In Reply to: Plenty of posts bemoaning the changes... posted by Baldie on Sunday, 21. August 2011 at 12:59 Bali Time:
..must be saying something..." Yes, it is saying that for people like us, western visitors, things have improved. I'm no longer sure that for the Balinese the way things have been going over the last 10 years is such an improvement. Property taxes, especially in Dps have skyrocketed as the strain on the infrastructure keeps growing. As a result, more and more farmers are feeling forced to sell off their land for quick cash, which then gets used to build even more villas for more white folks who want a peaceful retirement/vacation in the ricefields. Water is the biggest problem at the moment. We use more than 3x daily the amount of water a typical Balinese family uses. Each golf course needs 2-3 million litres a day for maintenance. How is your Basa Bali?? Pedanda I Made Guning has a frequent Dharmawacana on the local TV, listen to HE has to say about the "blessings of tourism"... and he's not alone, believe me.
You are certainly entitled to your opinion, Baldie, but I think you are being a tad simplistic, naieve, and self-serving. Cheers.