 I
wake before sunrise the next morning to birdsong so loud, I'm sure I must
be in a bird sanctuary. In
the morning light, I look more closely at the interior of my $9 per night
bungalow. Its every niche is crafted with aesthetic taste. The door is
handcarved with ornate precision. The Indonesian four-poster bed is draped
in a lacy mosquito net, the hand-woven batik textiles gracing the walls
and draped across the bed are works of art, and the ceiling is peaked and
thatched in bamboo. I hear the breeze in the musical clanging of bamboo
wind chimes and step outside. Red hibiscus blossoms have been placed in
the corners of my door and windows, and on the plate of fresh papaya set
outside my room. I go for a short walk and discover more art imbued
in everything from the sidewalks (inlaid with leafs and little pebble designs)
to the sublime - strikingly beautiful temples, and simple but tasteful,
open-air, multi-tiered homes with thatched roofs. Miniscule wovenpalm containers
of flowers, rice, money, and burning incense are set out on the ground
and atop shrines everywhere I look. This is the source of Bali's aroma;
that and the profusion of frangipani, jasmine, and clove cigarettes. -
Embraced
By Bali - - Robin Sparks |
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 Bali:
A Journey to Self Realization
- My entire life has been dedicated to personal development, spirituality,
transformation and assisting people in navigating challenging times. From
childhood, I have been assisting people in breaking through limitations
and living their true purpose. One of my very first memories, at age 5,
was a deep calling to serve humanity. I grew up with a father that many
consider a spiritual “Saint” from West Africa. I began speaking in my father’s
churches at age 8, designated the successor, and ordained at 14, then by
17 mustered up the courage to walk away from a spiritual organization spanning
300 churches, and over a million members, in order to follow my true calling.
This led me on an intense quest to seek lessons, answers, as well as the
best information, techniques, and methodologies in transformation and success
psychology around the world. Over the last decade, I have been blessed
to travel the world, and work with everyone ranging from billionaires,
lawyers, supermodels, bestselling authors, celebrities, doctors, entrepreneurs,
to mothers, top sales people, children, and corporations. |
 Bali:
The Ultimate Spiritual Expatriation
- A famous philosopher of the 20th Century, Jiddu Krishnamurti once said,
“If you are aware that you are aware, you are not aware.” The perplexity
of the modern age leaves many searching for personal transformation and
awakening experiences to arouse them from their internal slumber, occasional
numbness and disparity about the uncertain future of the world today. But,
the punch line is that is if ultimate freedom becomes an individual’s ambition,
then our very culture tells us that the appetite for attaining the goal
of freedom and enlightenment will never be reached and becomes a bottomless
pit for ‘give me more-more-more-NOW.’ For 15 years, EscapeArtist has offered
readers the opportunity to move ‘from’ and ‘to’ a location and a state
of mind, and we have introduced many opportunities for greater freedom
to experience life with new vision and find the EscapeArtist dream for
themselves. |
 Bali
– A Different Perspective: What the Travel Guides Won’t Tell You
- On the surface Bali seems to be simple. It’s not. It is spiritually and
socially complex. Is it an island paradise? Well, yes and no. Balinese
are super friendly and very engaging people. I found that if you are within
speaking distance and make eye contact with someone virtually everybody
says hello. Originally I thought they were being friendly because they
had a hidden agenda and wanted to sell me something. The reality is that
Balinese are respectful of all people because if they make you angry or
you don’t like them they believe that you may cast a spell on them.
Heaven forbid it’s a really nasty one that can’t be shaken off with incense,
chanting and fruit offerings to a stone god statue at the local temple.
In the larger urban areas you will be hounded unmercifully by street hawkers
wanting to sell you anything from watches to crocodile penises. I was assured
that if I boiled a croc penis and drank the “tea” my member would be as
powerful as a crocodile. |
 Expats
in Indonesia
- South Asia has long held a fascination with Westerners for its rich cultural
heritage, and one country in particular stands out today – Indonesia. It
is the 15th largest nation in the world, with the 4th largest population.
It is the largest economy in the South Asia region, a member of the G-20
major economies, and the “I” in CIVETS, the group of emerging market nations
that are seen as promising due to their diverse economies, large youth
populations, and financial systems that proved sophisticated enough to
have weathered the global recession. Indonesia is rich in natural resources,
with copper, silver, gold, coal, natural gas, and oil being the most important.
