Zsolt Zsemba

I got to work in a coconut processing location.

I got to work at a coconut processing location. The coconut husks are removed here, the coconuts are then taken to be made into oil, charcoal, etc.

One coconut from the forest is worth 10 to 15 cents. When the work is done, they are sold for 25-30 cents.

Each person processes about a thousand coconuts per day and gets paid $20. They do not work every day but do manage 4-5 days a week. I tried it, it's not about strength, but skill and technique. I am sure the safety standards in Canada would prevent me from standing in front of a spear that could kill me. Oh, and I did wipe out on the coconuts. All good though.

Interestingly, all the workers but one is a woman.

I do not know why, nor did I want to ask. Husking these coconuts and bending all day is not an easy task. Most have their arms and wrists bandaged up with a cloth. It is their form of tensor bandage I assume.

Working through up to 1000 coconuts per day will surely take its toll on the body. Yet my visit was fun, the ladies all laughed at me and loved the fact that I tried.

I was at it for about 20 min in total, while we shot the video. I was covered in sweat. Needless to say, I was not prepared for the task at hand.

The owner.

Bu Desa who owns this place has two locations and has been at this for 15 years. She employs 8-10 people in total. The trucks come and go, and coconuts are worked per order.

The coconuts are collected by the locals in the jungle and brought to this site where they are paid for them. In many ways, this is recycling because otherwise the nuts would go bad and rot. Locals wander into the jungle, where all kinds of animals reside. I did see one small snake but there are some massive ones... So, I have heard, I do not want to see one.

What I learned.

My Airbnb host is also a priest, he has a large amount of land, part of which I am residing on. The coconut trees are planted by cutting off the top of the nut, I am unsure of the exact details. Then they are planted 30 cm or so in the ground. If you miss this process the nut grows on top of the soil and is not as sturdy.

The trees take about 4 years to bear fruit and grow 10-15 meters in height.

There are many different fruits on the property, it seems impossible to eat all of them. They do sell the fruit to the local markets. Nothing here goes to waste.

I had fun.

I had fun working here for a day, but I tell you this is hard work. At the same time, it keeps the whole community active. From the harvesting of fruit to beach cleanup these people keep active and eat healthy food.

I loved my stay here, learned so much. I hope to return soon, to meet up with all my friends in Balian Beach Tabanan.

The last week in Tabanan

This is my last week in Tabanan. It has been quite the journey, I have loved getting to know people in the community. So far the community and Tabanan the village, I’m staying in, has been absolutely amazing.

I think the biggest thing for me is the sense of community. There are chores to be done and people get together for clean-ups of the beach, and prayers at the temple. What I have found is that there’s peace amongst everybody and they are happy, although I’m sure they have their own problems.

This is a place where children run free, play on the beach, and get dirty, and muddy and no one gets upset. It’s part of life and getting together for sunset is something that everybody enjoys. The other interesting part was that everybody brings snacks, but not the type of snacks that you and I would think of, it’s fruit.

The kids run around on the beach, collecting wood, playing with sticks, riding in the sand, and getting all dirty in general playing in the river it’s all part of life.

I think of myself as coming from Toronto. It’s a big city, yet I lived in Caledon, a smaller community outside of Toronto. It feels more like the countryside in North America, with less competition here and everybody’s happy with what they have. It’s all they can get, as there is very little job hunting here. There is nothing that to strive for that is out of their league because they will not attain it.

What I have found is that what little they have doesn’t mean that they’re poor. They are content and it’s a big difference from what I found in other places in the world. When the community gets together, they share everything from food to fish and collecting of firewood and wood for recycling and decoration.

They consider the beach is there a beach it’s the community is the temple near there where they do the prayers it’s considered their beach. People are welcome to use it or borrow it to surf on the waves, but it’s considered theirs.

I have worked in a laundromat, done interviews, and met some very interesting people. Today I’m going to work in the coconut factory and I’m ready to get dirty.

People say that my hands will be sore and I’m sure I’ll be sweating like a pig but I’m going to have fun. All this is going to go into the blog, onto my TikTok and I’m going to live like a local which I’ve been doing as best as I could up to now.

From riding a scooter, and mixing and mingling with local villagers, it has been quite the adventure in Tabanan. I look forward to my next stop, which is to be in Jimbaran Bali.

To the beach

So today I went to the beach. That would be a normal thing, except today I was invited. I was asked to be there around 5:30 PM. I was invited by a local person in the community to witness the collection of firewood and wood for recycling.

This was interesting to me because I always wondered what happened to all the wood that washed up on the beach. We had a very large storm a few days ago and the beach was absolutely littered with wood.

Logs and branches have washed up on the beach where they will be collected and recycled. Shipped off to a place called Gianyar in Bali. Here the wood is recycled into furniture, decorations, restaurants, as well as small carvings. What was interesting about the experience was that the community gets together and collects the wood. What was even more interesting was that they collect and sell by weight. The recycling program benefits the community and individuals.

Every family has its own piles of wood. These piles are left on the beach and anybody can take them but there’s no worry about stealing or cheating. The beach is cleaned by the locals. It’s their beach, not the government.

Families gather and involve the kids in the clean-up and recycling. Sorted, roughly by size, and of course, the bigger the pieces are worth more.

Having been to many beaches I have seen this collection of wood with tractors and individuals. However, I have never witnessed a public beach cleaned up by community members. The interesting thing was that this community gathering brings families together. Along with the kids and neighbors, they all participate in this massive clean-up of washed-up deadwood debris. The rivers carry them downstream into the ocean, and the ocean then pushes them back onto the beach. The beach tends to look dirty, and the clean-up never stops, the community always has a place to gather.

Business, Indonesia. Bali Indonesia 42

The spirit of entrepreneurship is alive and well. The knowledge behind the spirit is lacking.

This is not an insult, nor is it meant to be. However, the lack of knowledge is hindering the growth and strength of business-minded individuals.

I only assume that because there are many small street-side and curbside vendors in Indonesia, that is quite easy to set up shop and do business. Best of all this is done with minimum investment. All is well and good, but when a legitimate business is opened and space is rented yearly, and the spot by the side of the road is dirt cheap, circumstances change.

Pay Yourself.

This point is missed quite often. Many small business owners do not realize that they need to pay themselves. That they are employees in their business.

Often this point is missed because they see the cash at the end of the day. Yet when all is said and done, raw materials are paid, and they made very little money for the hours they put in. This point is not only valid for the locals in Indonesia but worldwide. How much did you as a business owner make after taxes and all your overhead costs?

Planning and marketing.

The local little shop has to have return customers that are used to grabbing a bite on the way to work. It is much like watching a sitcom on TV. The regulars come and the vendor makes a dollar or two. Yet they are stagnant. They are not growing and expanding their customer base. It is nearly impossible because the local streetside vendor has the same customers day in and day out.

They do pick up drive-by traffic and so there is a survival rate for most of these places. However, a real business, a real brick-and-mortar-style shop needs a plan.

Bali is Different.

I have touched on this before. But imagine people pouring into your restaurant. Like those towers of champagne flutes that get filled at parties from the top down.

When one place is full there is a trickle-down effect in Bali. From one restaurant to another at peak time you will not get a table. Most places are first come first serve. So, people go from one place to another until they find a table.

People in Bali never had to fight for business. Even crappy restaurants survived until they were weeded out by the pandemic. This has made a huge change in business operations and planning. People are still coming to grips with the fact that their place is empty while others thrive. Planning, planning, and more planning, in this case, marketing will give you an edge.

A business without a plan. Bali Indonesia 41

The other day I got a message from a lady on Instagram. She said she saw me on TikTok and would like help with her business in Bali. I asked for some details and off she went.

She wants to open a bakery/coffee shop in Bali, particularly in the Jimbaran area. I know the area very well, I do hang around the local coffee shops quite often. She told me her plan and I began to ask questions. To which she had very few answers. She wants to open a coffee shop and a landscaping business as well. The two are unrelated but in many ways, they do relate.

No Plan.

So far she has not done much if any market research. I can help with this because a few key places are missing in the area. One, there is no coffee shop with a view. Mostly because places with a view are expensive. However, there are many empty places in the area so negotiations could take place.

I mentioned to her the top things I look for as a foreigner. I need lots of individual tables. Usually, there are no more than two people seated in a coffee shop and many are alone, much like myself. Tables can always be pushed together for larger parties and at the same time, a few larger tables can be installed.

1. Tables and plugs are important for the many digital nomads and small business meetings that happen in Bali.
2. A clean minimalist simple modern coffee shop is the rage here. People will travel for a cool place to chill and spend a few hours there working.
3. A good WIFI connection is a must and of course, it needs to be free. By good I mean decent and stable. Most places do accommodate this need.
4. Cleanliness of the place and the washrooms... Oh boy, I cannot stress this enough. In Indonesia, the washrooms are usually neglected. This always makes me wonder if the kitchen is as well.
5. Indoor and outdoor space. People that have been in Bali for a while get used to being outside and as long as there is a breeze we can manage. However, a nice air-conditioned indoor space with outdoor space is a must.

Those points are crucial and of course, a good cup of coffee, pastries, and sandwiches will always bring people back. Not to mention polite well-trained staff.

One place I go to, always offers free water. Yes here, unlike in Canada where water is free, here they charge. A small glass of water with the menu is welcomed, especially after a hot scooter ride.

Basic Points.

When I mentioned all these little things, the lady I spoke to was a little taken aback. She had no plan, no look and feel for the place, and zero ideas about what she wanted.

On top of this, there had been no thought given to marketing, branding, or long-term strategy. I may have scared her a little. However, it is better than her pouring a pile of money into something that she will regret. Even if she never gets back to me, I know I have given her something to think about. Whether a coffee shop or a landscaping business it makes no difference. One needs to have a plan.

A business outline, helping locals. Bali Indonesia 40

This is how I start nearly anything.

Assuming I wanted to write a book or open a restaurant my process is simple. I start with my title. Yes, most of my poems start with inspiration from a movie, a line of a song, or conversations I hear.

I start with a word or two and like the title of a book, it brews within me.

This process takes weeks and sometimes months. The idea sits somewhere in my brain, I come back to visit it occasionally and add more to that folder. Let us start with a restaurant. We will call it Wild Burger. Now let that sink in a bit and come up with a logo.

The Logo.

For me, this is important because my logo will dictate the look and feel of the place I am going to create. Please do not hate, this is my process that I am sharing.

Wild Burger's logo will be devilish and spicy with a touch of fire. My logo cannot look upscale and fancy. That is not what I would go for here unless I called it Gourmet Burger or something like that. Then I can feature people eating burgers with a knife and fork.

Wild Burger is fun and exciting so my logo colors and interior colors will have to have some sort of cohesion. This will also impact my menu and prices to a point because I am competing with other fast-food outlets.

