What do you do for a living in Bali?
- Thread starter grayburn
- Start date
Welcome to the forum! No offense, but I find it odd...your question, coming from Belanda. I say that only because historically, your ancestors were experts on how to make a living here!
Well, anyway, you’ll find that most expats make a living here now in many of the same ways I guess you make a living in Holland.
Businesses vary, but they include export of goods....and that can mean anything to anything, real estate agents, financial services...insurance being top of the list, restaurateurs, bar owners, educators, retirees on a pension, artists, meditation experts, surfing instructors, gigolos, trust fund kids, foreign prostitutes, architects, builders, craftspeople, jewelry designers, writers, photographers, waiters, and many very desperate folks who still haven’t figured out how to make a living here. :shock:
Well, anyway, you’ll find that most expats make a living here now in many of the same ways I guess you make a living in Holland.
Businesses vary, but they include export of goods....and that can mean anything to anything, real estate agents, financial services...insurance being top of the list, restaurateurs, bar owners, educators, retirees on a pension, artists, meditation experts, surfing instructors, gigolos, trust fund kids, foreign prostitutes, architects, builders, craftspeople, jewelry designers, writers, photographers, waiters, and many very desperate folks who still haven’t figured out how to make a living here. :shock:
We "ran away" from the rat race about 6 years ago, when I'd had enough of the corporate B/S, and contracted a house in Kerobokan so that we could stay in Bali for extended holidays, which also allowed us the time to figure out what we wanted to do.
We ended up taking over a restaurant & small hotel in the central highlands. Apart from quality control, we don't do much else; we prefer to let the crew handle as much as possible.
I have a love of orchids, so spend much of my time playing in the garden. I'm kept busy there, as one of our crew goes trekking and each week, brings back a back of plants which keeps me pretty well occupied.
It's a great life
We ended up taking over a restaurant & small hotel in the central highlands. Apart from quality control, we don't do much else; we prefer to let the crew handle as much as possible.
I have a love of orchids, so spend much of my time playing in the garden. I'm kept busy there, as one of our crew goes trekking and each week, brings back a back of plants which keeps me pretty well occupied.
It's a great life
Great question Grayburn
I too am interested in what kind of employment goes on for expats. Do expats simply live off their investments? Do they get involved or need to get involved in new business and employment?
I really connected with Orang gila's reply - to the point and simple and free of other irrelevant ramblings.
Excellent also to get a little insight of what he gets up to while the staff take care of things.
Anyone else with a similar response?
I too am interested in what kind of employment goes on for expats. Do expats simply live off their investments? Do they get involved or need to get involved in new business and employment?
I really connected with Orang gila's reply - to the point and simple and free of other irrelevant ramblings.
Excellent also to get a little insight of what he gets up to while the staff take care of things.
Anyone else with a similar response?
Orang, I am 100% with you when you write:
Me too, and they do very well here. I’m lucky in that our houseboy also loves them and knows how to take care of them. I don’t have a “green thumb.” My dad was an undertaker, so everything he planted in the ground was meant to stay there!
Dasha, I already provided a partial litany of what expats do here: real estate agents, financial services...insurance being top of the list, restaurateurs, bar owners, educators, retirees on a pension, artists, meditation experts, surfing instructors, gigolos, trust fund kids, foreign prostitutes, architects, builders, craftspeople, jewelry designers, writers, photographers, waiters, etc. Was that “irrelevant rambling?” :shock: :shock:
Me too, and they do very well here. I’m lucky in that our houseboy also loves them and knows how to take care of them. I don’t have a “green thumb.” My dad was an undertaker, so everything he planted in the ground was meant to stay there!
Dasha, I already provided a partial litany of what expats do here: real estate agents, financial services...insurance being top of the list, restaurateurs, bar owners, educators, retirees on a pension, artists, meditation experts, surfing instructors, gigolos, trust fund kids, foreign prostitutes, architects, builders, craftspeople, jewelry designers, writers, photographers, waiters, etc. Was that “irrelevant rambling?” :shock: :shock:
Re: RE: What do you do for a living in Bali?
That's the way it should be Dasha, we think our role here is more staff training than management, just fine tuning. We like to think a little bit of our teachings are sinking in, especially when it comes to hygene, service, and language.
We seem to attract many trainee students who we fully believe are learning something; they are never used as extra's for cleaning, from about day 3, after orientation, they are all on the floor serving guests, and we don't dress them as trainees, they wear the same as the regular staff, plus we pay them an allowance which I don't think happens too often.
Most of our input is at meal time, which makes it a really tough life.. :wink:
As for gardening, it took a long time for staff to understand that I DON'T need any help, that it's not a chore - I do it just for fun. Apart from orchids, I just love palms & ferns, so I am in my element, and look forward to my regular deliveries of things to pot. Must have about 500 orchids scattered around the property, missus complains and can't quite understand it, but it helps to keep me from going totally crazy.
