Johan Hensen Column The writer is a retired hopitality consultant and living in Bali. Any comment about this article, please email at johan@bits.bali.com or HP 081558582853

Bali, Back to the Future….

I was thinking of one of my favorite films, titled “Back to the future”, when I was on one of my Bali discovery trips last week.

While sitting early morning on the balcony of my “lumbung style” wooden villa at the Lumbung Bali Cottages in Munduk, enjoying the singing birds and the stunning views all around me, I could not avoid that my mind went back to the above mentioned words. What is the future of Bali?
We all know that the economy of Bali depends on two related aspects: agriculture and tourism. But seeing the rapid developments in the southern part of Bali where I live, that thinking of the future scares me so much, as I see every day changes taking place; changes that should not happen to Bali. This is always expressed to me by return visitors, who ask me: “Why is the Real Bali gone?” Even first time visitors tell me at the end of their holiday that they enjoyed their stay at the hotel and the pool, but that they did not come all the way to Bali for sunbathing, hanging around the pool, shopping and having a night party. They heard about the mystique and spirituality of Bali, the stunning nature and unique culture. That is how Bali is promoted anyway and it is the image of Bali in the minds of most people in the world!
So, by looking to the future of tourism in Bali, we have to go back to the past. We have to think and realize what made Bali so special in the eyes of foreigners. What was (and is) it that made Bali so different from other top class destinations? Well, the answer is simple: The combination of its nature and agriculture, the way of living from its people, their culture and art, the mystique and spirituality and the outstanding variety of nature, combined with its tropical climate and the available tourism facilities (accommodation, direct and easy access, transportations and so on) made Bali to the best holiday destination in the world.
Will that still be the case today and in the future, now that so many uncontrolled developments are taking place, now that so much of its nature is disappearing for more western style hotels, modern villas, more roads, more man-made tourist projects, more shops and even more foreign workers? Where can you still see those stunning rice fields (paddy or “sawah”), where can you still meet those friendly Balinese people, where can you enjoy the golden silence of nature, experience the mystique and spirituality?
To understand how I see the future of Bali, you have to understand the philosophy of the identity of Bali and the basis of people’s life.
That principle is called: “Tri Hita Karana or short THK”
It was and still is based on Quality, Respect and Care and in short it means 3 important points for the people of Bali:
· respect and care of human to human
· respect and care of human to nature
· respect and care of human to God
That is why the people were so friendly and welcoming, the nature was so beautiful and untouched agriculture so unique as it was well taken care off and why there was so much mystique and spirituality.
Has this all gone or vanished? No, but it pushed backwards because of all developments and the greediness of non-Balinese (business) people. Farmers nowadays just have meager incomes, land is sold for high prices to ruthless foreign brokers and much of the tourism income is not spend in Bali’s economy.
Yes it still is there, but you have to off the beaten tourist tracks.
In my next columns I will take you by the hand and take you there, so you will be able to feel and enjoy Bali as a Balinese.
If you are here in Bali now and you don’t want to wait for my story about new discoveries in my next column, but if you love to experience the Real Bali right now, just contact us at the office of this magazine or at my contacts mentioned at the top of this column. We are more than happy to be your information source on how to discover the Real Bali. Because only than will you bring home unforgettable images about the Ultimate & Inspirational Bali and will you return as well. That is our future, because only direct interaction is it possible for the Balinese to proudly share their lives and island with you.
Have a nice time, full of relaxation, mystique and interaction. Enjoy the (natural) beauty of Bali and its remarkable people.
Let Bali be your Inspiration.