The interior.

Now that I have my look, I want to create the look and feel of the place along with my uniforms. All this for me needs to relate to my logo and my style.

This will pull together the menu, the layout, and the interior design of my place. Don't think big, think of this as a small intimate little place where it feels like a small diner and yet it is fun and exciting. A place where root beer floats are served and the burgers look and taste homemade with a wild style. Maybe special buns and a signature sauce to boot. This all ties together with the colors and decorations on the wall. Wild Burger could even have a mascot or a fun feature to the uniforms.

To Tie it all Together.

Sure, there is so much more to a business. Equipment, space, raw materials, and so forth. I am dumbing this down as this is not a business 101 blog. Once you have established your look and feel you can then tell the painters, and the decorators what you want.

Otherwise, you will be trying to explain yourself and that is a frustrating process. If you cannot do it, go online, to look for the examples you want to follow.

Now that it is all set and you have an idea for the big picture, you need to think about marketing, and costing and come up with a business plan that you can afford and make work.

Top questions on TikTok. Bali Indonesia 39

My top free online tools.

As I get deeper and deeper into the comments on TikTok, the more I sense that there is a very basic need for online education. People are asking questions that have very simple answers, yet they do not know. I am not quite sure how this applies to the rest of the world but here is my take on the very basic online tools. With an abundance of online tools and most out for free the only excuse for not being able to do what you want is laziness.

Google, love them or hate them...

It is all there before you in the lovely Google colors and it's free. That should be the end of the tutorial. Go online, go to YouTube and browse the millions and millions of hours of content. If you are not lazy you will learn a thing or two. I do, I did, and will continue to do so.

Yes, I am sending people away from my platform to theirs. I cannot and do not want to reproduce the content that they have made. Yet I am somewhat forced to because my viewers I assume are lazy.

Google has it all, nicely gift-wrapped and ready for you to make nearly anything you need for a business.

Canva, love it or hate it.

It seems nearly impossible that this is for free. Yet it is and I use it all the time. For basic logos and basic graphics, this tool is incredible. Yes, there are limitations, but for the average person or business user, this tool will do.

Now that they have added a decent video editor, now that you can record your voice, there is not much Canva cannot do. You can also make a resume, menu, logos, book covers, and so on. There is no excuse for anyone, if you need more than that then you need a pro. So do it yourself or get a pro to do it but it is there if you need it. With the QR code feature, you can look like a pro without spending a penny. So why not give it a try?

Next up is VN

This tool is a simple video editor that is available for your phone or in my case my Mac. Yes, the free version has 100 projects for free. I get around it by making myself a template and reusing the layout. I download the video and make a new one.

This is a basic video editor that once more easily suits small business and influencer needs. Unless you are a pro there is little need for anything else and best of all it's free.

Yes, you do need to learn it and it is not hard at all. The best advice I have is to use it and learn by making mistakes. Once more there are thousands of tutorials on how to use it on YouTube.

This is the next point, YouTube.

For nearly anything from how to fix a refrigerator to how the satellites work, you will find it on YouTube! Why do people ask me silly questions when they can ask YouTube instead? Laziness I assume.

But there it is, my top tools for nearly everything in my content creation. I am not going to recommend tools and go into features. I have a whole page of links that I use to help with background removal, voice enhancement, and more. Have fun and learn online.

Where has TikTok taken me?

So, what I have learned about Tik Tok is that many local people really do not have any idea about how to start a business. By this I don’t mean that they don’t have any ideas on how to start a business, they just don’t know how to go about starting that business. Many of them want to start a business. They say they have no idea what to do. However, many of them already sort of have a business. At the same time, they don’t know what to do next. What I’m trying to do is, lead them down a path of thinking in a way that they can then help themselves create a business.

I’ve gone about this by laying out the fact that when you start a business, a restaurant, or a shop, it doesn’t have to be huge. All they’re thinking about is this is a massive investment in starting a business, but it is not necessarily valid in Indonesia. There are very few rules and regulations to starting a business. Some people have sandal/bag businesses, restaurants, food, and catering, and nobody is actually licensed as a business. They may open a business under a name but it’s not what would we consider in North America as opening a business. Yet at the same time, I find myself kind of guiding them as to how to take the next steps.

For example, the number one TikTok video I did, showed that you do not need this whole business plan in the way that you think of when you open a business in North America. When you think of opening a restaurant, you think of buying tables, chairs and kitchen equipment, etc.  That would work in North America and would require a huge investment.

In Indonesia however, this does not happen. They might have a tiny little space; 5 m x 5 m with a gas cooktop, the chicken, and other ingredients. The vegetables are bought as needed, as they are not stored in freezers. They open tiny, tiny little places where they can do business.

What I’ve done is kind of guide them and say hey, you can open this business. You don’t need a huge amount of capital if you’re good at cooking.  You can start cooking, and see if people like what you cook. Then start giving the food to friends, inviting friends to test the food.  Then you could open a tiny little place. In Indonesia, some of these tiny places are close to a thousand dollars a year to rent, not a huge amount of money even for local people.

I met this lady the other day. She sells sandals.  Her sandals are being made by a group of little guys. They sit on the floor in a big mess of leather, glue, and wood for heels, and all kinds of pieces and bits and pieces for shoes. They make these custom sandals, custom lady sandals. They have huge potential but there’s zero marketing behind it. So, then I got into the marketing end of this.

The branding of the shoes is where it kind of falls all apart. These people have a business, they do not follow up with a logo, website or any information. They just say WhatsApp me, message me and I’ll give you what I have. I’ll send you pictures. These pictures are not professional. They are just pictures that were taken on someone’s shelf, there is no business logo. There is no business branding and there’s no way of growing this business outside word of mouth. Which they probably do because they tend to survive.

The sandals I looked at, cost anywhere from two dollars to $10. So, $10 at $20 retail given the different specs. The market for them is huge. Delivery is absolutely peanuts, but there isn’t any real thought of branding the business behind it. This is what puzzled me about all my conversations and all the messages I’ve read on TikTok.

Where TikTok Takes me. Bali Indonesia 36

On the way to Bu Dewi

I rode my scooter through the Bali countryside, I awaited my next meeting. These are always fun, I never know where I will end up. I could be driving down a dead-end street and the next be out in the rice fields.

In this case, I ended up at a very small family-owned factory. The term factory is used sparingly here. It was a large family compound of about 3000 square meters. The front of which had a shack of about 10 meters by 10 meters. The walls and the roof is constructed of corrugated metal. Upon pulling up I didn't expect much of a factory to begin with but this was rather small.

Meeting Bu Dewi and Pak Rio

This was a family business and it showed. The wife Dewi contacted me on TikTok and asked for help. Here I was as they invited me to the back of the compound.

They did have a restaurant but it closed with Covid so they tried to make a go of it with a furniture business Pak Rio's father had. This was the reason for me to be here. Let's help this business...

Bu Dewi was eager to learn and we jumped right into it. But after we did our content we talked. I feel this is what the video should be and not the content I post. Yet most people will not watch the most interesting parts.

The compound.

In this Balinese compound, lives 70 people. Yes, 70 people. Ages 8 to 80 and all lived in their little homes in a large Balinese-style setting. They have lived here for generations and will continue to do so as the family expands.

This way of living has many benefits. Most of these homes are paid off and are easy to maintain. The family can get by on very little since these roofs over their heads are paid for. It was easy to see how the lack of education and the lack of knowledge can simply pass over to the entire family. I am proud of Bu Dewi for reaching out to me and letting me help her. My assistance with her business can raise the wealth of her compound considerably. This is where I began to think even deeper.

Helping

I am helping not only one or two people. I am helping so many people at the same time. Up to now, I have helped out about 10 different people.

But as I see in this case, it goes way past that. It didn't dawn on me until I walked into this compound. I can see how a little goes a long way and how mutual respect goes even further.

During my ride home, I felt happy with myself. I felt as if I have accomplished something even though I did very little. I felt I am able to build a bigger and better business for these people and others, one interview at a time.

I hope they follow through with their plans and promote their business a little more.

Where TikTok Takes me. Bali Indonesia 35

Never would have thunk it.

I was riding my tiny little Honda Scoopy to a remote place in Tabanan Bali. I started thinking to myself as I rode and realized quite a few things.

Nope never in a million years. First, I never would have believed that I would be a tiktoker.

I mean it did sort of happen. As things often happen in life we are not prepared, I sure wasn't. When I began this journey, I put out a simple statement that I am willing to help locals by visiting them and making content with them to boost their business.

It all started by not wanting to take on a yearly rental in Bali. It began because I thought I had the silly idea of moving around Bali and this way I would get know Bali and the people I encounter. Well, My idea was correct and so was my hunch about the content.

Lost in translation

I first thought it was an accident and I misspoke. But I didn't, no I was very clear and I said what I said. Yet as my video nears 100,000 views and soars past 5000 comments, I find myself chasing my tail a little.

I got myself into a pickle here. I cannot help so many people on my own. I began looking for a team and finding ways that we could make a living out of helping people. Explaining to people the circumstances are not so simple. Once they get it they too see the light.

There are hoards of people who are willing to work but do not know where to start. They need to be led and given instructions on their level and with that, they too can be inspired to open their businesses.

Inspiration.

This is the key here my friends. This here is where people are failing. I am hoping that by going out to interview others people can see the light. As I write and edit videos, I find myself wanting to give more and more but I am limited. My interviews with others who have started and succeeded will have to do.

As I try and assemble some sort of team, I hope that I can continue giving away money and free consultation to those who need it. In the meantime, I do my best to say hello and keep the spirits of my followers up with sometimes funny and sometimes serious content.

Maybe inspiration coming from a foreigner is different. Maybe the interaction between myself and the locals makes a difference.

It makes no difference to me at the moment. If I am able to inspire people and make things happen for others, I will continue to try and make this happen. At times the travel through the Bali traffic is a bit difficult but I feel it’s worth it.

The next step

What are the next steps on TikTok?  So far what I’ve done is, create a video that encourages people to open businesses. I’ve interviewed people who have started businesses and are continuing to do business. Though the business may not be a North American standard, they’re like home businesses. Yet their home businesses are products that we would never ever attempt to make ourselves. We would not have this little shop, making custom sandals and have people selling it for us, because we wouldn’t know where to get those sandals, they would have to be made in China or overseas. Where here, they are made in local shops. All along the streets are little shops, some make the sandals, and some stores sell the sandals. That’s the way the business is run.

