3 Things I Discovered While Digital Nomading in Bali for 2 Days
Sometimes, all we need is a change of environment to inject fresh perspectives.
I was in Bali for a 5-day conference last week.
It was a business matchmaking session where companies come in, pitch, exchange contacts, and try to close a deal. In short, it was hectic.
My brain was fried by the end of the 5th day. I could no longer get myself out for business lunches and dinners for the remaining 2 days.
I decided to escape the formal setting and go digital nomading to see Bali for its beauty.
Everyone is a Natural Salesman
There are 2 worlds in Bali.
There is one within the resort. It has an international setting, everyone speaks English, and we go to buffets.
There is one outside of the resort. Small businesses and natives start approaching you when you move further away from the perimeters of the resort.
My first encounter with the external world was with a tuk-tuk equivalent.
“Hello Sir, going anywhere?”
He showed me a motorbike operating gesture by twisting his arms in front of me while he spoke. I returned him a smile and continued my way.
I was apprehensive. Perhaps, a little too much.
It turns out that many tourists take rides from the locals. Bike rides are popular. Cabs are rare.
I remember asking an Aussie in a café 2 hours why he took a lift from the local (I saw him alighting from one and entering the same café as I did). He said it was cheap, and the natives were open to price negotiation.
I guess it beats the mechanical by-distance-run meter if you need a chat.
Next, I encountered random folks on the streets.
They smiled, approached me, and gave this introduction.
“Hello Sir, I am not selling you anything but can you…”
Hahaha, I laughed. This is a classic sales pitch. I never expected to be pitched like this along the streets. I walked away.
I remember thinking if they need professional sales training.
Will they buy my sales training package? Haha!
And then, there are the masseuses standing in front of their shops.
“Hello Sir, back pain? Neck pain? Head pain? Butt pain? Hand pain? Chest pain? Leg pain?…”
I felt cursed. It made me skittish.
They will keep going until I pass them by completely.
Cafés Spring Up at Every Corner of the Street
There are many types of digital nomads.
In Siam Reap (Cambodia), I met coders and online writers.
In Bali (Indonesia), I met online writers, influencers, and many visual designers.
They huddle in cafés. It is easy to understand why.
- Cafés in Bali serve croissants, muffins, eggs benedict, Americano, cappuccino with oat milk, and others.
- You cannot find a café without strong & reliable WiFi.
- There are power sockets everywhere in the café.
- Coffee is cheap. You can get a large cup at USD 3.
- You can sit there all day. No one asks you to leave.
That is what I did.
I entered this local café known as Farmer’s Brew (more on that below). I had walked for 30 minutes and was desperate for a cup of black.
I placed an order for a cappuccino with oat milk and opened my laptop to start typing this article you are reading. I only realized the cafe had Oatly above their coffee machines many minutes later.
And vegan muffins on their display.
I love their setup the most. The café I was in had long glass windows. Bali is hot and humid. Alfresco is not a desirable choice for coffee dwellers, I imagine.
And so, they had long windowpanes at corners, allowing patrons to stare into the green under the air-conditioning. It looked like this.
It was beautiful.
Strangely enough, it allowed me to consolidate my thoughts for writing while staring blankly into the green space.
There Are Stories Everywhere
These are stories that span multi-generations.
Look at this.
The waitress at Farmer’s Brew passed me this card after I placed my order. It tells me about their Instagram account, store locations, and the founder’s story.
I remember going through their story, reading it line by line.
There is depth, struggle, and evolution as locals pass their businesses from the current generation to the next. It must have been a tumultuous journey necessitated by time and economic development.
- I imagined family squabbles.
- I imagined the young leaving the coffee plantations behind, seeking greener pastures, and returning with new seeds for a higher profit.
- I imagined a battle of wits between the Old Guards and New Challenges to bring the family business to greater heights.
All these thought bubbles came to me while reading a small card. It was wildly inspiring.
Parting Keynotes
Bali is a brilliant place for the inspiration-poor.
Interesting interactions come into contact the moment we leave the resorts or hotels. Natives will find creative ways to reach out to you.
It is a great experience because,
- Everyone is a natural salesman.
- Cafés spring up at every corner of the street.
- There are stories everywhere.
You will enjoy your time there as a digital nomad. Have fun!
As a content contributor, I write my observations from daily life and my business exposure. Because our life experience is the bedrock of our unique perspectives.
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