Posted by AmigoM on Thursday, 29. October 1998 at 09:01 Bali Time:
In Reply to: Thorough report posted by Tina on Thursday, 29. October 1998 at 05:27 Bali Time:
My experience of Waikiki is from TV, books and such. I don't
know whether you intend to spend your Bali time south on the beaches
or venture elsewhere. I feel if you stay south you will be disappointed. We ventured elsewhere, away from the tourist
crowds to see the "real" Bali and I feel we succeeded in that endeavor
to a large degree, but I am digressing.
I agree with your comment on the scantily clad persons. And I hasten to add it was not only the "younger generation" although they were more predominent. There were middle aged persons also. I noted
the same on my one pass through Kuta and attributed that to the beach
scene, but I found such dress so very much out of place in Ubud.
I hesitate to point fingers toward nationalities, but the accents I
heard were mostly, shall I say, UK English? With some obvious
European accents as well.
I've read quite a few comments her on the Forum in the last three
months about "tourism spoiling Bali." As I walked the streets of
Ubud, and sat in the restaurants, observing the very obvious
tourists, I came to the conclusion that the Balinese would never
try to emulate the attire or even some actions they see of
tourists.
We stayed north of Ubud and I walked the roads through the local
villages, happily acknowledging the beautiful smile and "Hello"
from passerby. In Ubud, I smiled and said "Hello" but the response
there was neither as spontaneous nor as heartfelt. At times my
greeting was totally ignored.
In the small villages out in the countryside we cherished so
much, the Balinese were always so very polite and friendly. I feel
that, YES, tourism is/HAS spoiling the Balinese traditional way of life.
A taxi driver we used previously spent his days in the rice paddies; now he does the rice paddies early in the morning and late in the evening, after taking tourists around on their shopping and other excursions.