点评:The Decline of Bali: A Traveler’s Disillusionment
For years, Bali has been hailed as a tropical paradise, a land of pristine beaches, lush jungles, and a vibrant Hindu culture that sets it apart from the rest of Indonesia. However, the Bali of today is a far cry from the idyllic escape it once was. After seven visits over the past decade, I have witnessed firsthand the gradual yet undeniable decline of the island.
The Deterioration of Cleanliness and Beauty
Bali was once known for its serene landscapes and immaculate beaches, but those days seem to be slipping away. Once-pristine locations like Amed, which previously promised a tranquil retreat from the island’s busier hubs, now resemble an open landfill. Litter is scattered across beaches and roadsides, with little to no enforcement of cleanliness regulations. Coral reefs, once teeming with marine life, are now suffering from neglect, pollution, and unregulated tourism. The lack of sustainable waste management and growing disregard for environmental conservation have turned once-breathtaking coastlines into polluted stretches of land.
The Decline of Hindu Culture Amongst the Youth
Bali’s distinct Hindu culture was once one of its most captivating elements, offering visitors a deep sense of spirituality and tradition. However, amongst the younger generation, there appears to be a waning connection to their heritage. Increasing commercialization and a growing focus on tourism revenue over cultural preservation have led to a dilution of Bali’s rich traditions. Authentic religious practices now often serve as mere tourist attractions rather than deeply revered customs. While temples still stand as testaments to Bali’s heritage, the essence of devotion and tradition seems to be fading among the youth.
Overinflated Prices: Bali vs. Australia
One of the biggest shifts in Bali over the past decade has been its pricing. What was once a budget-friendly paradise is now priced at nearly the same level as Australia. With the Indonesian government imposing additional levies, cleanliness charges, and a staggering 21% tax on services, a trip to Bali is no longer the affordable getaway it used to be. What’s more frustrating is that these higher prices rarely translate to better service or improved infrastructure. In places like Amed, where basic cleanliness and road maintenance should be a given, visitors are instead met with broken roads, rampant construction, and exorbitant pricing that offers little value.
Amed’s Rapid Downfall: A Lost Potential
A few years ago, Amed held the promise of being a peaceful retreat away from the over-commercialized areas of Bali. With its volcanic beaches and relatively untouched charm, it attracted those looking for a quieter escape. However, in just a short time, Amed has transformed into an unregulated, chaotic mess. The once-promising snorkeling spots have been replaced with artificial attractions, while locals have effectively monopolized beach access, making it nearly impossible to find a genuinely natural experience. Despite these deteriorations, prices have skyrocketed to match European standards, with little justification. Rampant construction continues to erode the area’s ecological integrity, turning what was once a hidden gem into an environmental nightmare.
Ubud: From Cultural Haven to Urban Chaos
Once the heart of Balinese culture and spirituality, Ubud now feels like a bustling metropolis, more reminiscent of New York City than a peaceful retreat. The streets are overcrowded, making walking—let alone driving—a challenge. The tranquility that once defined Ubud has been overtaken by relentless commercial expansion, traffic congestion, and an influx of tourists that the area’s infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle. The charm of the rice terraces and cultural sanctuaries is overshadowed by the stress of navigating through an urbanized jungle.
The Diminishing Appeal of Bali
For many Australians, the biggest draw of Bali has always been its short flight time. However, considering the rapid decline in value, service, and experience, the justification for choosing Bali over destinations like Japan or Thailand is becoming increasingly weak. While an extra two hours on a flight may seem like an inconvenience, the experience on arrival in these alternative destinations far outweighs the chaos that now defines Bali. With better infrastructure, more respectful tourism policies, and a higher standard of cleanliness and service, Japan and Thailand are proving to be superior choices for those seeking an authentic and worthwhile getaway.
Final Thoughts
Bali has changed—dramatically. Once a place that promised peace, culture, and natural beauty, it now stands as a cautionary tale of over-commercialization, neglect, and lost potential. While some may still find appeal in its proximity and familiarity, those who have witnessed its decline firsthand know that the Bali of a decade ago is no more. Unless serious efforts are made to address environmental degradation, overpricing, and cultural erosion, the island risks losing its status as a desirable travel destination altogether.
