Is Bali Really Worth Your Time and Money?
Is Bali Really Worth Your Time and Money?
“Bali: Morning of The World”
Jawaharlal Nehru
Bali is an island belonging to Indonesia and it is located in the Indian Ocean. The capital of the island and Bali province is Denpasar. This is the place where you can enjoy a fairly even tropical climate all year round. Ubud is known as “Bali’s art and culture capital” and is a must see in the Island. The seaside cities are many and various. From Kuta to Nusa Dua, for sure you will find the place that suits you the best.
Surrounded by the beautiful Ocean, with mountains, volcanos, waterfalls and rivers, here you will find the work of art of nature. It really is a tropical paradise.
How to get there:
You can travel to Bali only by airplane (or by speedboat if you are already in a neighboring island). Bali International Airport is located in Denpasar (Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport). Direct flights are available via a very big hub (Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Bangkok etc.) or a lot of flights with layover in the capital city of Indonesia, Jakarta. From Jakarta you will take a direct flight to Denpasar (about and hour and a half long flight).
Another island in Bali Region is Nusa Penida and it is reachable by speed boat or public-service ferry. You can take one of them from Sanur Harbor. The ride will last for about 30 minutes.
Is Bali really a vibe?
Yes.
Yes, it is.
Bali is for sure a vibe, but a unique vibe. You will feel things never felt before, you will think and act different from before.
Bali Mornings
First, you will wake up in the morning, in your balinese canopy bed. The birds chirping in the magnificent tropical forest, and a hello from your little neighbor, The Gecko, are energy boosters. You will probably want to go straight to breakfast.
In your way to the restaurant, while admiring the orchids growing on palm trees and perhaps a monkey hopping on and off some roofs, you will see at the entrance or in little in house temples, their morning offerings. They do this each morning with the purpose of thanking The Gods for everyday completed and to pray for the day that has started, but also to maintain balance and peace on earth, among gods and demons, between heaven and hell. The Banten Saiban (the daily offering) consists of a pinch of rice with other food (vegetables, fish or meat), all put together in a beautiful little basket made of banana leaf.
Sweet Frangipani
These offerings also contain incense sticks, so the “smell of the island “is a combination of incense sticks and Plumeria (Frangipani) flowers.
The island is covered in Frangipani flowers. They are to be seen in every corner, house, street and parks. The Frangipani flower is small and silky, but it has a very powerful and rich smell.
P.S.: Dear plant lovers, you will fell in love with them and you will probably want to have one at home. As I am speaking from experience, I would like to warn you that Plumeria that grows indoors, will not have that magnificent scent.
At breakfast you will find everything you want and also lots of vegan options (Tofu is the best here).
The Smoothie Land
I personally nicknamed Bali, “The smoothie land”, because that really is for me. Everywhere you stop for coffee or food, you will find smoothies in the menu.
From smoothie bowls to smoothies in a glass, this is fruit paradise. They use 100% fruit and depending on the combination, it can be so thick that it is almost like a puree. A must try is banana, mango and coconut smoothie.
Their local fruits are so perfectly ripened, that their taste is spectacular. Nothing beats the Balinese Mango.
After you grabbed your smoothie, you can start your perfect day in The Island of Gods.
You have so many options: from spending a day with the monkeys at The Monkey Forest in Ubud, to exploring and then bathing in one of the island’s waterfalls, or visiting one of their most impressive temples. Even just a day walking and/or shopping in Ubud area is a good idea.
The day can end watching the sunset at Uluwatu temple and also enjoying a traditional show with dancers and fire, or going to one of their many traditional Spas, for 3-4 hours long of massages and pampering.
Yes! Bali is really worth it!
For us, Bali is heaven on earth. We are thankful for everyday we spent with the locals, for every moment we connected with their impressive nature, for every bite we took from their fruits and food, for every story we heard and for every time we witnessed one of their sacred rituals being performed.
Bali is life, but a different life.
It is a life where you are more grounded and reconnected with yourself, a life that you are thankful for every day. From the very first moment, you will start to feel the energy of the place. It is for sure something different, not easy to explain.
So, in conclusion, Bali is really worth visiting, exploring, feeling it and it also is so…
Travelicious.
It is so travelicious, that we decided to go again this year, but this time we’ll enjoy it for a whole month.
Our dearest Bali,
Can’t wait to see you so very soon,
XoXo