TRAVEL TIPS FOR BALI INDONESIA

Personally, I cannot imagine what attracts people to places such as Dubai, NY or Singapore. Whilst I know every place holds something new, after travelling extensively in Africa and Asia, such hubs would hold no interest for me. The lack of nature,  and sterile modern allure just doesn't appeal to me.  Therefore, if you seek something for an Indian like spiritual getaway, and are young enough to travel far, I would recommend instead The Island of the Gods, Bali in Indonesia. While I haven't visited Jakarta or other parts of Indonesia, I spent six weeks on Bali and the memories are still as strong as yesterday so impressive it was.

So unlike Western civilisation, so naturally and culturally rich it's a must do for anyone's bucket list. I originally had avoided Bali fearing it would be commercial and it has that obviously, so steer away from Legian and Kuta, and move around the island. Go to out of the way black sand beaches, or Nusa Dua by moped or arranged taxi. The places to stay are endless and they are so charming and authentic you cannot imagine that so much beauty and simplicity could exist simultaneously in one small place. If you'd like to visit islands, such as Lombok, you'll have to take malaria tablets. I didn't do that for exactly that reason. But if nature is your calling and culture your intrigue there are seven easy common sense judgments for you to arrange your trip. 1. Rice fields 2. Sunsets 3. Volcano, temples and cliff coastal walks 4. Artistry in sculpture of stone and wood 5. White water rafting 6. Food and exotic shopping 7. Authentic and beautiful people. Such respect I have for the mystical charisma of this island, the rest of this blog is in poetry and photographs to capture Balu’s Magic. Enjoy! PS. And thanks to Stephan S, for some digital photos to complement my older non digital ones. 

RICE FIELDS

Terraced to perfection in luscious green

The Ubud rice fields cloak the sloping hills

Seeking shelter from the scorching sun

 

Behind ornamental tall coconut palms growing parallel

Their roots held solidly by volcanic, fertile soil

Their milk coconuts clasped tightly like pearl necklaces

Late afternoon sun sifts through the palm leaves

Against the ambient backdrop of the terraced rice paddies

Where bananas hang in heaps, heavy and ready for picking

 

Along come dusk filled sun rays to kiss the rice crop tips

Filtering light in golden apricot shades reflecting and

Shading the emerald hill in an earthy rainbow of humble hues

  SUNSETS

Behind the paddies dusk creatively calls the sunset

As pink and purple clouds lure the sun further west

Leaving behind a supernatural sense of perception

Strewn with crimson tinges, mauve, rose and peach stripes

The sky is airbrushed by multi-coloured floating clouds

Not like the static forested Saint Clara mountain behind us

The sun slides over the ocean, preparing to set

Glittering diamonds and glowing pearls

Blend into rich rubies, sprinkled with butterfly wings

Regally sewn into the purple ceremony, as the sky bursts

Into a mystical island of tranquility in the distant horizon

Tall, graceful beach coconut palms observe silently, breathless

As the crowds stroll homeward away from the temple

Which is perched on a small volcanic black rock just offshore

Where the tide will soon rip its rapids across the temple path rocks

To be....inaccessible once more for another night

KITAMANI VOLCANO & SACRED GROUND

 
 Lake Batur in the misty morning

Veils the volcanic mound of Kitamani

Shadowing its flourishing fields of green below

 
Rising high to its summit

The black silky ancient lava covers volcano Kitamani

As nature peers calmly into the tranquil valley below

WHITE WATER RAFTING

Armed with helmets and life jackets the slow descent begins
As the dinghy slides towards the fall into the roaring Ajuni river,
Gushing through gullies speeding past overhanging tropical jungle


Treacherously shaped and situated rocks trigger dangerous turns
As the highly powered rapids, engulf the boat with water
In lightning flash sprays, whilst overhead cliff waterfall soak us further

All too soon the adrenelin acceleration ends and the dinghy sails
Past the handmade rope and bamboo bridge, where natives bathed
At the river's edge, barely shy of our intrusion into their Balinese river paradise
 
BANANA LEAF CUPS FOR WATER AFTER THE RIDE
 

EXOTIC AND AUTHENTIC SHOPPING
Carefully threaded tiny shell necklaces
Glisten in the sun
Beaded bracelets and colourful baubles
Sparkling, in midnight blues
And aqua greens, in silver
Coiled in unimaginable artistic designs

The ceremonial display
Includes water pearl earrings
Threaded onto simple black leather strings.
Silk and cottons, woven to perfection
Soft golden threads, sewn into flowing scarves
Ready to adorn an array of naturally tanned necks

Sequined slippers and delicate purses
To accessorise satiny, smooth blouses
Dazzling bright, yet there is more to come

Ebony, stone and sandalwood sculptures, mastered
Into faces of Goddess Sri or warriors
And bewitching mythical dragons or
An assortment of delicate trinket boxes
Or bowls for holding spices

Inviting one to open a thousand
Pleasant Pandora scents
That tickle the imagination

Of delicate fantasy in oriental finesse
With incense wafting as you sip nature's goodness
Through not plastic but a bamboo straw.

 

BON VOYAGE!!