Two travelers return from a short stay in Bali, and to say the least, the Island of the Gods has captured their hearts. They recount their journey with deep emotion.

Landing in another world

Had we known how deeply Bali would touch us, we would have come sooner. Yet, deep down, we were somehow convinced that this island held something magnetic.

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, joie de vivre, and exotic beauty lie at the heart of this earthly paradise. It is 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 make its mark.

If the Island of the Gods is renowned for the splendor of its landscapes, its stunning beaches, its volcanic relief clothed in forests, its hills where rice terraces cascade in curves that dance with light, the way of life of its inhabitants is turned toward a love of nature and art. In short, this little Garden of Eden brings together all the essential ingredients for a successful vacation in Indonésie. As for us, we won't hide the fact that we would very much like to settle here.

On the road, all senses awakened

Along the road, a lovely blend of colors, scents, and music. Temples at every corner, meeting points between Man and the Divine, lush vegetation, water flowing abundantly. In Bali, everything is photogenic and nothing is not sacred. Nature itself is a vast sanctuary ready for worship.

Ubud, the beating heart of Bali

It was in Ubud, considered the cradle of Balinese art, that our hearts truly began to race. This small artistic town, though touristy, can only charm its visitors. Here, a natural ease seems to permeate the streets, making you feel inevitably at ease and relaxed.

Over a delicious Nasi Goreng, the island's signature dish, at Warung Pulau Kelapa, a somewhat off-the-beaten-path spot we particularly love and which serves exquisite Balinese cuisine made from garden produce in a cozy and romantic setting, a Balinese man explained to us that Ubud was the cultural center of Bali and that it had managed to preserve its local traditions despite the tourist boom the town has experienced.

The Balinese, guardians of their soul

The Balinese seduce through their gentleness and remarkable kindness, but also through their love of beauty and their unique way of uniting art and life. Whether they live in the heart of tourist zones like Kuta or Seminyak, or in isolated hamlets like Catur or Rendang, they have in no way lost their customs. What a pleasure to see them honor the daily ritual of offerings found in front of every shop, on bridges, at the edge of rice fields, and on altars.

Who knows? Perhaps it is this constant presence of the divine that makes the Balinese so amiable and allows them to survive the tourism boom without selling their souls.

An irresistible love at first sight

Bali, so small in surface area yet so vast in beauty. There is no denying it: Cupid has drawn his bow, and we already feel our love growing for this incredible paradise. Something tells us we will thrive here, and so will you.

Charlène Nomadays