Can the Real Bali / China / Thailand, Peru be saved? That question has for a long time, appeared on travel message boards, and will in the future.
All About Bali talks about the rapid development of Bali, how greed inspires a lot of people to look the other way, and keep building. I agree with his comments, and would like to add, that if you think its bad now, come back in 10 years, or even 5 years. We will look back in wonder, at the thought of seeing the sunset, over fields across the Sunset Rd. We will look back on the days, when Jimbaran was a sleepy fishing village, where expats only went to buy fish, as a Golden era. The Bukit, that’s a whole other beast. In 10 years you won’t recognize the Bukit, it will be ‘trendy villa city’.
What can be done, should anything be done? I know I can only control 1 person, myself. What other people do, is beyond my influence, other than to whine about it online. The Bali dream, of tropical relaxation, everlasting sunhine, cheap costs and exotic culture will endure, even though the Kuta / Seminyak versions, will end up more like a trip to Disneyland, than a cultural experience. The fact is, when given a choice, 95% of tourists choose creature comforts, over culture and tradition. You make your bed, you have to lay in it.