This is what kind of puzzles me about this whole business model that I’ve accidentally stumbled into. Indonesian small business is very very small, yet even smaller businesses like these little shops, supplying sandals to these other little stores have immense potential. When I sit there and look at a sandal, I’m thinking you could make maybe one style of sandal make it really good make it really unique, and take some beautiful professional photos. Marketing them in the right way they have the potential to be big. They have the potential for production, if they can’t be produced in the local little shop, they could go to other places in Java, where they could be made for possibly even less cost with a larger labor force.

This whole little business thing I stumbled onto, I’ve been offered everything from sandals, bags, clothes, sugar, oil, land, and 1 million other items that I totally forget what they are. The point is that there’s a massive amount of people willing to put in the work to get these little businesses up and running, they just don’t know how, but they have ideas. I want to cook; I want to sell bags but that’s it. They take the bag and try to sell it to their friends, but their market is limited. As opposed to branding it a little bit and making this business a legit business. This is the information I’ve gathered on TikTok, and surprisingly, I find myself wanting to help these people, wanting to make the product better, and more efficient than not working on the floor. Start businesses that have an actual viable future and could actually generate a profit because these people make a living even despite themselves, despite the fact that they have no knowledge, on how to run a business.

So, the next steps on TikTok for me will be to try and guide these now almost 5500 followers I gained in a week and nearly 200,000 views that have been watched from my content. The people are immensely responsive in the chat, they’re wanting to know more, it’s almost like the Internet before I had not existed for them, which is absurd, but it feels like the information I’m giving them they’ve never heard before. I don’t know why that is I don’t know if it’s a lack of education or lack of energy maybe on their part. I’m not really sure where to go with it after. I’m just going to keep giving them hints using other businesses to draw from. Using them as examples of people that can do it and people that have done it. Encouraging them because, at the end of the day, Indonesia has over 300 million people. There’s a huge amount of resources here, and I think the future of business here will be the power of small business.

The possession at the temple.

This gathering and these prayers consist of the priest chanting.  As in nearly all religions, there is some reciting of these chants/prayers. I didn't understand a word since it was all in the ancient Balinese language.

The dancing and the gathering went on and one group of people had already finished their prayers. We had to wait since we had a rain delay earlier and our turn was to be at 6:30 and turned out to be more like 7:15.

As the night fell the temple took on a very different look and feel. These temples are all locked during the day. Unlike churches, one cannot freely enter.

The prayer.

We did our prayers, and I followed along as much as I could. I was given a small handmade offering box with flower petals. There were five chants and for each one, I had to pick a different flower and it goes as such. We are all seated cross-legged facing the statues and offerings. The priests and us are all seated and facing in one direction. No preachers are talking to you in Bali. As the locals picked up the different color flowers I followed along and placed my palms together with the tips of my fingers holding the petals.

They do this chant 5 times. At the end of each chat, we put a petal in either your headdress or tuck them in your ear. At the end of the chants the priest comes and uses a grass-type wand and sprays you with three flicks of the wand. With your hands cupped together, he places holy water in your hand and you drink it. This is done three times and then you are given some rice to stick on your forehead and your neck.

Then came the possession.

When this was all said and done, suddenly there was a commotion.  At one of the temple gates and in came a small group of people. The lady next to me said that she is possessed and is in a trance. The lady that was said to be in a trance was crying, whining, and possibly screaming or chanting, I couldn't tell.

She was somewhat helped and dragged before the priest and another man did a Balinese walk and dance of sorts. This was a form of exorcism. I have never witnessed such a thing in my life. I have heard about it. I have seen videos but never have I seen one in person.

The lady seemed to be in pain, she cried out as if she was and I was told that a spirit is talking through her. I asked if this happened often, and they said no. Later the lady that was possessed sat near me. I was taken aback a little because she was in tears. She had to be about 55 so it was not someone wanting attention. She wept openly about her experience. I was told that they remember these experiences and it changes a person permanently. I assume it would and as she wept, all I could think of was wow and I wish I could talk to her. Maybe next time.

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My ceremony experience.

Since I changed locations, this area is even quieter than the last one, I like it. However, remote the location is, the Balinese people are welcoming and inclusive.

My Airbnb host is a local priest and when I asked him if there would be any ceremonies, he invited me to one. It was rather unexpected and quick, but I also promptly accepted his invitation.

On the day of the ceremony, he delivered the sarong that I needed to enter the temple and I was all set to go. I did mention I would like to take photos and videos; everyone was fine with that.

This was going to be a new experience. I have been to a temple before, but this was different.

I was getting strange looks.

At the agreed time I walked to the temple. There was hardly anyone there. I sat and waited under the gazebo in my sarong and my phone in hand.

I was given some strange looks by the men and women passing by, but it was ok. I was a little anxious and nervous. This soon passed when a group of women smiled and asked me what I was doing. I explained and I went with them.

We went about 50 meters and down some stairs where I saw this large statue. She was surrounded by what seemed to be a well. I then witnessed them taking the water out of the well and placing them into cups. This was to be a blessing with holy water.

The rain poured down.

Unfortunately, the ceremony was a touch delayed. It began to drizzle and rain. Then it was pouring rain and not only did we get holy water on us but also tons of rainwater.

Our journey was to be two stops. One here at the local temple. It would be the village temple and then head over to the large temple by the road. The ceremony itself would not have been too long but the rain certainly delayed it.

I must admit I was a wimp, the men all went and got soaked on their way to the temple. My friend's wife said to stay, I didn't argue. After about 30 min the rain eased up and we went to the larger temple.

This was a beautiful experience.

The temple we went to was large. There are many small ones and even some personal family temples that could pass for public ones. The temple could hold a few hundred people and unlike churches, these temples are all outdoors, with most having some sheltered areas for the Gamelan musicians and areas for the priests to sit.

While I have visited large temples in Denpasar, they felt like a shopping mall rather than a ceremony. This place was slow and quiet, not 100 people at one pushing and shoving to get the chore of the prayers over with.

This was a family occasion. Everyone in the village knows everyone else. They are a large family-style community. Everyone is dressed in colorful outfits and as the music played, I saw the young ladies dancing away to the Gamelan music. This was an amazing ceremony to witness. It got even more exciting when a possession happened to three people.

A simple way of life.

Being in Tabanan is a bit far from everything. I do not have the restaurants I am used to. I do not have an ATM anywhere near me and it will take me 30 minutes to drive to the nearest one.

My food choices are limited. Mostly local food and the portions are smaller. That is not a bad thing though. I am finding my way around these minor inconveniences. Though I should not call them inconveniences. They are more like challenges. I need to make breakfast and I usually go and find lunch and skip dinner. I have made it a two-meal day sort of.

Living by the ocean.

I am a 12-14 minute walk from the ocean. The road that leads to my place here is a major road that handles all the traffic from the ferry. This is a major artery. If this were shut down, the supplies to the island would be too. I need to be careful with my scooter and be mindful of the slightly crazy truckers at the same time.

Every truck takes some wild risks to pass and get one car ahead. At times the truck and scooters are close enough to touch when they pass. Yet at nearly every turn I am seeing incredible rice fields on one side and the ocean on the other. These sights I need to pull over at and I always wonder what is around the next bend. Everywhere I stop is near the ocean with small roads that look like walkways that lead to amazing views

This to them is normal.

I am amazed at all this because this location is new to me. Oddly enough many people in Bali do not know how to swim. I have heard this from other islands as well. Seems off to me but it is kinda weird.

When I talk to people, they are surprised to hear that I am here for a month. Most people who come here, come to surf and stay a week at most.

The more I get to know the locals the more I love the small villages and the atmosphere. It feels a lot like living in the country in Canada with the added benefit of the ocean and the tropical climate. As I mentioned about the little girl earlier. Her parents went off to make money abroad. They send their money back home and save it, investing it into land and farms. Yet the Balinese will return to their home after their stint abroad and be with their family.

My ceremony experience.

Since I changed locations, this area is even quieter than the last one, I like it. However remote the location is, the Balinese people are welcoming and inclusive.

My Airbnb host is a local priest and when I asked him if there would be any ceremonies, he invited me to one. It was rather unexpected and quick, but I also promptly accepted his invitation.

Tabanan update.

Certain things in life are a given. Love, death, happiness, sadness, joy, tears, and heartbreak would also be on the top of that list.

At the moment, I will confess I am in the joy part of my journey. Part of that has to do with experiences. Being in a foreign country and scooting around on my scooter from place to place has given me insight into a very different world.

While I would say this is a personal journey, I also feel it is an enlightening one. Mostly because I am welcomed everywhere. I must say that I get such a kick out of this... Sometimes I say hello to the grumpiest looking man. However, when I say hello to them in their language they smile and suddenly, I am accepted.

Welcoming people.

While I will blog about this later, I was invited to a temple by my Airbnb host. I wanted to experience the local ceremony, so I took the chance, more on that later.

Yet the best part was that once the word got around that I can speak the local language I had several people come up to me and we chatted.

At the end of the ceremony, Pak Agung came up to me and said, "you are now part of the family" While the little voice inside my head went to "So are you going to charge your family rent." I of course thanked him so much for the opportunity to take part in the ceremony.

Not like church.

While this is religious, and I had to wear a sarong and do the prayers with the locals it was very different than a church. Yes, there is a dress code. Sarongs are a must and women cannot enter during their menstrual cycle.

The vibe is calm and relaxed, welcoming, and children along with dogs run around the temple. The families do not seem artificial and pretentious. There is a calmness about them and with the ceremony. Not preaching, God this and God that and Jesus this and all the commercialized aspects of the religions I know.

As I chatted with locals, they warmed up to me quickly and random people came to talk to me.

One little girl.

One of the locals was taking care of a young girl who is 13. She spoke to me in fluent English and a slight accent. Her parents work on a cruise ship and travel around the world. She is taken care of by her grandparents and of course, misses her mom and dad.

Locals sometimes do this, I will have a similar story on another person I met at the ceremony as well. This little girl is without her parents for nearly 6 months at a time. Yet she knows and fully understands that her parents are working to provide for her. This is also made possible by the Balinese way of life.

Living in large compounds with several small buildings on them, the Balinese live a very simple yet structured life. They do not fall into the many traps that their North American counterparts do.

Overwhelmed by TikTok and support.

There I was, after a month of deliberation, posting on TikTok. Being blown away by the results. I did a few videos as a trial and then I posted a video of what I truly wanted to use TikTok for.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, it was to help and promote small businesses in Bali. My video is now nearing 70,000 views and thousands of messages. So many people are reaching out for help and nearly all of them are missing huge opportunities.

They all lack the get-go or confidence to create their own free social media accounts. I am not sure how and I do not understand all this yet.

Free tools.

Free tools such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Google sites are under-utilized. The basic argument is, "I am a village person." I do not know how to do this. There is a small amount of truth to it. Yet if they search on Google they would know. That is the problem, they do not know, no one has told them and they do not know what they do not know.

