Touring Bali
Indonesia is a country integrated by thousands of volcanic islands, the country belongs to Asia and Oceania and it is the fourth most crowded country in the world. My destination was Bali, an island known for its volcanic mountains, high jungle, spectacular beaches and reefs, temples, and their famous terraced rice fields.
Puri Saren Agung Temple
Photography: Jorge Richaud
To get to Bali, I had to travel to Denpasar, the capital city of Bali. Upon landing in the most populated city on the island, I felt that the weather was hot, humid, and very windy; From there, I went to Ubud “Bali Jungle,” a city that is located in the heights of Bali.
The weather there is mild and the place has an spectacular rainforest with mountains; It is actually one of the most famous landscapes in Indonesia.
Hotel Royal Pita Maha
Photography: Jorge Richaud
As I walked through the narrow streets of Ubud, I felt calm; the citizens are extremely friendly, helpful, and cheerful, I am sure this is because of their religion.
Their day begins with a prayer; they have several deities, to whom they offer gifts every time they pray. The gifts are usually flowers.
Temples are very important, they can be found everywhere: in houses, restaurants, hotels, among many other places.
Flora Bali
Photography: Jorge Richaud
People also care and respect nature. Walking around the island I saw a lot of trees, many of them were very familiar; the Frangipani (Plumeria rubra L.), the Flamboyant (Delonix regia), the Rosy Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia Rosea), the Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) and the Ficus tree (Ficus Benjamina).
Finding these trees made me think that the vegetation in Bali is the same as the vegetation in the city of Merida.
I was struck by the variety of colors in the flowers, especially in the flowers of the Frangipani, they were white, purple, pink, among many other colors, which blossom all year.
The tree that impressed me most was a great Ficus tree with spectacular vines. As for wildlife, monkeys and insects are everywhere, especially spiders of all sizes. The local people ask not to kill the animals as they are an essential part of the ecosystem.
“The island has many trees, so there is always shade in the streets.”
Flor del árbol Flamboyan
Monkey
The hotel where I stayed, is located on top of a mountain and has temples dedicated to the goddess of water; It is a space of great respect, people actually has to talk with a low voice there.
You can enter the water bodies, but you must cover your legs with a sarong (piece of fabric that goes from the waist to the heels).
Holy Pool – Royal Pita Maha
Photography: Jorge Richaud
Other places I visited in Ubud were the Pura Taman Saraswati temple, also known as the Ubud Water Palace; which is extremely remarkable for its pond with lotus flowers; and the famous rice paddies of Tegalalang (rice plantations on terraces located on a big slope).
My trip to Bali was an unforgettable experience, the landscapes are unique, and the people are friendly; It is an island full of culture and tradition.
Tegalalang rice terrace
Photography: Jorge Richaud
