We returned last week from 10 days in Bali (JBR later).
I 1st visited Bali in 1979 and 1981 and have not been back since. Well did I see a HUGE change. I honestly did not recognise the place.
I got home and got out the old photos and yes it is very, very different. I still loved Bali and I know progress happens in all countries, but I cannot say that I think it is in improvement on the old Bali.
If anyone has been to Lovina that is what I and my photos say Bali used to be like.
Last time we stayed in Sanur and the only areas that had piped water were the resorts. The area still had the very large ditches running by the roads with water for washing, bathing etc and the roads were narrow and not busy, you could walk along them. Sanur was surrounded with rice paddies and farms.
Roads were made with 44 gallon drums of tar over a fire on the side of the roads.
The 1st MacDonalds was being built the last visit in 1981. Now they are everywhere with other fast food outlets.
There were only 2 resorts in Nusa Dua back then and the journey from Sanur to Nusa Dua was via a very narrow track with palm trees and rice paddies.
Even the journey to UBUD showed so much building had taken place before if also was mainly rice paddies and not much else.
Has anyone else had a big break between visits and found the change bewildering as well.
But I still love the Balinese and it is a great place.