BALI…..I will take a stab at describing Bali but I’m afraid my words will be woefully inadequate…it’s more of a feeling you have. There is a calmness here, a sense of peace. Perhaps it’s the warmth of the people, their ever-present smiles, the friendly welcomes, the genuine happiness. The blue skies, gentle breeze, floral-essence in the air all add to it, the ancient temples, the daily offerings to the Gods,….I’m not sure what it is, you just feel your cares float away. Bali is famous for its inner and outer beauty, and its gracious hospitality. This beautiful island features majestic volcanoes and terraced rice fields that gently spill into an azure sea. And Bali’s rich cultural heritage and deep reverence for life is legendary.

I went to Bali for a quick-break from prepping for the upcoming recruiting fairs. I decided to focus on Ubud (the “u” is pronounced like the “o” in WHO…oo-bood) Wanted to stay away from the beach scene…you see, this is summer for Australia and they descend in droves upon Bali to take in the rather hedonistic beach scene, the night clubs, the bars…wall to wall Aussie’s (and they know how to party!!!) Ubud is the art and cultural center of Bali…located near the center of the island. I can’t say the crowds didn’t make it to Ubud, but it was manageable. I stayed at a little boutique hotel called Kananga..about a 40 minute walk away from downtown Ubud and built right on top of a rice field…a working rice field. Peaceful, quiet, serene…perfect.

Ubud, the town, is rather interesting….narrow streets, shop upon shop….art galleries selling paintings, carvings, weavings, clothing stops filled with outfits made from bright Balinese fabric, jewelry shops…silver and gold, money changers, trinket shops, day spas, hotels, and cafes…even a Starbucks!!!!! You will be asked many times is you want a taxi ride. I’d politely say, “No thanks” and that would be that. The streets are crowded with cars, vans, and of course, scooters. Like in Kuala Lumpur, there is honking…but here it is a quick beep saying, “Watch out…here I come” rather than an prolonged, angry honk saying, “Get the hell out of my way”. (there is a difference!!!) I took advantage of a couple of day spas…massages (1 1/2 hour Balinese massage) cost me 150,000 rupiah ($12.00) and worth every penny!!!! Everywhere in the town are small temples, very old, beautifully carved stone, ornate doors. Each morning small offerings of flowers and sometimes candy, are laid out…prays offered, incense lit. I asked my taxi driver what he prays for…he said he asks that his family is well, that his driving is safe, and that he finds nice customers who will continue to call him so he can provide for his family. Because of the holiday season, there were daily parades…little villages around Ubud would march through the city….garish floats carried by the men, drums beat, cymbals crashed, gongs hit, and women dressed in their finest Balinese wear. Monkey Forest is at the bottom of Monkey Forest Road. I think you all know my feelings regarding monkeys…but the monkeys here were almost, well, almost cute. I did see one with a nice pair of sunglasses, but for the most part the monkeys here in Bali were well behaved!

The rice fields and rice terraces of Bali are amazing. Rice is a staple here on the island and everywhere you will see rice growing. Shops line the roads but right behind are acres and acres of rice. I watched the men work the fields…back breaking work, everything done by hand. They stand in the paddies with bare feet up to their knees in mud (every kid’s dream) …they level the mud to create a flat surface. They plant by hand, all in nice neat rows, carefully spaced. They weed daily…they scoop off the weeds growing on the surface and push them down to the bottom to die and decay. They thin and re-position the growing plants, fertilize and spray for bugs. All under the hot sun, all bending over, all day long, every day, no breaks…I hear the younger generation is not a keen to take on the fields. The Terraces are even tougher to care for. They have been here for hundreds of years….carved from the mountain sides, carefully terraced and engineered to allow water to flow from one terrace to the next. It was an amazing feeling to wander along the terraces, to walk where generations of Balinese farmers dedicated their lives to maintain these fields. Breathtaking beauty.

I will return to Bali, next time with Heidi, and will take in the beaches, see the volcanoes, dive in the waters…but not at Christmas !!! Perhaps our visitors would like to take a small excursion to Bali???? Yes???? Only a little over two hour flight away, 8 degrees south of the equator, surrounded by the warm Indian Ocean….nice little get-away? Think about it, let us know.