Bali has been the most memorable trip in my lifetime. This article is my way of sharing the experience.
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Author: Puneet Suri
Out of the Airport doors, I ran with a lot of excitement eager to explore the best tourist destination in the world. But I was caught off guard by the aroma of rice in the air……maybe I was hungry. It was only after few minutes that I realized that this is the essence of ‘BALI’ where the air smells of rice, pristine clear water beaches invite you, the blue skies work their magic and you are greeted by everyone with a warm smile.
Our hotel was located near the Nusa Dua beach which is the posh south end of Bali and well known for water sports. Amazingly the luxury hotels are available at affordable rates. Within $80 USD per day one can check into a beautiful room with a beach view including breakfast. The Magic had started it’s work on me already………
After eating a scrumptious Indian meal (yes you do get mouth watering Indian food here) I headed straight for some water sports. On top of my list was Parasailing since I had heard so much about it from my husband and my friends. The parasailing trainer straps in the parachute and gives me funny oversized gloves to wear. With a red coloured glove in one hand and a blue coloured one in another, I would have been written off by the Fashion police. But these gloves are used to follow the signals which the trainer on the ground will give me in order to land back safely on the ground. The engines of the boat start and with it I begin to flying out above the blue oceans. After lift off ‘Fear’ is my initial reaction and I pray not to become a meal for sharks in case the rope snaps. But my fright subsides when I see the scenic view of the beach and a plane hovering in the air, about to landing on the Bali airport nearby Nusa Dua. That picture will always stay embedded on my mind. Getting back on the ground I go into an adventurous mode trying out every water sport available. I am still under the spell of Bali.
Early evening is great for a walk down the beaches of Bali and to view sunset over the Indian Ocean. I went to see the Kecak dance performance held at Uluwatu. A chorus of 50 to 75 men chants together in rhythm while artists dressed in colourful costumes enact a Drama based on the story of Ramayana. Uluwatu has a temple perched on the steep cliffs. Standing on top of the cliffs I could see aquamarine waters hitting the stone shores below. But please beware of the monkeys running around trying to steal eatables and other tiny things that can fit into their hands. For a night out my destination is Kuta which is well know for it’s night life and shopping. Have a pick if you want to eat Indonesian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Mexican or our Desi Indian, every Cuisine is available at Kuta. Party at night in Hard Rock Café or just sip coffee at Starbucks which is open till the wee hours. The streets of Kuta are well lit during night time and you can see youngsters, families and foreigners like me enjoying ourselves. (Temple of Uluwatu displayed above)
As the Dawn breaks over the seas of Nusa Dua beach, I get ready to visit the Mother Temple of Besakhi built on the slopes of volcanic mountain Mt. Agung which is located in the north eastern part of the Bali Island. After an hour long drive and climbing a flight of stairs of the Temple I reach the main praying area where I see 3 Stupas which we better know as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in Hindu mythology. I offer my prayers in Balinese style as taught step by step by one of the Temple Priest. Balinese Hindus have a different style of worshipping the gods than Hindus in India and cremation ceremonies are much grander than birth or marriage. Next on my way back I visit the beautiful Lake Batur which on the foothills of Mt. Batur, is the largest Crater Lake in the island of Bali. The sight of the lake is amazing as the clouds descend and create an aura of mist just above the waters. The scene stunningly beautiful but also a bit scary when the local people tell us that they cremate people on the other end of the shore of Lake Batur and at night no one comes near the lake. My day ends with shopping for paintings, wood work and artifacts at Pasar Ubud which translates to Market of Ubud. You can bargain and get the cheapest deals on Divine Balinese art. I wish this magic spell continues……..
(Temple of Besakhi displayed in the photo above)
After two days of roaming around in Bali it was time to leave and go back home. I say my goodbyes and blow a kiss to Bali. Since then I have visited Bali twice, something makes me come back for more……………maybe I had an association to Bali in my past life………. but the magic of the first journey to this enchanting Island stays on with me for my entire life time.
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