You don't know what you don't know.

I am spending hours on end now talking to individuals on various platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok, it is simply amazing.

The next steps.

The next steps will be to put together packages and show them how to create and use these free and simple marketing tools. This is where the business end of the plan will come into place.

Much of the marketing I will be doing for free. Much of this will be a simple process to guide the locals. The bigger step will be to take on larger accounts that can afford to pay for site visits and advertising. All the while, I continue to gather data and phone numbers from the locals.

The big step I am hoping to achieve is that in the future I may be able to use my website as a portal for eCommerce. To have a place to put all the products and links on my website.

How do we benefit?

We will all benefit from a community of small businesses. We can all be the little guys banding together for a common cause. Follow each other and support each other.

I am unsure if my plan will come true. For now, I am sure of this. I can make a difference in the lives of these people as a foreigner in Bali. This far, the support has been overwhelming and I hope the trend continues.

However, I am a little concerned about people following up. Like many people, these small businesses are excited and ready to go. I am unsure if they will follow up and keep their end of the bargain by posting and creating content to keep going.

I jumped into TikTok!

Alright by all admission I have a pen name here in Indonesia that I publish my books under. No, I cannot say it as it is a secret. However, I have been struggling with my TikTok account and I only have a few hundred followers.

However, over the weekend I launched my very own, very personal TikTok content so feel free to click on it and see for yourself. I posted a few videos and then I posted the one I wanted to.

The one I wanted to post had to wait so it was not the only post in my eyes.

What did I post?

Well, I posted content about wanting to help local businesses. I posted a 30-second video and in a matter of two days, I have over 55 thousand views. Needless to say, it went a little crazy and way beyond what I was expecting.

But that was not the end of it. I have had hundreds of shares and nearly a thousand comments. The post went crazy and I neared 3000 followers in a matter of two days.

This was the desired effect. Except I was not ready to answer the comments and the posts. I was not ready for my phone to blow up. I had to turn off the notifications because It was going insane. I was trying hard to like and respond to every post but it was impossible.

What is the goal?

The goal is to create content for free for small businesses. To have the free giveaways sponsored by larger companies as a form of advertising and it seems to be working.

I have had several people reach out to me wanting to not only sponsor but giveaway cash to locals I bump into. It had been very overwhelming and honestly, I am not prepared. I found myself glued to my phone all day trying hard to keep up with messages and likes. Many of them spilled over into my Instagram and messaged me there as well.

What's next?

First of all, I found out that a foreigner who speaks the Indonesian language is a hit. I didn't know this before but here we are. Thus, I am working on a business plan as we speak so that I may harness the power of TikTok and use it to help the needy and help local businesses.

As for what's next? I may need at least one staff to help out and book appointments as well as follow up on all the messages pouring in on both TikTok and Instagram. Let's see how the next week pans out and how we can help the smaller local businesses.

The first days in Tabanan. Bali Indonesia 30

If you have been following my journey in the past few months you will have noticed that I am in Bali Indonesia. You may have also noticed that I have been putting quite a bit of effort into keeping things focused on the locals.

I feel this is important as it is considered a developing country. At the same time often, I need to wonder if it should be considered as such. From my point of view, it is almost as if we don't need to make it any more westernized as it is.

Bali is...

Bali is not equal to the rest of Indonesia. Bali has to be the most western-influenced province of Indonesia. Many foreigners often do not know that Bali is not a country of its own. It most likely could be and it would most likely survive and thrive on its own.

Bali grows its own crops and has plenty of foreign currency coming in. It would most likely not have enough resources as far as raw materials to keep the building industry going. Not without destroying Bali itself.

I am in the Tabanan area this month. I have chosen this area because it is quite remote and I get to live in a village setting. I wanted to experience that. In Indonesian, it is referred to as a Kampung which means village.

Off to the village I go and my first two days have been amazing. The sights and places I have seen have impressed me even though I have been coming here since 1998.

The lush vegetation, the large gorges, and the rocky rivers are a thrill for the senses. They make you question life and admire such beauty that pictures and videos do not give nature enough credit.

Meeting more people

This has also been part of my journey. To meet more and more locals. Such as the man who has 50 hives of bees and lived here in the village all his life.

The Balinese way is as such. The eldest child, especially the son must stay with the land and house he inherited. He cannot sell the main house, it must remain in the family.

Now check this out and see how this all makes sense. The house and the land have been paid off generations ago in most cases. The family that I am talking about has a few hectares of land that is worked. There are so many fruits and vegetables here that I have been eating bananas for two days and I still have some left. Life is different here. people live life and do not chase positions on a business level. They live a simple life and yet we call them a third-world society.

The last Blog from Ubud. Bali Indonesia 29

First of all, I would like to say thank you to Pak Made. Mr. Made at MM House in Ubud. I spent the month at his location, which overlooks the beautiful rice field in the blog. I have a Tik Tok video with him as well. If you are ever in Ubud and need a place to stay, give him a shout.

So, this is it, the last blog from Ubud. My first long-term stay in Ubud and let's say that my review of Ubud is a positive one. I am sure it's not just me, but I found it to be refreshing.

I mean that in both the weather and the area itself. I love the Bukit and Jimbaran area. I love the views overlooking the island and the fact that I know the area.

Ubud was very new for me, but I felt good despite being out of my element. I am a fish out of water in more ways than one. I am far from fluent in Bahasa Indonesia, the Indonesian language.  With a little help from the locals who usually understand a word or two, I have made it.

What makes Ubud special?

For me, it was a touch less traffic because I was not right in Ubud. I wouldn't want to be in the thick of things. It's too busy. I am not a drinker or a bargoer so being out from Central Ubud suited me just fine.

Nothing is far, I was 11 minutes from the downtown area of Ubud. I did have to visit when my Mac called it quits on me. I have been meaning to get this laptop fixed but I always put it off. I was sure that Ubud would have been the last place I would have the battery replaced but I did.

A small local shop did a great job, and I had the laptop back before I could finish my apple crumble and latte. I was halfway done when they messaged me that I could pick it up. So, there you have it. All you writers with Macs, I've got you.

Meeting locals.

I have several blogs where I met locals here. It has been a wonderful experience. Even today, I had to get the oil changed on my scooter and a couple of guys in the shop had it done in five minutes and $5 Canadian later I was gone.

It's the simplicity of many things here that are simply awesome. Sure, there is traffic, but it comes in spurts. There are barely any lineups anywhere.

With a million little restaurants, there is always a unique place to visit and eat at. There are no nightclubs here, those are reserved for the Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu areas.

So, what's in Ubud?

Lots of fun and quirky places... That is the quick answer. The longer one is... Many rice fields surround Ubud though there are bigger areas such as Tabanan and Jati Luwih which is a UNESCO site.

The pace of life in Bali is slow in general. It is even slower here in Ubud. Things get done, like my laptop and oil change. The most amazing thing I found in Ubud was the amount of hidden little places. One truly needs to look for and zoom in on Google maps to find some hidden gems.

These little places and restaurants that belong to villa complexes or small resorts have amazing views. Tanahdewah was one such place for example. A boutique hotel with incredible views. Or Bebek Sari which is an incredible restaurant that is so worth the trip if you are here.

Where to next?

Well, I have picked out a place in the Balian area of Tabanan. I am somewhat at the base of a mountain and yet 14 min walk to the beach. I am sure I will visit the beach quite often and have more adventures to tell once I am settled in.

Being a nomad in Bali. Bali Indonesia 25

What is it like to not having a home? Let me clarify... It's been nearly four years since I left Canada. It was to be a year of living and working abroad. Life, being life that was extended a little, and then COVID happened.

With COVID and the lockdowns, I remained in Jakarta. In the process, like many other companies, we restructured. Work from home became a thing and travel became nonexistent. We all know the story all too well.

With that said, I do have a home in Canada. It is a condo that overlooks Lake Ontario and a bit of the downtown skyline. However, life is life, we all do what we need to.

Heading to Bali

My life goal and dream was to eventually retire in Bali. That was accelerated a little by taking on a position in Bali with a skincare company.

Here is where the nomad life comes in. While I do own a home in Canada, and I am not stuck in Bali, it has become home. In the meantime, I have changed jobs and do freelance that allows me to travel on the Island and that is what I am doing.

I planned to rent something as a yearly rental. I was close to signing a yearly deal when the idea came to me. Rather than being locked to one place, I decided to move around.

Living out of a backpack.

I have a large suitcase that holds all my belongings in Bali. However, I move about the island with two backpacks. The other day my laptop died, and I realized, my whole life is in that thing. This is true. I have backups online and on an external hard drive, but my life is in and on my laptop.

What is it like to live out of two backpacks? Since my divorce and the closure of my family business, I have downsized and downsized. From a house to a condo in Toronto and trust me that is a big move. Then I moved to Jakarta and gave away a pile of things. I lived out of a suitcase and my backpack in Jakarta. Now I am down to two backpacks. Oh, and the space under the seat of my scooter also counts since I usually stuff a pile of things there. It is quite amazing how little we can get by with. Also, how little we actually need when we think about it.

Nomad is amazing.

As seen, if you follow the blog, I get to meet some amazing people and be able to write about my experiences. I have moved from central Bali to Jimbaran and then north to Ubud. The next stop is very northwest and near to the beach in the Balian area of Bali. Now for one, Bali is set up for this 100%. The surfers and the backpackers do this all the time. For as little as $12 a night one can get a bed to sleep on and spend little to no money on food if you are happy to grab bananas off the trees by the side of the road. I am not quite there yet.

Nomad it is for now. I will be moving this weekend to the other side of the island, out to the country and near the beach. While it is interesting to live out of two backpacks, Bali offers laundry service on nearly every street corner. There are little shacks of local food everywhere.

In preparation, I have reused coffee jars and filled them with oatmeal as well as sugar. I have a small jar of salt and pepper as well. I have my own mug and I take whatever food I may have in the fridge. The rest is in the backpacks. One sweater, it gets cold on the scooter at times, and to prevent sunburn. The rest are clothes, phones, and chargers.

Consumables are easy to replace. As long as I have my laptop, my phone, and friends I visit on weekends, I am a happy nomad, homeless in Bali.

Pantai Cinta, Love beach

The words Pantai Cinta translate directly to Beach love. While that should be more like Lover's Beach or beach of love it sure is a beautiful place.

It is quite incredible because it is a mixture of sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and a beautiful sloping green terrace area where little shops are set up.

In Bali, the sun sets at nearly the same time every day. It does vary a bit here and there with the season. When the roads get busy it is because of two things. People are either getting off work or heading out to see the sunset.

The ritual of a sunset.

To me, every sunset is special to watch. It never gets old because I love to people-watch during this time. The kids, the teenagers, couples, and families young and old all come out to experience the end of another day.

