When rafting in Bali

by Rosie Allan (New Zealand)

I didn't expect to find Indonesia

When rafting in Bali I didn’t expect to find floating human turds on the surface of the water, as we sailed past an enormous resort. When rafting in Bali, I didn’t expect to find huge boat loads of other tourists pushing their way down the river because there are so many people wanting the same experience. What I didn’t expect to find in Bali were tiny stalls in the middle of the forest, next to the river where we would stop for a rest. What I didn’t expect to find were famous Bintang’s being sold left, right and centre by the sweetest Balinese people at these stalls. How the hell did they get there?? But what I did expect was a day of fun, laughs and giggles as we bumped and bopped our way down the river. We bonded with other tourists and marvelled at the beauty of stone carvings so intricately cut into the rock face. The forest and scenery was equally as beautiful, and the patched up boats blown up at the river side before we got into them only added to the experience. White rafting in Bali is fantastic, adrenaline filled and worth every penny - turds and all. It is a great way to see the scenery and things like waterfalls were round every bend. A bonding experience like no other, where I felt the safest I’ve ever felt even though the boat could pop at any second. To top of the day I didn’t expect to find a very elderly man waiting for us at the end of the 2 hour boat ride. As we got off the raft he set to work deflating the boat, before folding it like it was simple paper origami and throwing it onto his head to then walk up 500 steps balancing it the whole way. While we huffed and puffed behind him he did not complain and cheerily smiled about the beautiful day! Bali is beautiful and what I didn’t expect to find were such friendly, amazing people prepared to help you with your most wildest requests and with no complaints. There is a lot to be learned from what you don’t expect to find in Bali.