Best of Bali: 8 Things to Love About Indonesian Island Life

Back to Bali.  I returned to Indonesia for the second time to visit a friend and get back to spending winter in my favorite place: Southeast Asia. I wanted to return and dig into the culture and the country to find out a little bit more after only scratching the surface the year before.

It is easy to see why I had returned and I quickly remember what drew me here in the first place.  Here is a list of the best of Bali, and some of the many reasons you’ll continue to travel back to Indonesia year after year.

Intriguing Religion

Bali is an island of spirituality and its religious customs are deeply rooted in its culture.  The good with the bad is present in everything, showing even in the black and white checkered fabrics adorned on shrines to represent good and evil.  There are shrines and temples at every turn, giving you a chance to take a step into the spiritual realms.

We took a class to learn more about the practice of placing daily offerings and we also had a chance to learn how to make them out of palm leaves, bamboo sticks and fragrant fresh flowers.

Canang Sari, or the daily offerings, can be found on doorsteps, storefronts, or sidewalks. While they at first seem to be just a beautification of the public spaces, they hold significant meaning.

It is not as easy as it looks and I can’t believe I didn’t cut my finger off using the small, sharp knives with such precision! Instead of admiring or just stepping over these while visiting, it was interesting to see the process and learn the history.

The two best places for workshops are the ARMA Museum or the Museum Puri Lukisan.

Balinese People

The highlight of the island would be the Balinese people. Warm, welcoming and always with a smile, they are gracious hosts. Genuine kindness and hospitality are hard to fake.

Jovial island nature is contagious, and it makes for striking up conversation easier with both locals and visitors alike. I’d challenge you to not make meaningful connections while vacationing in Bali.

Scrumptious Food

Last year I didn’t take advantage of Indonesian food as much as I could and this year I couldn’t get enough.  Often overshadowed by culinary giants of Thailand and Vietnam, Indonesian food and in particular Balinese can be over looked.  You could eat a different variation of Nasi Goreng daily, it’s arguably the national dish of Indonesia.

Much like other Asian countries there are choices of noodles and rices all with meats or veggies and spices, providing a plethora of choice for the pickier eater.  Fruit here is wonderfully fresh and we spent most morning noshing on papaya picked right from the tree.

There are food choices abound, ranging from road side local spots to upscale organic farm to table fare.  We found one of our favorites that had buy one get one lychee martinis for happy hour along with live music and they drink may have climbed its way to the top of my libation list.

Busy Beaches

I’m usually one for a quiet secluded beach, the sand and surf selfishly all for me and me alone, but on occasion I’m inclined to squeeze myself in between a bunch of other beach bums, watch all of the surfers navigate through the water.

I’ve been to more beautiful beaches than those in Bali but none match the energy and action as here.  Surf lessons are a must, even if you can barely stand up on the board, the rush of trying amidst the huge waves is worth an afternoon of looking foolish.

Crazy Driving

For as much as the traffic is loud and obnoxious it’s forever entertaining and when in the car I’m looking wide eyed in wonder of how people survive just in the morning commute.  Families of four may be smooched onto one bike, with the toddlers proudly balancing in front of their dad steering.

I watched a man speed past us with a home-made bamboo chicken coop full of birds fitting masterfully on the back of the bike hovering two heads taller than the driver.  Honking is a daily, no hourly, wait minute by minute occurrence and to get behind the wheel is not for the faint of heart.  The motorbike driving here is unparalleled to any I’ve seen, the drivers bob and weave through the line of cars seemingly unaware of lanes, lights or roundabouts.

During the rainy season it showers late in the afternoon like clockwork and I love how within a blink of an eye each biker magically has donned a rain slicker, flapping behind them like superman capes.  You have to be a bit heroic to be on the road to begin with.  If you are traveling with others hiring a driver is reasonable on the budget and the blood pressure.  Bali has an astounding number of driving fatalities and for that I think those who drive there as a profession are angels on four (or more often two) wheels.

Rural Life

It seems like I can’t be content with crazy driving and then turn around and say I long for quiet rural areas as well, but it is the best of Bali. The center of the island offers farmland and iconic landscapes with rice fields and a peaceful escape from crowds of tourists.  I think it’s important to experience both places when visiting a new location. It gives you a better overall perspective of the destination.

While some iconic rice terraces have been overrun with tourists, there are still many more rural farm regions on the island that can be peaceful. Be mindful that these are locals land, not necessarily public spaces, so treat them with care.

The Shopping

I’m not one for shopping while I’m away and the allure of buying souvenirs ended long ago for me.  My trips are too long to carry around little trinkets so unless something really moves me, I usually go with my memories and my photographs to commemorate a trip but this time around I had a little bit of a shopping spree.

Ubud is covered with small boutique stores where you have a chance to support the local artisans. Great jewelry, island handicrafts and flowing frocks perfect for island living can be bought, while Seminyak has its fair share of upscale designers.

Bali Time

Ah, the leisurely attitude of island life.  Perfect for reminding vacationers why they are there in the first place. Tt forces those type “A” personalities to slow down, relax and enjoy.

For me, just being here even a couple of days is a great way to reset myself. Reminding me of how patience & low stress makes for a happier way of living. It gives you a chance to reset, move out of your comfort zone and try something new. I ended up visiting Bali Silent Retreat not once, but twice on my trips to Bali, as a chance to challenge myself to be more mindful and in the moment.