What are you waiting for? Come to Bali with me, don't be shy! I'll be your guide!
Bali is one of my favourite places on Earth, I guess it would be since I moved here! After years of traveling all over the world, I found this island gem and can't seem to get enough of it! It would only be fair of me to share its wonder with you!
Today, let me share this magical island with you and take you on a walk above the ridge over looking the forest below!
To begin the walk, you can start on either side, I've had a long day (haven't you?) In that case, let's begin on the top, walking into town instead of starting in town, walking up into the clouds, we're going to start in them! Way up here, away from the hustle and bustle of the busy tourist town, there are fields and fields of rice paddies like the one I am standing in here! Aren't they beautiful? I'll bring you to one of our most famous attractions, Tegallalang another day!
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It's a shame the sky is so pale and gray, usually it's blue is a wonderful contrast to the green of these fields! However, don't let that discourage you! This way we won't get burnt anyway! The sun can be a scorcher here! =D
Following the path leading to the beginning of the trail head, you'll pass many stalls like this one here, open-faced stores selling paintings and crafts to the tourists walking by! Would you like a painting? The artists are so talented!
If you live in North America, it might not be every day you cross paths with papaya trees however, I drew on this picture to show you how crazy this tree here is! It's loaded with heavy fruits weighing it down, so the locals have supported it with extra footing so it manages to stay upright! That's a big load with each of these papayas being well bigger than the size of my head!
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Through the trees on the same plot this tree was planted, I caught a woman in my lens collecting wood off the property. I know it's not common for us back in the West outside of movies, but many cultures over here in the East (and South West actually) still carry around a great deal on their heads! Talk about balance and skill! I always admire the women carrying what looks to be heavier loads than I could ever dream of carrying, a top their heads!
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Have you ever heard of the phrase "Make sure your ducks are all in a row?"
This carver sure has ;)
I mentioned before in my last post taking you around Bali with me, to the Holy Water Temple about these statues that are everywhere, you can think of them as guards that sit outside homes to protect them... however, this property had many statues and was in the process of being built. It'll likely be a spa by the looks of it, out overlooking the beautiful views above!
Now that we are up high, here is the sign for the trail! I'm looking back at it, since I decided after beginning the trail that you might want to see it in case you ever decide to come (back) and do this fun adventure (again, on your own!)
Let's go down it together, shall we?
Quickly into the trail, looking to the left, there is a hefty drop off with a rustling river below. Although it's not possible to see the water flowing through all of the bush, the sound of it is tranquil as it sings its way up through the trees! Can you hear the river's music playing?
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Back on the path, many tourists are flocking to see the sunset as it's about that time! Meanwhile, I am sticking my face over the edge and trying to get you guys some idea of the depth of the ridge!
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Here I am, trying to get some evidence that it is me up there on the ridge... maybe even a picture to send to the fam jam, let them know I am alive. Thanks for helping me get this shot- my mom will be really happy! ;)
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On the west side, the sun is setting and my camera hurried to get the beauty shots of the sun sinking down behind the houses on the hills...
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Since I was strolling along, taking my time getting up here, showing you everything along the way, I have burned into sunset time so let's rush back down to try to catch it round the rice paddies! Wait, look! See the woman (with a lovely shirt) bent over the grass. Can you guess what she's doing?
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She's cutting the tall grasses and collecting it! You'll rarely see a lawn mover around here (unless you go to a fancy resort or golf course!) ;) Behind her, something is poking through the trees!
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The sun! We really have to hurry to find a good vantage point before it's gone! With all of the clouds we are going to need some luck! Something beautiful distracted me on my way down... I'm happy my eyes are always on the lookout! Look at this!
From down here, knees in the dirt trying to capture the perfection of this flower, I looked up and the sky was enchanted. Despite the heavy overcast, art was being formed before my eyes! Turn around to see!
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Examine this closely, look up into the sky and see the intense designs the sun was able to show through the clouds!
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Even old Moo-Moo here is out to watch nature's show tonight! (Don't be scared, it won't come over to us!)
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Now, there are dozens of photos of the next couple of minutes because my heart was alive with the beauty of the sun but here are my favourites! PS: Check out the birds flying out of the clouds, they came right at us! I wish I was faster at capturing moments like this!
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Because I love sticking my head into everything, I needed to get closer, and decided to climb this tree in the field to do it!
Once I got up there, I quickly realized that 1) the tree was covered in some sort of black moss/mold 2) I was surrounded by burs and spikey plants 3) it was not the best view so I jumped out in a jiffy! Good thing too because around the corner was this:
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With thunder sounding in the distance and the cold winds flying up the mountain, I think we should try to seek cover... Maybe in this lovely spa?
