Why does someone travel to the other side of the world? For culture, monuments, natural treasures, or spirituality? Those who travel to Bali get all of this in one place.
It is considered the most beautiful island in the world, but it’s not just the paradise-like environment that makes it unique. The island’s size is similar to that of the US state of Delaware, yet its small area boasts incredibly diverse natural features. There are no long distances, but transportation is much slower due to the winding, narrow roads, compared to what we are used to in everyday life back home.
There are beaches, jungles, volcanic mountains, flowing streams, and rice fields here. But let's not get ahead of ourselves! Bali is about 16,000 kilometers away from New York... quite a long flight!
Let the vacation begin in the air!
Many people think of a long flight as a necessary inconvenience before their vacation. If we want to spare ourselves from this, we should choose Emirates for our trip to Bali. By flying with the famous Emirati airline, we can be sure that our vacation will begin in the air. In fact, for Business and First Class passengers, it starts even before takeoff, as the Emirates complimentary chauffeur service ensures a comfortable and easy ride to the airport. This service is available in addition to New York in 74 other cities for premium class travelers, who can relax in the lounge’s peaceful and restful environment after a fast and smooth check-in. In Business Class, there's no need to worry about measuring the contents of our luggage in advance, as the extra baggage allowance allows for checking in a 40-kilogram suitcase. No pushing, waiting, or struggling with suitcases—after a few refreshing drinks, we can board the plane out of turn.
The Emirates onboard comfort lives up to its reputation! It’s truly true that the vacation begins in the Business Class cabin, almost as if sitting in a spacious luxury car. In the vast space, we can comfortably stretch out, and even transform the seat into a bed to enjoy the flight. A rich selection of drinks, a menu to choose from – including destination-inspired specialties – and plenty of entertainment options await.
On your own touchscreen display, you can choose from literally over 4,000 channels: the latest blockbuster movies, live sports broadcasts, countless music channels, and playlists to suit your mood. On some aircraft types, you can also stretch out in the onboard lounge and pass the time chatting with others while enjoying a cocktail. In such conditions, even a long flight becomes a true relaxation, and after traveling 16,000 kilometers, you won’t have to arrive feeling exhausted.
The island of gods and miracles
One of the most defining experiences in Bali will be that the people here seem to live at a different pace, guided by different values. The vast majority of Balinese people are Hindu, and their gentle nature, which stems from their faith, will be a key part of our experience from the moment we step onto the island.
The arts, music, and dance are uniquely important to the people here – and it’s especially fascinating for visitors from the Western world to experience this. There are 4.5 million people living on the island, but the number of tourists who visit each year is many times greater. Even just a few days here will recharge you both physically and mentally. All we had to do was start our journey and immerse ourselves in the natural beauty, becoming part of the daily life of the local communities. Everywhere you can feel the spirituality that permeates the island, the calm of nature, and the peace of the locals. Bali is a popular tourist destination, with visitors flocking here from all over the world. Yet, even today, you can find corners of the island that are avoided by crowds, almost untouched, where you can experience the everyday life of communities living in centuries-old traditions. At the same time, we don’t have to do without the usual comforts; depending on our needs and budget, we can find the right level of service, whether it’s a restaurant, hotel, or activity. From the simplest to the most luxurious luxury.
Among the many five-star hotels in Ubud, it’s definitely worth experiencing the luxurious villas of Viceroy Bali and the unique hotel offerings of Pramana. Also, don't miss the gem of the northern coast’s volcanic sandy beaches, the Matahari Beach Resort & Spa. On the southern side of the island, The Oberoi Beach Resort offers a tranquil oasis in the popular, tourist-filled town of Seminyak.
Travel with your eyes wide open: what remains hidden from tourists
In Bali, it's understandable that everyone first joins some of the usual "tourist paths," which mostly involve visiting various temples. However, these are definitely not the types of temples that might first come to mind for a European traveler. For example, by making a pilgrimage to Lake Bratan, we can see the so-called floating temple built in the middle of the lake.
A beautiful structure, but in a completely different way than a Christian church might be. The not-too-tall tower seems to have multiple roofs, and thanks to its unique shape, it blends much more seamlessly into its natural surroundings. The lake is often shrouded in mist, which makes this unusual building especially mystical. Another special place is the Uluwatu cliff temple. This sacred site, built on top of a cliff, is made even more fascinating by its picturesque surroundings. If we time our visit well, we can catch the Kecak dance in the late afternoon, a Balinese performance for visitors. The dancers bring an ancient epic to life with unique, precisely choreographed movements—a special performance in a special place.
