Ah, the first week of “spring” semester. A time for new textbooks, lots of outerwear, and even more Winter Break nostalgia. Read all about BC student Poonam’s thrilling trip to Bali:
It took me 20 days, 8 flights, 5 time-zones and travelling half way across the globe to realize that culture isn’t just locked up within the walls of museums, having fun doesn’t always mean staying up all night partying with friends, and looking good doesn’t always have to be perfectly blown out hair
Here’s to one of the craziest roller coaster rides of my life. Despite being the travelling buff that I am, I never really thought I would enjoy living in and out of suitcases and lunching around mosquitos this much. I’m going to skip through all the boring and not so relevant parts and get straight to the not-so-peaceful ‘Island of Peace’- Bali.
I got out of the aircraft expecting to see a city with historic architecture, meditation centers, spas, lots of sand, and every thing else Julia Roberts showed us there would be. Instead, I landed in the city of traffic, traffic, traffic, lots of motorbikes, loud music, an insane amount of Polo Ralph Lauren showrooms, and lots of hotels. But I guess they say don’t judge a book by its cover for a reason. I would’ve never thought that an island that looked this amusing on the outside would be so calming and cultured on the inside. Every inch of the island has its own vibe, its own outlook, and its own culture.
There was a spa for every bar, a temple for each hotel, and a beach for every shopping market. So, if you’re ever longing for a vacation with just the right amount of eat, pray, and love, here’s a list of my favorite parts of this out-of-this-world island.
1) Rock Bar: One of the most popular sunset spots in the city — a unique rock formation at a secluded limestone cliff. It has just the right amount of both calm and crazy.
2) Batuan Temple: Ideal if you’re looking for a bit of calm amidst the chaos. It’s the embodiment of beauty and heritage all over.
3) Jimbaran: All I’m going to say about this spot is: ‘sea food, sea food, sea food’. If you’re one of those foodies like me who’s on a ‘see-food’ diet, then Jimbaran is just the place for you.
4) Kutta: To bring out the crazy in you. At this spot, you can shop, eat, drink, party, and, above all, be yourself.
5) Ubud Palace: Home to all the culture and heritage of Bali, the daily traditional dances and breathtaking architecture that characterize this spot will make you want to go back in time and experience all the stories for yourself.