:shock:
Dasha said:
That's the way it should be Dasha, we think our role here is more staff training than management, just fine tuning. We like to think a little bit of our teachings are sinking in, especially when it comes to hygene, service, and language.
We seem to attract many trainee students who we fully believe are learning something; they are never used as extra's for cleaning, from about day 3, after orientation, they are all on the floor serving guests, and we don't dress them as trainees, they wear the same as the regular staff, plus we pay them an allowance which I don't think happens too often.
Most of our input is at meal time, which makes it a really tough life.. :wink:
As for gardening, it took a long time for staff to understand that I DON'T need any help, that it's not a chore - I do it just for fun. Apart from orchids, I just love palms & ferns, so I am in my element, and look forward to my regular deliveries of things to pot. Must have about 500 orchids scattered around the property, missus complains and can't quite understand it, but it helps to keep me from going totally crazy.
:shock:
Re: RE: What do you do for a living in Bali?
Roy, glad to see you have a love of orchids as well, you can't be all bad then.
Feel free to drop in if you're ever passing by, never know, I might be able to teach you a few tricks, and assist you with the lack of a green thumb.
It must he heredity, My dad was a keen gardener, I caught the bug, and my eldest son is into permaculture.
Roy said:
Roy, glad to see you have a love of orchids as well, you can't be all bad then.
Feel free to drop in if you're ever passing by, never know, I might be able to teach you a few tricks, and assist you with the lack of a green thumb.
It must he heredity, My dad was a keen gardener, I caught the bug, and my eldest son is into permaculture.
G
Guest
Guest
I'm still a new member to the forum, so maybe an introduction is in order..
I have been In Bali for 8 years, before that Singapore, and before that Jakarta - total 11.
I worked for Four Seasons and then Le Meridien as Marketing Director and 5 years ago started my own sourcing company. (specialising in Hotels / resorts / spas) I now have 2 companies, one a PMA (in my name), the other a PT - a cargo company(not in my name) and together we have 60 crew.
We have a very strong community care program - we assist a number of schools, orphanages, under priveleged kids and families. I believe strongly in giving to the community.
I am blessed with a wonderful life, and am surrounded by a tremendous group of young energetic people that I am proud to call my family.
I joined this forum just a few weeks ago and now I am not sure why I did. Some of the content and tone is surprising - not what I expected. I will stay tuned a while longer - to see how things pan out - so far it's been different to what I had expected / hoped.
It's Thursday today and that means Bulu Tangkis night for us - most if my crew play and that includes me.. prior to a year ago, I never played it, but now..hey...I'm hooked.
(Badminton)
I have been In Bali for 8 years, before that Singapore, and before that Jakarta - total 11.
I worked for Four Seasons and then Le Meridien as Marketing Director and 5 years ago started my own sourcing company. (specialising in Hotels / resorts / spas) I now have 2 companies, one a PMA (in my name), the other a PT - a cargo company(not in my name) and together we have 60 crew.
We have a very strong community care program - we assist a number of schools, orphanages, under priveleged kids and families. I believe strongly in giving to the community.
I am blessed with a wonderful life, and am surrounded by a tremendous group of young energetic people that I am proud to call my family.
I joined this forum just a few weeks ago and now I am not sure why I did. Some of the content and tone is surprising - not what I expected. I will stay tuned a while longer - to see how things pan out - so far it's been different to what I had expected / hoped.
It's Thursday today and that means Bulu Tangkis night for us - most if my crew play and that includes me.. prior to a year ago, I never played it, but now..hey...I'm hooked.
(Badminton)
Desmond, welcome to the forum! Hopefully it will measure up to your expectations:
Maybe part of the reason you joined this forum is to solicit business?:
http://www.bali-information.com/expat_f ... hp?t=13561
You might want to check out Bert’s Free Bali Advertiser:
http://www.baliadvertising.net/
Maybe part of the reason you joined this forum is to solicit business?:
http://www.bali-information.com/expat_f ... hp?t=13561
You might want to check out Bert’s Free Bali Advertiser:
http://www.baliadvertising.net/
grayburn
Why should we tell you that? There's enough competition as it is. Just come here and find out for yourself like the other expats did. Buy us some real-time beers, martinis, whatever and we might divulge our secrets.
desmond, oh desmond:
There is an old Rolling Stones' song called "You Can't Always Get What You Want". Play it again.
Sorry you didn't find what you want (or need) here. I guess from your tone, you're going to bugger-off soon. Your choice.
I would suggest that you be more patient here...lots of "experience" to be had.
And I, for one, would like to know what you expected in the first place. Don't be shy - share it with us.
