Last summer, we went to one of the world's most desirable island destinations- Bali, Indonesia! We were transported to Bali Hyatt Hotel, a 5-star resort hotel in Sanur, by a taxi from Denpasar International Airport. There were no traffic jams since we arrived late at night. The hotel staff placed Frangipani necklaces on us to signify a genuine welcome. As soon as I entered my room, I tossed my bags and headed straight to the balcony, hoping for a magnificent view of the beach! My excitement took over and I was dumbfounded when the only visible things were the palm trees and the well trimmed flower gardens. What was I thinking? It's already midnight! I tried to order some food from one of the hotel restaurants and they were so considerate to prepare Nasi Lemak for their famished guest. Soon enough I had my beauty rest and got ready for the awaiting adventure ahead.
The Balinese Hindu Temples. Our next stop was in the Royal Temple of Mengwi also called as Pura Taman Ayun, one of the most important temples in Bali built in 1634 by a King of the Mengwi dynasty. It is a kind of Pura Tirta or 'water temple.' It is surrounded with ponds and flower garden. The place looked peaceful and silent, hence, the flock of tourists moving around. Pura Taman Ayun has a kind of split gate they call Candi bentar. Before I entered, I noticed a sign that says 'Women during their menstrual cycle are not allowed inside the temple.' I asked our driver, named Surya, why. He said it is one of their temple rules, women on their period were considered impure so they aren't allowed to enter. It applies even to us non-Hindus, we shall follow the rules to show respect to the people of Bali and their religion. Inside the temple were intricately decorated towers and their details were amazing. There were also open air place of worship within enclosed walls. We walked around the area on a special pathway made for visitors. These temples were a part of history, well-preserved by the Balinese people through time. You might want to do a research and read articles before visiting these temples.
Mount Batur Hot Spring. While I weren't able to experience sunrise trekking, I have had lunch with a view and was able to relax in a natural hot spring in Mount Batur. The restaurants in Kintamani didn't only offer delicious Indonesian delicacies and Kopi Luwak, but also spectacular views of mountain scenery. Everything just felt perfect and peaceful here. You can really appreciate the beauty of nature. It's almost indescribable, you gotta see it to believe it! Meanwhile, the drive to Toya Devasya Natural Hot Spring was worth the wait, and not totally boring since I was able to see green rice terraces and picturesque scenes in a fishing village on the way. My experience in Toya Devasya was divine. I stayed there the whole afternoon taking in the wonderful scenic Mount and Lake Batur views, drinking watermelon juice by the pool, and having the time of my life. I even met the owners, they were pleasant to talk to and very accommodating. It was a perfect day and it was all still vivid on my mind!
Dinner by the beach. The perfect place to have dinner by the beach is in Jimbaran, Bali. When I got there, it was a bit crowded but there will always be a table available for you. The energy of the people around me was ecstatic. There were about forty to fifty seafood restaurants lined up, many to choose from so I thought. What's more exciting is that, the tables were set on the sand, out in the open, and next to the sea! I had to place my shoes aside and walk around barefoot. We had fresh seafood, Nasi Lemak, and sliced fruits for dessert. The atmosphere was perfect, it was romantic... if only I were with someone special. Haha! I could hear the soothing sound of the waves and actually saw aircraft from a distance, landing one by one on the airport's runway. We were also entertained by Balinese dancers performing on stage in their costumes and traditional Balinese music. I heard they start to perform by 8pm to 9pm only, so be there early to get the most out of this experience!
Finally, the beach! Most of my days in Bali were really spent lounging by the waters, reading a book on a beach chair under a palm tree, taking a nap, eating fruity tutti or drinking watermelon juice, trail biking, taking pictures, swimming, and instagramming (in my bikini) all at the same time. Well at least I finally found what I am best at... being lazy! Haha! Kidding aside, it was truly a fun-filled trip. Not everyone is granted an entire day of rest and pure relaxation, but I had a whole week of that so I ain't anything but thankful!!! Bali is truly paradise on earth, no wonder that tourists from around the world visit there on vacation, on their honeymoon, or on any other special occasions. In fact, I met two ladies from Japan, a couple from France, and two big families with their adorable kids from Perth. Most of the people staying at the same hotel as ours were from Europe, so it almost felt good knowing I have had quite a head start when it comes to working on my tan. Haha! At night, we also got to stay for a drink or two in the open bar and enjoy bossa nova music from a live band. But time flies and I had to say goodbye to this beautiful island. I walked down the beach for an hour thanking it, and contemplating on somewhat the happiest days of my life so far. I miss Bali. I love Bali. I will always go back to Bali, but next time I'll make sure I'll bring with me a DSLR Camera, more pairs of bikini, more sunscreen lotion, and hopefully the man of my dreams! Hahaha!
I hope you enjoyed reading my post.
Laters!