Benefiting from high commodities prices, Indonesia also benefits from being
closer to China and India, two of the world’s largest commodities consumers,
than Brazil and Australia, the other major export competitors. Home to
some 240 million people, over 86% identify themselves as Muslims, giving
Indonesia the world’s largest Muslim population, while Hinduism, Buddhism,
Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Confucianism, and native religions all
have their influences. |
 Five
Best Places to Retire in Asia Pacific
- If Australia is too expensive and too difficult to retire to, then Bali
offers a fantastic alternative. The people of this Indonesian island
are peace loving, family orientated, genuinely contented souls, more than
happy to share their stunning natural environment with foreign residents
who come and want to integrate and enjoy all that Bali has to offer. The
island is famous for its tropical beaches, its perfect green and lush landscape
and it’s very laid back pace of life. What’s more, Bali is famous
as a culturally rich destination with dance, art, history, music, painting
and sculpture pursuits and professions enjoyed by locals and expatriates
alike. The religion practiced locally is mainly Hindu with a mix of Islam,
and as stated, the people are peace loving souls with exceptionally strong
and high family values. Tourism has been a very important income generator
for Bali in recent decades, and as a result the infrastructure and services
available on the island are improving all the time and suit many Western
retirees looking for a blend between tropical paradise and sophistication.
If you want an affordable cost of living you can certainly find it in Bali
– and other benefits in the nation’s favour for would be retirees are the
climate, natural landscape, welcoming people, beautiful flora and fauna
and the relative ease of relocation. |
 Bali
– Island of the Gods, inhabited by mere mortals
- Bali is back. The most recent tourism numbers (up 13% in 2009) confirm
what the worsening traffic congestion over the last year has subtly hinted
at. This increase in traffic has fueled a property and building boom, especially
in villas targeted at visitors who have been ensnared by Bali’s undeniable
charms and opted to stay. However, the transition from tourist to resident
often doesn’t go as smoothly as anticipated and many experience headaches
when buying properties or setting up businesses here. This fact was highlighted
recently when the principal of one of Bali’s most prominent expat service
agencies received a prison sentence for scamming foreign clients. This
serves as a timely reminder that it may be an opportune time to examine
how some of these dodgy deals can be avoided. |
 Bali
– A Different Perspective: What the Travel Guides Won’t Tell You
- On the surface Bali seems to be simple. It’s not. It is spiritually and
socially complex. Is it an island paradise? Well, yes and no. Balinese
are super friendly and very engaging people. I found that if you are within
speaking distance and make eye contact with someone virtually everybody
says hello. Originally I thought they were being friendly because they
had a hidden agenda and wanted to sell me something. The reality is that
Balinese are respectful of all people because if they make you angry or
you don’t like them they believe that you may cast a spell on them.
Heaven forbid it’s a really nasty one that can’t be shaken off with incense,
chanting and fruit offerings to a stone god statue at the local temple. |
 From
Bali to the Grand Bazaar
- Never ceases to amaze me how the world shrinks as my travels span greater
distances and time. Istanbul is a city of 20 million and the Grand Bazaar
has more than 5,000 shops. One phone call and someone knows exactly where
to find Mehmet. What I think is going to be a quick drop off, an hour most
– well, right. I am in Turkey where there is no such thing as a quick drop
off of anything. I had planned on the requisite cup of tea before embarking
on my next errand – to the PTT delivery company who was holding 3 boxes
I’d shipped from Bali. But no, one hour slipped into two and then three
as we sat in the back of the shop at Mehmet’s desk surrounded by dimly
lit jewelry cases with glittering baubles from Nepal and Africa and Brazil.
Although Mehmet rarely smiles, I could swear I saw his mouth turn up slightly
when I handed over the freshly roasted coffee beans from Nyoman in Ubud,
Bali. He insisted on paying. |
 The
Practicalities Of Moving To Bali - Thoughts On Living In Bali-
This is a follow-up to my last two articles about living overseas, in particular
living on the island of Bali. I suppose, being a frequent lurker and participant
on a number of Bali internet forums, that I shouldn’t have been surprised
at the number of people that wrote to me asking about moving to Bali, but
I was. The following are the most common questions that potential expatriates
have in regards to moving to Bali. All prices and fees are in United States
dollars unless otherwise noted. What Is It Like To Live In Bali? Some expatriates
consider it paradise and, as they might say, thank the gods every day for
their good fortune of being able to live in Bali. Others arrive with high
hopes, ambitious plans, dreams of palm trees, blue surf, and friendly Balinese,
and then become frustrated with the cultural differences and end up leaving
bitter and poorer. |
|
 Let
It Go And Let Bali - Robin Sparks Looks At The Expat Scene In Bali-
The rhythmic clanging of hammers hitting the bamboo shafts in the kul kul
tower pull us in. Women in tight sarongs and lacey tops stride regally
under three foot towers of offerings on their heads. Like the ladies back
home bringing food to the church potluck, they are bringing food to the
gods, which they will share with others. "I hardly know why I went to Bali.