For those who want to experience something less touristy and authentically capture the spirit of Bali, it's a good idea to talk to the locals. It's easy and inexpensive to hire a local guide, who will assist us as both a driver and a tour guide in exploring exciting locations. A popular tourist destination is the Tegalalang rice terrace system. However, the Jatiluwih rice terraces, which are the largest in Bali, are less crowded, yet for some reason, they aren't as well-known. Yet, they offer stunning views at dawn during sunrise and in the early evening at sunset.
The natural beauty of Bali will constantly leave you in awe. The stunning surroundings can truly be enjoyed when we can be alone with nature. This isn’t easy in Bali, but it’s definitely possible. You need to set out early in the morning, when most people are still asleep, and it’s best to organize a trip to more secluded, distant places. The island has several breathtaking waterfalls, some of which are more hidden, like Tukad Cepung. True, the trek to get there might cost a bit more, but it’s worth it. Most waterfalls are found inland, and despite the relatively short distances, we should expect several hours of driving, no matter which direction we go. Bali’s traffic may seem chaotic from a Western perspective, yet it operates smoothly and deserves a chapter of its own. Among the waterfalls, the Banyumala twin waterfalls, Sekumpul, or Aling-Aling waterfalls are all worth the several hours of driving and the long trek through the jungle. They are truly untouched, pure natural wonders.
The natural or man-made beauties will surely touch the visitors who come here. And there's something else that can be not only seen but also felt: the spirit of the place, the mentality of the local people.
The beauty of everyday life
Every travel guide will tell you that the vast majority of Balinese people are Hindu. This is true, but only partly. After all, the ancestors of the locals fled from Hinduism hundreds of years ago to this island. More precisely, the belief is based on Hinduism, and this distinctive religious identity is felt in the mentality of the locals. What is this mentality like? The people here joyfully live out their everyday lives and express their faith in the most natural way. If the situation calls for it, they will pray on the street, and they may even make offerings, placing incense and gifts at the entrances of shops, homes, and even behind car windshields.
These small, handmade offerings can also be bought ready-made for those who don’t want to bother with assembling them. In inhabited areas, we constantly come across home altars adorned with fresh flowers and incense, and it doesn't take much searching to witness a local ceremony. To exaggerate just a little, there seems to be a celebration every day of the week, and although going to temple is not compulsory, for many locals, it is certainly a part of their everyday life. If you find scorched trees and some ash at the edge of a forest, it’s not the remnants of a barbecue party, but rather, it’s likely the remains of a funeral ceremony or cremation. This attitude, where death, life, and nature are seen as part of a unified whole, is not an experience often encountered by Westerners. However, when in Bali, it becomes part of the experience. Naturally, times are changing, and those who have visited the island multiple times say that Balinese culture is slowly fading. Thanks to tourists and the internet, a more uniform culture is slowly but surely making its way into Bali.
Gastronomy: seafood and tropical fruits
As is common in places with significant tourism, Bali offers every type of cuisine you can imagine. From Indian, Greek, Japanese, and Italian dishes, anything is available, and there are even fast food restaurants on the island. The local flavors don’t differ much from those found on other Indonesian islands. The base of most dishes is, of course, cooked rice. It’s often paired with chicken, duck, seafood, or even goat, though chicken is the most common. Nasi Goreng is one of the most popular one-pot dishes, served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and made with chicken or seafood.
Among the spices, ginger, garlic, and turmeric are the most prominent, while meals are naturally accompanied by a variety of fruits: mango, banana, coconut, papaya, and pineapple. It’s worth trying fruits that are less known in other parts of the world, such as durian and rambutan. A cheap and unique dessert is martabak, which is essentially a very thick pancake filled with chocolate pieces, cream, and peanuts. As for drinks, an interesting option is brem, a type of Balinese rice wine.
In general, it can be said that a Bali trip is not a unique gastronomic experience; the island's appeal does not lie in its special and unique foods. However, anyone can find flavors that interest them, ranging from Indonesian delicacies to familiar European dishes.
Anyone who travels to the island will quickly feel the spirit of the place, its unique and special culture and mentality. At the end of the trip, it becomes that much harder to break free from this feeling, so every visitor should be prepared for the fact that it may take a few days after returning home to get back into the local rhythm. However, one thing is certain: a trip to Bali will remain a memorable experience for a long time.
