Markit
This is the Army I'm talking about - those feckers with guns. Pop - thanks for an intelligent and coherent answer in a occasionally stupid and chaotic world. Thought so myself but am a firm believer in the "you don't ask, you don't get" school of philosophy.
David Collins
Hi Fronsey - It's been a long long time since I contributed here - I should know better about joining in again but what the heck :)Re your query -First the notion of there being a moral dilemma about building on rice fields - Maybe there is or maybe there isn't a moral consideration about building on a rice field, regardless it's particular to your individual situation and up to you to decide what's right or wrong. If you're actually concerned about rice production in Indonesia then go get informed beforehand. As to following politically correct rules laid down by other expats; F that. On topic I can easily reason from my armchair that matters of lack of a livable wage & declining interest in farming by youth are the forces behind fields being taking out of production and put up for sale or lease. To the PC preachers; fix those.The bigger moral dilemma is whether to build at all. I read your posts so this is to the general audience - If you or the occupants are not gonna live in what is built full or most of the time, permanently, then do us and the island a favor and find something else to do with your time. There are enough rental bungalows, houses, villas, apt., or whatever here already, more than enough. Construction is a destructive process with a massive carbon footprint - respect that. At the same time however, personal shelter is important and in my opinion qualifies as a best and highest use for the material used to create it. My preach - go build something useful, soulful, & thoughtful.
David Collins
Now about that wet ground -It really doesn't matter how long it dries out....you should never build on sawah soil, it's muck and muck's not stable. Your foundation should sit on the soils below the padi muck. Dig some test holes before you rent or buy; say 1m x 1m. Dig down and you will clearly see when you get beneath the muck - if the holes you dig fill with water without the help of rain then you need some knowhow or consultation to work around that, if not (and short of other factors) there's no reason you can't build immediately.
Mark
The bigger moral dilemma is whether to build at all. I read your posts so this is to the general audience - If you or the occupants are not gonna live in what is built full or most of the time, permanently, then do us and the island a favor and find something else to do with your time. There are enough rental bungalows, houses, villas, apt., or whatever here already, more than enough. Construction is a destructive process with a massive carbon footprint - respect that. At the same time however, personal shelter is important and in my opinion qualifies as a best and highest use for the material used to create it. My preach - go build something useful, soulful, & thoughtful.[/QUOTE]I hear what you're saying David about the moral issues of part-time use, but it's a bit over generalized. We (the wife) owns land in Ubud and we are planning to build a family villa for ourselves plus the wife's Jakarta-based family (mother, brother, sister and their kids, favorite uncle etc). No, it won't be used full time, but the joy that it will give many children and their parents, who otherwise spend their time in the polluted and traffic infested jungle of Jakarta, will be immense. Personally, I think that there is nothing wrong with an Indonesian family living in a crowded city having a vacation home in their own country and don't see this as a moral dilemma. In any event, I will enjoy the place too. Appreciate your perspective though.
Markit
Good move! - another villa middle in a Ubud rice paddy. The view and Ubud is already buggered so one more villa more or less won't matter at all. Build, Pay, Die?
David Collins
Mark - My opinions are just opinions, and yea that was broad generalization. To each his own anyway :), wish you the best with your plans.Markit - Twice in this thread you've pissed on someone's dreams, that's shameful. I remember when you were newbie here, how times change...honestly, from what I've been reading you're now sounding like a serious know-it-all and doing it with about as much sensitivity as that blowhard Roy who use to terrorize this site.
Smoke
I remember when you were newbie here, how times change..[/QUOTE]Markit Join DateSep 2007David Collins Join DateNov 2012 can I borrow your crystal ball and or time machine
David Collins
I'd rent you my crystal ball but no need....this forum changed servers or hosts or ghosts or something or another way back when and my account was deleted, I recall joining this or it's predecessor in '05 or '06. Been on the island since '05
sherm
A quick google search shows Mr. Collins is a builder of high end villas on Bali. As always, follow the money to find the truth. And four post in almost a year since "re"-joining?
David Collins
Sherm - questioning my ethics, as in I'm somehow swayed by my business interests when commenting on land use? Before I comment regarding that I'd like to point out how frig'n creepy it is that you would google me because, well I don't know because your disagree with me on a forum post??? For real??? And then admit to that? I guess that makes you a creep, although I'm not sure if you're a high-end creep or not.To the inference - I certainly never refer to myself as a "builder of high-end villas," or use any other elitist descriptions...on the other other hand I am most proudly a longtime self-employed (30+ years), hands-on (that's using tools mate) builder, designer, carpenter, cabinetmaker, PUNK ROCK ART SCHOOL GRAD, floor sweeping, pick-up driv'n go-fetch-it, you-name-it, what-ever-it-takes-to-get-it-done, home builder. And my specialty FYI is modest sized artisan built homes that all include a progressive common-sense green design/build program. And know also mr. spy-craft, due to my left leaning instincts I'm a strong and vocal advocate for progressive and serious land use restrictions..and I'm experienced and informed enough to know the diff between honest effort & PC posturing. If you think I'm cool with the paving over of Bali then obviously you didn't comprehend what I contributed.
