Islander📝｜Adapting to Life in Bali: My Personal Journey and Tips
– I feel like I’m still adjusting to the rhythms of Bali. Everything here seems to be in a state of gradual unfolding. After landing, I navigated through visa processing, customs, and even managed to get a SIM card. I then connected with the pick-up service, and we set off through Denpasar, eventually reaching Gianyar.
The one-hour drive was a feast for the senses: the balmy weather, the fragrant frangipani flowers, the towering coconut trees, the temples dotting the landscape, the serene statues by the roadside, the vibrant and intricately designed buildings, and the seemingly chaotic yet efficient traffic of motorbikes and cars on the narrow roads.
My driver, a young man, was small in stature but full of energy. By the time we reached the hotel area, it was already dark, and the entrance sign was nearly invisible. He quickly asked a local for directions and only left after ensuring I was safely at the door. The experience of observing local life from the car window and being guided through an unfamiliar place was both new and comforting.
So, with a grateful heart, I gave him some RMB as a tip, a gesture that seemed to surprise him.
– On my first night, I stayed at Paisa Ubud, just 400 meters from the Hom Mansion campus. The locals I encountered were all incredibly friendly. At around 6 o’clock, I felt a bit disoriented when I opened the curtains. The sunlight illuminated my puffy face, and I realized I had arrived with a mix of worries and anxieties. It felt surprisingly good. I closed the curtains and drifted back to sleep, feeling a sense of peace wash over me.
– Canang
After waking up, I ventured out to explore the nearby area and was immediately drawn to the small flower squares placed in the middle of the walkway. I asked the hotel staff, and they told me these are called “Canang.” I learned the spelling, and a quick search revealed that Canang is a traditional offering used for daily prayers, consisting of a small basket made of woven coconut leaves, filled with flowers, incense, and rice.
From that moment on, I noticed Canang almost every ten steps. They are so common and casually placed everywhere—on the ground, on beams, on sculptures—that you can’t help but feel the deep devotion of the locals to their deities. And because they are so beautifully crafted, it shows that even in simple lives, there is a meticulous care and attention to detail.
– Is Bali suffering from “neo-colonialism”?
Amidst the local shops and temples, trendy cafes and restaurants have sprung up. The lush greenery and native wildlife create a spiritual retreat that feels worlds away from the city. However, these places rarely see locals. My understanding of relaxation must be too narrow. Here, I am enjoying and feeling peaceful, continuously recharging my energy. The family of three, like deities, also enjoy and feel peaceful, continuously recharging their energy.
