Pantai Suluban, just before COVID

28 Apr 2020Photography1 min readTranslated from IndonesianBy Joe Wasia

I took these photos of Pantai Suluban in January 2020. Right before the coronavirus hit Indonesia. As of now (28 April 2020), every beach in Bali is closed to the public by the pecalang and the banjar to slow the spread of the virus.

The silhouette of a wooden beam frame against a cloudy sky, next to a dark rock wall at Pantai Suluban

Feet in black flip-flops on a mossy reef, sea foam around them

The sun going down over rippling water at Pantai Suluban

Black-and-white view of a big rock and silhouetted people standing on the reef at Pantai Suluban

The spread of the coronavirus in Bali has been, you could say, beyond expectations. Who knows why. As of 28 April 2020, 193 people have tested positive. 81 have recovered and 4 have died. Going by the recovery rate, Bali seems to be the highest in Indonesia.

Why do I say beyond expectations? Because Bali is Bali. You know. Lots of foreign tourists come here. The airport and the borders closed to foreign tourists pretty late, too. And yet COVID has hit Java much harder than Bali. I don't want to talk myths and mysticism. But it's weird, isn't it?

Is it because there's no rapid testing yet, or because the provincial government and the banjar moved fast on this? All I can do is hope this passes quickly, and follow the government's and the banjar's rules: always wear a mask and stay home.

We all miss the view at Pantai Suluban, surfing its waves, and playing in the water there. This will end, but for now, let's all #stayhome.

A woman sitting in a shallow rock pool at Pantai Suluban, sunbathers and limestone cliffs behind

A man crouching on the reef and a woman sitting by the water at Pantai Suluban, swimmers further out

A narrow gap of bright sky between two dark rock faces at Pantai Suluban

A woman taking a photo with her phone under an overhanging rock, swimmers in the bright sea behind, Pantai Suluban

Black-and-white silhouette of a child bending over in the shallow water at sunset, Pantai Suluban

Oh, and if you go out without a mask, the banjar's pecalang can fine you. The fine can be money, a donation, community service, or being told to do push-ups. Banjars across Bali have set up posts at a few points in their areas.

Lastly, more expats than ever are looking out for the people living in Bali, both Balinese and people from elsewhere. Lots of donation drives have been started and sponsored by expats. If you want to help, you can join the Bali Facebook groups (Canggu Community, Uluwatu Community and so on).

Joe