Let’s be honest. If someone asked you to name three cities in Indonesia, you might say: Bali, Bali, and… uh, Ubud? (We’ll let that slide for now.)
Before you feel bad forgetting that Indonesia is a 17,000-island archipelago and not just a giant backdrop for yoga selfies, take comfort in the fact that it’s perfectly understandable, and actually kind of historical.
The Birth of the Bali Brand
Long before influencers made Bali the land of smoothie bowls and drone shots, the island had already secured a spot on the global travel map. In the 1920s and 30s, the Dutch colonial government (yes, they were still around back then) decided that Bali was basically their tourism MVP. They marketed it heavily to Europeans as a tropical paradise, think of it as early-century clickbait with fewer hashtags.
Then came artists and anthropologists like Miguel Covarrubias and Margaret Mead, who painted, photographed, and wrote about Bali like it was some magical, untouched land. Spoiler: that PR campaign worked.
Soekarno’s Role in Shaping the Bali Brand
Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, was no fool either. He often chose Bali to welcome foreign dignitaries and even had the grand Bali Beach Hotel built in Sanur in the 60s (it was basically Bali’s version of a 5-star debut). If Bali had a LinkedIn profile, that would most definitely be under the “Experience” section.
The Culture Card: Bali Plays it Best
Let’s face it, Bali doesn’t just have culture, it performs it. While other places might tuck tradition into museums or dusty corners, Bali parades it down the street, often accompanied by incense, drums, and someone in a full Barong costume… on a Tuesday morning.
From temples tucked between convenience stores to daily offerings on the sidewalk (and yes, sometimes in front of ATMs), Balinese tradition isn’t background decoration, it’s the main feature.
Sure, other parts of Indonesia are rich in culture too (shoutout to Toraja, Minang, and Dayak!), but Bali knows how to package its heritage with flair. Here, your morning coffee run might turn into a front-row seat at a cremation procession, and honestly, that’s kind of the charm.
Is Bali a Country? You’re Not the Only One Asking
Here’s the kicker: many foreigners know Bali better than they know Indonesia as a whole. Some even ask if Bali is the country (it’s not, but we forgive you). Even major global travel sites like Tripadvisor and Travel + Leisure consistently crown Bali as a top destination, sometimes without even mentioning the rest of the archipelago.
So if you’ve ever caught yourself wondering, “Wait, is Jakarta near Seminyak?” don’t worry. You’re not alone.
Bali might be the poster child of Indonesia, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the country isn’t worth exploring. Think of Bali as the trailer, it gets your attention. But the full film? That’s the rest of Indonesia: from the dragons of Komodo, to the spicy street foods in Padang.
Still, for now, sip on your coconut, enjoy the gamelan in the background, and embrace the fact that living in Bali means you’re part of a place so iconic, it often outshines the nation it’s part of itself. Just try not to call it a country at immigration.
Sources: Okezone, Kompas, Featured Image.