Bali's crowded temples made me hate what tourism has become

I visited Bali last summer and the sacred sites were swamped with people taking selfies. It felt wrong to see such disrespect in a place that means so much to locals. Tourists were climbing on statues and talking loudly during prayers just to get a good photo. We act like these spots are our personal playgrounds without caring about their real purpose. This isn't just about being rude, it's about ignoring basic respect for other cultures. If we keep treating travel like a checkbox for social media, we lose what makes these places special. I now skip the big attractions and seek out quieter, respectful ways to experience a culture.

3 comments

3 Comments

andrewwebb2d ago

It's hilarious how people wait in line to disrespect a thousand-year-old temple for a selfie. I saw someone trying to balance on a prayer altar to get the perfect angle. Another group was shouting over a ceremony to coordinate their group photo. The best part is they probably posted it with a caption about spiritual awakening. We've turned holy sites into backdrops for our fake deep moments. Maybe next they'll start selling ticket stubs as souvenirs from their cultural vandalism.

hall.joel2d ago

Seriously saw a family last summer where the mom made her kids balance on a stone incense burner for a picture. The worst was someone using flash photography right in the middle of people praying quietly. It just feels like some folks see the whole place as a theme park set, not someone's actual place of worship. Makes you want to tell them the gift shop is back near the entrance.

quinna891d ago

Has anyone tried telling the temple staff? I watched a guard stop a guy from climbing on a statue last year, they just waved him down and pointed at the rules sign. Most places have people working who will handle it if you give them a quiet heads up, saves you the stress of arguing with strangers.