BALI - PARA PARA PARADISE
Bali turned out to be a surprise. It took us three years to finally head to the exotic island. Blame Google for the prejudice. Every time we Googled Bali or its beaches, we didn’t get a calling, like we had to visit this place. In the previous years, we chose Thailand, twice, and Singapore once, just because it looked much better. But an in-depth research and enough recommendations from friends convinced us that we could not overlook this place anymore. And once you’re convinced, Bali will delight in you in more ways than one. This land of beaches, green fields, and mountains is nothing short of a paradise. But the most surprising part about Bali is not found in pictures on Google. It’s the classic, ‘sightseeing vs living there’ debate. And aren’t we glad we did a bit of both to get the most of it. Before we dive into our journey, here’s something you should know. You can base yourself on two sides of Bali. One near Ubud, which is full of gorgeous rice fields, organic life, art of living, one that’s filled with expats. So if you wish to be closer to nature, if that’s the vacation you have in mind, then Ubud is the place for you. On the other side down South, are the beaches ranging from filthy to gorgeous, from Kuta to Nusa Dua, and the accommodations too change taste according to the shore it's next to. Travelling across Bali is easy, irrespective of your base. But choose one wisely as that would make or break your vacation. We chose Seminyak, the perfect mix of luxury and affordability, and we fell in love with it. The food, the people, the vibe. Oh, it was awesome! So much so, we’ve dedicated an entire post to it. Read all about it (yes, we've shared that too). Now, when it comes to taking in the culture of Bali, there’s enough on offer. We suggest take a mix of sightseeing, with enough time to take in the beauty that surrounds you. Let time do its bit, and before you know it, you’d be charmed too.
BALI IS DEITY-FREE
BALI'S UNIQUE TAKE ON HINDUISM
Bali is a unique Island of Indonesia. While the country is predominantly Islamic, Bali is the Hindu region, borrowing its mythology from Ramayana. Our guide for the trip, Sena, told us fascinating stories of the little differences between the Hinduism we Indians follow, and the ones they do. Even today, most of the houses have mini temples, with a conical bush housed inside the premises, Also, an interesting fact, the government doesn’t allow one to build skyscrapers, there’s a limit to how tall the buildings can be.
WARNING: VOLCANO AHEAD
LUNCH OVERLOOKING THE ACTIVE MOUNT BATUR
Kintamani, a vantage point to admire the active volcano, was something we were looking forward to. Just like in the movies, as you inch closer towards the monster, the temperature drops, and there’s a chill that engulfs you. And when you come face to face with it, the first sense you get is how tiny you are in this world. You feel like an ant, waiting to be squashed by this sleeping giant. And a sleeping giant it is, but a majestic one. Sitting bang in the middle under the blue sky, it seems like it’s sitting on a throne, and you’ve had the privilege to see it. But let us tell you one thing, just standing and admiring it is one thing, but sitting right in front of it, eating hot satays is quite another. The mountain winds are cold, the food – piping hot, and the experience – oh, it was unforgettable. Also, along the way to Ubud, we visited a coffee plantation and tasted the world’s most expensive coffee, Kopi Luwak.
TEMPLE RUN – OCEAN EDITION
WITNESSING THE TEMPLE INSIDE THE OCEAN – TANAH LOT
Tanah Lot is one of those spots that make you go, 'Wow! What a view!'. Get there just before sunset, and the view is truly breath-taking. In this oddly shaped tourist spot, find the right space, and every direction you look in, each view will give way for a different emotion. There’s a spot where the crystal blue waters seem to be unperturbed by the eyes that are set on them, idling away in its own time. There’s serenity to it, a calm that can be only be experienced in person. Plug in your earphones and listen to Anna von Hausswolff’s Mountains Crave, and those few minutes will truly get etched in your mind. On the other side is this natural wonder, a temple, right in the middle of the ocean, which can only be seen from the inside during low tide. It was mesmerizing. As the sky took out its painting brush, we just stood there and took in the moment
THAT PICTURE WHEN YOU GOOGLE ‘BALI’
THAT TEMPLE. AND OTHER TEMPLES TOO.
That picture when you Google Bali is that of the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. Set against the mountains, on a waterbed, this is a postcard waiting to happen, and we’re not surprised it was. Honestly, it reminded us of picnics we took to the park which overlooked a lake. The only difference being, this picture looks fantastic. There is another temple in the premises called the Taman Ayun. This houses the history of all these temples, with priests actually praying at a restricted part of the ground.
Bali is beautiful. But beyond these postcard destinations, there’s Seminyak that’s bustling with energy, and a young vibe, almost Australian, if you may. Together, they made our week, one of the best we’ve ever had. And one that’s definitely worth revisiting. Truly, para-para-paradise.