One cannot blame them. At times I have witnessed incredible colors and even lightning and sunset at the same time. This was something incredible to witness. Watching the sunset and the brilliant orange and gold colors light up the ocean. Yet as the sun was poking out the lightning could be seen in the clouds to the right.

No matter where you are the beach is not far.

Bali is not huge, so in general, the beach is close. Yet the farther you are from the main tourist attractions the more special the sunsets become.

Yes, besides the obvious of having fewer people around, the most amazing part for me is the locals. When you wander off the beaten path and head out further and further, you can experience the simple life.

Local families come out to the beach, with kids playing in the rivers as the freshwater rivers meet the ocean. These inlets are incredible. They carve their way down the mountain and towards the ocean, but they transform the beach every day. The sandy shores get moved, pushed, and eroded in different ways each day. The beach is alive, so each visit is different.

The sunset.

It is a calm and romantic time. Couples and families dance in the shadows while dogs chase each other up and down the beach. Kids playing soccer, throwing a Frisbee or just chilling with coconut drinks.

Pantai Cinta is not different. But it is a special place for couples because of the stadium-like terraced plots that have been carved out. Usually seated on beanbags, it is a special time for locals to chill and watch the end of another day.

Then after the sunset, there is traffic to get back home. In the end, it is worth it. If one sticks around for another hour or so, they may witness further light shows when the sky turns an orange, turquoise blue before darkness sets in. If you are in Bali, you would be a fool to miss the amazing sunsets in Uluwatu, Pantai Cinta, or the ones in Seminyak and Canggu.

Today I went flying, sort of.

I am a kid at heart, I cannot help it. I am curious and when I want to know something I will dive right into it. One of my pet peeves in school and with the teaching or regurgitating curriculum is just that. The education system does not spark interest in kids. The one size fits all system with a lack of teachers will need to wait for another day. Back to my curiosity and being a kid at heart.

Adults and kids alike are fascinated with flying and airplanes. From paper airplanes to model airplanes and now drones, flying machines are everywhere. So, I had to follow this path of curiosity of mine and see where it takes me.

Oh, the things you find in Bali

I have driven past this plane on one of the major roads in Bali dozens of times. Every time I want to stop it was either closed or I was in hurry. One day I decided to stop and visit.

My curiosity got the best of me.  I had to know what it was like to be on this plane and the location.

This is when I met Pak Arif or Mr. Arif. When I met Pak Arif, I didn't know he was the owner. I began to ask questions. I may be more curious than other passersby since he only revealed to me that he was the owner later. This place, this attraction, has a full-size plane up off the ground and you can walk right up. Take pictures both on and off the plane. Yup, walk out on the wing, which is a strange feeling, believe me.

The big question was, what is this place?

If you are in Bali and have even the slightest fascination with aircraft, planes, or flying. Make sure you check out the great big plane on Jl. Sunset, you can't miss it. Visit Pak Arif and the crew at AirCrew Sensation Bali for something different.

Besides being an amazing venue for birthday parties and kids in general it is a great experience for adults. You get to fly a 737, be in a real cockpit of a plane. An added bonus, you get to walk on the wing for great pics. Go visit, stay for coffee/food, and learn something at the same time.

It's the real thing.

The AirCrew Sensation Bali Instagram is full of cool pictures and even pre-wedding photography shoots. One of them was a pilot from Emirates airlines who did his photo shoot at the location.

In general, one would be hard-pressed to rent a plane and take one's time to take pictures, but not here. Here you can touch the jet engine, sit and play with the buttons in a cockpit and even open and close the sliding window. I never knew the planes had windows that opened.

When you are done playing, you can take real lessons in the other cockpit. While the visit is free, the lessons, the coffee and food do cost money. However, the experience alone is worth it. Bring the kids and adults to AirCrew Sensation Bali. You will not be disappointed and in the end, you may learn a thing or two in the flying simulator where you can fly to nearly anywhere in the world.

A weekend in Bedugul. Bali Indonesia 20.

1300 meters or 4265 feet above sea level is where I spent my weekend. Some of the time we were part of the clouds and some of the time they barely floated above us. Yet other times they slowly rolled in on the town of Bedugul itself below us.

This excursion was to visit a friend of mine who has just listed his villa on Airbnb. There are a few villas in his area listed currently on Airbnb but they are mostly older wooden cottages or as we call them Joglo's.

Bedugul is located in Bali but you would think it is in Vancouver Canada. First of all, Bedugul is an incredible place for farming and organic farming in Bali. 1 kilogram of bok choy is .20 in Canadian dollars or .15 cents in US currency. That is if you buy vegetables directly from the farmers.

The crops.

In Bedugul, one can find raspberries, strawberries, bok choy, lettuce, peppers, broccoli, oranges, onions, bananas, and numerous herbs alongside them and many other crops that I am sure I missed.

The amazing part is... While Bali is normally 25-33 degrees Celsius or 77 or 92 Fahrenheit, here in Bedugul the temperature range is it is 14 Celsius or 57.5 to 25 or 77 Fahrenheit.

This makes Bedugul an incredible place to shop for all one's needs while staying here or to take to other parts of Bali. The moisture and temperature in the area make it an ideal spot to set up farms.

But the most amazing thing is, is that we were in the center of an extinct volcano and straddled by two lakes, one on either side of us.

The Villa.

The villa we stayed in is available on Airbnb, just follow the link for more photos. They are certainly worth the extra click. In the afternoon we did not see the two large mountains before us. They were covered in clouds.

But as the sun set to the right of us in the west, we could see the bases. Not until the sunrise did we see the amazing size of the two mountains directly before us. Our villa has space for up to 12 people and offers complete privacy with its five bedrooms.

This is where my friend spent the first COVID lockdowns. He had the luxury of trekking through the mountains and taking advantage of the secluded villa on the side of a volcano crater. If you are ever in Bedugul and plan to stay a night or two, do check it out and take advantage of the amazing hot tub and enjoy the amazing views.

What is life like for foreigners in Bali?

Often people ask what is life like in Bali. The quick answer is.

It's the same as anywhere else

The longer more in-depth answer is a touch more convoluted. Most people who live and work in Bali are owners of properties, businesses, and digital nomads.

As I said life is pretty normal, as normal as people running businesses in other parts of the world.

What sets Bali and Indonesia apart is how businesses operate. Sure labour is less expensive. This allows owners to step back, with the qualified people in place, they may be able to enjoy more of the lifestyle Bali has to offer.

There is a catch.

What I have learned by being involved in a few Indonesian businesses is that there are or there should be many checks in place.

Checks and balances here mean lots and lots of backups. For example, in North America, we may give a salesperson a credit card for gas. Here it is a reimbursement, no one will give money upfront.

You pay, take a picture of the receipt with your phone, pictures of the car or scooter and track your expenses.

Those pictures and receipts would be then submitted to the appropriate person for approval.

This constant check and double check drives me crazy. The way people have been tricked to beat the system is a workload of checking in itself.

The quotations.

One funny story is that of a quotation process by most bigger companies. We needed three quotes for every job that we were undertaking.

Yet many people will dodge the system by having friends quote high and low and in the end, only one company is real. They all have the correct quotes and phone numbers to call for verification.

Cheating on the thickness of asphalt is nothing new. This scandal happened in Canada and is run by a mafia of sorts in many parts of the world. Here it happens on a larger scale.

The kickbacks.

This is where Indonesia is different. Nearly everyone gets a tip along the way. From renting a property to selling a scooter. Everyone jumps in to find a buyer and hope for a small percentage if they sell. This makes for interesting conversations when a car or villa is sold. Everyone from the security guard to the maid will claim they helped. In many ways they did, the security opened the gate for the buyers of the car. The maid cleaned, may have served coffee for the guests and cleaned up after them.

The funny part is, that people will expect money from the owners as well as say the driver who brought the original client. These little titbits’ of information are things one needs to know to navigate the Indonesian kickbacks. Give a little, receive a lot.

To answer the original question, what it is like to live in Indonesia?

Pack your patience, be nice, be kind and help where you can within reason. The small kind gestures will come back to you down the road. It is fun, entertaining, and at times a bit trying. In the end, you will have the time of your life and you will be glad you tried something new.

A Passion for Bali. Bali Indonesia 17

Please stare at the attached photo for a moment. I am not a photographer. But for this series, I am trying hard to provide photographs that I have taken, rather than borrowing from the available stock shots.

But this photo here somehow stuck with me. I stood at the edge of the rice field and the contrast between the green vegetation before me and the sunset was magical. The blue skies to the left, the sunset to the right... This was such a balanced moment and then I began to think.

This is Bali.

There is no doubt that I have a passion for Bali. I love the way of life here. I don't mean the life of foreigners. I love the way the locals blend in, in the villages. I love how dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, and cows are all part of the landscape.

Cats and dogs walk about with the local farm life. Yes, there are barking contests with the local dogs at times. Yes, some roosters will not shut up and thus I have purchased earplugs. Yet there is a simplicity here. Having worked in real estate in Bali it is amazing how families own large parcels of land and how it is split up, or rather how it will be split up among the families.

Decisions are made by brothers, uncles, and family members...

Is Bali perfect?

Oh, heck no, not by any means. Governments, corruption, and other interesting facts arise quite often. In general, everything is for sale in Bali. Every property and person has a price. I don't necessarily mean in the prostitution way, though that too is available if you are so inclined.

I am more leaning towards property and general corruption here. From a travel visa, that can be had a little quicker if you pay a little more. Driver's licenses can also be had in an expedited manner if you choose and so on.

Money talks all over the world, not only in Bali...

Yet here it is a little different. Slipping someone as little as $5 can get things done or open a door for you that otherwise may have been left closed.

There are complications.

Yet at moments like these... Please go back to the top and stare at the photo for another moment. Take in the beauty of Bali and the simplicity of life. Do not pay attention to the garbage that floats down the rivers to the ocean. Do not bother with the stray dogs and the corruption.

Enjoy the view and then ask yourself. What can I do to help preserve views such as this? How can I make the world a better place? Not only here but all around the planet.

Life is filled with complications, trials, and tribulations. Yet when I can stop and stare out to the rice fields and appreciate the moment such as this it makes life worth living.

Bali Animal Welfare Association. Bali Indonesia 17

I bumped into B.A.W.A at a local restaurant while I was having lunch. Some small fencing was being erected and fake grass was being rolled out when I asked the waitress what was about to happen.

She informed me that a local adoption agency was holding an event.

Soon enough, the dogs were brought in. The restaurant's outside area was soon filled with the wagging tails and barking of about 14 dogs. I have focused on the human side of Bali, but this also encompasses the human side of Bali.

The animal welfare on the island.