Perhaps it was to satisfy myself that other men had lied. For I was disillusioned.
Months I had wandered in far places.... I had glimpsed the beauty of the
earth's end. She was a slattern, soiled wench; and pursuit gave way to
sad depression. I scarcely sought beauty any more; but now found Bali"
Hickman Powell from "The Last Paradise, An American's Discovery of Bali
in the 1920's" In the three months since I arrived in Bali, the rice shoots
have grown two feet. Made's youngest child, Lode, has sprouted too - from
an infant at her mother's breast to a young girl chasing through the paddies
after her five year old brother, Gedde. |
|
 Torn
Between Two Lovers - Thoughts On San Francisco And Bali
- Robin Sparks writes about some of her experiences in Bali and what it
felt like to return to the US after the bombings in Indonesia. She talks
about some of the changes that have taken place in the U.S. since she left
and what life might be like in Bali and San Francisco. She talks with some
expats about what someone should expect when they relocate overseas: how
will the conflicting demands of wanting things from home cross with the
new enviroment of living overseas. When I left Bali two months ago, I thought
I 'd found my home on the bucolic, spiritual, achingly beautiful island
where for the price of one year's mortgage in San Francisco, I could live
in lovely home, on a fraction of what it took to sustain a lesser lifestyle
in San Francisco. My plan was to return to the U.S. just long enough to
check in with friends and family, pay my taxes, sell my condo and car,
pack up my remaining things, and get myself back to Bali. I'd keep a toehold
in San Francisco, but it would be in Bali where I would complete my book
and teach creative writing workshops. |
|
 Buying
Real Estate In Bali - Island Of The Gods -
Escape from America was a dream of mine for many years prior to moving
to Bali, like most Americans I was sick and tired of working for the United
States Government, still under the illusion that I actually worked for
myself. We left the east coast of America and made our escape to Bali in
June 1998, selling our home, furniture, automobile and dissolving our construction
business. Looking back it’s hard to believe that we actually moved lock,
stock and barrel to the other side of the world, taking our daughter Bridget,
who was 3, and our son Brandon who was only 2 months old at that time,
keep in mind that I had no job waiting for me, and didn’t speak the language.
My family and friends thought I was crazy, they all said “ what will you
do for work, where are you going to live, what about your children, will
it be safe, can you adapt? Now I know who’s really crazy, it’s my family
and friends who still believe that America is the promise land, (the government
promises, and promises, and promises). |
|
 So
You Want To Retire In Paradise - Thoughts On Bali, Singapore & New
Guinea - Once upon a time, there was a man
with a band of children, a lovely wife and a house in Bali. Life was good,
but this man thought that life could be better if only he didn’t have to
work. This is the story of that man and his dream. Bali. For some people
the name says it all - warm seas, soft sands, cold beers, vibrant colors,
exotic sounds, friendly people, large smiles, laughing children, a multitude
of inexpensive small hotels and homestays. Bali. A land of wonder and magic
set in the warm waters of the Bali Sea and the Indian Ocean. Hand planted
rice, homemade religious offerings, vibrant cloths used in ceremonial clothes.
Gamelan orchestras practicing in the warm nights under a brilliant moon,
the mystery of a midnight village performance of the wayang kulit. Bali.
A quiet walk through luxurious ravines teeming with birds and butterflies,
the hypnotic chant of the village priest, the cry of the jamu seller in
the tropical sunrise, the aroma of sate sizzling over charcoal-filled grills. |
|
 Real
Estate in Bali – A Truly Magical Island
- Bali’s indigenous population of just over 3 million welcomes around 1.5
million foreign tourists (figures for 2004). There are almost 40,000 foreigners
living or working in Bali who are extremely happy and satisfied with their
decision to be on this magical Island. Some have learned it the hard way
while others made sure they were well informed about the location before
any commitment was made. When the urge to own property in Bali starts or
when investors see opportunities for their business. A foreigner or foreign
company however can not own property directly in Bali. However, there a
few alternative and safe solutions One of them is the Nominee system. You
“borrow” the name of a local person to buy property. The notary deeds make
sure you can act as if it is your own property. The local person can not
enter, sell, rent or touch the property at all. Living in Bali also requires
a permit to stay. The Government offers several options all depending on
your needs. Basically you need to apply or extend a permit once every year.
