I do not know why...I have no idea how, but Bali, now, is like a second home for me. Rest-assured, the island is captivating. But apparently, the fame of this island does not only captivate me, but it also captivates the wildest imagination of my dear father.
Riding on a public bus from Medan, a capital city in North Sumatra in 1977, this "young-gun" whilst still in college visited a place that many people referred to as a paradise. After experiencing the bumpy & muddy roads, hairpin curves in the Sumatran hills, a number of sickening ferries ride and island hoppings, he arrived in the island of Gods fully loaded with excitement. He, then rent a mopped and rode to Kuta beach in full swing.
Back then, Bali was less glamorous and intoxicated. The view from Denpasar to Kuta was nothing more than a string of rice fields leading to a white sand beach. Fyi, there were not many hotels around (let alone the 5 stars). He then spent his three weeks holiday roaming around the island exploring the areas from one village to another.
Years later his work involves seminars and discussions and keep him coming back to the island. Yet such trips seem insufficient to fulfill his hunger of building a tangible connection to the island. He then purchased a property somewhere between the ocean and corn farms.
I somehow think what makes Bali so special that even somebody like my dad with thick Sumatran blood running hard on his veins dares to spend a significant amount of his fortune for that connection?
Here is how he ellaborates it to me.
No doubt, Bali's uniqueness rivals any other islands in the country. Let's start with its people. The Balinese is not just friendly, but they are also full of art. The way they dance isn't only gracious but also mind-boggling. How on earth someone can dance and step on fiery objects at the same time. Please help me to understand it.
Their land, though lack of natural resources, is filled with natural beauties from its mountains to its shore. You really can have the best of both worlds - that translates to lazing around on a hot sunny white sand beach or an active picturesque trekking escape to the mountain - your options are there.
Such privilleges, however, do not go into their head too much. They are modest, at-ease, grateful, karma believer, hard-working and has a very intimate relationship with their God. They keep and maintain their age-old traditions and simultaneously welcome new cultures without judging. No wonder Bali becomes the melting pot of so many cultures.
He then explained that actually it's the combination of their landscape, spiritual life and culture that produces a unique positive vibe that you may never find elsewhere. It is so unique and tailor-made only to the Balinese people. And who does not need that? Even just to get away from the grit and grime of the capital's air, I'd voluntarily take the plunge to experience it.
Hence, not surprising that Bali is like a magnate attracting worldwide travellers. Like them, my dad is deeply enchanted and attracted to Bali's positive vibe. The reason is simple. It obviously does not relate to any retirement plan or investment projection. But rather the need to be refreshed, rejunevated, rejoiced and even reminded of those innocent past. Yes, as simple as that.
This is why he builds that connection with Bali. Not temporarily, but in the hope for a long-lasting endeavour to reach that simple goal.
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