While there are countless cases of humans helping humans in Bali, let's not forget the animals that live on the island. Ask anyone that visits Bali and they will surely comment on the many dogs and cats here.

The Bali dog is not the most elusive animal on the island. The Bali dog is a Bali dog. Sitting, sleeping, chilling nearly anywhere he or she wants. Reminds me of the cows in India, except here at least we can get the dogs to move.

The Bali dog is much like a regular dog with extreme street smarts and a sixth sense of the traffic around them. They will gladly lay down in the middle of a street or chase each other on the beach. There is something about the Bali dog that one can only know by observing them. Calm, chill, lazy and smart, are what would describe these dogs the best. The funniest thing I have seen was a Doberman with the attitude of a Bali dog. It is something that needs to be seen and experienced.

Going deeper into social media. Bali Indonesia 15

I have never been one to enjoy being in front of a camera. I am not so fond of my voice either. But I am going to take this step into the great unknown of the TikTok world.

All the interviews and photo's I have taken as of late are also going to be available as TikTok and YouTube content. Yup, I am going to take a giant leap of faith and put myself out there. I feel that this is a big step for me. I would consider myself an introvert and while I am not shy, I would say I am reserved.

Not for nothing, but when we played soccer, I had absolutely no reservations about getting changed at the side of the field. I guess that is a different type of shyness or lack thereof than appearing in front of a camera.

Public speaking.

This one is a hit and misses with me and sometimes I am fine with it and sometimes I am nervous as hell. When I gave a two-and-a-half-hour lecture to a class of college students at Humber Collage I loved it. Yet certain settings are more nerve-racking than others.

So being on camera one on one with the locals seems to be alright for me for now. If I get into bigger settings who knows what will happen? For the time being, I am going to make my YouTube and TikTok links available here, and let's see how things go in the future.

It is informative and fun.

Having locals like Arik, Kevien and Pak Nyoman on my channel has given me great insights into the locals and their lives. While we are all so similar, we are all so different with many commonalities that should make us appreciate each other.

What I find is that when we look at the small picture, we are all so close...

It is when we open up to bigger concepts and talk about things such as large-scale business or bigger conversations about the world, is when things change. They are less inclined to look at other parts of the world on social media and usually follow locals on the platforms.

Traction.

I am very unsure how my #countercontent movement will go. Most if not all social media in Bali is based on the wow factor. The beaches the sunset, the waterfalls, and the food.

My focus will be locals and it will be the very opposite of what is currently out there. Most of the content revolves around tourists bragging about where they have been, how cheap things are, and complaining about the traffic.

Let's see if the local language, the content, and my delivery will get me any views. Bali is hot, so on some videos, I am clearly overheating. Not so much because of the heat but more because of the nerves. If you do follow up and watch some of my content, get ready to see a bald white man sweating on some of the videos

Meeting Mrs. Arik

"Saya ketemu Bu Arik."

Is saying I met Mrs. Arik in the Indonesian language. Mrs. Arik is a local shopkeeper and seamstress in Ubud Bali. She owns and runs a small shop here located at the entrance to my villa where I am currently staying. The store's name is Arta Dika Kebaya. It is located on the outskirts of Ubud, not in the main tourist area. Her target market is local people, made-to-order and custom traditional clothing. They are the Kebaya that is worn to the local ceremonies in Bali.

I have seen her a few times and decided to stop by and ask if she would be kind enough to make some video content with me. At the same time, we did an interview for the blog.

She was thrilled to talk about her business and her family. But what surprised me the most was that she was taking care of all this on her own.

The small business.

My background is in cutting and sewing. So yes, I can cut, sew and make patterns. My family business began making aprons and cushions for wicker and rattan furniture before it grew into a large-scale operation over the years. She has no such aspirations...

She is happy and very content in her little shop that is probably no bigger than 7m x 7m. She has a place to cut and sew and make some patterns. There is one sewing machine placed to one side of the shop with a few mannequins displaying her work. Bali is known for its numerous monthly ceremonies. There is some sort of ceremony in Bali every day. It could be deaths, births, and the rest of the regular ceremonies that go on in Bali. Of course, there is plenty of competition, and getting to the temple during Covid was not allowed. Though Bali was quite lenient on all this during Covid businesses suffered greatly.

The family.

Mrs. Arik has a great attitude and each time I saw her she had a great big smile. While it is the general attitude of most Balinese, she was truly happy.

Her story is one of many in Bali. Her husband is a driver, yet he is unemployed at the moment. He lost his job during Covid. Pre-covid being a driver was a very sought-after position in Bali and a very common job in Indonesia. Nearly all the foreigners in Indonesia employ a driver/guide because a local license or an international driver's license is needed.

Her husband is local and was born right here in the Ubud area, while Mrs. Arik was born in the capital city of Bali, Denpasar.

She is the sole provider for her family which includes three children.

Wayan Ariska is 17 years old girl, Kade 15-year-old girl, and one boy named Komang Andika is 12 years old.

No small undertaking.

Now the food in Ubud and the surrounding area is rather inexpensive even by local standards. But having three teenagers whose needs are let's say those of modern families is not easy.

Every kid needs a cellphone, they need decent clothes and of course, they need to be dressed and fed as well. A small one-person shop can only do so much. Arik works hard in her small shop and yet she is content and happy in her own little world.

This is one reason I feel the need to tell the stories of such individuals. My story on Kevien, who was a farmer and Arik are only a few of many stories to come.

As usual, I gave her a chance to ask me a few questions, and here they are.

Arik:

Where are you from?

Me: Toronto Canada.

Arik:

Why are you so happy?

Me:

I am just a generally happy person. Life is easier that way than being miserable.

Arik:

What made you successful?

Me:

I just work hard at what I do and I am happy to be able to be a writer.

The gang’s all here

I had messaged my friend Edhy from Kintamani that I would be in Ubud and that we should meet up. Yes, that is how Edhy is spelled… Seems like the names like Kevin and Eddie become Kevien and Edhy here. Rather strange but Bahasa Indonesia is spoken phonetically, so that is the way they hear the name, thus that is the way it is written down.

While Edhy was on his way, Agus, another local that I am helping also messaged me. Something to know here, because it will be important in a bit is that Dika is the man that originally introduced us.

Dika my first friend from this group of Suzuki Off-road drivers and regular drivers. Now Edhy was always standoffish when I met with him before now, he is the one that is the closest to me from the group.

Who’s your momma?

That is not meant to be a joke, it is rather interesting. As I found out Agus is Dika’s half-brother from the same mother and different father. Their mom got divorced and they are only a year or so apart in age.

It was an interesting fact that I didn’t know, so Dika gave Agus my contact to help him with his social media. As the guys were making their way to meet me, I decided to meet them at a local Babi Guling restaurant. Babi Guling means suckling pig. This a dish that is I love, with the yummy crispy skin and all.

Since the guys picked me up, I wanted to go to the closest restaurant to my place, so we didn’t travel far.

The only thing I missed, was that the guys were all Muslim. Who knew, I thought they were from Bali, and they were Balinese. I felt rather small at the moment, but they ordered chicken, and all was good.

Social media

Since all these guys are trying to grow their businesses, the meeting was about social media and what they need to do. Edhy has a website and wants to gain clients and grow his business.

Agus wants his Instagram to grow but for some reason all his likes are coming from India. He does not know why. Putu, who has a Balinese name is a driver and kind of depends on the other two guys to haul passengers and would-be clients from the airport or the hotel to other attractions.

Their relationship is a symbiotic one. They depend on each other to put food on the table, yet they operate independently and sometimes together.

Showing them how to get likes on the webpage and how we can see the views and likes from the different countries blew their mind. It was much like going back to school and they all head a headache afterwards. Too much information, but information they need to know.

Meeting Pak Nyoman Pandi

The art of Bali.

I have always wanted to see the artists working on the carved statues in Bali. Today I had a chance to connect with Mr. Nyoman or as we say here, Pak Nyoman.

I saw him as I rode past him on the side of the road and decided to ask him if I could interview him. He was kind enough to give me his time and let me have a chance to see what his life has been all about.

Ubud is known as the cultural center of Bali. There are numerous museums and studios for carving, painting, and jewelry making. Many of these classes can be paid for and attended by locals but this was no classroom setting.

Pak Nyoman.

At the age of 54, Pak Nyoman has been professionally carving/sculpting these Balinese statues for 12 years. I say professionally because for many years before that he was an apprentice. Though he has worked with wood as well he prefers this medium.

There are hundreds of carved statues all over Bali. I often wondered about the material the statue is made of. One major thing that I learned was the fact that these statues are very different from the first original statues that were carved in Bali.

It was news to me that the government no longer allows true river rocks to be carved into statues. It is due to environmental reasons and if you think about it, yes it makes sense. So the statues are cut, carved, and sculpted using knives and specialty tools. This skill is what Pak Nyoman had to learn.

How it's made.

The basics of this are simple. They use a mixture of materials like sand from the riverbeds and cement and pour it all into a mold that will match the final size of the statue.

Pak Nyoman said that anything past 1.5m is hard work because he only has about 5 days until this mixture sets. Changing color from a dark grey to a light grey to the final product that looks like an off-white stone. The larger pieces need to be carved faster and thus it is much more demanding on the artist.

A smaller piece under 1m takes 5-7 days to finish. This of course depends on the amount of detail demanded by the customer. Pak Nyoman also does his sketches and works off of the sketches to the final product. The small ones can weigh 50-70kg and the large ones over 150kg.

Runs in the family.

Pak Nyoman has two kids, one boy who is 24 and one girl who are 22. His son is a tattoo artist and is not interested in carving stones. Yet his art is not far from his dad's. The medium he uses just happens to be human skin.

While the father and son are artists. Pak Nyoman's daughter is in finance and his wife who is 34 works for the government. This is very interesting since the son took after the dad and the daughter took after the mom.

For this interview, I didn't get a chance to have Pak Nyoman ask me questions because we were interrupted by a friend of his that happened to be a mutual friend. It is a small world I tell you. I know no one in Ubud.

Yet the person that walked in on our interview was the person I had met at a restaurant months ago. He is a restaurant owner and he happens to own the shop I visited.

We will meet again.

We did our interview by the side of the road. It was rather noisy and so we decided to meet up at the restaurant the following week. So I guess there will be a continuation to the blog as soon as I am done with that.

I guess the moral of this story is, to treat people well and treat them with kindness. You simply never know when you will bump into someone you know. It's best to leave a good impression on everyone throughout your life.

Is living in a bubble a good thing?

This is not something that most people talk about. Yet I am one who is very much into my own bubble as well. For the longest time, I listened to Canadian talk radio while in Jakarta and even on trips to Bali. I would say it was a good year and a half. I was an avid listener in Canada and would often text the station when the topics got heated.

