Savannah's Post

After a harrowing escape from Singapore after graduation, (following a great look around with my parents for a week prior to graduation) I am more than happy to be in Bali. And when I find myself comparing Bali with other places I've been in Southeast Asia, it most often comes out on top.

So what does Bali have...

Natural beauty, preserved -- check.
Extremely friendly people -- that too.
Great geographical diversity for a small place -- yes again. (Beach, rice paddies, mountains, etc)

In Bali, nearly every building is a temple. I can honestly say I've never seen anything quite like it. Many homes have elaborate stone carvings to guard their front gate, as well as more stone and wood carvings, banners, and beautiful gardens of Frangipani and Bird of Paradise in some. Possibly because I spent my first very happy week in Bali with Marius, in addition to just having left an extremely polluted and crowded city, Bali seems pretty much like paradise -- if you've got the money, that is. Food is cheap, but amazing accommodation is not -- if you want to stay in a Villa, you pay for every polished piece of silverware. However, I'm sure there's great budget accommodation too, probably with a free drug basket instead of fruit basket if you lodge in the dingy corridor of Poppies Lane (in the surfer district) that is so popular with backpackers.

So in comparison to other places I've been, I have to say:

The men stare less than in India (but still a considerable amount, despite all attempts to dress conservatively)

The people are friendlier than in Cambodia (and those Cambodians were happy people). I think Vietnamese people get a tie.

The cost of living is cheaper than Thailand, with cheap shopping to boot.

Food is better than in Singapore.

Spirituality, Religion, and outright Paganism is in evidence in greater levels than any Asian country I've visited.

And finally... making Balinese friends is fun. I think you'd have to actively try not to -- cultivate a grinchly scowl or something. The cook will bring you a picture of his newborn baby. The cleaner at the resort across the road will come and play guitar with you in the evenings at your house. Someone will chase after you on foot and then on motorbike to invite you to their village home, offer you breakfast (and then practice their English). The fourteen year old next door, who looked like she was about nine, made best friends with my sister while we stayed in Tejakula. I got the impression that if you wanted, you could choose to always have company in Bali -- I have never met such effusively and sincerely friendly locals.

So, bottom line, I like Bali! I definitely want to come back.

Next! Australia. Western culture! Yea!! Finally!!! It's been a while.