Two travelers have just returned from a short stay in Bali, and to say the least, the island of the gods has captured their hearts! They share their journey with emotion.

Had we known that Bali would touch us so deeply, we would have come sooner. Yet... without knowing it, we were—deep down—convinced that this island had something magnetic about it.

After some fifteen hours of flight, we landed in Bali. Here, everything is different from anything we had ever seen or imagined before. Dreams, passion, the sweetness of life, exotic beauty—all lie at the heart of this small earthly paradise. It's one of the smallest islands in the Indonesian archipelago, yet by far the most coveted by tourists, while Lombok (despite recent earthquakes) is beginning to emerge. If the Island of the Gods is renowned for the splendor of its landscapes, its superb beaches, its volcanic reliefs (hello Agung) clothed in forests, its hills where terraced rice paddies cascade down in curves that dance with light... the lifestyle of its inhabitants is devoted to a love of nature and art. In short, this little Garden of Eden brings together all the essential ingredients for a successful holiday in Indonesia. We won't hide the fact that we'd love (really, truly) to settle here.

Along the roads, a beautiful blend of colors, scents, and music. Temples at every corner (meeting places between men and gods), lush vegetation, water flowing abundantly... in Bali everything is photogenic and there is nothing that is not sacred. Nature itself is a vast sanctuary ready for worship.

It was in Ubud—considered the cradle of Balinese art—that our hearts truly began to race. This small artistic town, despite its popularity with tourists, cannot help but charm its visitors. Here, a natural nonchalance seems to permeate the streets, making you feel inevitably at ease and relaxed.

It was over a delicious Nasi Goreng (the island's signature dish), at WarungPulauKelapa (we absolutely adore this somewhat off-the-beaten-path spot, which serves delightful Balinese cuisine made from garden-fresh ingredients, in a cozy and romantic setting) that a Balinese local explained to us that Ubud was the cultural center of Bali; and that it had managed to preserve its local traditions, despite the tourism boom the town has experienced. Balinese people in general charm you with their gentleness and remarkable kindness, but also with their love of beauty and their unique way of merging art and life. Whether they live in the heart of tourist zones (Kuta, Seminyak) or in isolated hamlets (Catur, Rendang), they have in no way lost their customs. What a joy to see them honor the daily ritual of offerings that you find in front of every shop, on bridges, by rice fields, and at altars. Who knows? Perhaps it's this constant presence of the divine that makes Balinese people so kind and allows them to survive the tourism boom without selling their souls...

Bali, so small in surface area yet so vast in beauty... It's undeniable: Cupid has struck, and we can already feel our love growing for this incredible paradise. Something tells us we're going to love it here; and so will you :)

Charlène Nomadays