In April 2013, I left France with my family and friends of my parents for a dream destination: Bali. At that time, Indonesia was an unusual destination, far away and therefore less visited than today. This trip was for me a real breath of fresh air and a real disconnection. Between exchange and discovery, Bali was the destination that marked me the most.
Ubud
Ubud, the beating artistic heart of Bali, is home to an unsuspected number of museums and art galleries. We had a warm welcome, even with a cocktail, which we had at the various hotels we visited. As soon as we arrived, we noticed that there was a quarry below the hotel. The Balinese worked there during the day with pickaxes and other tools to sell them afterwards.
That evening we went out to eat not far from the hotel. We stopped at a restaurant and ate one of the Balinese specialties: Nasi Goreng. This classic Balinese dish is almost like paella. It is a rice-based dish (nasi), but there is also a version with noodles (mie), both of which are sautéed in a pan with onions, small vegetables and some spices. Accompanied by meat or shrimp, this speciality offers an original feature: the fried egg placed on top. A vegetarian version is also available. The whole thing is served with sambal (a small spicy sauce). A real treat! Daring to eat local food is also part of the practice of slow tourism. Embark on an adventure to learn more about the country you are visiting.
Later in our trip, we visited a Balinese school. A fabulous time where we could have fun in the games with the children. It is by doing this kind of meeting that you can really get a feel for the local culture. Moreover, a few years before, my parents and their friends had the chance to give a course to students. They asked them to draw the Eiffel Tower. A great moment of sharing and exchange.
To immerse oneself in the local culture, it is also to visit the places of worship, like the Tirta Gangga, the Temple of Water. The Royal Palace of Tirta Gangga houses a splendid water pool built shortly before the 1950s. If you travel to East Bali, you will have the chance to discover it, and why not take a dip in it.
Suite
By going there, one can feel the Balinese culture as well as Hinduism. The quietness of the place with its various water bodies and fountains, the absence of noise and the space dedicated to walking are conducive to meditation.
Amed
In a nutshell, Amed was a real favourite. After leaving our first hotel, we went to this town which will remain for me the most beautiful place of my trip. The place where we slept was not far from a fishing village, and the feet in the water, a true small corner of paradise.
One early morning, around 3am-4am we boarded one of the fishermen’s boats to experience our first Balinese catch. The fisherman offered us to help him bring back food for lunch. At the same time, the sun was rising over Bali. So I find myself in a dugout at 6am, fishing and watching a magnificent sunrise. A purely splendid spectacle. The return journey was made at the end of the morning with the harvest which was good. The same day, the village next to ours is on the beach of our hotel, so we started to talk and play with them.
My sister being blonde, it was the first time for the Balinese children to see such a hair colour. They were amazed and decided to write her name with pebbles from the beach, without even having seen it written before. A memorable moment that I will remember for the rest of my life. These moments of sharing are often very emotional. It reminds us how different cultures can come together in a friendly and happy way.
Finally, on our last evening, we were treated to a Balinese dance class. Another great moment of sharing and cultural discovery.
Bali was for me a trip full of good memories. The meeting with the local population, the tasting of local dishes or the visit of a temple allowed me to really immerse myself in the Balinese culture. Slow tourism was a real factor in the success of my trip. It allowed me to mature, to grow and also gave me a taste for this trend.