Scott Stoll logo world traveler. A bicycle wheel and the globe symbolizes Scott's journey around the world on a bicycle.
Scotts adventure in Bali 09
Bali has the densest population of talented artists and craftsmen anywhere I’ve ever been. Arts and decoration adorn almost everything.

An adventure as a gemologist in Bali

Scotts adventure in Bali 01
A daily offering and blessing outside my hotel room.

The World Adventure Continues in
Bali, Indonesia

Update 2021: Yes, I had a failed career as gemologist. But it was an adventure. One of many adventures that I tried to avoid going back into advertising after my trip around the world reprioritized my life. I was — am — a little embarrassed by this. I have yet to tell the full story, but it is on my list to come back to this one.

After traveling the world for years, I can’t seem to stay put in one place for very long. I’ve got a giant case of Island Fever, in fact at the rate I’m going, I’ll have Planet Fever in no time.

I just can’t get used to the “real world” of 8-12 hours in an air-conditioned room in front of a computer, my new window to the world, and the only thing getting a workout is my butt. It’s not really a workout, it’s more like a feat of endurance sitting in one spot for so long. Ironically, it reminds me of riding a bicycle all day. Gosh, I miss my customized leather saddle.

Scotts adventure in Bali 06
If you want an adventure, try walking through a monkey park with a handful of bananas. When a monkey runs up your leg to the top of your head, you’ll quickly learn how to mime a banana tree.

My new affirmation is: “You should be grateful, you could be mowing grass with a machete for a living.”But like any affirmation, it doesn’t work, because deep down what you are really saying is, “I feel guilty and shameful and I shouldn’t feel this way.” Which is a guilt on top of a guilt.

So after hopping from state to state and a thrilling one-day adventure in Mexico which ended when the policia had me spread eagle against a wall and searched me for drugs (Ah! It reminded me of the good old days traveling the world), I decided to go on a big trek across the Pacific (without the bike this time) and turn that spark of adventure once again into the flame of new experiences and inspiration.

“Welcome to my paradise.” Is the opening line in Bali. And it is a paradise, a bit overrun by motor scooters and tourists, but still a paradise.

So, since people are little impatient with words these days, here’s a small photo-pictorial.

Scotts adventure in Bali 02
My friend Nyoman posing with a statue of Shiva. In Bali, there are traditionally only 4 first names. In order of birth: Wayan, Nyoman, Made and Ketut. Nyoman has a second child named Nyoman and if he has a sixth child, he or she will be called Nyoman also. So, to avoid confusion I have to refer to my friend as The Funny Cab Driver Nyoman, and believe it or not, when you tell people this, they know who you are talking about. It is a small island.
Scotts adventure in Bali 08
One of many Hindu Temples overrun by the jungle.
Scotts adventure in Bali 07
One of the more “tasteful” erotic statues.
Scotts adventure in Bali 03
Another example of one of those jobs like climbing three stories with a pile of bricks on your head that I’m glad not to have.
Scotts adventure in Bali 04
Cockfight anyone? A custom recently made illegal, but since when has that ever stopped anyone.
Scotts adventure in Bali 05
My only complaint about Bali is the fumes and exhaust, it was hard to breathe at the end of the day when the locals burned their garbage in the backyard, plastic bottles and all.
Scotts adventure in Bali 10
Here a man carves a statue of Ganesh. It takes him about a week and he sells it for about ten dollars. Like a true businessman, I thought I could get a deal buying direct; but like a true artist, he refused to sell me one because he wasn’t finished.

If you enjoyed this story… 

Please help keep Scott caffeinated. Even $1 helps.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More stories like this

A customize Survivor logo featuring Scott Stoll. For Scott's Survivor audition tapes.

Survivor Audition Tapes

My audition tapes for the Survivor TV show including eating a tarantula, a never-before-seen strategy, and funny excerpts from my 2008 handwritten application.

Scott riding his bicycle on Mars. The background is actual Mars, and the photo of Scott is from Tibet.

Scott’s name lands on Mars

Aboard the Perseverance is my name, “Scott Stoll,” engraved on a silicon chip. Does that make me an astronaut? Are dreams written in stone — or silicon? Can Martians read? 

Underground kayaking Kentucky

The Big Scotty Five-Oh!

A weekend in Red River Gorge, near the Adventure Capital of Kentucky, gave me time to think about what I’ve achieved in my life so far.

icon play it.png

Take a step of action to help make dreams come true.

Subscribe to our newsletter and get occasional updates on adventures, worksheets and more.