Voyage Vistas

Exploring Bali often conjures images of luxury hotels, waterfalls, trendy cafes, and verdant rice fields. Yet, just north of Sanur, in southern Bali, lies an unexpected sight: an abandoned theme park overtaken by the jungle. Taman Festival, closed for over 20 years, now stands as an eerie site with derelict buildings adorned with street art. Nature is reclaiming the park, while graffiti artists have left their marks. The park remains relatively undiscovered by tourists and is considered cursed by locals. During our visit, we encountered only a few people. The History of Taman Festival Bali Taman Festival opened in 1997, featuring Bali’s largest swimming pool, a 3D theatre, and a laser show with a budget exceeding 5 million dollars. The total construction cost reached around 100 million dollars. However, the park soon faced challenges. On March 13th, a lightning strike hit the laser show, leading locals to believe the park was cursed. Combined with Indonesia’s economic crisis, visito

The rapid tourism development in Bali has become a prominent topic of discussion recently . As post-pandemic construction booms and new central and provincial governments prepare to take office, Bali enthusiasts are sharing their visions for a prosperous and sustainable future for the island . Recent headlines have highlighted the swift tourism development in Bali , focusing on the significant negative impacts on local communities, tourists, and the environment. While this negativity might deter some from visiting Bali, it also presents an opportunity for reflection. Leaders, communities, and tourists can now contemplate their desires for the island's future. A notable academic in the tourism sector has voiced concerns about the rapid pace of hotel development in Bali. Prof. Dr. Drs. I Putu Anom, a Tourism Professor at Udayana University, has highlighted that the ongoing construction of hotels and villas is beginning to harm Bali’s natural environment. Prof. Anom pointed out th

Tattoos are a profound form of self-expression, marking significant moments, beliefs, and memories on our skin. However, deciding to get a tattoo should be a thoughtful process, particularly when it comes to being sober. The experience of Rhiannon Cunningham, a London expat, highlights why it’s essential to have a clear mind when considering a tattoo. Rhiannon recently shared her story on TikTok, where she revealed waking up with an upside-down Bintang beer bottle tattoo on her foot—a spur-of-the-moment decision made during a night out in Bali. Her video, which garnered over 60,000 likes, resonated with many, illustrating the dangers of making impulsive, alcohol-induced decisions. Her story started with a casual night of drinking with a man she had just met. Despite previously advising a friend against getting “silly” tattoos on holiday, Rhiannon found herself making the same mistake. She recounted, “I met this guy for literally thirty minutes … we were like ‘f**k it, should we get