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Unfortunately they were all booked up (as they always are, being one of the most popular spas around and for good reason-their location is unmatched!) I did get a chance to hang out and show you this lotus pond before leaving though (the lotus is one of my favorite flowers!)
Sending you love to all over the world, wherever you may be from Bali! Check me out if you love travel, food, stories, love, sunshine, happiness and everything else in between the heart and a smile! It's my goal to inspire a light in your heart and a smile to your face! I'd love to connect with you! Hope to see you around!
XO,
PS, I'm aboard the steem-blazing ecotrain! Where quality content comes together with making the world a better place! Click on the train for more! ๐
Awesome, I'm heading to Bali in Feb! Thanks for the travel tips, peace x
Hi @stickycj, I posted a couple of weeks ago about a temple I visited here and was asked to share more of this beautiful island so I will be posting much more, I am sure it will come in handy when trying to organize your trip ;) Also if you need any pointers, feel free to shoot them my way, I'd be happy to point you in the right direction! <3
Absolutely gorgeous! We have been saying we want to visit Bali for a long while but then we had a Kai and since traveling hasn't been top of the list but seeing those pictures I definitely feel like it's back on our list again! Thanx so much for sharing this piece of your life!
Hi @iamjamie, I completely understand. When I got my fur babies, it kind of haulted everything for now. How old is Kai? I'm happy to inspire the travel bug, I see many babies here with their parents ;) <3
Kai turned 1 not that long ago. And yes traveling has already entered back into our lives since our families live in other countries but your blog left me with a deep burning desire to not only travel but explore again! Oh and we have friends in Bali that would be lovely to visit so bonus! Hehe
Aww well that must be a fun adventure in its own right ;) When I finally got 'settled' into Bali, I was so excited to take some roots and stay somewhere for a while but the more I get out and see, the more and more I want to see everything =D I am sensing more travel coming very soon for me! Where are you based now? Thailand right?
I know exactly what you mean. Though personally I like having our home base so whenever I feel like I need to settle down for awhile into our nest it's there. And yes we are based in Thailand right now. Its a pretty spectacular place to call home too! Have you ever been?
I know that feeling too well! I was in desperate need of a home base! I didn't have one for far too long! This is amazing and I think that's why the old travel bug seems to be crawling around ;)
I love Thailand, I had originally come to this side of the world to move there but then with a bunch of changes in the wind ended up in New Zealand and then decided Thailand wasn't it for me, neither was NZ so the next stop was here, and it caught me. I've been to Thailand twice though, once for a month and the second for 3 weeks in Chiang Mai. =D
Chiang Mai caught me. After the first trip here we continued traveling but it kept calling me back to we decided to just move there. Hahaha. It's been the most perfect place for everything we have been doing too!
@heart-to-heart,
This post has caught the eye of @MuxxyBot and has been
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If your post is chosen, it will be featured in a curation post by @MuxxyBot.
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Please reply to this comment if you accept or decline. Great post, love the photos!
Hi @ma1ineevent, thanks so much for this wonderful gift! I do accept, and send you a big hug for the nomination <3
Your post is featured today in the @muxxybot curation post! Congrats @heart-to-heart!
Get outta town! Thanks my darling radio-voice of an angel =D Now go'on and win your contest! I am cheering for you! <3
Love that you chose this!!!! SUNSHINE247
Wow, what a beautiful lady and the smile!!!!!!! the pics look great, nice locations and natural however the lady is awesome.
I wish you a blessed weekend and hapiness in Bali. More success to you.
Thanks @charles1, I am blessed to be able to enjoy the beauty here, it's a dream island! I will keep sharing it with you here until you visit!
Have a great weekend as well <3
Welcome and you will make me fly to you now-ASAP (gonne get some red bull).. Bali here I come!!!!on my way to my dear @heart-to-heart
Feel free to join the discussion on my latest post about steem , excessive supply and negetive effect on other coins.
I wih you a blessed weekend and wait for me with your yummy foods.
its really wonderful place.
Bali is a piece of paradise, I love sharing it with everyone <3 Enjoy the weekend! =D
one of my friend live in Indonesia and she show me her photos of bali island before 3 or 4 years and i am just curios to go there its wonderful place...
