LEFT: Perched upon a narrow mountain top, this Balinese village combines modern and traditional lifestyles. BELOW: Balinese men meditate as the sunrises off the coast of Sanur.
shards of red and orange streaking the sky in the background. But soon after, the clouds quickly regrouped and drew the curtains on the magnificent sight, hiding the majestic mountain from my sight. I stood transfixed, wondering whether the grandiose 1,717-metre spectacle was just a figment of my imagination. I moved away from the show that seemed to have been put on just for me and wandered to a nearby food stall. A kind woman manning the stall sold me a meal for a measly IDR5,000. I didn’t expect much for that kind of money, but soon after, the warmest meal I’ve ever had in Indonesia appeared before me. Rice, green vegetables, meat and a sprinkle of peanuts appeared in an elegant bowl and was placed in front of me. “Today is such an incredible day,” I whispered out loud. For the next hour or so, I drove across ledges overlooking valleys warmed by the rising sun, the light diffused by the morning mist. I saw school children running down the side of the road, laughing and playing. I passed villages in the sky, precariously perched on narrow steep hills. I slowed down around narrow mountain roads, devoid of railings, chevron indicators, or shoulders, drinking in the beauty of the stunning landscape and the simple, honest people who call Bali home. They say it’s the journey, not the destination that stays etched in your memory forever. As I made my way to Singaraja, I didn’t want my journey to ever end. I wanted this memory and my journey to last a lifetime. GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Bali from various destinations. Go to www.airasia.com for details.
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