It is so nice to read posts from first timers like myself who just HAVE to go back again soon! I am returning in November for 4 weeks I can't get enough of the place,the people are so warm and friendly, no aggression,no hate,just beautiful people trying to make your stay as warm as the Balinese themselves.
I know a lot of regulars to Bali compalin about the street sellers but I found thyem just amazing people and they are really only trying to earn enough money to live and maybe get something to eat,plus I found them to be very friendly even if I didn't buy anything, they seem to like us westerners!
Yes I am aware of the cowboys there and I have got to know when I am being ripped off and so I avoid these with a wide berth!
But on the whole, I found the Balinese to be very honest and friendly and I have no problem with them.
What does bother me is that the Balinese do not have any social security of any kind yet they seem to be always smiling and never seem to complain.
They are the people who are bringing tourists into Bali and feeding what I gathered, a rather corrupt governments purse.
How can a government live with itself,not caring for it's people yet enjoying the benefits of tourists?
Maybe I need to make more visits to understand this question, but it is something that worried me.
I was told by many hospitality workers that they earn about 400,000 to 500.000 rph a month. I earn that in one day!
But what amazed me was that they never complained and it made me think that we really do have nothing to complain about in the western world at all.
If only we could do more to help these wonderful people, what a wonderful world it surely would be.