Basia Dudziak on… discovering the ‘real’ Bali

Basia Dudziak, former key account manager at cievents and 2018 inVOYAGER, is currently taking time out to travel the world and tick off her bucket list. And she’s sharing her amazing journey with us through her travel blog – Miss B Around The World. In her second instalment, she goes off the beaten track to discover the ‘real’ Bali…

“Indonesia was the first country on my Asian voyage and to ease myself in gently I started with the much-acclaimed island of Bali to see for myself what the whole fuss is all about.

‘Welcome to the real Bali’, I am welcomed by the gracious host wearing a traditional sarong and a huge grin, whilst shown into my home for the next days on the magical island. And what a home it is… I am instantly struck by the idyllic serenity and beauty of this oasis amongst the sea of greenery. 

Flying in paradise 

Here’s the thing… Love it or hate it, Bali has become a victim of its own success for a reason. Some call it a magnet for booze fuelled young, ‘bold and beautiful’ blond surfers who flock there from the neighbouring continent… Or just those booze fuelled ones… minus all the afore mentioned attributes. Others mock those over-inspired and apparently ‘seriously lost’ vegan yoga and meditation enthusiasts who gravitate  there to ‘find themselves’. Looking at you Julia Roberts, you and ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ are to blame for that!

However, what I discovered is that within few minutes from both of those centres of gravity for mass tourism, you are bound to gasp over the beauty, peace and tranquillity you inevitably will encounter…I promise! 

Ubud, the green heart of Bali, was my base to explore the rest of the island. Perhaps it has become a little too popular for some people’s liking, but it certainly does possess an undeniable charm and a laid-back atmosphere, despite the ever-present swarm of scooters. Hop on a bike and drive five minutes in any direction to find lush rice fields and incredible nature where you can happily tuck yourself away to spend the night to the sounds of geckoes. (On that note; a sound of nature alert: it might be a sleepless first night as the characteristic noise that you will soon come to recognise seems to be coming from something much larger than a little lizard, and as true Balinese homes are an open concept, especially the bathrooms.. you do become one with nature…just embrace it.)

Exploring the island

Hiring a scooter is the key to your total freedom and happiness on the island. After all it is much bigger than you expect! You can warm yourself up by visiting some of the more accessible sites on well-trodden paths, like the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, the holy temple of Tirta Gangga or just down the road, the Monkey Forest, infamous for its slightly mischievous jewellery and phone snatching inhabitants. 

You will then feel brave enough to take on a few-day loop around the parts of the island…and that’s where the real fun starts… Go and discover, take the  jungle paths (Btw thanks Google maps for this unexpected jungle so-called ‘shortcut’), get lost and found again and carry on for miles without a sign of other tourists. You didn’t think that was still possible in Bali? Just get off the beaten path and explore! 

The choice of accommodation in Bali is fantastic, from luxury to those more budget friendly options. Yet again, best stories and finds happen when you dare to get lost. For instance, when following a dirt path around the lake Batur at the foot of the mount Batur, an active volcano, I stumbled across a bunch of cosy bamboo huts with its own hot springs pool overlooking the lake… a soothing soak for the legs still sore from a pre-dawn volcano trek the night before, overlooking a scenic lake nestled in between the mountains with the obligatory local refreshment of cold Bintang… Bliss! 

You stumble across the best places when you get lost! You will also find that the Balinese  are some of the friendliest and kindest people you’ll ever meet. Making an effort to greet them in their language and, where possible, have a conversation will enrich your experience incomparably.

There is no such thing as enough time on Bali, but the neighbouring islands were calling my name too, so the trip to the Nusa Penida, Gili Islands and Lombok were on the cards… Sadly I had to say goodbye yo Bali… Until the next time. 

Now I understand why you would be hard pressed not to fall for this magical island and its people from the first sight… So, as well as seeing all the Instagram worthy temples, sunsets and beaches, make sure to discover the REAL Bali, with its green heart bathed in the cascades of luscious rice field and more remote jungle shortcuts. You won’t be disappointed!”