Bali, where Blue Lotus can still be found …

 

When I left Bali for the third time this year a local friend there said to me in his simplified English and accent-rich voice: ”Please, don’t forget Bali anymore!”  I assured him that it would be impossible for me to ever forget Bali.  So what is the great fascination of Bali?  Why does everyone’s face light up in envy when I talk about my travels to this relatively small island in the Indian Ocean close to the equator, and yet, they have never been to Bali?  What is the mystery Bali holds worldwide that everyone seems to be so drawn to?

 

In my experience, Bali does not hold up to the image of an unspoiled, picture-perfect,  tropical island with long, wide sandy beaches perfect for unwinding;  yes, the southern part of the island boosts some terrific beaches perfect for surfing and has been highly developed for the demanding tourist with everything imaginable available and greatly promoted as a holiday destination.  The Balinese agree with me, life in and around the tourist resorts is not what Bali is all about.  Luxurious accommodations set in beautiful gardens; friendly, attentive staff; life indeed is rewarding and pleasurable in these wonderful places in the south of the island.  I call these grand hotels lovingly “vacation factories”, plentiful found all over the world, but the true spirit of Bali they don’t represent.

 

To get a sense of the real essence of Bali one needs to leave the comforts of those beautiful tourist resorts.  Bali measures 112 km north to south and 153 km west to east, and yet 3.5 Million people share this space, not counting in the numerous tourists at any given time! It can be crowded and noisy, but quiet sanctuaries easily can be found.

 

The first thing one notices when leaving the airport in Denpasar is the traffic pattern.  Not only is traffic to the left, but countless motor bikes and cars everywhere seem to move to rules unknown to us, and yet, the traffic flows effortlessly.  There is much honking, but not that aggressive type we are accustomed to with the message “Get out of my way”, the short, almost friendly sounding honk, is to let the other driver know that he will be over passed now.  I admit, I never drove in Bali myself, the task seemed to be too challenging, not for maneuvering among the other vehicles, but dogs dominating the road, even sleeping in the middle of the road, chickens crossing and flying unexpectedly into your path.  The skill of driving there I gladly leave to the locals.

 

I never tire of travelling in a car or on the back of a motor bike  through Bali.  There is so much for the eyes to take in.  I couldn’t say what dominates on first sight, the countless temples or the endless art stores?   Then scenery so unexpectedly gorgeous comes into view, the green of the terraced rice paddies, views of the holy Mt. Agung from everywhere, witnessing country life and then the feeling of excitement as one passes locals in a procession or heading of to a temple ceremony which is not an unusual occurrence. For me there is something so special about seeing these people, women dressed in their sarongs (or more correctly called Kamben) and Kebayas, a long-sleeve, lacy temple blouse.  The mandatory sash around their waist is to hold in one's energy.  Men acquire the look of regal exuberance as they wear the headdress Udeng and are wrapped in their Kamben folded in the front, the look completed with the sash. 

 

Over 90% of Bali’s population adheres to and practices daily their religion:  Balinese Hinduism.  One of the qualities that make Bali so special is a quality not possible to capture with the eyes, it is the energy of Bali as lived by these local people still deeply grounded and connected to the roots of their spiritual beliefs.  Every one of their days begins with prayer, placing offerings with incense at the family temple and strategically around their home to honour their gods.  They believe the island doesn’t belong to them, but to the gods, they are the caretakers.   They live with the constant awareness that there is a power greater than themselves.  It doesn’t matter what religion one adheres to, which god one believes in, if at all, it is the daily ceremony and expression of  strong belief and faith that strengthens a human being.   Smiles hush onto their faces easily.  Here I found families connected, taking care of each other, the community spirit is strong.  The comforts of the Western world living standards have not reached them yet, but they possess something so much more valuable; something we Westerners plagued by separation and trying to compensate with consumerism can only envy, they are living in the energy of “oneness”, expressing an  honesty  that comes from the heart.  And I found something else on Bali that took me by total surprise:  pink and blue lotus flowers, the spiritual flowers representing the rising soul!  I thought they were distinct, but they flourish so fittingly in the temple gardens.

 

I have travelled to many places in the world before,  the occasional one I have returned to once, but Bali is magnetic.  Yes, they do have environmental issues and political  problems as they fall under the rules of Indonesia, it is not only tropical paradise on earth, but what makes Bali so special is its people and energy!  I do not speak the language, but exchanging an open, acknowledging  smile from the heart is the universal language of respecting each other and understanding.

 

So proud of their island, be assured my Balinese friends, I will "not forget Bali anymore"!