From Snow to Ubud
- Feb 18
- 2 min read
A Russian Father’s Bali Story
He didn’t come to Bali for beaches. He didn’t come for cafés. He didn’t even come with a plan.
He came because his kids live here.
“It’s good… a little bit hot and moldy I would say.”
That was his first honest impression.
He had just arrived from Russia — from winter, from snow, from months of grey skies.
“Still it’s good to come from Russia where it’s winter and cold.”
For someone coming from extreme cold, Bali’s humidity felt heavy. The air felt thick. The rain was disappointing. He even rated his first few days a 7 out of 10 — mostly because of cloudy weather.
And yet, he stayed.
Not because of perfect weather.Not because of luxury.But because of something deeper.
He Came to Visit His Kids in Ubud
When asked why he chose Bali, his answer was simple:
“My kids live in Bali so I came to visit my kids.”
His children are studying in Ubud. And the way he described their school is something many Balinese might find interesting.
“They study only 4 days a week… 3 days they have rest.”“The school is till 2:00.”“Mostly they have kind of projects… some kind of Montessori.”
To him, it felt relaxed. Less rigid. More experimental. More connected to nature.
And that says something important.
Bali is not only a holiday island. It’s a place where families relocate. Where children study. Where people build long-term lives.
No Specific Plans. Just Living.
When asked about his travel itinerary, he said:
“No specific plans so far.”
They are staying in Ubud. One day they just decided to visit the beach. That’s it.
No checklist. No “must-see rice field.” No viral café hunt.
Just presence.
For many locals, Bali might feel ordinary. Traffic. Rain. Humidity. Routine.
But for someone arriving from snowy Russia, Bali represents warmth, flexibility, and a slower rhythm of life.
Why This Story Matters for Us in Bali
Sometimes we forget how diverse Bali’s visitors are.
This man:
Lives between Russia and Rome
Has children studying in Ubud
Escapes snow to experience tropical rain
Accepts cloudy days but still chooses to stay
He didn’t romanticize Bali. He didn’t say it was perfect.
He said it was good.
And maybe that’s the most honest compliment.
Bali Is For Everyone
This interview reminds us of something powerful:
Bali is not only for:
Influencers
Party seekers
Honeymoon couples
Bali is also for:
Fathers visiting their children
Families building alternative education paths
People escaping winter
People exploring slower living
Even if:
It’s rainy
It’s humid
It’s not always sunny
People still come. And they still find value.
A Small Reflection for Us
When he rated Bali 7/10, it wasn’t criticism.
It was perspective.
He wanted more sun.But he still chose to stay until mid-March.
That means something.
Bali doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.
And for those of us who live here:
Maybe we don’t need to be afraid that Bali is “only for tourists.”
Because clearly, Bali is for families. For students. For winter escapees. For experimental schools. For slow mornings in Ubud.
Bali is for everyone.
And sometimes, it takes a Russian father to remind us of that.
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