Bali – An Endearing Sea
The plane races across the sky, passing the East China Sea and the South China Sea, to arrive at Bali deep in the Indian Ocean. “Island of Gods,” “Island of Demons,” “Island of Romance,” “Island of Beauty,” “Island of Paradise,” “Island of Magic,” “Island of Flowers” — over five thousand square kilometers of land, two million eight hundred thousand people, a mild and rainy climate, richly fertile soil, green hills and clear waters all year round, and countless blossoms everywhere. From the plane you overlook Bali's highest peak, blessed by the gods they believe in and under nature's special favour, crossing mountain ranges and oceans to reach this equatorial islet covered with frangipani of every hue. Blue sky, turquoise sea, golden sand, green islands, white waves, red blossoms — I gaze with longing at beautiful Bali, at the endless sun-drenched beaches, in this faraway country of the southern hemisphere where exotic starry skies and the Indian Ocean's lovely shore meet ancient, enchanting local culture. The sea breeze caresses, the sky is high and clouds light. Bali — a dreamlike paradise, a fairytale world! The splendid natural scenery of the southern hemisphere, the dazzle of sunshine and beaches, the boundless charm of tropical island life, making every moment eternal. Slowly, unhurriedly, the island writes its own lasting story. Mysterious temples are everywhere, worshippers smile gently and courteously; Balinese people, innately lovers of flowers, adorn everything with blossoms. They decorate statues of gods with tropical flowers, letting the originally solemn religion float in a delicate floral fragrance. Beneath your feet, clouds drift softly; above, a deep blue dome; below, waves roll and surge. Bathed in the warm Indian Ocean breeze, you bid farewell to the southern hemisphere sunset as it slowly takes its curtain call, and to a sky aflame with magnificent evening clouds. Aboard a boat, you gaze at the mountains; in the distance, Mount Agung rises majestic and awe-inspiring. Admire the unbelievable coral formations and wondrous underwater landscapes. The sea transforms into milky white, pale green, deep blue, spreading wave after wave to the horizon. At sea, “parachutes” shoot into the air, speedboats charge ahead, banana boats cut through the waves, jet skis dart back and forth, and “flying fish” leap from the water, soar into the air, plunge suddenly into the sea, raising sprays of white foam, only to race forward on waves again, fly up, drop, over and over. “Butterflies worry they cannot fly over; mandarin ducks splash water in pairs.” Lovers of different skin colours and languages swim and frolic in the sea. The Indian Ocean, with its boundless, majestic embrace, holds the dazzling sunset and the magical sea-sky of shifting colours, making me feel as if deities have descended. This is a place meant for meditation — sit quietly, smile, face the sea. The wind blows my sail, the boat sways with the breeze; outside the window, it's like an ocean, vast without end. Everywhere, deep blue meets snowy white; you can't tell if it's clouds drifting on the sea or a sea of clouds. The marvellous sight fills the heart with joy. Elegant courtyards hidden in coconut groves, lush pastoral hills, golden beaches and azure seas. With soft music in the air, sip a specially blended fruit-flower tea, tenderly embrace the ocean. The sand is fine and firm, leaving shallow footprints that waves gently smooth over, leaving a flawless mirror-like surface. The forest resort hotel by the bay nestles in rainforest freshened by new rain; the air is thick with the scent of the sea and jungle. Bali — heaven's favoured one — makes this flower island daily brim with warm and beautiful love. Shady lanes, thatched pavilions, garden pools, open-air baths: here you feel you are on an isle where immortals dwell. People from every corner of the world suddenly lose all sense of unfamiliarity with one another. The sound of the sea remains as ever; guitars accompany songs in many languages, mingling with the aroma of candlelit barbecue dinners, drifting together in the night breeze. In the evening, a gentle breeze blows, coconut palms sway, revealing the island's charm. The vast blue sea stretches endlessly; waves roll one after another. On uneven balconies, bright bougainvillea in crimson, purple, and magenta instantly brighten my mood. The sea merges with the distant sky; Bali is all springtime. Sea breeze blows, pools encircle. Jimbaran Beach — God's lost perfection, beautiful and romantic, with wide sea and blue sky, and fine, soft white sand. Stroll along the golden shore, gaze at the boundless ocean. Sometimes soft waves lap the shore, sometimes it's a perfect mirror; the sound of waves draws near, sea breeze and swell come wave after wave. Once this was a tiny fishing village, home to the island's most unspoiled villagers. As dusk descends, watching the sunset, a small wooden boat in the distance becomes the most dynamic and warm silhouette in our field of vision. Night comes: a lavish candlelit seafood feast on the shore, singers crooning lovely songs, a long-forgotten ease and comfort. The beautiful starry sky above the beach tells stories of constellations. Immersed in this dreamlike scene, listening to songs from