I recently returned from a 2 week adventure in Bali. The wonderful people of this island are beyond welcoming, they are happy, healthy, and religious - mainly Hindu.
This beautiful Indonesian island is known for it’s distinctive and unique culture. It is a mix of Chinese, Indian, and Hindu Influences. Eat, Pray, Love is truly a great way to summarize the people.They call themselves simple people. If they have food, family, and their temple, life is good.
The island is full of volcanic mountains, sea temples, rice fields, waterfalls, and gorgeous, clean beaches. I was perfectly content just sitting on the beach, or in the Indian Ocean for a few days..but, there so much to see.
I broke the trip up into 2 different areas to experience it all. 1 week in the rain forest, and the other week at the beach. Visiting Central Ubud gave me an opportunity to experience the cultural and natural activities in the area. Visited Batuan Temple, the most popular and beautiful village temple. It is designed with Balinese architecture, split gates, shrines, and detailed carvings. Moved on to exploring the natural habitat of Sacred Monkey Forest and its magical charm. The monkeys are considered a blessing in Bali. The forest is full of over 600 monkeys and sacred temples.
Rice fields are everywhere in Bali. The Tegalalang rice terrace is a long time icon of Bali scenery and culture with it’s famous green rice fields and slopes in the jungle. Enjoying a panoramic view of an active volcano, Mt Batur and the surrounding lake was a serene beauty.
Bali has become a hot tourist destination for many Instagrammable spots, especially the Bali swings. This was one of my favorites. Swinging over the jungle is a thrill with stunning views, and the photos they take are amazing. Who wouldn’t want a picture sitting in a birds nest looking over the jungle?
The island is home to some of the best spas in the world. I was able to spend my down time visiting 3 different spas, and each was unique and wonderful. Bali is a popular place for Wellness retreats, and a great place to reset and rejuvenate.
There is an abundance of markets to visit. There was a freshness to every meal. I enjoyed every single meal. They have many sophisticated, high end restaurants as well as local cafes. The seafood was caught in the morning and served that night...can’t get any better than that!
Art markets are extremely popular in Bali. Many people come to Bali just to purchase art, sculptures, paintings, and metalwork. They are a creative island. Feel free to splurge in Bali, because the dollar can get you a lot in Bali. I was amazed, and extremely happy to continue shopping and eating. :)
I loved learning about the culture in Bali. I loved the food, scenery, and lovely people. It was a different trip for me. Educational, active, relaxing, and so beautiful. I feel fortunate to have experienced so much in Bali.
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