Love in Bali

Bali. I waited and looked closely for a long time before I started writing about Bali. The island captivated me from the first breath of its air. Bali is a civilization. These are good roads, markings, sidewalks, traffic lights, streetlights. Bali means shops, handmade goods, creativity, exquisite works, paintings, figurines and statues.

Bali is beautiful weather, gentle sunshine, and a soft breeze. The first thing that struck me was the people. The locals are incredibly beautiful. Especially the women – graceful, harmoniously built, attractive, and seemingly almost eternally youthful and carefree. The men are calm, smiling, and good-natured, with bright white smiles. The Balinese are very modern, despite being religious and adhering to long-established traditions. Most of the population follows Hinduism, in which Shiva is the supreme deity. Bali has a complex system of rituals and festivals, and faith is taken seriously. Every day, offerings are made, often by the whole family, in clean, beautiful clothes, placing treats for the Gods on lovely woven plates outside their homes.

In Bali, just like in India, there is a caste system, but it is simpler, with only four castes, and it has more significance in terms of addressing people, naming them, and performing rituals. The castes are as follows: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. This can be traced in names as follows: a Brahmin's name will always start with Ida Bagus (for men) or Ida Ayu (for women); Kshatriyas with Gusti Anung or Anak Agung; Vaishyas with Dewa, Sang, or Gusti. Shudras are named according to their birth order, with the first child being Putu or Wayan, and so on up to the fourth, after which the cycle repeats with Wayan. Families here are large, typically having 3-4-5 children. Everyone lives in harmony, supporting each other, and parents and elders do not interfere much in the children's affairs. Marriages are all for love. Here, everything is about love.

About 4 million locals live in Bali. The Indonesian language is very simple, with only one tense – the present. That's how they live – in the here and now, not worrying about the past or the future. They are completely straightforward and open in communication, very humorous, even teasing. Mixed marriages are common in Bali, with Europeans happily marrying Balinese. And they live happily. The children from such marriages are incredibly beautiful.

The Balinese are very clean, with no litter on the streets. Indonesian homes are also tidy and orderly. The people themselves are neat; I haven't seen locals in torn or stained clothes, with dirty nails or cracked feet, which sets them apart from residents of other Southeast Asian countries. Balinese are very tactful, democratic, empathetic, and even indifferent in a relaxed way. No matter how much I observed, I never caught a judgmental or lustful look. They might give a compliment or chat about this and that, but they won’t push to become suitors or friends. They won't invite you into a sham marriage because they are truthful and composed. Bare shoulders or knees won't offend or anger them. The Balinese are very talented. They sing beautifully, dance energetically, craft, surf, DJ, and perform fire shows. The older generation can happily join in a trance party on the beach.

In Bali, there is a strong tattoo culture. It seems everyone has at least one part of their body inked. There's also a lot of interesting piercings and dreadlocks.

The islanders have a very casual attitude towards food, which is why traditional dishes are often not very tasty.

Medical care is expensive and not of the highest quality. Doctors' attitudes towards uninsured patients are not particularly Hippocratic.

Education is very basic at the local level. International education, on the other hand, is very expensive.

Here's what we saw. First, there is Kuta. This city never sleeps. It's full of activity, laughter, parties, beginner surfing, quick acquaintances, and casual relationships. Kuta is like a purgatory in a good sense for newcomers. For non-drinking vegans, it's a serious challenge. If you prefer more sophisticated fun, head to Seminyak. It's like Kuta but more upscale, with luxurious hotels, clubs, beaches, shops, bars, restaurants, lights, and beautiful streets. Kuta and Seminyak are generally for those who stay briefly.

Next is Bukit, a peninsula in the south of Bali, known for its stunning beaches with incredible views and sunsets—Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Balangan, Dreamland. It's a great place if you live, work, and educate your children there. However, if you need to travel elsewhere, traffic can be a problem. By the way, there is almost no public transportation here. Taxis are very expensive. Renting a car seems pointless due to heavy traffic. However, scooters are excellent here and the optimal mode of transportation.

There is also the eastern coast, featuring the tranquil Sanur and the beautiful but somewhat distant Amed—some of the most well-known places.

A separate discussion is needed for the famous Ubud, located north of the aforementioned areas. It's almost in the mountains, which means fresh air and rain. Ubud is a very picturesque town with many yogic and spiritual practices. However, the spirituality of Ubud requires a separate article. It's quite different from what you find in India. Indian spirituality is rustic, poor, and a bit strained. In Ubud, spirituality is elegant and refined, with a subtle air of confident superiority. If it's a restaurant, it's raw food; if it's a yogi, they're truly enlightened. Nevertheless, we befriended some simply wonderful and bright people in this town. The practices in Ubud are indeed interesting, including dance, Osho, feminine essence workshops, Slavic, and Vedic traditions.

In the center of the island, there are hot springs, beautifully and comfortably arranged, where you can relax and heal. In Tampaksiring, there are sacred springs where you can expel demons and harmonize your inner world.

The nature here is very vibrant and lush. There are volcanoes, climbing which is popular among tourists. In the north, there is Lovina, where you can watch dolphins.

Next, we explored the nearby islands.

Gili. The Gili Islands inspire poetry, paintings, and silent tears over sunset photos. Gili is freedom, beauty, and true, complete happiness. There are three islands—Trawangan, Meno, and Air.

The paradox of the islands is that they have full legalization yet no police or crime. There's no drunken or otherwise unruly crowd; everyone is slightly eccentric in a good way but very kind and comfortable. I'd say 99% of the tourists on Gili are French. Perhaps this is the secret of the islands. Exquisite cuisine, wonderful music, and indescribable beauty. The only transportation is horses and bicycles.

The first island, Trawangan, is the most bustling and crowded. The second, Meno, is the quietest. The third, and my favorite, is Air. Life here is slow and smooth, like the dance of a river across a plain. Every day is sunny and beautiful, with clear, warm water. Snorkeling reveals vibrant fish and beautiful corals.