Although it was a painful undertaking to actually reach (the total travel time being 36 hours), Bali turned out to be the perfect location for our first taste of Indonesia!
There was no mistaking this land for anything but what it was – a providence of rich rainforests, towering mountains, and enticing beaches. The people were entirely nice and courteous, a definite bonus after traveling for so long. And, since we journeyed to this mystical land during November (summertime in the South Pacific), the weather was delightful, being as it was equal parts sunny humidity sprinkled with light drizzles of rain.
The population of this island predominantly practices Balinese Hinduism. Signified by the belief that there are both ordering and disordering forces in the cosmos, Hindus seek to find balance and harmony. This is a religion where daily offerings, known as Canang Sari, are given to the gods as a gesture of gratitude and blessing. Along with the dressed statues that represent the Hindu gods, we noticed these offerings everywhere we looked: in front of Balinese temples, next to small private shrines in the local houses, and on the ground before businesses. We were distinctly taken with the level of respect displayed by the Balinese, not only for their own religion but for that of others. It was truly profound and touching. 
We decided to reside temporarily in quiet Legian, which is located next to the more boisterous Kuta. One of the best things about both of these areas is the beaches. Not only are they within easy walking distance from most accommodations, but the beaches are littered with a collection of truly delicious restaurants. After appreciating our dinner one night, we found ourselves walking the entire length of the shoreline. It was stunning! There just happened to be a full moon and the ocean sparkled with its reflective light. This in turn blended harmoniously with the music (different for every restaurant we passed) floating through the air.
While visiting this area, we knew we had to experience a true Balinese massage. Of the dozens of massages we have enjoyed over the years, this one was by far one of the best! Upon arriving, we were guided through a bright oasis of silent green to reach our individual suites, both of which were bedecked in white and soft emeralds. After a customary rose peddled foot bath, our masseuses focused primarily on our pressure points. Thankfully, they were able to relax tense muscles that were all the worse after the grueling journey to Bali. Complete with a waterfall rinse afterward, we found the entire experience utterly soothing and highly recommend it to any traveling to this exoctic destination.
Abruptly opposite to this experience, there was one item that really made an impact on us. This involved the traffic, which was absolutely horrendous!! If there were traffic laws of any sort, they weren’t enforced at all. In fact, it was common to see several people riding a single small motorbike weaving dangerously in and out of traffic. Crushed next to each other as they were, the most heart wrenching part was seeing children of all ages clinging desperately to their parents as they aggressively navigated through the throng. We were so sure that we were going to be caught in the middle of some awful wreck. A bit traumatized, all we could do was keep our eyes averted and pray that nothing bad happened. To this day, the fact that we came away unscathed still surprises us.
The intensity of the traffic notwithstanding, we endeavored to see Uluwatu, a seaside cliff temple. After the hour and a half ride, we disembarked, donned the required bright purple sarongs, and entered with a crowd of other tourists. While hearing the crash of waves in the distance, we explored the temple, marveling at the detail incorporated in the architecture and the beauty of the plants that had been strategically placed throughout the grounds.
While in this exquisite location, we were also able to witness a Kecak Show and Fire Dance. The fascinating thing about the Kecak show (also known as Tari Kecak) is that there were no musical instruments. In fact, all of the music was created by the voices of the forty men (who were wearing traditional checked cloth around their waists) that sat in a central circle and chanted “chak” loudly as the mythological play of a Ramayana battle unfolded under the setting of the sun. Afterward, we journeyed to nearby Jimbaran Bay and enjoyed a seafood dinner on the beach. It was delightful and the perfect ending to the day.
Our time in Bali would not have been complete without experiencing the powerfully magical Ubud, the culture center of Bali. Overall, Bali is overflowing with cultural flavor. It’s an exotic and vibrant land, one that is certainly to be experienced! 😀
For additional photos, please see:
– Indonesia 2017 – Bali: Legian & Kuta
– Indonesia 2017 – Bali: Uluwatu & Jimbaran Bay
For more information about this country, please see our other article: