Bali: a quick introduction

If you are looking for a soul refreshment, Bali is the right place for you! Between waterfalls, monkeys and amazing food, Bali is the best place to reconnect with your true self! Ok, you might argue that it has become a bit too touristy in the last few years, but with the right tricks, you will be able to full immerse tourself into a magic environment.

My partner and I went to Bali the first 2 weeks of September and, depsite almost at the beginning of the rain season, the weather was absolutely HOT! A couple of days of intermittent rain made, actually, the whole experience even more enjoyable! I assure you that we came back to Dublin as two new women, physically (yes, we were actually tan!) and emotionally: the love Bali and its people showed us is something I have never seen anywhere else and that for sure I will not forget.

(Photos by Stefania Del Sette)

Let’s start saying that the island showes itself as absolutely LGBTQ friendly. I have to admit that, being Indonesia itlsef not properly gay friendly (and actually gay marriage not being recognised in the area), we were a bit scared initially of the attitute people might have had seeing me and my partner hugging or, God forbid, kissing. But Balinese people showed themselves to be more than happy to simply celebrate love in all of its shades! One of the things that one of our hosts said was: “As long as you are happy, there is nothing wrong! If you do good actions, you will receive good, that is the only thing that matters!”.

A couple of Balinese were a bit shocked when we said that we are partners and not sisters, but we forgave them pretty quickly, especially after we were given amazing food immediatly after!

What about the food? It is absolutely amazing! Let me go into stereothypes and give me the opportunity to say that, as any Italians, I am absessed with food and I have not been disappointed in Bali. Being my partner vegatarian, we looked for “warung” (traditional food vendors) with also veg-based food and everything was absolutely delicious. Fried noodles, fried rice and tofu, eggs with every kind of amazing and homemade sauce. In the Northern area of the Island we also ate mainly onions and tomatoes that were growing in front of us and the difference between what can be found in Dublin was incredible.

And what about the coffee? Once again, my Italian spirit emerged and… The coffee made from Luwaks’ feces is expensive, yet something I would happily drink in the morning before going to work. Or maybe in Bali again, enjoying the good weather and the food while on holiday!

To have tips about our itinerary, stay tuned and read the next post: There will be tricks about how to survive hungry monkeys and also a night hike to the top of a volcano!