A German in Bali

Emigrating to Bali sounds like a dream to many: sun, surfing, freedom. But what's it really like? Especially when you take the plunge in the middle of a global crisis? In this interview, a German professional musician tells us how he emigrated to Indonesia with four suitcases during the pandemic, what awaited him there – and why his life now alternates between Bali and a remote island.

What was it like emigrating to Bali during the Covid pandemic?

That was certainly exciting. I emigrated from the Stuttgart area at the end of 2021, arriving in Jakarta as a professional musician with four suitcases, almost exclusively guitars and studio equipment, very few clothes. Only three people on the entire plane. Then I was practically taken to an airport hotel where I had to stay in a single room for ten days, quarantined like in a prison.

I literally rode it out, with two guitars, my iMac, good Wi-Fi, and a fridge full of beer. After all my lifelong COVID tests came back negative, I was allowed to leave and initially settled on the island of Flores, the gateway to the Komodo archipelago. Paradise! After some time, however, I moved to Bali.

For me, the pandemic was the best time ever on the island, even though the locals obviously struggled. I was one of the very few Westerners here and experienced a wonderfully peaceful Bali, perhaps like 50 years ago.

How do you cope with the tourist crowds, the influencers, and the traffic chaos?

Today I live a life of complete seclusion and tranquility on the island of Timor, where my Indonesian wife is from. There's not another white person within a six-hour drive. Dreamy beaches and farm life. And when we get cabin fever, we regularly fly to Bali for a few weeks, where we both spent years, have many young relatives, and are currently building a second home.

I can handle the traffic; it's not bad everywhere in Bali. And the tourists bring a lot of infrastructure that I sometimes miss on Timor: a pork knuckle with wheat beer at 3:00 a.m. is no problem in Bali. And the lifestyle is simply fantastic, totally relaxed. Sports, nature, and culture are sensational all over the island.

How can one successfully network with and integrate into the local community in Bali?

As a Westerner, you'll always feel like an outsider; the cultural differences are simply too great. However, it's still possible, and even relatively easy, to build a circle of friends with locals, because they are all incredibly friendly and outgoing, and they all love speaking English.

If you, as a guest, can even speak a few words of Indonesian, they're bursting with pride. In fact, there are quite a few mixed-race couples. This has given me access to a large family network. And this year we're even expecting our own child...

How does emigration affect long-term relationships in the old homeland, with family and old friends?

For me personally, it's not a problem; thanks to video calls and chat groups, the connection is still there. And I try to spend a holiday in Germany with my wife once a year, and then also travel to a few neighboring countries.

You're currently building something, how's that going?

Foreigners aren't allowed to buy land in Bali; in my case, it's only possible through my wife. But you can, of course, take out a long-term lease, a leasehold, which many people do. Or you can rent a house or an apartment. As a Swabian, I prefer to 'own' my house. Our construction company is from Timor; they've already built our house there.

Bali has become an expensive piece of land. Building plots on my other home island, Timor, are significantly cheaper. But Bali will probably become my retirement home someday, simply because of the excellent amenities here. Best of both worlds, an island-hopping lifestyle.

Nevertheless, I always look forward to the exceptionally quiet weeks on Timor, where I find the muse to produce new music in my recording studio, and I have just written an extremely humorous book about my emigration and my many experiences and adventures here.

The title is already decided: "Bali, Blues & Butterbrezel," just as it should be for the emigration of a Swabian musician. Maybe I'll find a publisher for it; otherwise, it's self-publishing. Stay tuned.

Thank you for the refreshing interview! More news about Michael Hagenmeyer can be found at www.hagenmayer.com

www.linktr.ee/hagenmayer