8)
Why should we tell you that? There's enough competition as it is. Just come here and find out for yourself like the other expats did. Buy us some real-time beers, martinis, whatever and we might divulge our secrets.
desmond, oh desmond:
There is an old Rolling Stones' song called "You Can't Always Get What You Want". Play it again.
Sorry you didn't find what you want (or need) here. I guess from your tone, you're going to bugger-off soon. Your choice.
I would suggest that you be more patient here...lots of "experience" to be had.
And I, for one, would like to know what you expected in the first place. Don't be shy - share it with us.
8)
Re: RE: What do you do for a living in Bali?
Hey, great idea, (why didn't I think of that?) a good cheap way to assist with my drinking habit, and when I'm primed, I'll tell you anything you want to know.
Sanurian said:
Hey, great idea, (why didn't I think of that?) a good cheap way to assist with my drinking habit, and when I'm primed, I'll tell you anything you want to know.
This topic is interesting as it pertains to gardening in Bali and what peole do for a living. Does weed/ganga grow wild on bali and do many people have there own ganga gardens for personal use or for illicit means? i am asking this because i know that there are a lot of ceremonies and rituals amongst the balinese and was wondering if they use ganga for meditation, ceremonies, or anything else. Bali provides that good weather and climate year round to make a sustainable crop year round.
Do you find yourself taking your orchids/plants inside when the rainy season arrives so they dont get over watered?
Do you find yourself taking your orchids/plants inside when the rainy season arrives so they dont get over watered?
Re UluwatuWaves gardening question.
It would be a good cash crop, but I kinda like my current living arrangements, not keen on relocating to Kerobokan prison.
It would be a good cash crop, but I kinda like my current living arrangements, not keen on relocating to Kerobokan prison.
Re: RE: What do you do for a living in Bali?
So, what was the point of the question then? What were you trying to prove? :roll:grayburn said:
Grayburn, I think your initial question deserves a little better of an honest response than what has been delivered so far. My initial response was somewhat glib, and Phil (Sanurian) followed up on that.
Hopefully you understand that a certain amount of “protectionism” among the business ventures or employment of expats is understandable. After all, we are all in a foreign country, and a specific area, being Bali, which has a great deal of appeal. Most of us who have “made it” here have done so at great risk, and have taken the biggest gamble of our lives. Beyond that initial risk or gamble, we have all had to pay our dues in one way, or another. There is just no getting around it....pay your dues, or pack your bags.
I hope you can appreciate a certain reluctance for expats to go on record on a public forum with all the lessons they have learned over the years. Phil makes a good point as to how to acquire this valuable information. Sit down with some expats when you are here, and buy a few rounds. Open up to them, and they will open up to you. That’s just the way it’s done. We’ve all done it, and most likely this time honored tradition will continue well into the future.
Most expats that I know on Bali are a great international bunch of some of the finest human beings I have ever had the pleasure to know. No one I know takes any pleasure from the failures of other expats in their business pursuits. That is the truth my friend and it is just another great aspect of life on Bali. Good luck with metamorphosing your dreams into reality.
In case you can’t tell, I had a purification ceremony late last night. My wife Eri can tell, far better than I, when those demons are creeping back in. “Demon management” as I like to call it, or Ying and Yang is of great importance here. The wonderful thing I have learned over the years is not to be embarrassed by your demons. No guilt should be associated with them, as they are normal and an essential aspect of the human existence.
Hopefully you understand that a certain amount of “protectionism” among the business ventures or employment of expats is understandable. After all, we are all in a foreign country, and a specific area, being Bali, which has a great deal of appeal. Most of us who have “made it” here have done so at great risk, and have taken the biggest gamble of our lives. Beyond that initial risk or gamble, we have all had to pay our dues in one way, or another. There is just no getting around it....pay your dues, or pack your bags.
I hope you can appreciate a certain reluctance for expats to go on record on a public forum with all the lessons they have learned over the years. Phil makes a good point as to how to acquire this valuable information. Sit down with some expats when you are here, and buy a few rounds. Open up to them, and they will open up to you. That’s just the way it’s done. We’ve all done it, and most likely this time honored tradition will continue well into the future.
Most expats that I know on Bali are a great international bunch of some of the finest human beings I have ever had the pleasure to know. No one I know takes any pleasure from the failures of other expats in their business pursuits. That is the truth my friend and it is just another great aspect of life on Bali. Good luck with metamorphosing your dreams into reality.
In case you can’t tell, I had a purification ceremony late last night. My wife Eri can tell, far better than I, when those demons are creeping back in. “Demon management” as I like to call it, or Ying and Yang is of great importance here. The wonderful thing I have learned over the years is not to be embarrassed by your demons. No guilt should be associated with them, as they are normal and an essential aspect of the human existence.