THE year 1995 marked a major turning point in the life of Dudy Mayanto. He decided to move to Australia, leaving behind the bustling tourism industry that had long been the lifeblood of his career.
In the Land Down Under, he found a new entrepreneurial path—running a business selling halal meat for the Muslim community. Interestingly, the products were not only in demand among Muslim residents but also gained popularity with local Australians.
“It just tastes different,” was the common remark from many non-Muslim customers, a response that helped his business grow rapidly.
Five years later, in 2000, Dudy returned to Bali for a holiday. At first, he had no intention of settling back on the island. But fate had other plans.
His encounter with Junaedi, the owner of Bali Harapan Utama Travel, became the doorway for his return to the tourism world. Soon after, he was entrusted to lead the company’s Bali office in Renon, Denpasar, handling guests from the United States.
“At that time, in 2000, Bali was still such a comfortable place to work and make a living, especially in the tourism sector,” he recalled. For two years, Dudy once again savored the sweetness of the industry—until a great tragedy shook the Island of the Gods. **
Writer: Karolina, Editor: Igo Kleden
