Bali Bums

I spent the last 10 days in Indonesia, diving in Bali and Nusa Penida, and spending a day doing absolutely nothing in Nusa Lembongan. Living in Singapore, we are spoiled for choice, considering the amount of island paradises surrounding us. We live merely a stone’s throw away from the coral triangle, some of the greatest diving and underwater biodiversity that the world has to offer.

I needed this break.

After the company I was working for told us they were shutting down based on voluntary insolvency, not paying us, and not replying any of our messages, looking for another job, choosing one, and starting almost immediately, my mind has been a fluster for close to three months. These few days of disconnect has been the first time in what feels like forever, that I’ve had time to sit and think about what I’m doing, stop running in autopilot, and just breathe, telling myself everything is and will be alright.

Me being me though, I can’t just do nothing. As much as I want to disconnect completely, shut off the world and spend every waking moment submerged in the ocean, my eyes see injustice, exploitation, and pollution all around me.

I went to Malapascua, Philippines, in August, and saw the same thing, despite being in an island paradise. It pushed me to write an article titled, Ecotourism - Changing mindsets, or chasing money? Sadly, the feeling rose up here in Indonesia as well. Especially in Bali.

Bali has become the tourist’s playground. Every time I come to Bali, I feel that it’s getting more crowded, crazier, and so full of stuff. So much stuff! Everywhere. The traffic is terrible, there is plastic everywhere, and drainage is a problem, so you can smell the stinky sewers while walking down the street.

Foreigners flock to Bali. The locals are friendly, the ocean is amazing, and she provides a myriad of activities, no matter what interests you. In 2022, Bali received 2.1 million tourists, which surpassed their predicted 1.5 million estimate. This year, just between January and July, Bali received 2.9 million tourists. Now, most of these tourists huddle together in Bali’s shi-shi spots, places to be seen, to flaunt cheap Hawaiian shirts and gym-bodies. I walked in to the famous Finn’s Beach Club the other day based on a friend’s suggestion, and walked straight out. A friend that I bumped into later that night, messaged me the next day, saying he had partied at Finn’s from 12pm-5am. 17 hours of straight drinking. Now, don’t get me wrong, I definitely was young once and would have been there right next to him doing the same thing. However, nowadays, my liver and my conscience get the better of me.

If 2.9 million tourists come to Bali annually to party at their huge beach clubs, drink in single-use plastic containers, and drive drunk with no bike licenses through Bali’s narrow, unlit streets at night, just imagine the destruction. Every time I come to Bali, I see at least a handful of loud, drunk people, in Bintang wife beaters, sporting new tattoos, blistered red with sunburn and bloody with bike accident wounds. Bali battle scars. How much more though, is Bali scarred from the notorious, ‘Bule’?

Many tourists around the world act entitled. “I’ve worked hard for this vacation, I don’t have to think about being considerate, responsible, or politically or culturally correct”. Visiting Uluwatu temple the other day, girls were walking around in bikini tops. The dress code asks that all visitors wear a purple sarong to cover the knees, guys included, but you would also think that one would consider wearing a more conservative top at least, to visit a temple. But not while I’m on holiday, right? They probably would never do it at home, but on holiday, anything goes. All courtesy, manners, and decency go out the window. Why should I care? I don’t live here. It is not my problem. Why do people act like the world owes them something just because they’re on holiday?

There are many good things that come from tourism, infrastructure, economy, education, and knowledge. However, if not done right, tourism can destroy countries, decimate the environment, and degrade cultures and values.