Bali Daze

by Cat Wheeler

Beyond beaches and backpackers, spas and five star hotels is a Bali seldom revealed to the casual visitor. Bali Daze tips the reader off the tourist trail as long-term resident Cat Wheeler hurtles into the fascinating, complex and often bewildering adventure of putting down roots in Ubud.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Asia, Short Stories

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 19, 2011

Reviews

[Jagruti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book on a trip to Ubud...shocking that the only easily available books set in Bali are by white writers who have made it their home (this mass settling in Bali is an uncomfortable phenomenon in itself, and I would love to know how locals view it). There was an obvious white person gaze coloring the book, that was troubling, even though the author seemed to be trying her best to be culturally sensitive, and the process of her settling into Ubud and building a home there was interesting to read. The cross cultural issues were presented but unfortunately without the lens of relative privilege, which would have made it more nuanced.

[Dlmrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Kat A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book lives on my real life bookshelf as Dragons in the Bath. Apparently it's been re-titled, for whatever reason. Here's my review as re-posted from my blog.

I bought this book in an Ubud Bookstore just before I left Bali. Vignette after vignette of wonderful stories about a Canadian writer transplanted. Wheeler is a great writer, comedic and light sometimes, serious and earnest at others. Some of the stories nearly made me fall off my chair laughing. There's a bunch of those sound bite reviews in the front, and I completely agree with one of them, reading this book was like eating one delicious chocolate after another. I read it really slowly because I didn't want it to end! I really hope she produces another volume, this was such a great read.

[Ml Lalonde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cat Wheeler is a Canadian by birth but a Balinese by choice. She is a long time resident of Ubud and this book, which reads like a series of columns or essays, details her joys and challenges in making this place her home, read while on holiday in Bali, I appreciated her love for Bali and the insight her perspective afforded.

[T.J. Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

During my week in Ubud, Bali, I popped into the Ganesha Bookshop on Jalan Raya - Ubud's main road. It's a great little bookshop with a good selection of books, postcards, and prints, and it was there that I picked up Bali Daze. The book's about Cat Wheeler's decision to live in Ubud - a pretty brave move after 10 years living in Singapore.

The book is made up of lots of short vignettes about Cat's experiences on the island, originally written for the Bali Advertiser, and since compiled into this book. The stories are mostly personal, but also cover ecological, educational and health issues. They all offer a fascinating insight into living in Bali, and the mindset of the Balinese. It's also very funny! Cat writes in an engaging and warm manner about her Bali experiences, and it's clear she loves her life on the island.

If you fancy an island armchair escape, I highly recommend this book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of over 70 short pieces that read like a column of an English local newspaper for expats and visitors to Ubud, Bali. The author is a Canadian journalist who decided to make her home in Bali.
It’s easy reading and the range of topics is impressive. Many of the pieces are light heart tales of being an expat, but some address serious environmental and social topics. Her deep love and respect for Bali and the Balinese is evident in every piece.

Actually I have two ratings for this book - 4* if you’ve ever been an expat and/or have visited Bali in the past. It’s important to to keep in mind that this book was written in the early 2000s. Today Bali is even more spoiled by tourists. I’m writing this from the airport in Bali in 2022 and doubt that I will ever seek to come back.

My second rating is 3* for readers who have no interest in personally traveling to Bali. It’s an easy and authentic book that you can pick up and put down and then pick up again. There is no a c to the collection.It offers insights into what living as an expatriate in SE Asia is like.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really lovely to be immersed in the tales of Cat Wheeler’s expat life in Ubud, particularly in her adventures in building her own little slice of paradise, her personable and chaotic menagerie and household, and becoming part of the fabric of the local community. Wheeler affectionately describes the idiosyncrasies of the Balinese, and gives us a gentle and fascinating peek into the ceremonies and events that happen during the changing seasons and at different times. I also enjoyed the journalistic chapters where she discusses inspiring organisations which are helping make a difference to Bali’s social and environmental issues, and how you can help support them. A really great travel book to pick up to be entertained and learn more about Bali, as well as lots of ideas for things you can engage with whilst travelling here.

[Evangeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I confess to not liking Bali as much as I thought that I would. So whilst I was there it was helpful to read this passionate account of someone who loved it so much they chose to move there and build a house, as well as all the journalistic chapters offering deeper insight into the island's social problems and possible solutions, and also all the talk of animals. However, I can't explain this very well, but there was just something about the white privilege of the author's situation that felt uncomfortable to me. For example, the only locals' perspectives we get are from her painted-as-a-bit-silly servants, then it's off to lunch with other ex-pats.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short (unconnected) pieces about the expat life in Bali which were originally written for a magazine. Enjoyed Wheeler's descriptions of her life in Ubud, her neighbors, building her house, her garden and Bali culture from the perspective of an ex-pat, but didn't particularly like the disconnected format. (And I had less interest in reading about her dogs than she had in writing about them.)

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating book about learning to live gracefully within a very different culture. good essays on various social issues as well, mentioning nonprofit organizations (often run by expats) that try to give back to their adopted homeland. going to Bali in two months, am VERY glad I've read the book as a bit of background!

[Danice H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good insight to living in Bali

I enjoyed reading about the authors new lifestyle. I liked that she as aware she was in a foreign country with foreign culture and did her best to learn and be involved with the locals.

[Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! As a recent expat to Bali, I really related with all of these stories l. This compilation of short stories, captures the essence of acclimating to a completely different culture. It was humorous and humble. Great read.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely snapshot of this special place

[Evelyn Mulwray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good! Needed a good edit (lots of typos) but I think the author could have gotten this published traditionally rather than self publishing. Nice window into expat life.

[MsSwisis · Rating 2 out of 5]

‘We knew it wasn’t going to last forever, authentic Asia, and we inhaled it deeply.’

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good look into Bali from an outside perspective!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this back up after days in "Alaska" - fun short chapters on Balinese pigs, vegetation and snakes in her home, and sustainable efforts by Swiss and other non-proifts to bring clean water and economy to remote and dry mountains , efforts to return to sustainable rice farming, and the 'aquarium' fishing industry. A few more chapters to go.

The remaining chapters focus mostly on the author, her home and numerous animals and wildlife she encounters centered around life in a village community. There is one on the rice farming industry and the fallowness of land/field caused by hybrid, engineered rice and an effort to return to native Balinese rice. The rice fields are amazing - in one hotel my patio opened onto rice paddies. Yes, I'd like to return to Bali -and if not in 'real life' then by a revisit to this charming collection of stories.

[Jen Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite book if you're planning on spending time in Ubud, Bali. Written by a Candadian expat who moved to Bali to become a writer and live a slower life, Ibu Cat is a beloved figure in the Ubud community and a witty and engaging writer. Her sharp eye for cultural detail and the ridiculousness of day to day life in Bali will keep you turning page after page.

[Fei · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing, witty read of a long-term expat's life in Bali. It gave me a quick snapshot of Bali as well as some of the author's quirky pets.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great pre-trip read.