Bali, The Land of Gods

Back in the mid-2014, while I was about to get hitched, I really wanted our honeymoon to be special. Being a travel addict, and smitten by beautiful landscapes and culture, I am always eager to explore new lands. While I was thinking about the place to wind down after the big fat Indian wedding, I was keener on exploring some place in India than an international trip. But life had some other plans and we ended up booking ourselves for Bali. I did an extensive research on the itinerary with the help of a friend who had been there a year back. And so there we were exploring the beauty of Bali. When one starts exploring Bali, they can truly make out why it’s called as The Land of Gods.

An Artist in Ubud

From beautiful turquoise water to the volcanic mountains to the cliff side temples to the rice paddy fields and beautiful music, its truly a place that hits your wanderlust chord. As soon as we land in Bali, we get to see the war statues depicted from the Hindu epic Mahabharata and various other depictions from Hindu culture. And the more we explore, the more you feel connected to it. Though Indonesia is majorly an Islamic nation, Bali stands out with a major Hindu population. While I was preparing the itinerary, I was mainly focusing on its beaches and night life. However, the heavy influence of Mahabharata and Ramayana was a cultural learning for me. Every other nook and corner had some or the other statues of either major influencer or deity. And like a typical Indian Hindu culture, we saw the locals worshipping Ganesha (the Elephant God) in the morning with incense sticks, betelnuts and flowers decorated in palm leaves. A usual tradition of purple Sarong and yellow Sash could be observed in almost every temple. And to complete the look of sarong and sash, the women usually wear a white frangipani flower on their ear. The same flower is often used as an offering or in a decoration or at a function out there. Every morning is as vibrant and peaceful as it could be.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace

With the birds chirping, incense lit aroma in the air and flower offerings, the only 
thing that changed was the view. No matter where we woke up, at Ubud, Kuta or an even smaller Lembongan island, the soulful music hitting our ears every morning was the best. After hearing similar music for a couple days, I couldn’t resist and happen to ask the Restaurant Manager if it was some traditional song and he said it’s a song by a local musician called Gus Teja. We enjoyed his melodious flute every morning. He was so famous that his songs were played at every restaurant, shop and shack we went to. And one of the best souvenir’s we got back for ourselves. Just like we were in awe of Bali’s culture and music, its love for art, sculptures and traditional crafts made us fall in love even more. Ubud, a small town in Southern Bali, is located amongst the rice paddies and steep ravines among the rain forest district. Its famous for its rice paddies and lush green location and various plantations. Most famous of them is the Kopi Luwak coffee plantations, the most expensive and weirdly made coffee. If this wasn’t enough, Bali just blew our minds away with its Volcanic mountains up north and turquoise blue water of Nusa Lembongan island down south.

Bay Shore Huts, Nusa Lembongan

If one visits Bali, apart from the night life of Kuta, a couple nights in Ubud and Lembongan is a must. Without that the trip would be incomplete. When they say you’d find an entire beach to yourself, they are talking about Lembongan. When they say you’d find serenity somewhere, they are talking about Lembongan. When they say you’d find calm water for snorkeling, they are talking about Lembongan. What better view than an infinity pool right next to the sea and a Volcanic mountain in the far horizon. Sipping on a drink in this pool with reddish orange sky in the evening and clouds kissing the volcanic mountain over the horizon is a bliss. And to top it up, Gus Teja playing in the background is nothing less than heaven. If you’re still seeking more, than the best way to explore the island of Bali and Lembongan is by motorbike which one can get at a very cheap rate. To add even further, the humble and loving people of Bali greeting us with million-dollar smile is the best way to start your day. If this wasn’t enough, the currency conversion of Indonesia will be cherry on top for your travel. The country pretty much survives on tourism and nothing better than a good currency conversion. With such good currency conversion comes shopping. Cheap food, cheap stay, cheap drinks and shopping for art or daily essentials, it’s a Paradise!!

Dream Beach, Nusa Lembongan

Bali has to offer you so much that even a week or two are less to explore its beauty. Every beach I have visited after Bali, I end up comparing with it. I just feel the need to get back in time to explore it once more but in a different way. Every new place I visit, I end up comparing its people with the humble Balinese and you feel the need to get back. If this doesn’t count as The Land of Gods, then what else could? If this excites you to know more of it, hold on to your seats, wait for my next blog with Day to Day details in Bali.

Ulun Danu Bratan Shiva Temple, Bali