U.S. resident with a conscience chooses to move to Bali due to disillusionment with American society
In a serene coastal town in Bali, Sanur, 71-year-old Victoria Kjos has found a new home, leaving behind her stable life in Phoenix, Arizona. After a career in government in the United States, Victoria embarked on a profound spiritual journey that led her to the "Island of the Gods."
Victoria's spiritual journey began in 2012 when she sold her possessions and traveled to India with just a couple of guidebooks. For six months, she explored 13 states, visiting temples, meditation caves, and practicing chanting, yoga, and meditation. This transformative trip helped Victoria become a kinder and more thoughtful person.
Bali, with its unique spiritual energy, increasingly entered Victoria's awareness through recommendations from fellow travelers. In 2019, she visited Bali for the first time and immediately fell in love with the island, perceiving a convergence of various energy vortexes. By 2022, she had settled on Bali, drawn by its special atmosphere and spiritual qualities.
Bali, a Hindu-majority region of Muslim-majority Indonesia, revolves around ceremonies. Victoria has had the privilege of attending a Balinese cremation ceremony, known as Ngaben, and was the only non-local in attendance.
Victoria appreciates the family-oriented culture in Bali and has positive experiences with the local healthcare system. The slower pace of life in Bali, although different from what she is used to, is something she has grown to enjoy.
Life in Bali offers Victoria a more relaxed lifestyle. She lives in a small, modern, gated house with one bedroom, a living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Victoria gets around mainly via motorscooter, exploring sites like Besakih, a temple complex known as the "Mother Temple of Bali," and getting massages at local spas.
Victoria finds that most of her friends in Bali speak English, and locals often speak her native language with her, despite her attempts to learn Balinese. Her money goes further in Bali, allowing her to afford things that she once considered luxuries.
Despite being in a new country, Victoria has found the locals to be very welcoming and had little trouble making new friends, despite not speaking Balinese or Indonesian. Victoria can often be found on the sands of Sanur, a beach in Bali's southeastern coastline.
Victoria plans to convert her retirement visa to a KITAP visa, or permanent stay permit card, within the next two years, further cementing her roots in this spiritual haven. Bali, with its magical quality and energy vortexes, continues to be a source of inspiration and personal growth for Victoria.
In Bali's vibrant news, Victoria Kjos, a former government official from Phoenix, Arizona, plans to secure a KITAP visa, further committing to her serene coastal home in Sanur. Amidst her tranquil lifestyle, Victoria enjoys exploring home-and-garden destinations like local spas and her modern, gated home, while also venturing out to travel spots, such as the renowned temple complex, Besakih.