If you want to work or set up a company in Bali we are able to advise you
what course to take. |
|
 Bali:
Tropical Dream Homes - Dreaming of stealing
away to some far-off land? You pack’n beach blankets or snow skis?
Will you need a crash course in Portuguese or just a brush up on your Mandarin?
When it comes to great escapes the options are endless, there are nearly
as many where, what, and whys as there are people considering them.
However, take a quick tour thru escapeartist.com (as if you haven’t already)
and you’ll notice a clear and obvious trend; a strong tilt towards the
tropics. Dreams are becoming reality as increasing numbers of North American
and European baby-boomers are taking up foreign residence along the world’s
sun-belt. For me, it’s no surprise that exotic warm-weather destinations
have pull on those searching for a change of lifestyle (change being the
operative word, I mean if you’re happy where you are, I doubt your reading
this article or planning to hop a freighter and give it a go as near-do-well
in Bora Bora). |
|
 Reflections
On An Expatriate Life ~ Escaping To Asia -
My wife asks where I would like to drink my coffee. I take it on the veranda
of our new house on the island of Sumbawa in eastern Indonesia. Feathery
clouds float in an azure sky; a soothing westerly breeze ruffles the palm
leaves in the front yard. It’s another day in paradise. Paul Theroux, the
travel writer, commented in the beginning of Dark Star Safari that when
he left on his trip through Africa he wanted to disappear. When I left
the United States after 40 years of life there, I cradled the same thought.
I look for the signs or omens that led me to this remote island in the
Indonesian archipelago where I lived in a shipping container for sixteen
months with my wife and children like a post-modern Mother Hubbard. Sometimes
I can catch a glimpse of a trail – my fascination as a youth with maps
and islands; my attempts to teach myself French to impress a girl when
I was 12; a Sixth Grade report on sharks and submarines, but most of the
time it seems pretty random. |
|
 Sacred
Mountain Sanctuary An Indonesian Resort -
ESacred Mountain Sanctuary will certainly satisfy his or her longing. It
has the natural religious atmosphere typical of Bali, amidst the cool and
peaceful surroundings of traditional villages of Sidemen and Karang Asem.
In fact, Karang Asem is where the Sanctuary is located. In addition to
its environmentally friendly design, the resort serves as an ideal spot
for spiritual tours. Erected by the bank of Telaga Waja River which flows
with clear fresh water, the resort is surrounded by rice and other fields
belonging to local people to the east. The lovely Mt. Agung stands majestically
nearby and emanates magical charm. As can be seen from the resort balconies,
the resort seems to occupy the upper area of the river that flows to the
foot of Mt. Agung. The pacifying sounds of flowing water, the movement
and calls of wild tropical birds and cool mountain breezes, weave themselves
around you and the religious atmosphere of the resort begins to work its
magic. |
 How
To Bank Offshore - Banking Offshore - Forming Offshore Corporations - Anonymous
Banking Secrets
- Why Bank Offshore? - The Governments of the world are out of control
. . . and broke. They need your assets to make themselves solvent.
That they squander those assets is forgone. We live in a world where personal
sovereignty, privacy and individuality are under attack. The right to privacy
is more than an abstract necessity, it is also a psychological necessity.
If we do not have the right to privacy, we do not own the rights to our
own lives. Individuality entails making value judgments independent of
political, religious or social dogmas. In making value judgments
we make choices. In today's world, if the choices we make differ
from the status quo then we come under pressure to 'toe the line'. There
is no line to toe. We live in an intellectual vacuum, where short
of the logical choices we make in our own behalf, there are no other values.