David Collins
And to those who've jumped on members like Mark and Fronsy for asking advice or seeking help...this forum category is by definition for "peer to peer support."
joji gulapetis
Vivre la difference..... As so many members have said before...... gotta love these threads..... Life would be sooo bloody boring if we all agreed with each other.Welcome back David Collins, and don't stay away so long next time. I am sure with your experience a lot of us will want your input. I for one would when it comes time for me to "pitch my tent" in Bali. :topsy_turvy:
Mark
Good move! - another villa middle in a Ubud rice paddy. The view and Ubud is already buggered so one more villa more or less won't matter at all. Build, Pay, Die?[/QUOTE]Who said the villa was in the middle of an Ubud rice paddy?
Markit
Markit - Twice in this thread you've pissed on someone's dreams, that's shameful. I remember when you were newbie here, how times change...honestly, from what I've been reading you're now sounding like a serious know-it-all and doing it with about as much sensitivity as that blowhard Roy who use to terrorize this site.[/QUOTE]David you may think that I've "pissed on someone's dreams" or as I put it offered realistic experience based critique but times do actually change and so do people. I've been asked off and online many, many times for my honest and unbiased opinion about life here and have occasionally been criticized by people such as yourself for giving what I see as the unbiased truth. On the other hand many have been the grateful replies for my "honesty". Most people that are contemplating a move to Bali are level headed and experienced enough to stand an honest attack on their beliefs, no matter how fondly held, as it gives them the needed pressure to actually think about what they are doing as opposed to walking around with a dream.When I was new here back in 2007 I wanted exactly that honesty and fished and fished until I got the answers to what I needed to know - and I will swear to my dying day that's the only reason that I was successful in my dreams, the only one.If you are honestly suggesting that I tailor my advise and comments to not scare the faint-hearted then I will have to demur and if you think to influence the content by raising the ogre Roy then again I must demur. I have nothing at all to gain by idiotic dreamers building a fantasy villa on Bali - can you honestly say the same?
David Collins
Markit - If you were replying to them in the same manner you just did with me then I wouldn't have mentioned you. But that's far from the case. It seems only fair we play nice, advise & don't preach, and for darn sure don't put people down cuz they don't share our vision. Idiotic dreamers? That's shameful. You may, and sounds like you do, love it where you live, but for most expats south or Ubud is where they want to be and it's pretty easy to understand why - they're all idiotic dreamers?To answer you, personally I'm through with any new building here....so yep got nothing to gain.More importantly none of us has anything of real value to gain by casually dismissing or worse, callously deriding, another who by hard work or good fortune is about to build their "dream" home. Disrespect gets back no respect.
balipod-admin
this forum changed servers or hosts or ghosts or something or another way back when and my account was deleted[/QUOTE]When the forum was migrated to vbulletin everyone had to reset their password and add back their avatar. I don't believe any accounts were lost/deleted. If you remember your username or the email you signed up to the forum originally I can check it if you like.
David Collins
I recall trying to reset and got caught in an elctro catch 22, that's why I started over...I believe my user name was DCC
Lea
I was one of those ' idiotic dreamers ' until the 'mouth of the south' gave me a very rude awakening...Markit gave me an unbiased and honest opinion of my lack of knowledge in purchasing a property in Bali,of course I thought he was a total 'dickhead' and being only a mere male he couldn't possibly have more sense than myself..Markit's words made me slow down, step back, listen and learn and for that I am greatful....I may still not have my own villa, but I am a hell of a lot wiser now...!!Thanks Markit and all you other 'mere males' that were so ruthless with your keyboard...!!
David Collins
I hear you Lea...not questioning good advice, questioning the being a dick part...IT AIN'T COOL, IT AIN'T NECESSARY...this is not just about Markit, I said my piece (or is it peace in this instance?). It is easy to let fly on forums and groups but what we say or how we mean it can alter instantly when it turns to type as all kinds of influence gets added by the reader. Blah blah blah, simple forum etiquette, blah blah blah. Blah blah blah blah :)))Where's Fronsey anyway? How's the mud?
Markit
By "Mouth of the South" you must be referring to No.idea. I consider myself more a "Beast of the East" if you don't mind? But thank you Lea for your kind vote of confidence.
