Salsa Bali - Prologue

Well now... Salsa Fiesta de Indonesia - Bali 2009 is over and I am back to reality.

No more sun, sand, sea, salsa all day and all night long. Was a very tiring holiday coz everynight is all about partying non-stop (if one can last that long) and day time is all non-stop activities and workshops and shopping and jumping in the pool and relaxing by the beach trying to get a tan...

It was a great event by Linline Salsa Holidays and here I get to meet all the familiar faces of salseros I knew from around the world stuck together in an island paradise doing what we all love to do; salsa!

Before I get into a long blog about what transpired at the fiesta, I would like to say that it was definately an event not to be missed. To add on, we have the Malaysian Salsa Festival 2009 in Cherating coming end July. Now, this will be very similar (with the exception of shopping) to Bali's event... will be a salsa festival cum vacation. Definately not to be missed.

For anyone reading this, log onto http://www.malaysiansalsafestival.com/2009/ for more info on the upcoming salsa event by Linline.

Now, back to Bali...

I was so honoured and elated to have performed on the same stage with great bachateros such as Inaki Fernandez and Nestor Manuelian. Inaki is the bachata master who revolutionized UK's bachata scene and Nestor is the one responsible for taking Australia's bachata to newer heights as well as organizing the Sydney Bachata Festival (to which me and my partner will have the honour to perform and teach). Both Nestor and Lidia loved our bachata routine and are glad we will be bringing this to Australia. Suzana Montero gave good comments on the performance and when I danced the bachata with her, she was so happy that I could do Inaki's style of bachata. Suzana's comments really made my day and I was so happy that I have succeeded in doing the UK's style of bachata. Dato Arif came up and said it was a good performance; he really felt the romance of the bachata in our performance.

While I do realize that the performance wasn't perfect as there were areas whereby we did mistakes (whoops!) but it was nicely covered up, it was nonetheless a satisfying one and one to remember. It was my partner, Cecilia's first international debut! And in front of so many great bachata masters and also in front of the World Salsa Champion himself!

Nestor and Lidia, thank you for your guidance and kind words that spurred me on in bachata. Suzana and Inaki, thank you for inspiring me to bring my bachata to different levels. My journey in bachata has always been inspired by these few people. And to all those around me who has supported my bachata growth, thank you so much as your passion in bachata has inspired me to try to bring a revolution to Malaysia's bachata so that we may all dance bachata the way we all actually want to dance.

Thank you Lin for giving us such great events. And thank you for all the support you have given me. Can't wait for MSF... but for now its time to concentrate on the Sydney Bachata Festival.

Viva la Bachata!



Jaxen
'Salsa Daddy'