Post #45184 by ikitnrev on Tue, Jul 29, 2003 7:06 PM

I am one of those people who has been fortunate to travel to Bali for a vacation, spending just under two weeks there and the neighboring island of Lompoc about 4 years ago. It was surprisingly affordable, and my guess is that my total cost, including airfare, for my two week vacation there will be much less than my total bill for my recent Florida Hukilau trip.

Although I had a great time, and would not hesitate to return for another vacation, I never ever once really considered relocating there full time. Although the beaches, climate, food, and people were all great, I think that there is too much Wisconsin native blood in me, and I would miss the changing seasons and the colder winter air, along with many other things I've come to love here.

It comes down to the answer to the question "If you like Polynesian things so much, then why don't you relocate there full time," to which I reply "it isn't the authentic Polynesian culture I enjoy, but the fantasy reproduction of it back here in the U.S."

This is similar to 'I don't want to live in prehistoric times, but I like to be within driving distance of a place that has giant fiberglass reproductions of dinosaurs.'

I guess this means that I'm probably more often interested in pop culture than authentic Polynesian culture.

Vern