Yes it is wonderful! If you get a chance to visit, make sure you do! So much natural beauty, I love it here <3
In this lobby, will there be T.P.? For my bunghole?
very nice
I would love to visit there. Thanks for sharing
You are most welcome, it's always my pleasure to share this gorgeous place with you here =D Let me know if you decide to visit, I will help you plan your trip and tell you the places you must see! XO
In the 90s I worked on Trawangan as a divemaster and instructor and left Indonesia every two months, flying from Jakarta to Singapore and back, traveling by train through Java by bus through Bali, never stopping in Bali unless there was no more ferry from Padangbai to Lombok and I got stuck there for one night.
Already in those days Bali was far too touristy for my taste and I can only imagine what it must be like today.
For sure you can still find nice spots there, because tourists tend to stick to certain areas, but I always prefered the "Wild East", Lombok, Komodo, Flores to Bali.
But to each his own, and I am glad that you spice up the ecotrain with some Indonesian topics.
Terima kasih!
its only touristy if you go to the touristy spots! i normally find in most places you dont have to go far to get out of the traps.. and suddenly its a whole new world.. The hard part is meeting that special person who whisks you off to some unheard of spot ;-)
Yes! I remember how disappointed I was when I arrived in Paharganj in Delhi, so touristy, quite some shock after 3 months of wild, wild Pakistan. But then that special person appeared and took me to his home and from there I went to Kashmir to his familyยดs houseboat from where you could hear the sound of gunfire and explosions at night and from there on an adventurous trek, including an encounter with Kashmiri mujaheddin, who gave us a mock demonstration of how to throw handgrenades and ambush an Indian army patrol, to Ladakh. There the truck I was riding on fell into the Indus river and I had to swim for my life.
Nothing of this was planned. The plan was to follow my professorยดs advice and go to Mussoorie to keep studying Hindi. Well, I chose the road less travelled by and this made all the difference. ๐
nice! yes totally agree! mad amazing journeys are had with spontaneity
Kashmir, definitely not #1 on the list for fun tourist adventures...
I completely agree with this, I prefer this method as well <3 See where the road leads!
Hi @likedeeler, I can completely understand your sentiments. I myself have not traveled out to Gili T, just because of its party rep and large tourist influx. I think with travel becoming more accessible, we run this problem everywhere as tourists encroach on the natural world to see the wonder and grasp those picturesque moments. However, my piece of paradise lies within a local community of Bali, I have to travel into town to find the tourists hanging out and even still, they are just mostly here to do yoga, chill out, take some courses or do a juice cleanse but I live in a pretty amazing area. I try to spend my time "off the beaten track" looking for the lesser known views and hope to continue sharing those as well. I hope they end up inspiring a better image of Bali for you, as you know, it's a large enough island with many aspects and pros and cons going on in each sector =D
Way cool to find someone who used to live here as well on the ecotrain though! Nice to meet you <3
Yeah, I heard about Trawangan getting overrun nowadays, I was there in the mid-90s.
I also watched some videos about it, lots of development has taken place there.
Same in Boracay, Philippines.
Now for work as a diving instructor I had to be in touristy places and Trawangan was very nice in those days, but when travelling I prefer to be in more remote places.
Ya I hear you, the more toursity the better in that case right? :)
I had friends who went out there recently and came right back claiming it was just too much, beautiful but really intense.
I guess there is a time and place for all of it, when I finally make it out there, I'll let you know how it is firsthand =D
This looks like a fantastic place to visit. I love nature and outdoors life and I can see it's really great nature on Bali:-)
Yes, I live inland but Bali had forests of green and beaches all around, it's a beautiful spot! Hope you get a chance to visit one day soon! Until then, happy weekend my friend <3
This is an incredible post!!!!! The photos are breathtaking :) I love how everything is so lush green .. send some of those clouds here to California, I WANT RAIN so badly!!! Those wood carvings of the ducks are darling :) Thanks for taking me on your steemit vacation - cant wait to see more .. SUNSHINE247
Hi @sunshine247 you big sweet heart you! I have a lot to say to you, I am just playing catch up from some days off gallivanting around this island :)
I lived in Cali about 3 years ago... I remember the want for rain... my garden was so sad and the water ban wouldn't let us use tap water to help our poor sprouts stand a chance. Of course then we got into grey water and managed to get a bit growing but it was hard, so much different than here!
I am happy to take one of my besties along with me <3 now to just get you here in person so we can eat pie together ;)
Sending you love my beautiful friend XO
Yea!!!!! I envy you so much friend!!!!! I look forward to your posts each and every day .. the beauty of the photos and just your amazing love for what you do shines!!!! Enjoy your gallivanting, you deserve it .. SUNSHINE247
Omg I absolutely loved the scenery. After my basketball career, I might stop by for a visit. Plus try that amazing pie recipe you posted earlier. Such an amazing place.
