Most of us know Rachel Greaves as Bali Boheme, the columnist
who writes the “Travel Tales” series in the Bali
Advertiser about her far-reaching travels around the world.
You’ve been living here now since October 1998. How
did you ever wind up in Bali?
My dream from at least 12 years of age – believe it
or not - was to live on a tropical island and become a writer.
My careers teacher sneered at me and told me I was living
in a fantasy world.
What did you first do when you got to Bali?
When I first arrived, I had many obstacles to overcome and
many lessons to learn. There was so much to deal with - making
friends, finding somewhere suitable to live, securing the
means of making some money, acquiring the proper visa, learning
the language and understanding about the way things work here.
Though I was determined to find a way to stay, I was worried
that I might not be able to support myself financially. Paradise
is dangerous, exhilarating, frustrating, challenging and astonishing.
We can fulfil our dreams here or drown in a treacherous sea.
At first I sold medical insurance to expats and later got
a job as PA to the owner of a garment factory. I didn’t
even think about writing until I climbed Gunung Agung. Reaching
the top was one of the most inspirational experiences of my
life. Afterwards I wrote an account of my adventure and emailed
it to family and friends in England. One of my friends sent
the story to the local newspaper in my old home town and it
was published. That was the beginning of my freelance writing
career. I haven’t looked back since.
What kind of writing do you like to do most?
I like writing for magazines because it’s exciting to
see my work in print. I cover entertainment, nightlife, villas,
hotels, spas, restaurant reviews, people profiles, social
and environmental projects, tourist activities and destinations.
The perks are good, I get to stay and eat and be pampered
in many wonderful places. I also write press releases, website
content, brochures, marketing material, company profiles,
and I’m contributing to a couple of guidebooks.
My best pieces are the personal stories that come from my
heart. Things that I’ve never done before are the most
inspiring such as scuba diving for the first time and overcoming
my terror and throwing myself off the bungy tower at Double
Six.
When did you start to write?
I have no formal training as a writer, but I’ve been
writing all my life - diaries and journals, accounts of my
travels and interesting experiences, and I was always a prolific
letter writer. By the time I was 12 I had decided that I wanted
to be a writer and even started writing a book about wild
horses.
What mistakes have you made as a writer?
Accepting tight deadlines and not giving myself enough time
to read, re-read and polish my work. Agreeing to write about
someone’s project or business venture without knowing
if I can get it published. If I can’t get it published
I feel bad because I’ve let people down and wasted my
own time.
What advice can you give to the novice writer?
It is important to read good books. This is particularly important
for a writer living in a foreign country because our vocabulary
and the correct use of our native language atrophies. It’s
also essential to keep abreast of catch phrases and buzz words
and to try and maintain a fresh outlook. Sometimes the best
articles about a place are written by people from outside
who are viewing it for the first time through innocent eyes.
Have there been people who have had a big influence on your
writing or your career?
My father was a writer. He used to type his articles on an
old upright typewriter and keep carbon copies of all his letters.
Before he died, he put together an autobiography of his fascinating
life. He gave me my first dictionary in 1970. One of my brothers
is a leading authority on service management in the U.S. and
has written numerous academic text books. He gave me my second
dictionary in 2001.
What parts of Bali inspire you the most?
I love the area around Lake Tamblingan with its dense, primeval
rain forest. The same goes for Mt. Batukaru, the Amed area
and the northwest coast around Pemuteran. Sipping a beer at
sunset, watching the surfers from one of the warung on the
cliffs at Uluwatu, is also very special. I’m still discovering
new places and when I do it feels that I’m uncovering
a secret.
What do you think is so special about Bali?
Every day here is an adventure. I wake up, the sun is shining,
I look out my window at the ricefields and the volcanoes -
it makes me happy. When I relax on the beach, I still can’t
believe that I’m living here. I love my work. I have
some thrilling assignments and meet lots of people.
My heart is warmed by the community spirit and the help that
I get from strangers, such as the man who drove me to the
hospital when I broke my wrist or the boy who repaired my
bicycle one time at the side of the road.
I love the culture, the mystery, the magic, the intense spirituality
of Bali. I was never particularly religious but now I feel
so close to God. I have a stone carving of Ganesha and every
day I place flowers behind his ears. All my prayers seem to
get answered. This is why I’m very careful about what
I wish for.
Suggestions for interviews or comments may be sent to pakbill2003@yahoo.com
Copyright@2004 Al Hickey
You can read all past articles of Siapa
at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz
