In the previous post, I gave you a brief glimpse into my trip from Italy to Indonesia and back to Italy again within a time span of nearly one year. In this article, I will walk you through the most unforgettable memories of my time in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.
The eight months I spent in Bali were magical, to say the least and I thought one simple article would not be sufficient to do this gorgeous island justice. Therefore, I shall share with you the highlights of my trip, the lessons I obtained while in Bali, and my travel tips and advice with you in a series of posts called Stranded To Find Me.
A never-before-seen Bali
Bali has long been known as a hotspot and a widely chosen destination for holidays. Tourism is the main source of income on the idyllic "island of the gods" as more than 6 million foreigners arrived in Bali each year prior to the pandemic.
Foreign tourist arrivals dropped six-fold from 6.2 million in 2019 to only 1 million in 2020, while 92,000 people employed in tourism lost their jobs and the average room occupancy rate of classified hotels in Bali was below 20%, according to NPR.
For a brief period in November 2020, Bali was open for foreign entry without having to quarantine and I took this opportunity, hoping that I would be closer to home since Vietnam was still closing its border, and flying into the country was not an easy task.
Bali is a place full of memories for me. Ever since 2017 when I first met my partner here, every year we would come back to the same rental in Ubud and spend at least one week on this island. When we were able to enter Indonesia, it was comforting to return to our frequent den and to see all the familiar sights after dealing with so many abrupt changes and constant shifts.
Our villa in Ubud, Bali
After one week of self-quarantine, I finally went outside to breathe in our home away from home for the next few months.
First day out after 7 days of self-quarantine. The street was completely quiet and empty. We went to our favorite local restaurant for lunch.
Bali seemed the same, yet extremely different.
No noises from crowds of people. No more littering on the beach. No more tourists lining up at every attraction waiting for hours to take one picture.
Bali was serene, quiet, and beautiful. It was the kind of beauty that you can only feel when the world around you is silent and there are only you, the sounds of birds chirping, of waves coming into shore, of leaves, fluttering and branches buffeting under the wind, and your thoughts.
For the first time in so long, I felt a sense of tranquillity and stillness. It seemed like my mind had stopped wandering to stay calm and be present with nature. From that moment on, I carried with me the deep gratitude to the universe for putting me at the right place at the right time, especially in the midst of chaos and turbulence. For eight months, it seemed like the island was reserved for me and myself only.
The miracle called Pura Luhur Lempuyang
Pura Lempuyang Temple Bali is one of the oldest and most sacred temples on the island.
This temple is quite far from a lot of other typical holiday destinations in Bali. Its remote location is tucked away on the island’s eastern end. Yet that doesn’t stop people heading East to witness the view amongst the clouds. On a normal day, the queue lining up for a few photos taken at this ravishing gate can take up at least three hours of our day.
However, because of the pandemic and the drastic decrease in the number of tourists, I and my partner were among the few visitors at this attraction that day.
It was an amazing experience. When there is little intruding noise, you are able to truly appreciate the charm of this temple and comprehend why it has earned its name ‘the gateway to heaven.’ I never thought I would be able to live through such a divine moment, especially when this temple is on many people’s bucket lists, mine included. Standing under the gate overlooking the mountain hidden behind the fog, I felt truly blessed.
The gifts we gave our beloved
The birthdays of me and my partner occurred during the time we spent in Bali and we happened to have different celebrations for each other in mind.
For my birthday in February, we visited a resort called Komaneka at Keramas Beach. Keramas is a black-sand beach on Bali’s eastern coast in Gianyar, overlooking the Indian Ocean and the neighboring island of Nusa Penida, as well as the broad rice fields and the holy volcano Mount Agung.
While it was a challenge to find a beachside resort this time of year, my partner gave me a huge surprise booking this wonderful location. We were their only guests at the time so it felt secluded and personal. We received fantastic service and got to spend quality time with each other. At that moment, I might as well be the luckiest and happiest person in the world, to be exactly where I needed to be.
Then came my partner’s birthday. Catering and hospitality businesses during this time were allowed to open in moderation. However, under such a unique circumstance, it did take much effort for me to give him as much of a surprise he had given me. Eventually, I was able to reserve two seats at the same table in the same restaurant where we first met years ago.
It was a true luxury to find ourselves years later in the same spot, reminiscing what we had gone through together, how we had grown, and how we have enriched each other’s lives, and be in one another’s presence, leaving words unsaid but inherently understood. In the words of the world-famous fashion designer, we experienced the most luxurious:
“Time and silence are the most luxurious things today. – Tom Ford”
Those were the highlights of my eight months in Bali. This pandemic though has brought about disruption to countless lives has forced us to slow down and enjoy the moment while it lasts. It certainly has had a huge influence on me and let me rethink my past, respect my presence, and reshape my future. It is true what they say, where you end up might not be what you imagined but is precisely what you need.
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