Thank you for sharing part of your day with us, and showing us the charms of Bali. Absolutely loved it. :)
If you come, I will for sure make you some pie! =D
Are you playing basketball now?
Of course, I am happy to share this beauty with you, I feel it's almost an obligation, keeping it to myself would be so selfish ;)
Have a great weekend <3
Would love a piece of that pie for sure. lol Yes, I actually signed a new contract to play in Italy again for the 3rd season straight. Looking forward to it actually. :)
Oh wow that is fantastic! Congratulations =D ๐
Well, thank you :)
Super beautiful. I have been thinking of going there for a while now. Been to AUS quite a few times and love it there but Bali has a special magic to it.
How long have you been there?
Blessings~*~
Hi @quinneaker =D You would LOVE Bali, I just know it. I live in an area where all of the things we talk about and that you post about in your blog are common and it's a dream, what drew me in actually. I'm sitting in an all vegan cafe right now across from a yoga studio that is packed with people who have probably just come from class or ready to go to one. People meditating and sharing life tips, it's wonderful! You're welcome to come stay with me anytime! <3
I've been here only for 4 months but after traveling the big wide world looking for a home for years, this was the only place that called out to me in a way to make me stay <3
I hope you get to experience it yourself! XO
Yes I will be there soon!
I feel the pull and the power!
Live it up~*~
Gorgeous photos and a gorgeous destination!
Thank you H2H :)
Hey, anytime =D I love being able to share this beautiful place I am so lucky to live in! I forget, where are you from Harry?
wow....you live in bali..? @heart-to-heart
Hi @orcheva yes I do =D where do you live by the way?
am from Aceh, you should come here..so many beautiful place in here.. :) @heart-to-heart
I would love to, it's on my bucket list and hopefully I can make it there one day soon! <3
you can call me when you want to visit, great to be your guide.. ;)
As if I needed more reason to come and visit you! So beautiful. Love the rice terraces... for some reason they never do that here in Cambodia!
Really do they not? They are everywhere here. Rice is a huge part of Indonesian lifestyle. They have breathtakingly famous ones close by, I am going to get some photos of them one day soon! I think we'll convince you to visit soon! I know I am definitely going to be visiting you so you better have your beet brownies ready for me when I come <3
Hehe. I will have them ready. Indeed strange. Though Cambodia survives on rice and rice fields, no terraces.
I've heard some wonderful things about Bali, it seems more and more people are moving there every year. Have you heard of the digital nomads? I know it has become very popular in the Bali region. Great in depth post
HI @jasonshick =D On one hand, I feel like I want to keep it a secret so it doesn't get overblown with tourism, but on the other I am a sharer/care-er so I want everyone to be able to see its beauty! I have not heard of them, I'll search them up though! Working online is super popular here and there are many resources and groups to connect and assist each other with various ventures. I've been asked to join some but I am kind of a loner :P I like to be alone with my many thoughts or else I am not able to ever get them out! I'm definitely going to look into it though, thanks for sharing <3
Where are you from? I wonder how different the culture shown here is from yours?
One of those digital nomads I quite like is Conni Biesalski, I think sheยดs based in Canggu.
She has a youtube channel and started to do her videos in English a while ago.
She has changed the theme of her videos from being typical travel blogger like to more deeper, spiritual stuff, you can check her out here if you want to:
https://www.youtube.com/user/planetbackpack/videos
Cool thank you so much for sharing this with me! Interesting that she's in Canggu... going to have to check this out =D
ive travelled a lot, but ive never been to Bali before .. it looks SO beautiful really.. one day i hope to make a visit.. in fact i nearly did last year! It looks like a place to really pamper yourself..
I'm curious how you ended up in Bali? Or were you born there?
Oh driver, my driver! Youยดre so funny, giving advice on Bali without ever having been there.
from the mountain far can I see..
So itยดs about time, you write your Ten Commandments ๐
Well, I think you'll find yourself visiting me once we get our projects all up and going and I can show you around =D Right now I am basking in some normalcy to level out on all of the years of adventure but I am already planning into the change that is bound to come.
You CAN pamper yourself very easily, that is for sure! I did when I first got here: beach, tan, read, spa, repeat ;) Especially because the prices are so much more affordable than compared to the Western world. I know back in Canada, where I am from (to answer that question) I would never have bought myself a massage as it was beyond my financial comprehension. Now, I can get a great massage for an hour for under $7 USD. I have a neck injury so I should be getting massaged a few times a week really but I have made my little abode so cozy, I find it hard to leave even with this beauty all around me!
