27.04.2020.
Bali is just so elegant. Bali will just enchant you, even if you travel solo in Bali. Sculptures of indonesian dancers will await you all the way from the airport making you eager to see more. Then on the beach you will gaze in awe when you see more. Even the buses don’t run here, just not in the main cases. So if you’re located far from the beach you will have to use applications like Gojek. Bali is the symbol of divine vacation but what is it at Bali so special? I will dive into the culture and way of life.
Notice/Visit temples
Indonesia is composed as the land of differences, of more than 300 ethnic structures, of influences from high and above between Middle East and South East Asia including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity.
You will notice fabulous design of the homes where they function as the temples. One of these was the hostel where I stayed in Ubud where you can just listen the cricket of the frogs, where the pools are decorated in the typical local style, where the high steps make the journey to the room so long, where the rice fields just float in the hidden corners to your eyes. If you’re ever in Ubud, don’t hesitate to visit here. The flowers offered at small plates usually at temples follow the particular shape.
Local style of travel
One American introduced me to the local style of travellings where the language school offers more than just learning languages. You cannot take only the cultural package of the programme, but still check it out. For cultural point od view visit Tridatu Bali tours managed by the local balinese family which will immerse into you into particular and unusual spots. Places out of tourist scale where you can taste the local spirit and the fruits will make your trip more valuable.
Unusual meeting points
Long covered terraces with typical sculptures including some creative ones will make you wonder: „Is this a temple?“ Seing the bunch of locals just hanging around or preparing dances will look so unique and then you’ll find out what they are- the meeting places.
Monster sculptures
Monster sculptures even around the everyday houses will be the key to understand the culture as they’re not placed for fear but for protection.
Rice fields
Rice fields spread out just everywhere like the divine rivers, hidden plants that grow in the ground. If you want to see the fabulous terraces, you will have to spread yourself. Ubud is the artistic soul of indonesian life. It will permeat you with temples, rice fields, swings, art, yoga style of life in the walkable distance of all. Not only Ubud, Canggu will give you the sea and the rice fields, plenty of cozy caffes.
Swings
That’s the point that makes Bali a dreaming vacation, swings that go in the sky above all fears, swings that enchant the sea with the shapes and colours. Swings and nests are just there everywhere making it profitable tourist lure. At Nusa Penida one adrenaline swing at the Dream beach made my way so perfect through the clammy cliff. What a surprise!
Art
Art is the essence of indonesian culture, its symbol of life appearing in music, literature, dance, theatre, painting, crafts. Ubud is the golden town of art where you will just gaze in awe to the bags, clothes, dresses, wooden engravings and much more. On Lombok island the pearl production developed from oyster.
Food
Food is one of the most amazing I saw in the whole South-East Asia. Indonesian food just rocks! Plenty, plenty of choices from all corners of the worlds will satisfy everybody’s taste, the prices are also affordable. Vegan food rules here with perfect blendure of tofu, tempeh, sprouts, peanut sause. Only thing that I miss is that the breakfast is so tiny at the hostels, only one banana pancake. But don’t mind that. Tropical fruits like dragonfly, papaya, pineapple will find its way.
Islands
Indonesia is composed of thousands of islands making it the world’s largest archipelago. Bali is cool, but the islands are even more cooler. Just pave attention, Lombok is almost as size like Bali but the life flows here as once at Bali. Mountainous roads make the dreamy lanscape where hides Mount Rinjani, the volcano enchanted by the lake. Best beaches can be found around Kuta Lombok so I suggest staying here, there’s a shuttle bus from the port.
Nusa Penida is characterized by many cliffy beaches like the legendary Kling klong beach which is so fascinating alive. Can you imagine it takes one hour to arrive down at the beach?
Gili islands are tropical paradise as you can only walk here or bycicling or taking a horse. Gili Air and Gili Trawangan are both interwined with cozy, sweet bars considering that Gili T is more party island. Gili T collects more shopping and eating possiblities as the night market is here, the early evenings will entertain you with music and always smiling locals, the prices are cheaper. What I had in mind before coming here were the swings in the sea which burst on almost every corner. But what I found was this.
Open cinema, magical verses on the trees, giant sea turtles, hostels that look like castles with incredible swimming pools will enchant you to come back. You don’t need to stay at Lombok if you want to explore Mount Rinjani, Kuta beaches or local craft villages. All is possible with the tours at Gilis under the same prices.
Volcanos
My first night hike, how exciting. Starting point is at 2 am, breakfast at 3 am and the actual start at 4 am. Mount Batur, you’re conquered with all the twisting of the legs, with sunrise that wasn’t seen, with the alluring landscape. We have our own group with 2 guides and many people all around that don’t collide. Mount Rinjani still awaits this opportunity.
