Note from Bali

Bali surprised me. I never really researched about the island, so while I was expecting beaches, I was overwhelmed with culture.

Unlike most of Indonesia, Bali is Hindu. There are temples and shrines all over the island and giant statues swathed in black and white checkered cloth.

I was frankly unimpressed by Kuta and Legian beach, but I was overwhelmed when I came to Ubud. Ubud is just too pretty. I get now why people keep on raving about Ubud. This is one beautiful reason to come back to Bali.


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13 responses to “Note from Bali”

  1. rina Avatar
    rina

    same here..was impressed with the food and cluture of ubud! a must visit to all bali visitors!

  2. RV Escat Avatar

    I’ll be in Bali for two weeks early next year. Looking forward to more posts about the island, especially Ubud.

    Planning to stay in tunes hotel in Kuta for a couple of days then in a local artist’s hostel in Ubud for the rest of the holidays.

    so, are you doing a remake of eat, pray, love this early? hehe

  3. The Nomadic Pinoy Avatar

    Besides culture, are you doing an Elizabeth Gilbert in Bali, like you know, finding love? *hehehe*

  4. jeylin Avatar
    jeylin

    Hi nina! Is it safe to travel alone to Bali?

  5. freeze Avatar

    i haven’t been to Bali but every person I know always say, we are luckier to have Bora or Palawan. They are just have better marketing guru, don’t they? ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. nina Avatar

    Our beaches are definitely much better than Bali’s. What’s great about Bali is that the place has character. They embraced the culture, and it’s everywhere. For example, there’s a low wall that separate the beach from the road. There are gates at interval so you can go through the beach. Even if it’s basically just an opening in the wall, there’s a Balinese design which reinforces that you’re in Bali. Also, there are statues of Hindu gods everywhere, and you see offerings to the Hindu gods everywhere.

    As much as I love our beaches, it doesn’t have the same charm and character that Bali has.

  7. nina Avatar

    RV & Dennis: These references! I haven’t even read the book or seen the movie XD

  8. Cher Avatar
    Cher

    Hi Nina…which is better to visit..Bali or Angkor Wat?

  9. vicky Avatar

    hey nina,i’m so blessed and impressed with your blog..i used it as a guide when i went to KL last time..
    I just want to explain a bit history about my country regarding Bali and Hindus..As I’m an Indonesian.
    Hindu and Budhist came first to Indonesia before Islam and Christian..So our basic cultures(dances and language) are mostly influenced by hindus budhist,exist years ago before islam and christian came.
    So thats why for example you may found both religious shrines located close to each other such as Borobudur(budhist) and Prambanan(Hindus).
    Other instances,Our language Bahasa is comprises of mostly Malay and Sanskrit(indian),some dutch,english and portuguese.So thats why even we can easily communicate with our cluster brethren Malaysian,Singapore and Brunei, in some terminologies indian understands better.I’m christian btw ๐Ÿ™‚
    Ok that’s all…Merry Christmas everyone!

    1. vicky Avatar

      Other Example:
      Ramayana Dance Bali version:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR5fum7iIHA
      Ramayana Dance Java version:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv1NnwuFEmQ
      both are hindus cultures

      1. nina Avatar

        Thanks for sharing those videos Vicky ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. […] back tracking to Jakarta to see what has changed since 1995 (a LOT), then flying east to Bali (for the beach, the boys and the babi guling). One of my travel buddies by the Old Charm […]

  11. Char Avatar
    Char

    I loved Bali. Ubud was fantastic and refreshing. One of my favourite places in the world!

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