that although Bali is changing and at an alarming rate. I believe that the soul of Bali will never allow it to become lost forever. In Hawaii we have the "Aloha spirit" -love - a feeling and outward projection of kindness towards all. This is not a tourism gimmick but a true embodied feeling. Like Bali, Hawaiians also believe in a personal/spiritual attachment to the land, sea and heaven that exist in life as well as death and that they live on all planes simultaneously. This belief I believe will keep Balinese grounded in their traditions. Having said that, anyone that has lived here for any amount of time knows you can only push a Balinese so far off center before they push back. And lets hope it always stays that way.
Markit
One of the main things that first impressed me about Bali and the Balinese was their strong sense of identity. What does this mean? Well, most other Asian people are terribly keen to be seen as "Western" in dress, manor and outlook and this leads to a pretty hasty loss of their traditional cultures, but not so the Balinese. They seem to be able to segregate their personalities into 2 areas - Us and Them. "Us" is full-up with Balinese customs, religion and family. "Them" is that area that we get let into to see a bit of and is responsible for their open and accepting attitude towards what we do and say. But only up to a point and this point seems to be rock-solid.Ask any Pakistani, Indian, Thai or Sri Lankan if they would like to move to American/Europe/Australia and 90% of the time the answer will be "show me the exit!". Not the Balinese.I'm not worried for the Balinese culture as long as things stay like this.:icon_biggrin:
Ricbali
Markit - thank you, very well said and I couldn't agree more. Sorry couldn't find the applause or like button. :icon_wink:I also forgot to mention how much I enjoyed reading the original post (article) by I Ketut Surya Diarta. It was interesting and though provoking to say the least.