How did I end up in Bali? Jeepers, that was meant to be a post in its own and it will come, but just to break it down for now, it captured me. I was traveling looking for "home" and when I got here I energetically connected to it and can't bear the thought of ever having to leave =D
THANKS for sharing.. nice to hear a bit of your story.. a maple leaf girl! very nice.. i have some amazing Canadian friends.. You make Bali sound very appealing.. maybe a bit like THailand but .. different no doubt!
I also LOVEEee pampering.. and cant get enough of a good massage. .which is my favorite pastime in Thailand.. Any moment i have half an hour spare ill grab a foot rub very time! Blisss!
look forward to hearing more about your story some time!
๐๐
I miss Thai massage... Balinese is so relaxing and peaceful but nothing compared to the twist and pull of a Thai massage (gone right) ;)
I do love Canada but it's too cold for this gal. Can't hack it. I don't know how my family survives. I am on a mission to relocate them but they like free health care and stuff ;)
Looking forward to hearing more about how you got there and what you do to make a living in such a place!
Awww I will be sure to share more on this then! Seems to be the hot topic of discussion- funny, something I rarely even think about. I almost forget that it's foreign that I live here until I come on Steemit and realize it's indeed a paradise that I should never forget to be thankful for ;) I will keep posting about it ;) <3
I would love to go to Bali, we want our children to go to the greenschool there.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful place with us.
:)
Hi Mark, I am trying to get caught up with your story! I have been just overwhelmed lately with trying to figure out how to have a real life at the same time as being able to produce on here! Tell me about the greenschool! I am a huge fan of what I have heard about your choice in homeschooling. I don't have kids yet because I want them to have a proper place where I can do it 100% differently than my parents but I'm excited to connect with you on ecotrain so we can get into these topics more! If you all want to visit ever, I have enough room for you! <3
Yes @heart-to-heart it is very time consuming but not time wasted like on other social medias.
The green school is an international school in Bali where they teach kids about nature and how to live in harmony with the planet, you should definitely go and visit, and if you do have children they would be very lucky to go to such a school.
Thanks for the offer to visit Bali and stay with you, one day I hope I can take you up on this offer. :)
Bless.
Oh yes, yes of course! I can't believe I forgot about it! I had planned on visiting when I first got here and then Steemit captured me ;)
I will for sure go check it out, probably even soon and let you know what it's like!
I hope you and the family are all safe and sound <3
Bali is really very beautiful, wow so much greenery everywhere, just amazing! Well well well, I'm planning to travel in December finally, i've not yet decided exactly where though! It will be either KL, Thailand or Bali!
Thanks for sharing the beauty of this lovely place!
@progressivechef
Oh come on! If it's those options, it must be Bali! PLEASE! I want to have our kitchen concert! =D Though, if you choose KL, I could probably manage to make a visa run at that time :) My dad says he is going to visit then though and wants to go to Thailand so... really, seems like that concert is going to happen <3
reSteemed
Thanks so much @digitalplayer, I'm happy for more people to see how beautiful this place is! It always fills my heart with love, I hope it does the same for many more <3
Almost you covered half of Indonesia ๐ฎ๐ฉ haaa haaa!
I have not been here when I went to Bali, but I saw many beautiful terrace like rice fields, I really love the way the look. Nice to see how the papayas grow. Thank you for the tour!
Hi @yuriks2000 thanks for coming along with me, happy I could show you some of the beauty it has to offer =D
I always thought it would an another high ranked touristic island. After discovering your blog I have changed my mind. I am thinking to plan a one month trip hopefully by next summer. If you would not mind, when time comes, I would love to get tips from you on renting, yoga, meditation and cooking classes. Thanks for speading lots of positivity in all your posts! Ps: did you finally fix the residence permit issue you had?
Peace and Love
Xxx
Hi @supernoval! Don't get me wrong, it certainly is those things however, it's a large island and you don't have to hang around in that aspect of it. I definitely do not and don't like mingling in it very much either lol.
Absolutely would love to help you whenever you feel like you want to start planning, you're required to meet up with me for lunch to talk it over though =D
As for residency, no... that's one of the drawbacks of Indonesia actually. There are ways to pay to make it easier but in the end, it costs less to just keep leaving if you do it right which is what I am doing now... just left and got back a couple of hours ago. It's not the most ideal thing in the world but it's the price for paradise I suppose ;)
๐๐โ๏ธ
It's so beautiful! I love natural beauty. Definitely Bali is an awesome place to spend some quality time! Thank you so much @heart-to-heart for sharing this!
Hey no need to thank me, it was my pleasure to share <3 I love natural beauty as well, I can't get enough!