Especially after Covid hit, I am sure we all wanted to know as much as possible. Day by day the constant Covid news of the time and the uncertainty of things got on my nerves. Experts this and that, nothing made sense. I had to turn off the damn radio because I was getting upset. Knowing every bit of news, verified or not, was driving me crazy and making me mad, upset, and irritated.

They are aware.

So while they are aware, they are in most cases unless it's a massive news item, will find out days later. It is more like...

Oh my, that war in Russia is terrible.

Would be more of a concern about the Russians staying in Bali. The worry would be extending visas and paying their bills than the death of the people in Ukraine. I am in such a toss-up on what attitude is better. Be all in and follow anything and everything 24/7 on CNN or let it be. Not like you or I are going to solve it. Go to the beach and enjoy the sunset because me worrying about it...

Just ain't gonna do one damn thing, dear.

Bali could be a very self-sustaining island and in general, grow much of its own crops in both organic and nonorganic farming. Plenty of seafood as well. So as long as the locals are happy not much else matters. The people in the villages would certainly be the least affected by the sudden isolation.

Life goes on.

When we visited Hungary after communism fell, we often wondered how people got by. Prices were skyrocketing and the people were severely stressed out.

Sure, businesses and individuals suffer and suffered here in Bali as well. Hundreds of thousands of people were laid off and forced to go home to Java and other parts of Indonesia. Bali was a ghost town and is still recovering.

Crime shot up and yet it subsided once things settled and we all got used to the lockdowns and restrictions...

This recovery stage we are all in is an adjustment period. Islands such as Bali and other highly sought-after tourist destinations deal with what we have all been dealt.

The road to recovery is slow, and while I try to support locals and local businesses, it is a drop in the bucket. Yet I feel satisfied in helping the little that I can. Living in a bubble is not all bad, Bali got a bit of a wake-up call and we now know that some industry on the island is necessary. When tourism waivers or stops, migrant workers can go home but the locals certainly need jobs, this is their island and their home.

photo credit: https://www.aier.org/article/dont-live-your-life-in-a-bubble/

Today I met Kevien

That is the way he spells his name; it is not a typo. As you can tell from the photo, I am in Ubud and the rice fields are my view. When I looked out in the morning, I saw two local men tending the fields.

One of them was planting in the field on the far left and the other was operating a noisy machine. It is a way of tilling the fields and breaking up the mud after the fields have been flooded. I watched for a while and saw that the man tilling was surfing the mud. This intrigued me and I had to take a closer look. I was trying to find a way to get the rice field to get a better look.

While the rice fields are private property, it is quite common for people to wander in a little and take a better look. Currently, it is all large mud puddles anyway. I searched on Google at first and then I decided to go for a walk.

Just use the door.

Wouldn’t you know it… My unit here had direct access to the rice fields and as soon as I reached for the door, the owners two little dogs darted toward the metal gate. The 1m drop deterred the little guys from going down but not me.

I took the opportunity to take some great pics. The large bodies of water and the flooded fields made for some amazing reflections of the sky. Anyway, I made it and wandered the field carefully since it was covered in grass and mud.

As I was taking my pics, I saw the man who was tilling look over occasionally. When I finished my photos, I walked a little closer. Slowly the man came over and said, “Morning Mister” In my best Bahasa I asked him how he was doing. Our conversation was cut short because his friend called him.

Coffee break.

Funny how that happens everywhere in the world. The man came back with a small plastic bag that had his coffee in it. He bit the bag and sucked on the coffee. It was rather unusual but to many, that is normal here.

We then introduced ourselves and that is how I met Kevien. I asked him if he was from around here. While he lives in Bali he was born in Java and now lives in a small rental unit with his two boys 2 and 7 and of course his wife.

I didn’t want to hold him up, so I handed him my card and he then quickly punched his number into my phone.

As soon as I returned to my place, I messaged him in hopes to connect later. Within a minute I had a call from the number and a woman was talking to me. Well, Kevien, does not own a phone… But his wife does. She called in a bit of a panic. I bet she was wondering why this white man is messaging this number and how the hell does he know her husband. Needless to say, I will be visiting Kevien and his family and get a much better idea on how a local farmer lives in Bali, stay tuned.

This is all I will ever be.

Those words are taboo, never to be spoken by anyone in the "modern" world. But this is the truth about many people on this planet.

Most people who live in the modern world are told that they can be anything. Heck, you can even be a man a woman, or anywhere in between. We won't get into that today.

As Iluh cleaned my little place in Ubud today, I looked at her and asked myself... "I wonder if she knew?" Does she know, has she ever been told that she can be more than a maid, a cleaner, or a staff for this little place I am staying in?

No, she has not.

The one thing we need to understand is contentment. When these local people find a job, they will work at this job until they get old or the job no longer exists.

They do not know that they could be a doctor or a lawyer because their aspiration is so different. I am not in a big city here. This is village life by all accounts and that is whom I am dealing with here. Simple people seek nothing more than to put food on the table for the family.

A little goes a long way.

The main area that peoples focus on is well-being and happiness. Is that the meaning of life? Or is it owning a big house a nice car, the newest gadgets, and fancy restaurants?

These people work, some work very hard and some have easier jobs. As my new friend Kevien knows, his life is to take care of the family. That's it, very traditional roles here and the man is the breadwinner and the woman takes care of the family.

What else is there?

The drive to do better, be better is here to a point. But not the same way as the North American drive. Here people will be involved in land sales and get some commission.

If they are involved in some small business such as selling a scooter, they may make a little bit of money on the side. The drive to open a business is also here. Small restaurants are everywhere. But the drive to become a franchise and make more and more money is not in the mindset of the local villager. They are happy to make enough money to get by and put food on the table.

No, they do not have the same goals as "we" do. But our, our goals so much better than theirs? In the end, it is the quality of life that matters and not what we die with that does.

Off I go.

#countercontent

I am creating a new hashtag. #countercontent and here is why.

Funny enough, I missed my departure from Alindra Villas by a day. I had to evacuate in a few hours pretty much since I was off by 24 hours. It was a mad rush to pack up things and clean out the fridge to the best of my abilities. Pack the laundry up that my bro had left, saying he will be back. When I am not sure, but his stuff will be clean at least.

I am taking off to Ubud with two backpacks and whatever fits under my scooters seat since I am travelling light. I will eventually get around to buying a car. Now I am much more comfortable using a scooter and it sure cuts down on travel time.

I had bought a few things such as a tripod and a phone holder so I can record a few more things for social media content. The same content I complained about in the earlier episode. I am going to call this counter content. I just came up with that as I was typing and I kinda like it. #countercontent that is not about what the foreigners see. It is content aimed at what the locals see about foreigners. How they see their life, business and how things have changed.

How will it all go?

I have no clue. I know that locals find it interesting when foreigners speak Bahasa, the local language. I know locals find it funny when the Bule people eat spicy food and all. But I am going to try and interview them and that is a bit of a twist.

Calling it #countercontent is all about how they live versus the content of sightseeing as a foreigner. Thus, I may fall flat on my face, but we shall see how it all ties together. I am going to set up my friends for content and see if they want to join. Being asked questions by a foreigner is something they are used to, but we are not shopping and haggling. Since I have a few friends in Jimbaran, Kuta, Ubud and Kintamani area, I am going to start with them.

Getting settled.

One key thing to know about Bali is that nothing is far by kilometers/distance. It is far by commute times. It may be 14 kilometers, but you will take 30 minutes to get there. Yet today in Bali the traffic is fraction of what it used to be. I laugh at people complaining about travel after COVID since pre COVID it was 10 times worse.

I am staying 10 minutes outside the hustle and bustle of Ubud and as I settle in, I’ll let you know how things are going. So far, I know the air conditioner is working and I have hot water for a shower. I know, I know, I am Canadian, but I hate the cold. Call me a wimp, I don’t care.

This is the first time I am posting my poetry on the blog.

I have been writing since I was 12. Poetry is how I began this writing path of mine. I have thousands of poems in booklets, on my phone, and files all over on hard drives. Yet I have not written poetry for a while.

As I thought more and more about the current batch of posts a poem decided to pop out of my head. This relates to the location I am in and the environment I assume. I look out to the rice fields being worked before me and so this came to me this morning.

I awake with the sunrise.

My job is to work the land.

I work in paradise but I wouldn’t know.

I trod in the mud; I labor each day.

The sun beats down on me.

Sucking the strength from my body.

My muscles should ache.

I no longer feel them.

Each day I walk in the path of others.

Today it is me, but I know.

Before me, it was my father.

I have no skill I have no future.

For my kids, I pray, for labor other than this.

For my wife, I wish for food on the table.

I am a poor farmer, yet richer than most.

I lead my life, with honesty and fairness.

I believe in myself and my prayers.

To be listened to and understood.

With the sunset, I settle, and my body aches.

I am happy to see my family around me.

May they take care of me once I am old.

When I can no longer tend to the fields.

I hope to be content and happy.

I am who I am, a man in the fields.

This is my take on the locals at this time. As I have been getting closer and closer to the men and women around me there is one constant.

That is the fact that we are all the same. We seek security, love, and laughter. We seek the same basic things all over the world. However, the big difference is... These people's minds have yet to be complicated by the world as much as ours has.

Where do locals need help?

Poor self-representation.

So far, I have been helping with social media setup, creating small websites and simple things such as connecting Instagram and Facebook.

There are a few key points to touch upon. Self-representation and branding. Now I am not talking about becoming a celebrity. I am not one to brand you and suddenly you become InstaFamous.

Nope, this is far simpler than that, but you will walk away knowing how others see you. So many times, I have seen very qualified individuals, miss out on great opportunities. All because their resume was extremely poor.

Search for a chef.

In one case a very qualified individual had such a poor resume that it was barely worth looking at. Yet if you did look, as we did, their qualifications were amazing.

What people need to understand is the age old saying... You only get one chance to make a first impression. Since Bali and businesses are re-opening, expanding and restructuring, put your best foot forward.

This not only includes information about yourself but the footprints you leave along the way. Your social media and your LinkedIn professional account say a lot about you.

Be ready

We see so many locals in desperate search of work. Yet when they are asked to attend an interview, they want to interview on a schedule that fits their time and date.

This attitude is wrong. If you are seeking a personal assistant position, your job is to tend to and assist your future boss. This does not mean that you work 24/7. This means you need to tend to and assist your boss.

If your priority is heading out with your friends or family when you are in search of a job, what will your priorities be when you are hired? Once more, you are not a slave to your job. Yet if you are in search of one, show that you want this position.

Follow up.

Often when you are working, you have several ways of communicating. You put your email on the resume and your phone number as a way for companies to contact you. More often than not, when we email individuals, they do not reply to emails.

