Hello People! Last week, many countries eased up the border restrictions and hence we saw a silver lining and were overjoyed by the mere fact that we would be able to travel again. But this contentment was short-lived. By the time the world found a way to deal with Delta variant, Omicron emerged, unfurling a fresh wave of panic. The discussion about whether to travel or not had gained the center stage. I, in my own territory, began reminiscing about the holiday destinations and suddenly I remembered Bali in Indonesia. I had heard about Bali being home to looming volcanoes, soft-white beaches, water sports, religious sites, and culinary delights. Let me share my experience with you.
We had booked a resort near Kuta beach overlooking the sea. Ours was a limited 3-day stay and hence we left to explore Bali immediately after checking in to the resort. Kuta beach is well known for its breathtaking sunset. As we went to the beach, we saw a big crowd of people, some playing football, some surfing while some were just relaxing. The energy was infectious. I snapped many pictures of the view, and at one point, my mother had to reprimand me and tell me to stop lest all the photos took up her storage☹. The sunset gave off a vivid crimson and mauve color. I remembered walking down to the Discovery Mall and the ‘Kuta Beach Walking Street’. The colors of apparel, artifacts, and souvenirs dazzled me.
The next day, my father booked a cab, and we went to visit the spectacular ‘Uluwatu temple’. I was not very excited to visit a temple and instead wanted to spend the day at the beach again. Reluctantly, I had agreed. On our way to the temple, we stopped at a small establishment and our driver informed us that the place was popular for its hot beverages. The lady greeted us and walked us through the several varieties of tea. My parents tasted the tea and bought ginger and lemon grass tea. Then we were led to a place where ‘Kopi Luwak’ was being prepared. I must confess that it was a little repelling to think that this coffee was literally prepared from the civet cat’s droppings. And to my bewilderment, it was the best and the most expensive coffee. Seriously! I observed my mother’s nose twitching a bit too. I wondered whether she really wanted to taste it… Nope! Not mee!!!! ☹
We reached Uluwatu temple and learned that the temple was at a great height, perched on the edge of a cliff. We wore a sarong and started climbing up. On the way, I met many monkeys. While my parents seemed to be awed by the architecture, with golden spires and finely crafted figurines, I was busy pondering over how I could feed the monkeys. The temple did remind me of the grand temples in India. Ok! So I could not relate much to the history of Bali, but the legends were interesting. When we reached the highest point, I remember enjoying the gentle breeze and the sight of the boundless ocean. Later in the evening, we visited Tanah Lot Temple. I was awed as the temple was an open place that let crimson shafts of sunlight through, giving it a heavenly glow. At that time, I was too small to understand the history associated with these spots. While writing this blog, I researched and learned that this temple is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage temple. It has a gorgeous lotus-shaped structure which was believed to be where the gods rested. It was built on a rock formation off the island, and it was quite unique as it had managed to survive despite the harsh conditions of the sea.
On the final day, we first visited the Dreamland Beach, offering vast stretches of white sand, shadowed by cliffs. The waves were gigantic, and I remember being toppled over and over by them. I even bruised my knee in an attempt to wrestle with the waves. We had a picnic on the beach, and we played for several hours. I splashed around in the sea, enjoying the cool touch of the water. My parents were lounging on the beach mat until I broke their enjoyment by throwing sand on them. We devoured a scrumptious lunch, and we agreed to visit one last attraction before our flight that night. That was Ubud Market.
The first thing I noticed was the overwhelming number of roadside stalls, lined up beside each other. There was chaos as shopkeepers screamed over each other’s voices, trying to attract potential customers. I wandered around the market, marveling at the tiny trinkets and ornaments that they sold. They were very beautifully crafted. We went shopping for souvenirs. Stray dogs were wandering around, and I suddenly noticed one…with a HUGE and FURRY tail! I started laughing and remarked, “ This is the furriest and the biggest tail ever!”. My parents started guffawing and we spent our time making jokes about what I had said. We tried a few local delicacies like Nasi Goreng and Mie Goreng and I was surprised to discover that the food tasted delectable.
It really was a very interesting and memorable experience. I wish to visit Bali again once the world again becomes travel-friendly.
Signing off…