On The Road... Bali, Indonesia: My Heavenly Island Tour: Part 1!

Hangover dealt with, it was time to spend a whole day out on the road discovering Bali! This will be the first of two 'On The Road...' instalments for that day out in Bali, I want to tackle each blog from a different angle. Temples, rice terraces and ocean vistas filled my senses, Bali restored me with such beauty, the underground nature of this tour impressed me! Ubud? I did not need her! 

Meeting my guide on the dot, it felt like the rest of Seminyak were recovering from the night before. The first nights shenanigans had tried to catch up with me, I made sure I had a good tea before passing out the night before my full day tour. Back to the journey, it was just me and I had not paid a remarkably high price for my private day tour. The first stop of the day was 'Taman Ayun Temple', steeped in Balinese culture, contrary to belief people skipped this tranquil Bali temple. More peace and quiet for me! I approached this temple with an open mind, that wasn't needed because the tranquility of the gardens and temple segments were heavenly. I had not heard of this place before my driver dropped me off, it was like walking into another world as I saw the red brick gate. I had arrived at the perfect time, I was able to take several serene and uninterrupted photos of this gorgeous temple. I took my time, it was a place not to rush. Dressed appropriately, I had no issues progressing further into the temple grounds. Okay!

The interior of this temple was sublime, several thatched looking structures stood on a grass raised level, surrounding these formations was a moat. Pagodas they were called? I really try and do my reading! I couldn't get over how quiet that central part of the temple was. I proceeded to shaded area that presented a sloped path, I wasn't taking any chances with that path because a certain mist had spritzed those steps. It was gorgeous, I saw the rising mist as the morning kept the heat away for those final moments. I walked back around towards the exit very slowly because every element of this temple would be appreciated. I stumbled upon a video exhibition room but I was more interested with the Balinese guardian figures, they were very beautiful but ever so fierce in appearance. Being the first stop of the day, I felt blessed to experience that beautiful temple without crowds nor the Ubud mess I had envisaged. Where would the next stop be? Another temple? You know, I wanted to see them all! Back on the road, I loved Bali more! 

A floating illusion? 'Ulun Danu Beratan Temple' was about to impress me much! Lunch time was approaching, the lack of breakfast was starting to catch up with my mood but I needed to remember where I was! It was going to be paradise-like and I didn't need to be feeling some kind of way during that moment. Having the freedom to roam around was magic, I had clocked the lake from the car, I wanted to see more! 'Lake Beratan' looked like a sort, it was heavenly in every sense, it was the definition of life without the daily grind present. Of course, the predictable flow of tourists didn't impact my visitor experience as the floating 'Meru Tower' sent me to heaven once again. I was determined to get my photos secured because this stop was a once in a lifetime, nothing nor nobody would ruin that photo opportunity! Not taking it slow, I wanted to catch every single living glimpse of that lake and temple combination. Those statement blog photos needed coordination! I did clock those Balinese costume rentals, really?

This place was on the Indonesian money? During my visit I had no idea about that fact, it's all about educating yourself! 50,000 Rupiah, or nothing! I was content with the view, I didn't feel the need to walk all that far, some of the paths led to places that I didn't care to venture. I ensured I got my statement photo before I headed for lunch. That floating temple illusion of 'Ulun Danu Beratan Temple' had been a view I had been chasing, Bali really knew how to treat me! Lunch was standard, there was plenty of choice and the restaurant wasn't busy at that point. The sign postage was a little bit suspect but I found where I was supposed to go, that could be forgiven. The whole experience was very good, the area around the temple was well laid out, it was nice to be in a functioning environment with context applied. Bali had so far showed me unstoppable temple views but I wanted something resembling a rice terrace, I didn't want Instagram nonsense, the swing was not part of my vibe. No Balinese threads were rented out! 

When you think of Bali, most of the time those perfectly presented rice terraces in Ubud come to mind. I had made it my mission to leave Ubud for the very last moment, my tour guide would be there to hook me up with something special but in the mean time I wanted to see a Balinese rice terrace. This stop wasn't scheduled, it was impromptu but that is par for the course with a driver/guide like mine! High up in the hills, the scenery was lush anyway, I had asked about seeing a rice terrace and without me realising it, my request had come true. I clambered out of the car because the step didn't work well with my go-kart injuries all that well. My driver/guide told me to look directly down from that roadside lookout, he had stopped at a corker of a location with my very own rice terrace vista all to myself. Not a single insufferable influencer or cringey backpacker was in-sight, I had hit the jackpot and then some! I was about to find some secrets about those tourist honeypot rice terraces, I had best alternative! I had secured the best! 

Away from the noise, I gazed over those green and unedited terraces with no shame felt. Lush, gorgeous and unspoiled, I was able to appreciate those understated rice terraces whilst they didn't need to do the most! Perfection doesn't need to stress, this piece of beauty was what I had wanted. I was not disappointed by those rolling and naturally cultivated structures. I felt smug as I gazed into the distance with my own piece of paradise secured in photo and actual form. My driver/guide sneakily informed me that the terraces in Ubud have been engineered to be pristine and photo-worthy all year by a dedicated team. I didn't want manicured, I wanted honesty and raw! I was getting my life with those everyday looking terraces, I appreciated the hook up! There was something so wholesome with that moment, could I say it felt organic? There I've said it! A hidden gem or my own sordid secret? I was going to be happy with both definitions, looking into the distance, Bali had my heart once again! The rice terraces looked ace! I needed open ocean! 

'Tanah Lot', who? Low key, I didn't care about that temple even though it looked striking as it was surrounded by those Bali Sea waves! I wanted to focus on the open ocean views with those rock formations present, most of the tour had been to inland places, I wanted to tune into the waterside views! The road had been long enough, I was low-key relieved to arrive at 'Tanah Lot'. Having freedom to walk my own path, I saw the ocean blue within an instance, securing a place to gaze into the distance was crucial! Of course, I managed to see the temple from a higher level, I just didn't want to luxuriate at that point because something more beach like impressed me much more. Looking out into the distance was the tonic that I needed, the clouds shrouded the immediate ocean view but smatterings of blue skies were present. I needed to find some gifts for my students, those aunties drove a hard bargain! You know I always get what I want! After doing the math but not acting the fool, I had secured those fridge magnets. Oh, Tanah did a Lot! 

'Tanah Lot' gave me more than a temple, I knew that Bali would tell me so! Before I went back to the car, I went to the furthest point towards the ocean. I stood there for a time but people were doing the most! From that point, I was able to see both the temple, the ocean view and my preferred situation. Going back towards the car, I stood still with my favourite vantage point all mine, people tried to take their photos but it was fine because nature intended us to have enough room. For me, it was not a long visit at 'Tanah Lot' because I was tired and needed to sleep before moving onto Gili Air. My day out as part of that private tour had been major, the main attractions had guided me with those photos in mind. I wanted to revisit the rest of the day with a slower pace in mind. As my driver took me closer to Seminyak, I felt very smug about the day, I had witnessed such beauty without having to walk much nor wait. The crowds had not been exhaustive, I had gotten lucky! Are you ready for 'Part 2?!' I know I am, B! Massive moths? Yes!

Paradise Personified!

Desperately Seeking Adventure