Bali Through Russian Eyes
- Feb 19
- 2 min read
He didn’t come as a tourist.
He has been living in Bali for more than a year.
When we approached him, he immediately said:
“I’m not very touristy. I live here.”
That alone already says something. For some people, Bali is not just a holiday destination. It becomes home.
Why Bali?
When asked what he likes about Bali, his answers were simple but powerful.
“I like ocean. I like surfing here.”“I like food.”“You have waterfalls, temples, ruins in the jungles.”
For us, waterfalls and temples might feel normal. But for him, they are part of everyday life that still feels magical.
He also mentioned something we often forget:
“Bali is quite… you don’t have tall buildings.”
He likes that Bali is low-rise. No massive skyscrapers. No overwhelming concrete jungle.
“You have opportunity to see everything around.”
For someone coming from cities filled with tall buildings, Bali feels open. Breathable. Human.
The Architecture That Feels Different
One detail that stood out:
“The feature of the architecture here is also nice… red roofs everywhere.”
Sometimes it takes an outsider to remind us that even our rooftops carry identity.
The temples in family yards. The ceremonies. The daily offerings.
When asked what makes Bali special compared to other countries, he said:
“Probably ceremonies… and the local temples in the yards.”
That’s not something you easily find elsewhere in the world.
What Surprised Him the Most
One of the most interesting parts wasn’t about beaches or surfing.
It was about children.
“Local people have quite a patient attitude to the kids.”“Here kids feel themselves quite free.”
He compared it to other countries where children are given more restrictions and less freedom in public spaces.
For him, Bali feels softer. More tolerant. More accepting.
That says something powerful about Balinese culture.
He Has Explored… But Still Wants More
He has visited:
Ubud
Rice terraces like Tegalalang
Bukit area
Nusa Penida
And yet, he still dreams of exploring more Indonesia.
“Maybe I wanted to visit Raja Ampat.”“In upcoming couple of years, I hope so.”
And when asked if he plans to stay in Bali?
“In upcoming couple of years… I hope so.”
Not because Bali is perfect. But because Bali offers balance.
Nature. Culture. Ocean. Community.
A Message for Us, as Locals
Sometimes we worry.
Is Bali too crowded? Is Bali changing too fast? Are foreigners only coming for parties?
But this Russian expat shows another reality.
Some people come here because:
They don’t like tall cities.
They love small communities.
They appreciate culture.
They want nature close to daily life.
Bali is not just for one type of person. It’s not just for tourists. It’s not just for surfers.
Bali is for everyone as long as they respect it.
And maybe we, as Balinese or locals living here, need to see our island again through fresh eyes.
Because sometimes, outsiders see the beauty more clearly than we do.
Comments