A video originally posted by Scottish traveller Dale Philip on 15th January 2024, has resurfaced and is trending once again on social media platforms. The video depicts the Pengempu Waterfall, a popular tourist destination in the Tabanan area of Bali, filled with plastic waste in its river surroundings.
Expressing disappointment and criticism, Dale Philip highlights the stark contrast between the picturesque images of the waterfall seen online and the reality he encountered. In his upload, he remarked, “I visited Pengempu Waterfall in Bali, Indonesia. I think this place looks amazing in many interesting photos on Instagram. However, when I got there, the place was covered in rubbish.”
@dalephilipvlogs Unexpected Surprise at Bali Waterfall 🇮🇩 I visited the Pengempu waterfall in Bali, Indonesia. I’d see this place looking amazing in many flashy, glamorous Instagram photos but when I arrived there myself I found out that it was covered in garbage. #Bali #Indonesia #Travel #TravelAdvice #SoloTravel #BudgetTravel #TravelVlog ♬ original sound – Dale Philip
Furthermore, Dale expressed concerns about the potential pollution of the waterfall’s water, rendering it unsafe for swimming. He attributes this dire condition to people littering in upstream areas, causing the waste to be carried downstream.
“That’s truly unfortunate! You won’t find this reality showcased on anyone’s Instagram feed… but it’s the truth. With all that garbage, swimming in that water is likely not safe. I’m pretty sure it would make me sick,” he lamented.
Dale shared the 1:23-minute video across various social media platforms including Facebook Reels and TikTok. On TikTok alone, his upload has garnered over 1.2 million views and garnered thousands of comments from netizens worldwide.
Despite Dale’s footage, many international netizens are sceptical as they believe natural tourist spots in Bali are still well-maintained. However, according to Nusa Bali, when they visited Pengempu Waterfall, they witnessed significant amounts of trash in the river area.
In his assessment, resident Ketut Adnyana (33 years old) explained that natural factors played a significant role in the situation. “The flow of Tukad Yeh Penet River directly leads to Pengempu Waterfall. Hence, during heavy rains between January 11-12, debris from upstream areas was carried downstream here,” stated Adnyana during an interview in the Cau Belayu Perbekel Office vicinity.
Waterfall tourism in Bali remains a prominent draw for many international visitors. Consequently, both tourists and the local community must uphold the cleanliness of every tourist spot to bolster Bali’s positive tourism image.
