On My List – Bali
I’ve been meaning to make a list of “dream trips” to include on here to figure out the top places I want to visit. Instead of just putting up a list I thought it would be nice to write a little more about each destination and why I really want to go there. I think I’ll include them together in their own page once I’ve written about them (I’ll try to limit it to 10 or so). Hopefully then, as I continue to cross places off the list, I can compare my trip to my expectations. I think that will be fun!
So, I thought I would write about Bali first. I’ve been intrigued by this Indonesian island for a long time now. It all started with this photo:
It’s a plunge pool (or some kind of water feature) at the Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay. I saw this picture years ago on some website and decided I wanted to go to Bali. Even though it was just a resort picture, the architecture It seemed to be so exotic and far off, so different from anywhere else.
I still feel this way, but as I learn more about the island I continue to find new reasons to want to go there.
Bali is a small island in the archipelago of Indonesia. Just south of the equator, it’s a volcanic island surrounded by coral reefs. It’s largest industry is tourism, with agriculture (especially rice cultivation) also very important.
So why do I want to visit Bali?
The Balinese culture sounds so interesting. The island is nearly all Balinese Hindu, a minority in mostly Muslim Indonesia. Bali is famous for its art of many forms, including paintings, handicrafts, and performance arts. Balinese dances look amazing, with choreography down to the fingertips and eyeballs. There are also many beautiful celebrations and rituals throughout everyday life in Balinese culture. There are interesting-looking temples throughout the island.
There is something just, well, exotic about Bali. It’s far away from here. I don’t know anyone (in real life) who’s been there before. There are beautiful beaches and rolling rice patties, Hindu temples and religious shrines. The Balinese Hinduism seems to encompass so many aspects of life there that ritual and tradition are found everywhere, surely creating an exotic setting for any visitor.
It also seems like a good combination of scenery and culture. A trip to Bali would have to include some nice laying on the beach and snorkeling time. But, at least as I envision it, there are also plenty of opportunity to see traditional performances and visit shrines and temples.
So why haven’t I gotten there yet? The main reason is it will be a long and expensive flight. I don’t want to know how many stops it would take to get there from Pittsburgh, or how many hours flight time. I would probably want to combine a stay in Bali with a visit to other places in the region, and that’s just not possible with 3 weeks of vacation.
It is starting to sound like Bali is becoming more and more popular with Western tourists. Apparently it’s also a popular international conference spot. All the more reason for me to get there sooner.
A couple more random tidbits about Bali: Anthony Bourdain almost decided to stay there permanently on an episode of No Reservations (or at least that’s how they staged the episode), and Bali is where Elizabeth Gilbert met her Brazilian husband in Eat Pray Love. 
That fact alone was enough to get Roberto to read it. In English.
While it’s kind of hard to write about a place I’ve never been to, it’s fun to think about why I want to go there and organize my thoughts about those “I’ve always wanted to visit!!!” places. I’ll continue to write similar posts about other places “on my list” in the future.