I’ve been wanted to travel to Asia for years. When i finally got the time, i choose Bali, which known for its beautiful sandy beach, all-day sunshine and the unique culture and people. When i get there, the only thing i want to experience right away is surfing. Being a big city guy, I hardly have the time nor the location to go to a beach. You must travel accross state to do that.
But then..where to go? There are several location along the Southern part of the island. From Uluwatu to Canggu area. And each one offers a unique and distinct view of its own. As a beginner, i really don’t have the guts to surf on my own. I prefer to have a coach that will give me a brief introduction lesson on surfing. Most of the beach boys along Kuta beach to Seminyak resort beach are usually can give you some surfing lesson for free if you rent the surf board from them. Hourly rate is about 6 dollars. While there are also some surfing lessons provider like Ripcurl or Pro Surf. These lessons are more expensive, of course. But they will give you a certification after lesson.
Anyway, I choose to settle in Kuta beach, somewhere around an area called Kuta Playa Hotel . The beach is great. It was a lovely day and the sun shines onto the blue-ish ocean water. The wave are smooth and the white sand are warmth. Most people came here to laid back and relax under cabanas while have a sunbath along with having cold beers which was provided by drinks stalls along the beach. Across the beach are a line up of restaurants facing the shore. Most are open from breakfast to dinner offering international and Indonesian menu. While during the afternoon, there are also some small food stalls stop by the streets selling some afternoon snacks.
After a quick lesson from Wayan, one of the beach boys, i finally have the courage to take the board to shore. Paddling in, then carefully step up to stand on my board. It was superb. The best experience ever is to stand up on a surf board while looking around a beautiful beach.
The warmth sun, the blue water, the sparkling white sand and the excitement of being able to finally surf. I’m still far from being a pro, though, but i’d like to try some other wave someday. From some surfing magazine, it is said the Uluwatu area has the best waves, especially during the full moon each month. Will love to try that one, one day. But until then, i will still definitely visit other beaches along the Southern Bali.I stay 3 days in one Bali resort in Ubud to do some Spa and yoga last week and i re-born like brand new, is better you go there you to...i feel magic now.
Since the 8th century, Ubud, on the island of Bali, has been a destination for Hindu pilgrims. The Gunung Lebah Temple still to this day remains a destination for Hindu pilgrims but now Ubud has a different sort of pilgrim. This pilgrim comes looking for Hindu culture, relaxation, romance, yoga and Balinese art.
I have been living in Bali for a long time and have come to really appreciate the non-intrusive nature of Balinese Hinduism. The main stories that hold Balinese Hinduism together, such as Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita and Mahabharata, come from ancient Indian Sanskrit. Hinduism is considered the oldest organised religion.
The Balinese combined these ancient stories with their existing religion, what scholars call animism. The Balinese believe the mountains, rivers and beaches have a living spirit. The Balinese of times past painted, danced, played music and designed architecture to celebrate the love they have for Krishna and the other Hindu gods. This is the tradition that is being built upon and the tradition being kept alive in paintings, sculpture, wood-craft and the exterior and interior design of private luxury villas.
Ubud has become a popular tourist destination for people all over the world during the last 40 years. What is it about this Ubud romantic setting in Bali that has seen the quick development of so many private luxury villas and hotels?
Located near the centre of Bali, west of the Ginayar Regency, Ubud is the cultural home of the Balinese people. Ubud exists as an anti-thesis to the ego driven Kuta, the shopping parade of Seminyak, traffic on the Sunset Road and the general hectic life on the south coast of Bali.The romantic Ubud is an escape from all of this; it is a place where you can chill-out in a relaxing and romantic setting, amongst glorious natural beauty.
A testament to the tolerant nature of the Balinese people can be shown in a story from 80 years ago. In the 1930 the royal family in Ubud encouraged foreign artists to live, learn and paint amongst the local people. This meant such pioneering artists as Walter Spies and Rudolph Bonnet could expose the world to this type of romantic art. A two way symbiosis occurred allowing the foreign artists to learn form the locals and the locals being able to unlock the creativity that was restricted by the traditional ways.
Ubud is surrounded by stepped rice paddies, deep ravines and breath-taking tropical beauty. This is the real inspiration for the artists and luxury villa private in Ubud.
Wellness, yoga, healing are all words that you will hear often in Ubud. Many tourists chose to go on private villa retreats to help mind, body and soul. This is certainly in keeping with the name of Ubud which comes from the Balinese word ‘ubad’ meaning medicine, as Ubud was originally an important source for medicinal herbs and plants.
Bali is a changing place and the truth is Ubud is becoming more and more busy. The tourists, expats and locals alike must do what they can to keep the spirit of Ubud alive and stop it from becoming another run-down tourist destination. As long as Ubud businesses continue to focus on Balinese dance and art; and not focus on nightclubs and surfing Ubud should be able to remain as the cultural home it is.
