For what did they make them suffer?

The last time I came here it was a lot more vibrant. Take a look at the picture below.

The entire island of Bali was closed for 2 and a half years, the airport was shut down and any other form of way in or out of here.

As a result many small businesses went bankrupt, like the one above.
It has had a long lasting bitter taste for most though, as yes tourists are starting to come back, and Bali relies on them to survive, but no - they are not coming back in large numbers.

It also has changed the people of Bali, the mindset for the majority of them is make friends with a tourist to see how much you can get out of them, which is a real shame, and detracts from spending time with them.
I have been with people here that have had a puncture and expect me to pay, order a phone top-up and expect me to pay.
And I have also had the poorest of the poor bring me free food.

But the majority only want to know me to see what they can get out of me.

The sun setting.

Well the sun has set on that idea of me having a money tree, it is hard enough just to get money out of an ATM here, let alone feed and pay for everyone on the island.

I will do as I did in Thailand - a reciprocal thing. Those that treat me good, I will do the same, those that give me, I shall give them, the hangers on though can find a sucker.

The German girls left just shy of 7AM and I gave hugs and said my last goodbye.
I will be meeting up with one next year at the beer festival in Germany, she made me promise.
I had forgotten what it was like to meet new people and then them be gone from my life so fast, but that is travel.
Well I think it will be an interesting day all the same, as the owner of where I reside for now is trying to sell me or lease me a section of the beach, not happening though, but if she wants to wine and dine me to try to get a deal, why not hey, and she is attractive too, so some eye candy, but the answer will still be no.

Have a superb day where ever in the world you are.