After Sumatra and Java, we spent two weeks in Bali with a simple desire: to slow down, rest a little and prepare for the rest of our trip. We chose to base ourselves in Ubud, an excellent base for exploring the center of the island while enjoying a relatively calm atmosphere.
We were lucky enough to be present during the celebrations of Galungan and Kuningan, two of the most important festivals in the Balinese calendar. These celebrations symbolize the victory of good over evil as well as the temporary return of ancestors to their families. For several days, the roads were lined with penjor, large bamboo decorations, while ceremonies and offerings punctuated daily life. The exchanges with the locals to understand these traditions were among the most enriching moments of our stay.
We also discovered several rice terraces, including Jatiluwih, listed by UNESCO. Unfortunately, the rain prevented us from enjoying it as much as we would have liked. We also visited Tegalalang and other rice fields during our walks. These landscapes are among the most striking images of Bali.
One of the highlights of our time on the island was our excursion to Lovina. Wake up at 2 a.m., ride on a scooter in the cold through the mountains, then head out to sea at sunrise to swim with dolphins. Despite the lack of sleep and the chill of the journey, the experience was well worth the effort and will remain one of our best memories of Bali.
On the way back, we stopped at Sekumpul Waterfall, often considered one of the most beautiful on the island. More generally, we discovered several waterfalls during our stay, a beautiful way to explore the lush nature of Bali.
With the same desire to discover the local culture, we attended a traditional Balinese shadow theater show, Wayang Kulit. Even without understanding all the dialogue, it was an interesting way to discover a tradition that is still very much alive today.
During our explorations, we also visited several temples, sometimes very well known, sometimes discovered by chance during our scooter trips. Spirituality is omnipresent in Bali and is truly part of the daily landscape.
We also really enjoyed the Sangeh Monkey Forest. The monkeys seemed much calmer than those at Ubud's famous Monkey Forest, and we were even able to feed them and watch them climb on our shoulders.
Finally, we spent a day at Sidemen. The area is beautiful and much more peaceful than some tourist areas of Bali, although we felt like we would need to stay several days to really enjoy it.
Between a few massages, the organization of the rest of the trip and the inevitable passage to Denpasar to extend our visa, these two weeks passed very quickly.
Bali seduced us with its culture, the kindness of its inhabitants and the diversity of its landscapes. Two weeks allowed us to discover a beautiful part of it, while making us want to come back one day.