Now you will be better prepared when visiting Bali than I was. Just remember, swimming pools are entitled to almost every hostel. Not just usual pools, but the tropical heaven of creativity. Enjoy!
All in all
What do you like the most about Bali? Insanely beautiful place is the best to visit all year through, though the rainy season from December till March can be pretty heavy sometimes so try to avoid that time. Though the sea is sometimes unclear from the brenches, Bali permeats the spirit of creativity, of special effulgence.
I’d love to go to Bali someday! xx
Absolutely stunning! I’ve always been in love with the architecture in that area. I can’t wait to go myself someday. Excellent article!
It looks amazing! I really need to go to Bali one day. ♡
The swings alone have convinced me that I need to travel there. Pinning this for future planning. Your photos are gorgeous. And the food sounds amazing.
I’ve never been to the Far East but Bali looks absolutely beautiful – those swings are incredible, what an experience and thank you for sharing your tips 🙂 Lisa x
I’ve never been to Bali, but your description now has me thinking about visiting Bali.
Bali is by far at the top of my list of places I want to see someday. I’ve been dreaming of visiting there for years, so I’m super jealous right now 🙂 Such a beautiful place with a fascinating culture. Thanks for sharing all the amazing pictures!!
Bali looks beautiful!
Gorgeous pictures, Bali is definitely on my bucket list and I can’t wait for when we are travel again.
Bali looks so beautiful. And the swing looked so scary. I could only watch.
Good travelogue. I enjoyed reading it and looking at your pictures. You make me wish I’m in Bali now.
Bali looks beautiful! I’ve never been but I would love to go. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Bali looks beautiful. I would love to visit there someday!
It looks amazing! I really need to go to Bali one day. ♡ Bali will now go in my travel bucketlist.
This looks so gorgeous!! It’s at the top of my places to see!
https://justlivejoy.com
So informative and I love the photos!
Loved your pictures! Maybe one day….
Bali looks absolutely wonderful! I hope to visit one day!
-Hillary
http://www.hillarybush.com
Beautiful! I’ve looked a Bali, but wasn’t sure which part to stay in. Maybe I should plan to move around a bit instead of sticking to one spot!
It sounds amazing! I hope I will be able to travel there one day!
I would love to visit Bali – the hodge-podge of cultures that melded in Indonesia has always fascinated me, and it’s supposed to be just stunning there!
Everything seems so beautiful! I love the fact that swings are all over the place! The one over the ocean looked super fun!
Bali looks incredible and is top of my bucketlist! What a great post with lots of information.
Holly x
http://www.adailydoseofholly.com
Those swings look like so much fun! I did a zipline park in Mexico that was one of the funnest things I have ever done! Thanks for the post!
You have inspired me to add Indonesia to my bucket list. It has a variety of things that really appeal to me, especially the temples and food.
I’ve never been to Bali and it’s never really been on my list either but you’ve made it sound so magical here that I’m seriously reconsidering that. I’m vegan too so the idea of travel without stressing about food is nice! x
Sophie
I have never been to Indonesia before, but I would absolutely love to visit as it looks like such an amazing place. Your photos are so lovely xo
Makeup Muddle
These pictures are stunning! Bali is definitely at the top of my bucket list!
bossbabechroniclesblog.com
Bali looks so amazing! i would love to travel there one day! Can’t wait to start traveling again!
Wow! What a beautiful destination. I’ve never seen swings like that, but they look amazing. Thanks for sharing; it’s just what I needed to see on a dreary NY evening.
Cheers,
Josh
Bali and Indonesia as a whole is on my list! I’m actually Indonesian but haven’t been back since I was eight, sadly! So I’d love to go back and explore my roots. I think you’ve made a great list as to what’s great about Bali and I can’t wait to go there one day!
http://bloomingsuitcase.com
Bali is really a dream destination!!! Your photos are wonderful! And from everything you told, I even don’t know what is more and what’s less worth…I think, if going to Bali you need to try and experience everything!
I mean, Bali has always sounded great to me, but you make it seem all the more whymsical!!
I loved Bali!! Especially the rice fields and the temples!
Great pictures!
wonderful and very detailed post! We all love Bali
Fabulous read! I’ll have to give Bali a try sometime
I never hear a lot about Indonesia for some reason so thanks for sharing this! It seems like a real melting-pot of different cultures… would love to explore.
Bali looks like a beautiful and fun place to visit! I would love to visit someday! Thank you for sharing such a fun trip!