Where every building looks like a temple, there is a statue on every corner, and the air smells of incense. Bali is a deeply religious Hindu island that still practices their rituals despite being a very popular tourist spot. The people are incredible and the culture is fascinating. The bad in the world seems to fade slightly into the culture where beauty and goodness are the supreme objectives.
One week. 7 days. 24+ hours of flying/traveling. Four islands on my journey. The final destination being Bali, Indonesia. I set out on this journey with a purpose in mind, but as it goes, so often our purposes and expectations can be all wrong. I arrived in Bali Sunday afternoon. It was a taxing experience to wait in long lines to get a visa/clearance to enter the country after traveling so far. I just wanted a bed. After almost two hours, I was settled into my taxi heading towards my first destination-Ubud, Bali. The cultural capital of Bali. I arrived two hours later (the traffic was horrific), settled into my room, and set off to find some food. I found this amazing little restaurant that I would eat at three more times before my stay in Ubud was finished. It was wonderful-all organic and delicious! The food was so fresh and healthy-I could have lived there. And it had this amazing atmosphere; community like where everyone was a friend and a fellow traveler on this journey called life. I met several friends there that would be companions for dinner several times. I learned to savor the moments life brings you-whether it is a good meal, a good friend, or a really good cup of tea.
The weather for the most part was cloudy and rainy the entire trip which was a little bummer-mostly because I had not packed for cold weather. Mind you, I now think any temperature below 80 is cold! However, the weather did not stop me from experiencing all that I could throughout that week.
I also spent most of the week alone with the exception of dinner two nights and New Years Eve. This gave me the most glorious opportunity to meet new people and to operate on my own time schedule. I spent many hours walking in and out of shops looking at the wares, staring at the beauty of the monkeys and the forest, reading, and thinking. I didn’t have to go to bed at a certain time or get up at a certain time, I didn’t have to wait for anyone else, I didn’t have to keep track of anyone else. And although there were moments of loneliness, I was overall very thankful I went alone. I met friends from Australia, Amsterdam, France, Bali, and Singapore. I ate dinner with people my age, people far younger, and people far older. I spent a day riding a bike down a mountain with a group of Aussies that were the nicest, most hospitable people I have met in a long time. They welcomed me into their family and their day and even bought me a coke at lunch. I ate dinner with a lawyer from Amsterdam and was questioned on many things such as why we call them New Years’ resolutions when nothing has been resolved? It was such an enlightening conversation and I got a good book out of the deal:)
I left Ubud on Wednesday and headed back towards Kuta where I was staying for the rest of the week. Traffic was terrible..something I do not miss..therefore, it took almost three hours to get there. It was not far either-maybe 40 km. I checked into my new lodging which was quite a step up-complete with AC, television, a big bed, and a blowdryer. (It’s the little things) I walked around for awhile and then came back and ordered room service. Such a fun thing I have never done before! Thursday I was off on an elephant safari..sort of a must if you are traveling to a country where the option is available. Did some more shopping-it was wonderful walking in and out of the little shops and bartering with the sellers. Ate dinner late and then watched TV. Something I had not done since July. Friday I met up with a lady my dad knows-Yanti. It was such a nice thing to have company and someone to chat with. We went to lunch and dinner and rang in the New Years at a concert. It was one of the most memorable New Years of my life! Saturday began my long trek back home and needless to say, I was ready to be back home. I love traveling, but I love coming home as well.
It was a wonderful trip full of new adventures and new experiences. I learned that Americans are perhaps the only people in the world that call it going on vacation..to everyone else, you are on holiday. Which sounds much nicer to me so I think from now on I will go on holiday, not vacation. I learned that thongs are worn on the feet if you live in Australia and McDonalds delivers in Bali. When driving in Bali, lane lines and traffic laws simply do not apply. It is a rather scary system. I apologized several times for being in the way of motorbikes on the sidewalk. Seeing four cars across two lanes was common and creating an additional lane in oncoming traffic was acceptable if there was more traffic on your side of the road. An open mind will get you far in life and bring the most interesting people across your path.
I will post another blog on some other thoughts I had when I have sorted them out, but for now Bali was an amazing week and an experience I will not soon forget nor do I ever regret!
