Baru di Bali

He may be an ‘unusual’ man, but the highly-educated Lawrence probably knows (a lot) more about Bali than many of the Balinese themselves. His dramatic adventures (literally!) during his times in Indonesia – and many other parts of the world –have earned the world some of the most tremendous essays and a notable, Emmy award nominee TV series called “Ring of Fire”. Some serious talks with heavy, scientific terms were making our little yet educating chit-chat – luckily we managed to have him gone with some lighter words. So, on a lighter note, here’s what Dr Lawrence Blair has to say about Bali…

When was your first trip to Bali and why?

I’ve been living in Bali for 35 years now; you do the math. However, my first visit to Indonesia was back in 1965. I was delegated to attend this conference about meditation technique. Yep, I had a meditation guru from Java.

What made you decide to move here?

Oh, it’s the life. Living in Bali is fun and easy. I mean, I live part time between Double Six area and Ubud and I really can’t complain. Take example of this place (Double Six); I could always go for a massage and boogie-boarding only within walking distance. I have to keep my body going, you know, even though I am old. I even love the geckos and snakes that live around my house in Ubud.

What was your best memory during the trip?

The exotic, tropical animals; even the Bali dogs fascinated me. I wasn’t just a regular tourist when I first came here; I was in search for the amazing, cultures, tribes and the wilds. Bali, and Indonesia in general, gave me all that. I dived with the whales, visited some of the most remote tribesmen and studied animals that can’t be found in other parts of the world. Of course, that’s not all. I taught Mick Jagger and his then wife (Jerry Hall) how to boogie board in Sanur in 1992. Oh, I also took David Bowie and his wife touring the keraton (palace) in Solo, Central Java.

What is the biggest change since your trip back then?

The physical changes are certainly very noticeable. Aside from that, the people have also changed now. I can’t really describe it.

What was the best hangout place back then?

I am basically a lazy walker, so the beach is always the best hangout place for me. But sometimes I had breakfast at Ku De Ta; you know, only to get in touch with the British community here.