| Here are five reasons why I love loving in the | | | | of the friendliest people I have met. They seem |
| beautiful island of Bali in no particular order: | | | | to spend most of their time outside, so you can't |
| 1. Ever day there is something to celebrate. Bali's | | | | walk by without having a chat. |
| population is made up of mostly Hindus. It seems | | | | 3. The climate. Indonesia is right on the equator, |
| like every day there is some kind of special | | | | so it goes without saying that it is a hot place to |
| ceremony going on- temple anniversaries, holy | | | | live. There are cooler places in Bali though in the |
| days, celebrations, dances, new house | | | | mountains that are much cooler. If you live near |
| ceremonies, wedding and funeral ceremonies. | | | | the sea you get nice breezes. While it might be |
| While I am not Hindu, nor do I participate in any | | | | hot for 1-2 hours in the middle of the day, the |
| of the ceremonies, it is still fun and interesting | | | | mornings and early evenings are great times for |
| learning about the different ceremonies and | | | | getting out and exploring. If your house has good |
| watching the people prepare for them. The | | | | ventilation, you can get by without having air |
| temples are decorated with beautiful flowers nad | | | | conditioning. You can also do like what many |
| decorations made from bamboo. | | | | Balinese do and have a nap in the hottest part of |
| Even if you aren't of Hindu faith, I think everyone | | | | the day. |
| can something out of their beliefs. Nyepi day for | | | | 4. Activities. I don't think anyone can ever say |
| example is a day of silence, where everybody | | | | they are bored living in Bali. There is so much for |
| stays at home inside. No one is allowed to drive | | | | such a small island. Being an island with beautiful |
| cars or motorbikes and people even keep their | | | | beaches, you can enjoy many water based |
| radios and televisions quiet. It is a day for self | | | | activities like diving, surfing, kite surfing and |
| introspection where everyone has the chance to | | | | swimming. The mountains and lakes in the interior |
| have a fresh start. | | | | offer great opportunities for hiking. The rich |
| 2. The strong community spirit. I think in many | | | | culture of the Balinese and their love of beautiful |
| western countries we have lost the value of | | | | art and sculpture, opens up more possibilities of |
| community. Often people living right next door to | | | | having new and wonderful experiences. |
| one another don't even bother to socialize or talk | | | | 5. Cost of living. While you can now buy million |
| to each other. In Bali most people still live in small | | | | dollar homes in areas like Seminyak, Bali still has a |
| villages and even if they move they retain close | | | | very low cost of living. If you make your way |
| ties to their original village. The village head is | | | | out of the main tourist areas, you can find very |
| referred to as the banjar and he takes care of | | | | comfortable and affordable housing. By shopping in |
| organizing the dates for religious events, collecting | | | | the markets where the locals buy their food, you |
| money for the ceremonies and sometimes even | | | | can save even more money. |
| handing out punishment to criminals. | | | | Whether you are looking to downsize your life, or |
| If you get out of the tourist areas in the country | | | | looking for a beautiful warm place to live, Bali has |
| side, the people are very friendly and will say hello | | | | something to offer all potential expats. |
| and stop you for a chat. Our neighbors are some | | | | |