Our Magazine & Websites stress privacy and living our life by our own
standards, protecting what is ours from those who have not earned
it. - In today’s technological world, millions of individuals are subject
to privacy threats. Companies are hired not only to watch what you visit
online, but to infiltrate the information and send advertising based on
your browsing history. People set up accounts for Facebook; enter bank
and credit card information to various websites. Those concerned about
Internet privacy often cite a number of privacy risks — events that can
compromise privacy — which may be encountered through Internet use. |
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Estate In Thailand |
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Real Estate In Asia-Pacific - Current Listings
24/7 Bargains - Islands, Enclaves, Coast Property, Sale by Owner. Farm
Land, Ranches, Houses, Castles, Vineyards, Beachfront - Also
see Real Estate By Type - Islands, B&B's, Plantations |
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 Map
Of Indonesian
- Bali is part of Indonesian. Across its many islands, Indonesia consists
of distinct ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. Bali is an Indonesian
island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying
between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. It is one of the country's
33 provinces with the provincial capital at Denpasar towards the south
of the island. Bali may be small in size – you can drive around the entire
coast in one long day – but its prominence as a destination is huge, and
rightfully so. Ask travellers what Bali means to them and you’ll get as
many answers as there are flowers on a frangipani tree. Virescent rice
terraces, pulse-pounding surf, enchanting temple ceremonies, mesmerising
dance performances and ribbons of beaches are just some of the images people
cherish. |
 Safe
Medical Tourism in Bali Yes, Safe Overseas
Medical Tourism Offshore. Find Safe Clinics, Read Reviews, Active Discussion
posts. Members & providers can communicate directly and exchange information
freely. |
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 Yachts
For Sale Worldwide Yes, Boats, Barges and
Yachts for sale worldwide in the online Yacht Broker. - If it floats on
water it's in the Yacht Broker - Buy or sell a yacht, sportsfishing vessel
or sailboat - List your boat for free! |
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 Want
an overseas job in Bali? - We are working
hard to make sure that you have a much better chance to really get one!
- Our overseas jobs listing section has just gone through a total upgrade
with hundreds of new listings of jobs overseas! - It has search capacity
by location, job type and salary desired. |
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 Self
Service shipping to Bali - Ubox we ship -
Save over 40%! on international shipping. Door to door , Door to
port , Port to port. Professional services with discount prices. Call today
for a free shipping quote 866.566.9350 |
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 Where
to Own Gold – Asset Protection Planning
- Owning precious metals seems to be the only protection from governments
racing to devalue their currencies to cover their debts. Although this
is likely not a revelation to you, the markets have brought you dozens
of ways to begin acquiring through financial instruments, futures, and
allocated or unallocated physical storage. |
|
 Moving
Money Offshore By Jay Butler Asset Protection Services Ltd
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers all income reportable regardless
of the source or location derived and most assets held offshore are reportable,
however some are not. When looking to preserve your assets it is important
to understand the difference between taxable income and reportable assets.
Here are 3 ways to legally move money offshore without any requirements
to report it to the United States government, the IRS or international
regulatory agency. 1.) Opening an Offshore Bank Account - >
> > MORE |
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 How
to Maintain Asset Privacy Within the US By Bobby Casey, Global Wealth Protection
- With asset protection planning, anonymity seems to be the number one
concern for people these days. And rightly so. Any 11 year
old with a laptop can easily do an online record search and find your bank
accounts and their balances, your vehicle registrations, your real estate
assets, your credit report, your residence history and even your driving
record. Many clients are interested in anonymity and asset protection.
In some cases clients confuse the two. They think that anonymity
is asset protection. It is not, but anonymity does have benefits.
When forming an FLP (family limited partnership) or an LLC (limited liability
company), the strength of the entity is dependent upon the state of formation,
the quality of the operating agreement and the business purpose of the
entity. -
> > > MORE |
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 Hedgefund
Manager’s Report from China - I am writing
this from the back of a taxi in Hong Kong’s Central district. My meetings
with assorted bankers, hedge fund managers, Taipans, and the press stretched
on longer than expected, with the result that I am now stuck in rush hour
traffic on the way to the airport. So I might as well use the time productively
and sum up my thoughts on my recent trip to China. When I first cajoled
my way into to the Middle Kingdom in the early seventies, it was in the
back of a broken down truck carrying bags of wheat, no doubt destined to
a thriving black market. We drove down a heavily potholed single lane road
that had not seen serious maintenance since the thirties. -
> > > MORE |
|
 List
Of Offshore Banks - An offshore bank is defined
by its location, or 'jurisdiction'. An offshore bank is usually located
outside of the depositors country of residence, typically within a jurisdiction
that levies very low taxes, or no taxes at all. Each jurisdiction
varies in its degree of taxation, its degree of privacy, and its services.
Offshore banks located in politically and economically stable jurisdictions
provide a safe-haven for assets that may be at risk in the nation in which
the investor lives and holds residency. |
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Expat
Taxes - Offshore Tax Information - Foreign Earned Income
- Individuals have been leaving their own land to seek opportunities elsewhere
since the dawn of mankind. But it has only been since the development of
the modern nation-state, and its taxation of the worldwide income of its
citizen-residents, that expatriation has taken on significant tax consequences.
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