翻译:巴厘岛的衰落:旅行者的幻灭
多年来,巴厘岛一直被誉为热带天堂,拥有原始海滩、茂密丛林和充满活力的印度教文化,与印度尼西亚其他地区截然不同。然而,如今的巴厘岛与曾经的田园诗般的世外桃源相去甚远。在过去十年中,我曾七次造访巴厘岛,亲眼目睹了该岛逐渐但不可否认的衰落。
清洁度和美感的下降
巴厘岛曾以其宁静的风景和完美的海滩而闻名,但那些日子似乎正在消逝。曾经像阿湄这样的原始地点,曾承诺是远离岛上繁忙中心的宁静避难所,现在却像一个露天垃圾填埋场。垃圾散落在海滩和路边,几乎没有执行清洁规定。曾经充满海洋生物的珊瑚礁现在正遭受忽视、污染和不受管制的旅游业的侵害。缺乏可持续的废物管理以及对环境保护的日益漠视,使曾经令人叹为观止的海岸线变成了污染严重的土地。
印度教文化在年轻人中的衰落
巴厘岛独特的印度教文化曾经是其最迷人的元素之一,为游客提供了深刻的精神和传统感。然而,在年轻一代中,他们与文化遗产的联系似乎正在减弱。商业化的日益增加以及对旅游收入而非文化保护的日益关注,导致巴厘岛丰富的传统被淡化。真正的宗教习俗现在往往只是旅游景点,而不是深受尊敬的习俗。虽然寺庙仍然是巴厘岛遗产的见证,但虔诚和传统的精髓似乎在年轻人中逐渐消失。
价格过高:巴厘岛与澳大利亚
过去十年来,巴厘岛最大的变化之一是其价格。曾经是一个经济实惠的天堂,现在的价格几乎与澳大利亚相同。随着印尼政府征收额外税费、清洁费和高达 21% 的服务税,巴厘岛之旅不再是过去那种经济实惠的度假胜地。更令人沮丧的是,这些更高的价格很少转化为更好的服务或改善的基础设施。在像阿湄这样的地方,基本的清洁和道路维护应该是理所当然的,但游客却遇到了破损的道路、猖獗的施工和毫无价值的高昂价格。
阿湄的迅速衰落:失去的潜力
几年前,阿湄有望成为远离巴厘岛过度商业化地区的宁静避难所。凭借其火山海滩和相对未受破坏的魅力,它吸引了那些寻求更安静的度假胜地的人。然而,在短短的时间内,阿湄变成了一个不受监管的混乱局面。曾经很有前途的浮潜地点已被人工景点取代,而当地人实际上垄断了海滩通道,几乎不可能找到真正的自然体验。尽管存在这些恶化,但价格却毫无道理地飙升至与欧洲标准相当的水平。猖獗的建设继续侵蚀该地区的生态完整性,将曾经的隐藏宝石变成了环境噩梦。
乌布:从文化天堂到城市混乱
乌布曾经是巴厘岛文化和精神的中心,现在感觉像一个繁华的大都市,更像纽约市,而不是一个宁静的度假胜地。街道过于拥挤,步行——更不用说开车——都是一种挑战。乌布曾经的宁静已经被无休止的商业扩张、交通拥堵和大量游客的涌入所取代,而该地区的基础设施不足以应对这些游客。梯田和文化圣地的魅力被穿越城市丛林的压力所掩盖。
巴厘岛的吸引力正在减弱
对于许多澳大利亚人来说,巴厘岛最大的吸引力一直是其短暂的飞行时间。然而,考虑到价值、服务和体验的快速下降,选择巴厘岛而不是日本或泰国等目的地的理由越来越薄弱。虽然多飞两个小时似乎很不方便,但抵达这些替代目的地时的体验远远超过了巴厘岛现在的混乱。凭借更好的基础设施、更受尊重的旅游政策以及更高的清洁和服务标准,日本和泰国被证明是那些寻求真实和值得的度假胜地的人的最佳选择。
最后的想法
巴厘岛发生了巨大的变化。它曾经是一个承诺和平、文化和自然美景的地方,现在却成为了过度商业化、被忽视和失去潜力的警示故事。虽然有些人可能仍然对它的邻近和熟悉感到吸引力,但那些亲眼目睹过它衰落的人知道,十年前的巴厘岛已经不复存在了。如果不认真努力解决环境恶化、定价过高和文化侵蚀等问题,该岛可能会彻底失去理想旅游目的地的地位。