I was really lucky to have a chance to visit the Island of Gods – Bali. The island is located in the Indian Ocean and is well-known for a world-class surfing and diving. This is one of the world’s most popular islands and has something to offer to everyone.
We stayed in the capital city Denpasar and had only 10 days to enjoy the tropical sun and explore the island. So if you are looking for a complete list of travel spots of Bali, you`re in the wrong place. I`m going to cover the main tourist attractions we managed to see and share my subjective opinion.
Kuta Beach
It’s the most popular beach in Bali and the island’s number one party zone. Coconut trees line the sand beach as far as the eyes can see and short walk away north, the waves will invite to surfing ( or at least learn how to surf in Bali`s first professional surf school Bali learn to surf.
Kuta beach is a great place to enjoy a beach lifestyle. Also, lots of restaurants, bars, shopping malls and galleries are to be found in this district.
Keep in mind that Kuta beach is the best spot to observe the most breathtaking sunsets on the whole island. So once on Bali save some of your time to visit this place in the evening. You won`t regret it.
Ubud
Ubud is Bali’s cultural heart and home of the Balinese Royal family.
This place is also a flourishing crafts centre. There are hundreds of shops selling antiques, woodcarvings, crafts, textiles, paintings and jewelry as well as some of the best art museums in the country, dozens of art studios, an excellent local craft market, and galleries selling local and international art. Besides the very popular dance-and-music shows, there are numerous courses that allow you to become fully immersed in Balinese culture.
Ubud Monkey Forest
Ubud Monkey Forest is a sacred forest popular with both locals and tourists. The area is full of wild monkeys. Because accordin to Balinese Hinduism monkeys can embody both positive and negative forces, the Balinese both loathe and revere monkeys. Monkeys that occupy sacred temple sites are revered and protected by the Balinese. These mischievous monkeys provide lots of entertainment – they would steal the camera, bananas, handbags, scarfs, etc from you. Be careful.
Nice paths lead to charming places like Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, a temple of the dead, the bathing temple surrounded by lush remnants of ancient forest. Stroll around the forest to find peace and renew contact with the spiritual world.
Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot is juted out to sea on a large offshore rock and is one of Bali’s most important sea temples. The Temple is considered to be the home of the guardian spirits of the sea. At the base of the rocky island are poisonous sea snakes believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruders.
Here lies an idyllic white sand beach with crashing waves and you cannot access Tanah Lot during the tide . The temple attracts thousands of both locals and tourists daily. Most come here in order to catch a glimpse of the romantic Tanah Lot sunsets. Late afternoon is the best time to time to see the temple in silhouette .Tanah Lot is located about 12 kilometers from Tabanan City and 20 kilometers from Denpasar. The area comprises a wondrous mixture of natural beauty and sheer human effort. Here lies an idyllic white sand beach with crashing waves, complemented by a small yet majestic temple.
People
Balinese take pride of their culture and appearance. Bali might not be the most economically wealthiest part of the world but the people are undoubtedly rich in their social, religious and physical appearance.
Architecture & Interior
Bali is an island of temples – more than eleven thousand temples were catalogued on the island. Balinese temples are not closed buildings, but rectangular courtyards open to the sky, with rows of shrines and altars dedicated to the various gods the Balinese worship. If, for some reason, a shrine must be moved to another location, the spirit of the shrine is first transferred to a special offering, which is then placed nearby in a temporary shrine. The original shrine is completely destroyed. None of its components may be reused for any purpose. Often the materials are dumped into the sea to insure that they are not unknowingly used again.
The Balinese architecture is typically known for mimicking its surroundings and mostly blending in with them. When it comes to modern Balinese houses, walls are not compulsory, wood is still everywhere. The residences are often opening onto gorgeous green landscapes, majestic mountains, or beautiful coastlines.
Conclusion
10 days flew by very quickly and it was time to pack and hit the road. But the heavenly beauty of Bali`s nature, unbelievable friendliness and cheerfulnes of Balinese people, harmony and universal balance flowing in the air will stay in my mind and heart forever.
And here are some more bits of island of Gods:
