BALI, AN EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER
An Island Paradise That Defies Expectations Time And Time Again
By : Aditya Mirchandani Rodrigues
Many people are skeptical to the idea of heaven on earth. To them, witnessing paradise on earth is as far fetched as interstellar travel. Distant and out of reach. Utopia on earth is reserved for people who have wealth as big as their careers, and hair as full as their purses. But there is a place on earth that doesn’t care about your money or power. That invites the privileged and deprived alike with open arms. A place that has lodged its soul into the hearts of thousands of people, me included.
For as long as I can remember the island of bali was like a second home to me. I would be there at least once a year and would never get sick of soaking in the sun and sea. It was my idea of heaven. I would spend my time doing a myriad of activities, from snorkeling to fishing. Although it wasn’t that far away from Singapore, I didn’t needed an extravagant trip on an icebreaking ship to Alaska. All that mattered to me was the tingle of the sand between my toes, and the slow browning of my skin.
The sheer amount of activities one can do there is endless. There are restaurants to visit and cultures to immerse yourself in. And even kicking back and chilling out can be an exceptionally rewarding experience.
Bali is little island and province of Indonesia located in-between Java and Lombok. With a population of a little over 4 million, the island is a far cry from our densely populated island of Singapore. Being about 3 times the size of Singapore with almost half the population, you can be assured to have more than enough space to stretch your legs and escape from the hustle and bustle that you associate with home. Bali is also a part of the Coral Triangle, which holds an expanse of marine species, making it the area with the highest biodiversity in the world. About 7 times more than the Caribbean, an ideal haven for snorkeling and diving.
One of the things that Bali does right is that even though it has it’s fair share of tourist traps, its hidden gems are just as accessible. Unlike places such as Krabi and Langkawi, albeit beautiful, sometimes the volume of tourists can be quite a put off. Going to Bali as a kid, I would hardly go to places that were touristy. I’d spend my days out and about, searching for the next adventure. From frolicking in hidden beaches, to exploring hillside villages, all without a single tourist in sight. The brilliance of being a stranger in a strange place is that no one knows who you are. You can do all the things you’ve felt like doing, and be the person you were meant to, free from judgment and prejudice. It’s no wonder so many expats have decided to retire in the beaches and paddy fields of this beautiful island.
But perhaps the best thing about Bali is that there is undoubtedly something for everybody. Whether you’re there to absorb the exuberant night life along the vibrant Kuta strip, or channel your inner hipster while dining at a café in Ubud, the possibilities are endless.
