Stepping out into busy Jakarta streets is much like wandering onto the internet and all its traffic, some of it is great but some of it is just plain loud. Online, people tout their immaculate business records and supernatural skills we all know will only end up mired by digital noise. When you live in Jakarta, MACET (I hope you remembered this word) only adds to the already painful digital reality and it can be difficult to find peace and tranquility anywhere.
Luckily one of INDONESIA'S 18,000+ islands, BALI, is only a two hour domestic flight away. You may have heard of this island paradise from EAT, PRAY, LOVE. I never read the book or watched the movie, but the following clip does a good job depicting BALI at a glance. Well, that is, if you start off in the right place.
Whatever you do, do not start or stay too long on the shores of KUTA, LEGIAN or SEMINYAK: You have been warned! BALI is a decent sized island so explore it!
Luckily one of INDONESIA'S 18,000+ islands, BALI, is only a two hour domestic flight away. You may have heard of this island paradise from EAT, PRAY, LOVE. I never read the book or watched the movie, but the following clip does a good job depicting BALI at a glance. Well, that is, if you start off in the right place.
Whatever you do, do not start or stay too long on the shores of KUTA, LEGIAN or SEMINYAK: You have been warned! BALI is a decent sized island so explore it!
BALI has a rich traditional history with HINDUISM and it shows. (Approximately 80% of the people are Hindu. A stark contrast from what one is accustomed to in WEST JAVA, which is 80% Muslim.) Thousands of HINDU temples and shrines line topsy-turvy roads as you drive through the island. The majority of the shrines are in people's backyards for prayers and offerings. (You can find offerings like these literally anywhere.)
I was only on the island for three days, but I should have definitely made my stay in UBUD and NORTHERN BALI a bit longer. I only stayed one night and two days in UBUD and two nights in KUTA. UBUD is two hours north of KUTA, and though touristy, it does not reach the levels of obnoxious drinking and partying that you will find in KUTA. Despite my short stay, I managed to fall in love with Bali and get a couple good shots for you.
I was only on the island for three days, but I should have definitely made my stay in UBUD and NORTHERN BALI a bit longer. I only stayed one night and two days in UBUD and two nights in KUTA. UBUD is two hours north of KUTA, and though touristy, it does not reach the levels of obnoxious drinking and partying that you will find in KUTA. Despite my short stay, I managed to fall in love with Bali and get a couple good shots for you.
FOUR PLACES AROUND UBUD THAT MADE ME FALL IN LOVE WITH BALI:
- MONKEY SANCTUARY FOREST–monkeys swing and fly from elephant statue to shrine to humans. It is a delight to see monkeys up close and not caged up like in a zoo.
- PURA TIRTA EMPUL–10th century temple built around holy springs. Many pilgrims will come here. You must dress more appropriately to enter. Aka: no short shorts or short skirts
- MOUNT AGUNG–volcano and highest peak in Bali. Get close to it and have lunch in the sky. Sublime view.
- CEKING RICE TERRACE–a giant multi-layered labyrinth of rice paddies. Impressive yet deceptive. You will get a work out here! It's not easy walking!
KUTA is only a little better than the Jersey Shore and that is the main reason why I do not recommend it. It is obnoxious like a college bro village is obnoxious. But if you want to see what goes on there, check it out just before you leave for the airport and be thankful you didn't stay there.
Visit UBUD and everything around it. You bet I will be going back really, really soon!
Visit UBUD and everything around it. You bet I will be going back really, really soon!