Beauties of Bali

Maybe I wasn't ever meant to leave, or possibly it wasn't my time to leave. The things we never know, but life's throws things our way that makes us believe that its a sign we must follow. Does that mean all my complications with fligh schedules, the wounds covering my feet and making it hard for me to walk our really just obstacles getting in my way? Trying their hardest to make me stay? Well either way I had to leave Bali, priorities take over and what's right to do must be done. Though from the moment I landed I had an unbelievable experience filled with surprises and never ending amounts of appreciation. I had the pleasure of joining my childhood best friend and her friends in Kuta beach. It's wonderful being able to experience another moment with a friend who I haven't seen in years, it really goes to show how even with time friendships don't change and the appreciation and love for another can withstand time. Shortly after that fun adventure I boarded a motorcycle to cruise the east coast of Bali. Heading all the way up to a quiet diving town called Amed, my friend and I stumbled into a secluded hotel only inhabited by a another couple and the people that work there. The term relaxation had been taken to a whole new level. I lost myself under the stars, for it had felt like I hadn't payed them a visit in some time. I swam in the lightly dimmed pool, tranced by the sound of the waves and the gleam of the stars. That feeling when you smile to yourself, throw your head back with joy and laugh, for you realize how damn beautiful life is. The next morning a cruz around the coast woke me right up. Deserted hotels, small quiet villages, and beaches stretching for miles was all that was to be seen.
On the road again, the next destination Kintamani, where huge mountainous volcanoes can been seen and hiked in the early am just in time for sunrise. That evening around dusk we decided to explore the small village surrounding the volcano that we'd be climbing in the morning. Well to our surprise we were welcomed with open arms into lovely company and hospitality. A game of footy (soccer) and Indonesian language lessons by sweet village children, Balinese coffee in a small art studio, and a simple meal. These were the things that reminded me of the simple joys in life. The smiles on the kids faces when they saw us, how funny they were as they ran in front of me, begging for another picture. Im sure I learned at least fifty words that evening, though my vocabulary still only consists of about ten. Around four am we rose to the cool night with only small flashlights to guide our path ahead as we scaled Mt. Batur. We were close to the top when I found myself gasping for breath and realizing how out of shape I had become, either way I had the strong gustto pull myself together and instill a morsel of strength. Once we reached the top and the break of the sun was visible from the horizon, a hot cup of coffee in my hand, climbing for two hours seemed like nothing. Sadly only part of the sunrise was visible because the misty fog and low clouds ended up obstructing our view. Though what was visible was breathtaking, and the slow walk down also continued to shine its abundance of colors and textures upon us. From then on the third destination was ahead of us. The final destination in Ubud was wonderful, and the culture and art is really something amazing to see, but it was the journey there that I believe was truly the best part of the third adventure. Winding up an down mountains, being heated by the sun then spat out into the misty fog of the mountains was a trip. The lush forest and the tropical breeze felt refreshing and like a breathe of fresh air. Stopping here and there when something would catch our eyes, may it be a viewpoint or a widespread rice patty. We cruzed along with our eyes wide open, occasional oh's and ah's exchanged. The lush of the surrounding forests and the mountains rising and falling all around were breathtaking.
The true adventure lays in the journey and how many times I threw my head back and closed my eyes,
I truly felt the beauty of the journey.
The next few days were spent along the ocean, gazing into the distance and witnessing surfers shred the waves. Heading all the way down to Uluwatu was wonderful, how simple and joyfully it felt to sit around in pure bliss. The colors of the ocean were unbelievable and the large waves crashing all around left me in awe. The best part of this small trip was the delicious ocean side lunch that was prepared before my eyes. Fresh caught fish and sautéed veggies never tasted so good.
Bali is truly a beautiful place, and I can easily see myself moving there one day and spending a few months working and living. The culture and the amazing people were the reasons I fell so in love with Indonesia. There's no need to complicate our lives saying we can't do this or that. Assuming its so difficult to pick up and head somewhere else. For we are home, you take thy everywhere you go. Home lies within and the beauties of the world just make it grow.