Bali is a place of extremes, of rich and poor, of beauty and pollution. Many parts of it exist now as a tourist subsidised culture, trapped in the consumer cycle of maintaining motorbikes, hand phones and air conditioning.

Parts of the country have seen almost no tourists return since the bombing several years ago and a common remark from locals is how quiet it is.

The bombs were detonated in Kuta, the focus of tourism in Bali. It is a cramped and frantic place, desperately clutching at western culture. It caters for package tour visitors and hawkers focus on pirated media, imitation watches, clothes and art.

My time in Bali was amazing, it opened my eyes to a new world of culture, religion and family. If you get the chance to go I highly recommend it, just be sure to get out of Kuta.