Bali - Fabryka czekolady i misio przytulanka -

January 21, 2016

It was time to say goodbye to Nusa Lembongan and Bali. My flight was in the afternoon, so I decided to make the most of the day. I had two options: stay on the island and laze around, or leave in the morning, return to Bali, and see something else. I chose the latter, especially since I hadn't managed to get to the chocolate factory, which I absolutely had to see.

No, I'm not a chocolate fanatic, nor am I interested in the chocolate-making process. I didn't go to just any factory, but to the POD Chocolate Factory. This factory is special because it has Malayan bears! The bears were rescued and freed from poachers, and now they live on the factory grounds. They have a designated area there, which is fenced, of course, but they are wild animals and could eat someone. With a bit of luck, and for a small fee of $10, you can take a bear on your lap and have your picture taken with it.

I mentioned that with a bit of luck. The bears aren't exploited, there are very few tourists there, and when they do get there and want a photo, the keeper first checks the bear's mood, whether he's tired, etc. I could see he had a great bond with the bear; the bear barely saw him before he started rushing towards him. It looked so sweet when they greeted each other and hugged. When the owner was sure Miso was in a good mood, he let me into the enclosure. The bear climbed onto my lap—a heavy beast, to be honest. I gave him some peanuts, which he loves. Later, he started rubbing me. Apparently, he was attracted to the scent of my shampoo.

After me, one more person could take photos, and that was it; Miso couldn't be overworked. I liked that, even though the bear was in some kind of captivity; he wasn't caught for tourists, but rather was caught by poachers. I recently worked at a sanctuary for these animals, and I heard from the staff that rehabilitating them is difficult. Orangutans, for example, are trained to live in the jungle before eventually being released back into the wild. Unfortunately, few bears will be able to return and live in the wild. At least these ones will spend their retirement with full bellies, well-cared for, and loved.