Friday ride to Tanah Lot in Bali
Bali is built up, Bali is too western, Bali is too touristy….that’s what you always hear. Today I wanted to show some contrasting aspects of life starting here in the Kuta area. I stopped by one of the many trendy shops that stock clothing for younger folks and have some items actually made in Bali.
Komodo is a British themed place that is quite popular. Its located on Jalan Pantai Kuta between Jalan Legian and the beach. Komodo makes a sandle which is a natural fiber on top ( looks like some kind of weaved bamboo ) and an old car tyre on the bottom. Sound funny? They actually look good. This kind of place you could find in London with its lively music and younger staff, its definitely a face of the modern Bali.
Climbing on my bike I rode up to Seminyak then took Jalan Raya Kerobokan towards Canggu and Tanah Lot to the NW.
I went past Canggu and turned off at a random little road. It was no more than 10 ft wide at the entrance and led me past paddy fields ( ‘sawah’ as the locals call them ). Local people were carrying bundles of wood and bamboo and this lady was watering the flowers used for daily offerings.
I followed the road a mile or so and it terminated at a cliff overlooking the beach. Three small shacks were set up serving drinks and small food items. I went to the one closest to the cliff and asked for a Bintang kacil ( small beer ). They were warm so the lady in charge chucked one in a bucket with 2 large pieces of ice.
I asked the people there what they did and what brought them to this cliff. The man lives close to here and likes to relax here with his wife and son, as do many other local people. He works in Nusa Dua for a para-sailing outfit.
The late afternoon drew teenage boys for soccer on the beach and there was plenty of space as the tide was out.
This 30 minute ride from Kuta showed me traditional people farming, preparing flowers for offerings, rice terraces and a beach without other foreigners. Is Bali too developed?
By Nick | Permalink
Related Posts
- Local photos - Kuta Beach and Poppies Lane
- Bali Pictures from December 2003
- Sunset time on Kuta Beach Bali
- Surf report for Serangan and Kuta Bali
- More photos from Ubud
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share              |
Comments
Just proves the “real Bali” starts about 5 minutes from Kuta.
We beat Barrie we beat Barrie (-.-)
G’Day Nick,
Nice trip and good fotos. That’s a good question ‘Is Bali too developed?’. I would say ‘Yes’ as far as the Kuta/Legian/Sanur/Nusa Dua areas are concerned. Into the countryside, thankfully the ‘real’ Bali still exists.
It would have been interesting to see the outcome today had community tourism dominated over the ‘big business’ investors back in the 1980’s. That is, having the majority of the money from tourism ploughed back into the community instead of into the pockets of corporate leeches.
G’Day Rob,
Damn!…Pooh!…Shit!. Ya got me buddy!.
ok If Real Bali exsits outside above places … where does the real indonesia start… and what might be real bali To You Not For Others…happen to think the real bali is in the air you smell and the faces of its people
Aloha Nick,
I very much enjoy your writing style. It brings places to life and I look forward to visiting them next week with my wife. My neighAbor and friend Mike Hilus suggested I give you a ring when in Bali for possible suggestions of festivals or what is happening that is cool starting September 10th (full moon) when we arrive. What is your phone?
Thank you from Kauai,
Steve Hunt
Aloha Nick,
I very much enjoy your writing style. It brings places to life and I look forward to visiting them next week with my wife. My neighAbor and friend Mike Hilus suggested I give you a ring when in Bali for possible suggestions of festivals or what is happening that is cool starting September 10th (full moon) when we arrive. What is your phone?
Thank you from Kauai,
Steve Hunt
Aloha Nick,
I very much enjoy your writing style. It brings places to life and I look forward to visiting them next week with my wife. My neighAbor and friend Mike Hilus suggested I give you a ring when in Bali for possible suggestions of festivals or what is happening that is cool starting September 10th (full moon) when we arrive. What is your phone?
Thank you from Kauai,
Steve Hunt
Nick, I really enjoyed this post. Especially the pic of the sawah.