STEPPING ONTO AN ISLAND THAT BLENDS TRANQUIL MOUNTAIN SCENERIES WITH LIVELY BEACHES, ONE CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT NEW ADVENTURE AWAITS IN THIS REALM OF ENCHANTMENT.
BALI.
I was welcomed by fascinating and beautiful works of art that resonated the diversity of the Balinese culture. With a predominant influence from Hinduism, Bali’s charm gives off a certain magic that one cannot fully describe with words, yet can only be understood when the purposes of the eyes are fulfilled.
In every step and in every corner, I was greeted by colourful offerings that brought such a vibrant life to this grey mundanity, which we all see as man’s evidence of progress, the paved sidewalks.
EVERY PATH LED TO A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF THE RICH HISTORY OF BALI.
I visited the Monkey Forest, -a nature reserve in a Hindu temple complex, where Balinese long-tailed monkeys, as well as different art forms presented themselves as sources of reverence.
THE ADMIRATION OF THEIR CULTURE EXTENDED TO A NOTABLE RITUALISTIC BALINESE DANCE.
Deep artistic expressions of religious beliefs and traditions emanated through their dance and the vitality of their performance.
I sat amongst a crowd of spectators, witnessing the dynamic and drama-filled stories as told by these expressive performers. We all saw the same show, but through each of our eyes we all interpreted the sacred performance in our own special way.
SURFING. WIND SURFING. KITE SURFING. BEACHES.
Most people would visit Bali for its diverse culture that is deeply rooted in their way of life. Others would come for the contemporary yet laid-back lifestyle that the island provides.
While people would visit and see Bali for what it has to offer on the surface, for me, the true purpose that led me to live on this island was to experience the life within its depths.
ACCOMPANIED BY A TANK FILLED WITH COMPRESSED AIR, A REGULATOR, A BUOYANCY CONTROL DEVICE, FINS, AND A MASK, I BEGIN MY DESCENT INTO A WORLD WITHIN THIS MAGICAL ISLAND, WHERE FOR ME, THE TRUE SOURCE OF ITS MAGIC COMES FROM.
Life underwater has a different magic. It seizes your worrisome thoughts of worldly temptations, and makes your heart beat a little bit slower, as if time has never been given any importance.
There is no need to rush, no need to worry.
YOU ONLY FLOAT, AND WATCH LIFE TAKE OVER YOU.
I EXPERIENCED BALI THE BEST WAY I KNEW HOW, BY SCUBA DIVING.
Scuba diving everyday for a month was the ideal way for me to truly fall in love with the island. Without a doubt, there was even more diversity under the ocean than the prominent Balinese traditions that I encountered above the surface.
I was amazed every single day.
Although Bali, on the surface, is beautiful as it is, -with its intricate historical works of art, the warmth of its people, the evident influence of its rich culture, and the sensation of enlightened peace all over the island-, if one is not able to witness the extraordinary life it keeps underwater, then there will genuinely be a missing piece to one’s trip.
So there I was in Bali.
And this has been my story.
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