Believe . Bali
Few places in the world are like Bali. Their deep rooted beliefs span 3 religions, but grace and hospitality are housed in every home and every smile. RoadToDreamland partnered with StephAnyDay for this adventure as we believe paradise is better enjoyed with friends.
Come with us to Bali, and enjoy the experience through this photo journal in what I would call "The Eden of the East".
Though most of Indonesia is Muslim or Christian the vast majority of the people of Bali identify as Balinese Hindu, or Hindu Dharma. One sees the influence of religion on every street and in every part of the Balinese culture. It is difficult to visit Bali and not have a temple sighting, or a sacred site on a to-do list. A perfect example is the Sacred Monkey Forest. Tri Hita Karana, which when translated means "three ways to reach spiritual and physical well-being", is a philosophy of Hinduism and the concept on which the Monkey Forest is conserved. This concept is incorporated into everyday life in Bali as it promotes harmony between humans and humans, humans and their environment, and humans and God.
In my opinion the people of Bali are some of the worlds most gifted carvers. As you can see in some of the images above, the intricacies in their stone carvings make of the statues an attraction in their own right. They also work with metal, gold, silver, and wood. Wood carvings are also renown and are seen everywhere in Bali - from entry ways to traditional Balinese homes to temples. Architecture in Bali is a mixture of art, culture, religion, and history and so each detail is both deliberate and impeccable.
Balinese food is impeccable. Because of the harmony between humans and nature in addition to its climate the flora in Bali is exotic and beautiful. The many types of blossoms on the trees perfume the air and the greenery all around you make you feel at peace effortlessly, an invaluable aspect of this destination. Even the Asian Palm Civet, or Luwak has an important job by providing some of the most expensive coffee beans in the world. By eating the coffee while its still a coffee cherry, fermenting it as it digests it, the Luwak changes the flavor of the bean which is later dried, cleaned, roasted and ground to give us the famous "Luwak Coffee".
To me this trip could not be complete without the amazing people I met in Bali. People who exemplified the harmony meant to be had between people.
Like Chris, an American expat who now lives in Bali. While over-working on New York's Wall Street he suffered severe organ damage - severe enough that after healing from surgery he decided his life needed a complete change and now he leads people like his former self on tours of Bali and the surrounding islands.
I fell in love - as cliche as that seems - with Bali. I fell in love with the willingness of those around you, Balinese or tourists, to smile. The infectious harmony in the air and in everything you saw makes it a place where all of you is at ease. This ease lets you fully experience and become one with all of the beauty around you. The value of this trip far outweighs any monetary worth - see for yourself
