Bali, Indonesia
October 27, 2014
I guess this was it then really. After volunteering for another 9 weeks at the animal shelter in Langkawi I wanted a month relaxing some where. Originally I wanted to head back to Koh Lipe and the Thai islands however the boats from Langkawi did not start running until mid October. About 2 weeks after my Visa was due to run out so I decided on a return to Bali instead.
A lot of people I have spoke with still don’t seem that keen on Bali. It’s too touristy….or it’s over hyped are generally the terms I hear when I mention the place but to me it’s still an amazing place to visit. Yes it’s more popular now than ever before but it still has that lovely slow beat that plays out wherever you go with some of the warmest people I have ever had the pleasure to meet.
My four weeks there were totally dedicated to relaxing and enjoying life. After a week in Sanur I headed to Lembongan island for 10 days and lazed about like a beach bum. Pretty much every day spent at ‘Secret Beach’. A place you can relax on all day without seeing another single soul. Beautiful crystal clear waters and an un-spoilt stretch of sand that you only ever see on postcards and dream of. It really was the life. I had my regular spot for a beer at sunset, accompanied by Nyoman a local guy who came and sat with me most nights. I knew this trip to Bali would be an easy one compared to when me and Dani were here in March and we toured the island on a bike. This time it was all about settling into local life. Meeting locals you could get to know a little more and just enjoying the simple things that each day brought. I’m not a one to usually bum around on a beach all day but in between reading several books I sat and enjoyed each moment, each sunset each little encounter and conversation I had. Plenty of time to sit back and take in the trip I have had for the past year and to pull all my thoughts together, into perspective.
After Lembongan I returned to Sanur for the rest of the month. Enjoying the good places to eat that are tucked out of the way. Enjoying the daily chats with the ladies who run their shops at the beach side. Eventually they stop trying to sell you their wares and you just sit and enjoy a conversation with them. This really was a great month of therapy for the soul. A nice reminder towards the end of my trip about all that is good. All that I now desire. I want more sunsets and beautiful food and conversation each day and this month in Bali has made me more determined than ever before to go out and experience more of this.
After a while it no longer feels as if you are traveling. I have spent the past 11 months in Asia now and it feels more as if it has been by home than a place I have traveled around and that’s a nice feeling. To feel that you are part of daily life somewhere randomly in the world. Eventually though the days in Bali slipped by. The countdown to flying out of Bali almost became some sort of doomsday event. I don’t really want to leave but I know I must. With my flights to Amsterdam all booked I eventually dragged myself away from Asia for the last time during this trip and headed off for pastures new in Europe before eventually heading back to England. It’s been hard to drag myself away but I have no complaints or regrets whatsoever. Asia has been amazing to me and I know I will return again some day.