This means they are either not checking or do not care about the jobs they have applied for. Once more, your personal behavior is coming through and this reflects on the position you applied for.

At work, you are expected to communicate. This communication could be in person, via email, phone calls or messages.

When applying for a job, make sure you tick off all the boxes and that lines of communication are open. In the end, I would rather hire a competent eager individual than a well-educated careless one.

Living the Ubud life.

I have never stayed in Ubud for any great length of time. I have stayed at Padma Resort and Gran Bekas but the stays were short. This time it’s already been a few days and I am unsure if it is in my head but sure feels cooler than staying in Jimbaran.

The other difference is that I am surrounded by small shops. There is a great little place called Coconut Kitchen. It is but two tables, 4 chairs at each table and two ladies in a small kitchen that is no more than four meters by four meters. This would be the outside measurement of this place.

I kid you not, banana pancakes for $1.50 Canadian dollars. Yes, I hear and see us foreigners brag about cheap food here and there but wow. I had 600ml of coconut water and a pancake for breakfast and it cost $3.50.

Now these ladies hustle, they have a juicer and people order food online and some will drop by, pay and come back for the juice later. I mean it is hardly worth cracking and egg for the pancake at the prices that they are charging.

Life here is a little different.

Ubud is a little bit farther from the airport than most tourist attractions it is busy but only certain areas. Even though Bali is open people may or may not come this far out on a weekend getaway.

The recovery is slow, the competition is tough, life is not easy by any means.  Many shops are still closed, it is hard to understand how a once so vibrant island is still in recovery.

This location is home for a month, I am happy to see the smiling faces on the locals when I enter their establishment. The two ladies that take care of Coconut Kitchen for example, work long hours and I am sure their profits are slim, but they make a living and support their family, that is what matters.

Traffic

In Bali traffic is everywhere and even though one would think it should be nearly nonexistent, well one would be wrong. Sure, currently it comes and goes in short spurts. There is a school nearby my place and when school is out, all the parents are right there to pick up the kids.

I am sure they could walk home, like I could walk to the restaurant, the problem is that there is nowhere else to walk except the road. It is risky and for the pile of kids coming out of school to cross the road is kinda scary.

Rice fields

This is one thing I love to see. My view is not of the lush green rice fields at the moment. It is large muddy puddles; the rice was planted today. Yup watched the 5 men planting away at a rapid pace. By tomorrow they will all be done, and I look forward to the rice field turning green before my eyes this month.

It is a process I have seen often, men and women planting. However, I never watched the process from the preparation to the finished product. This time I get to see it all.

Bali as it was.

As one knows, change is inevitable. My first trip to Bali was in December 1998. I spent Christmas and the New Year here and while it was very memorable, it matters more to me now than it did back then.

When I first arrived, there were no travel restrictions, no bomb threats and certainly decades away from our friend COVID. Simpler times they were, and I wish to return but I have forgotten where I parked my time machine.

Oddly enough Bali was busy even back then. It was a different type of busy. I remember sitting in the coffee shop, people walking past as they do today. Their focus however is very different. Back then families walked together, talked laughed and shopped. The advent of social media was not the be-all and end-all of our daily focus. The days passed slower, and I feel I enjoyed the island so much more back then than I do today. Not because I don’t enjoy it today, it is however very different.

Not just me, I assume.

We hear of the crazy stories of people passing away to get that perfect Instagram photo. The entitled social media influencer was nowhere to be seen in 1999. Right now, the focus on TikTok by mostly younger women is what they did, what they ate and who wore the smallest bikini.

This pressure to create and generate endless hours of content is rampant. Not only is social media anxiety inducing, but I am sure it plays a great deal with the mental health of every individual involved. Today’s tourist sets out to get great content and does not pay attention to the life around the content itself. Go, film, edit, post and repeat. Tourism used to be about getting away from it all, not getting faxes, phone calls and attending meetings. Today you can go away on vacation, and get any number of emails, calls and zoom meetings from the office. Work from home, work from abroad, work from anywhere and relax nowhere.

In the Bali of old.

Oddly enough on one of my trips to Bali we had gotten an offer on our house in Canada and had to wait for the faxes to come through. Signed PDF email copies were not yet acceptable as a real offer. Communication was hard and the connection on the island was mostly terrible and yet that was a good thing. How times have changed in both business and personal life.

My now retired family doctor from Canada always came to Bali for holidays in January or February. He always stayed at Four Seasons Ubud and came only to relax. Those days of relaxation and disconnect are no longer available. We are all too easily reachable and we reach out much the same. Take this pic and that pic, post it here and there, hours pass before you stop scrolling and get back to your supposed relaxation. Until you see that other post-able pic and repeat the process.

No longer do we take rolls of film to be processed and wait anxiously to sit and look through the photos and relive the memories of the family trip. Now the trip is documented nearly by the minute or the hour, the day or at least the week. When our fingers are not busy scrolling our minds do it for us. There is no disconnect.

I miss heading out to the middle of nowhere and not being anywhere near a phone, getting home and listening to voicemails from my aunt and uncle.

Way back.

While it happens to this day, if you travel far enough off the beaten path, you can experience the Bali of old, sort of. In the villages, kids will still play outside and run around naked to the rivers and bathe.

Families will take their kids to the rivers and gather around sunset. While there is always a cell phone or hand phone as they refer to it here it feels different. Their purpose of being there is not to take that perfect selfie and wait for it to get likes, their purpose is to enjoy the time with family. We should all strive to get back to those times.

Ubud

Off we go… My first stay is outside of Ubud. It is a small one-room plus kitchen setup at the cost of $500 (CAD) per month.

No, it is not the lap of luxury. For the first time ever, I am in a place without a pool and television. To be fair and honest I never watch TV. I’ll watch Netflix and YouTube. The small unit faces the rice fields, but one never knows what stage and rice will be at when I am moving in. At some point, the locals burn the fields and I am hoping that I’ll avoid that during my stay but no guarantees. Especially not in Bali.

So, what will I do?

Much the same as I usually do. Blogging and putting up ads for my books and my many small jobs. Managing marketing for a skin care company. Helping locals with their social media and taking care of Airbnb accounts on the side. However, my goal as I mentioned before was to help locals and I have several meetings set up with my new friends from Kintamani. This has become a pet project of mine. I never saw myself working with locals like this, but I feel I am helping/contributing and making positive changes.

Helping locals (really!)

My friends will visit me from Kintamani. We already have a plan to fix and market two websites and help with their Airbnb marketing. This group of 6 people is happy to work but cannot be bothered with all the minutia of social media. So, my team and I will take over the marketing and social media of their small business and help them grow.

Visiting and working with locals has different rewards. I get to see how they live, and what is important to them and get a very different outlook on life. I feel it is something that not everyone can experience.

What else?

I will be having conversations with the locals. People such as Gojek (think Uber) drivers and having fun while connecting with them on a very different level than other foreigners would.

This is the goal of moving around and figuring out what else life has to offer. Watching people around us thrive is incredible. The hardship that has hit with Covid is hard to understand. I am sure there will be many interesting stories.

The first stay.

My first stay was at Alindra Villas in the Jimbaran, Nusa Dua and Bukit area. My brother and I stayed in a Joglo (small traditional wooden cottage) while he visited me from Canada.

This place was part of a much bigger complex but has 6 little cottages in a nice hidden area with a shared pool. A lovely place to stay and yet be close enough to nearly all the beaches in the area.

The Joglo’s are 30 years old, and well taken care of, no bug infestations or termites. The one thing in Bali is that nearly every place has air conditioning, but no place has insulation. The air conditioning units run and run cooling down the wooden cabin. The instant you turn off the units, humidity sets in. In a Joglo like ours, the cracks in the walls are evident and during a sunset the golden glow can light up parts of a room.

Alindra villas

At the time I booked this cute little cottage I was lucky enough to book for three months. Now that Bali is opening up again, they no longer take on monthly clients. This is a mistake in my opinion. Everyone in Bali jumps on the bandwagon and makes the same decisions. The hotels I can totally understand. They are chains set up to accommodate people for short stints at a time with daily cleaning etc.

The big BUT…

But the big but here is… there are thousands upon thousands of homestays, hostels, hotels and villas. Thousands of other places such as glamping, camping, and shared accommodations.

With places like Airbnb and hundreds of Facebook groups online your villa will not be rented. This leads to people eventually lowering prices. Sure, the hot area with a decent villa has the advantage. That is not where I am planning on staying. I have been in Bali long enough to know how to get around and where I want to be.

Off to Ubud

While Ubud is a hotspot for tourists. I shall not be staying in the thick of it all. I will be off the beaten path in a small room with a kitchen on the outskirts of Ubud. Far enough away that I am not bothered by the main areas of traffic. My plan is to follow through with my social media on the locals and not just the “Bules” (slang for white foreigners) posting about themselves.

Onwards

Here we start a bit of a journey. Not sure if anyone from Indonesia reads my blogs as this is a rather small blog.

I have been living in Indonesia for a few years. I took a COO position at MD Pictures in 2018. I arrived in July of that year and then extended my stay when Covid hit. Our company restructured and responsibilities shifted. I started managing Jakarta Film Studios and RDM Publishing.

The goal.

I had always seen myself living in Indonesia from the very first trip I took to Bali in 1998/1999.

When I arrived, it was the end of the very troubled and turbulent times the country was going through.

Nevertheless, I loved it. I loved the people, the culture and above all, I fell in love with Bali. I don’t want to give credit to my ex-wife Zara Zettira ZR but by all accounts, I must.

She introduced me to Bali, and we spent 1998/1999 New Year’s Eve in Bali. This was the start of something… a decade and a divorce later things changed but the goal to live in Bali had not.

Goal achieved.

While we all know that Covid changed the world, it so changed my position at MD Pictures. I took on the job at the time because it was available. I continued to search for other options.

When an opportunity arose, I took it. A marketing position in Bali was the perfect option. While I was not an expert in marketing I knew enough and did the job well enough to get the job and be able to assist the business in other areas of growth.

The next step.

I had made it to Bali, and at the same time I made friends here. Now with some book sales and my current job, I saw a niche developing here.

Some ex-pats and locals alike with small businesses needed help. After getting together with people, I noticed that they didn’t keep up with social media at all. Simple things like setting up Instagram, Facebook and Airbnb accounts seemed to be too much for them.

What’s next?

I have decided to help. I will be moving around Bali in the coming months and hopefully creating content about my experiences with locals.

Honestly, I am so sick and tired of tourists posting…

“How little they pay for food”

“I can’t believe this place”

“I don’t like this about Bali”

It goes on and on. My content will be about the locals. Me giving them a shot to speak their minds about the place they live in.