**as at 2025 the average wage in bali is AUD $300 per month...the average wage in Lipah Beach is significantly less due to its remote location/lack of tourism**
**I will personally be returning to Lipah October/November 2025 (self funded) all monetary donations raised here will be used to purchase essentials/food for local community to assist their survival through wet season**
AUD 20c will buy somebody a sachet of coffee or jajanan (local street snack)
AUD 50c will buy dishwashing liquid or laundry liquid or shower gel (all used sparingly and a luxury most can't afford)
AUD $1 will buy toothpaste
AUD $1.50 will buy 1 litre of petrol so somebody can get to work by scooter (very hilly area with narrow/extremely bad potholed roads)
AUD $2 will buy a 20L bottle of clean drinking water
AUD $2.50 will buy 1 litre cooking oil
AUD $2-$3 will buy somebody a meal (nasi jinggo/campur) from local warung
AUD $5 will provide staples for meals for a family of 4 for 1 day (rice, vegetable, chicken or fish)
AUD $10 will buy 6kg rice for a local family (approx 70 serves)
AUD $10 could also buy a large fresh whole chicken or fish + condiments to cook and nourish multiple people (nothing goes to waste and any leftovers will be boiled/made into soup for further meals the following day.
Amed (Lipah beach in particular) is a very traditional, small remote fishing village on the east coast of Bali (approx 3-4hrs drive from the major tourist areas) and a hidden wonder of the world only known/visited by a rare few tourists who are aware of its location and visit specifically for the stunningly clear calm waters & abundant marine life to snorkel straight off the black sand beach or dive the nearby shipwrecks.
AS A TOURIST... your accommodation will provide you with the modern western conveniences, you can purchase most personal hygeine/medicinal items, snacks etc from local store if required, even have your laundry done & returned the next day for around AUD $2
BUT AS A LOCAL... electricity is a sparse luxury afforded by few & hot water/refrigeration is non existent. The majority of population have no formal education, can't afford basic healthcare and work extremely long hours in the sun 7 days a week purely to make enough income to survive on bare essentials (predominantly rice/water) That being said, they are the most humble & grateful community you will ever meet. They will welcome you as family, genuinely care about you and you will leave with memories to last a lifetime.
My 2025 long service leave holiday in Bali changed dramatically from "visit all the tourist locations, get lots of massages and spend up big on artwork/products to take back to Australia" to a confronting awakening and spiritual journey of "I have found my soul family and need to do something to help them" so please support my local friends in Lipah Beach, and if you are considering visiting and require any further information/prices/contact numbers to hire snorkelling equipment, boat tour to other snorkelling destinations or recommended accommodation please contact me direct. Every dollar helps and love knows no written or spoken language, so please support this very deserving community & local businesses.
Much love and thankyou
Banyak cinta & terima kasih (indonesian)
banget tresna lan suksma (balinese)