different lands, savouring a candlelit dinner, the scent of barbecue drifts lazily, light wisps of smoke curl up — a serene and cosy world. One touching moment after another in the night sky of the southern hemisphere, so beautiful. Ubud Palace, richly antique charm, a grand garden bursting with flowers, magnificent palace halls, uniquely designed gates, delicate hand carvings and opulent gold-leaf decorations. History's passage shows on these time-worn sculptures and gilded colonnades. Wonderful performances of dances full of Balinese character, like the welcome dance and masked dance, everywhere highlighting history and the nobility and distinctiveness of the palace. Tanah Lot — Bali's most sacred and spectacular temple — sits on a huge rock by the sea, with cliffs jaggedly jutting into the ocean, as the deep blue Indian Ocean waves crash fiercely. Built in the 16th century, this most important seaside temple: at high tide, the rock is surrounded by water, the temple isolated from land, standing alone in the sea like a castle on water; at low tide, it is linked to the shore again. In a small cave at the foot of the giant rock lives a sea snake, said to be the temple's guardian. A touching legend is told of Tanah Lot: just as the temple was completed, a huge wave threatened to destroy it; a monk took off his sash and threw it into the sea, whereupon it turned into two sea snakes that subdued the storm. Since then, sea snakes have become the temple's guardians. From a small pavilion on the opposite bank you can watch the sunset, making it one of Bali's great sacred sights. Gaze at the distant sea, waves rushing to the shore, sending out a pleasing sound. Tanah Lot — a crown above the sea. Tirta Empul, one of the famous temples on the “island of a thousand temples,” is built around a holy spring. The spring water rises from a pool; many islanders come here to fetch holy water for offerings at home. The stone shrines are already covered with moss, yet the spring still gushes as in days of old. Bone and ivory carvings, shell ornaments, all draw attention. The sight of the holy spring emerging from the ground is very moving: the stone-lined pool has a black sand bottom; at the spring's eye, water surges and sand dances, like a huge black peony blooming in clear water reflecting blue sky and green trees. It is said that this holy spring is always limpid, drawing devout men and women from everywhere to pay homage and bathe. Kuta Beach, the most beautiful coastline on Bali, flat and white-sanded, with strong winds and high waves — a paradise for surfing and boarding. Water scooters, banana boats, parasailing — an unforgettable, carefree seaside holiday. Waves are gentle yet forceful; the beach is firm and flat, with a clear boundary between beach and sand, the sand broad and thick, fine and warm… Paddle a canoe out to where the waves are roughest, only then can you appreciate the far-reaching blue sky and the vastness of the blue sea. A thousand charms. Put on a wetsuit and fins, don a diving mask and tank, and explore this colourful wondrous underwater world. See magnificent coral walls, canyons, grey reef sharks, eagle rays, barracudas, and feel the incredible uniqueness beneath the sea. The “cultural heart” of Bali, special cuisine, ancient palaces, traditional markets, handicrafts, art, dance, the simple life of island people — all spirit and soul converge here. Mandarin oranges, bananas, coffee, coconuts, cockfighting — customs of the villagers here. Twinkling lights on the beach, melodious music filling the air, gaze at the sea merging with the sky and at the lamps glowing in the distance, make a beautiful wish under a foreign starry sky, wish to treasure every star in the Bali night sky in your heart. Gentle breezes, swaying coconut silhouettes, white sand and warm sunshine paint a tropical landscape of mountain and sea. Speed across the broad ocean, gallop through the blue world; under the brilliant sunlight, the seawater is so clear. Dive to the seabed, explore a wonderful underwater world, feel the beauty of the deep ocean. Step onto the fine white sand, with a soft breeze brushing your face; all worldly worries drift away with the wind. Unending beaches, crystal clear seawater, azure sky, pure white clouds — every brilliant moment of the journey is stored in the memory of life. Bathe in the breeze and fragrance of flowers, let time stand still, wake refreshed in the early morning to embrace this sunshine and beach. That leisurely elegance also seeps into the heart like fresh air. So many love stories of men and women are left behind, so many sunsets and rosy clouds. A crisp, refreshing breeze, wafts of flower scent. “Walk to where the waters end, sit and watch the clouds rise.” Islands as numerous as stars, like a string of warm jadeites scattered by heaven upon the mortal world. Lush rainforest islands, endless beaches trace a golden coastline. As the sun slants westward, through mangrove leaves and tassels of flowers, fine wine and bikini-clad figures create a mosaic of dappled shadows. After nightfall, coloured lights one after another come aglow; watch tides ebb and flow, feel time's long and short. The dawn light eventually breaks; the sea is pure deep blue, the sky limpid and azure. Bali — where my heart longs to be.
