Bali - Island of the Gods!

Bali, Island of the Gods.

The sheer beauty of nature and the warmth of its people is what creates this harmonious and spiritual feeling one gets when in Bali! High in the cool mountains of the interior of Bali, Ubud will charm you with its serenity and cultural attractions. There is something of a spiritual air about Ubud. Perhaps this is why Yoga and Meditation are two popular practices here. It is also a major arts and crafts center with many artists’ workshops and galleries to be found throughout town. Heading  northbound through the hills and mountains,  weaving through the terraced rice fields, stopping at coffee plantations and temples on the way, we reach the tranquil setting of Lovina, located on Bali’s northern shores. The beach stretches for eight miles, dotted with small villages and black volcanic sand. We continue our journey westward reaching Menjangan Island. This island is situated in the protected marine reserve of the Bali Barat National Park. The island is surrounded by hectares of beautiful coral reef gardens with a very diverse eco biology, which makes it a favorite destination for snorkelers and divers. The island's most well-known dive site is the USAT Liberty wreck, which lies just 80 feet from the shore. We visited temples everywhere. Most impressive were Ulan Danu Bratan and Tanah Lot. Ulun Danu Bratan Temple is found on the shores of Lake Bratan in the mountains near Bedugul.  The temple was built in 1926 and is dedicated to Dewi Batari Ulun Danu, goddess of lakes and rivers. Tanah Lot Temple is the most famous of Bali’s temples and means “Land in the Middle of the sea”.  The temple sits just off the coast on a rock, which is quite spectacular. The temple at sunset and provides amazing photos. I also enjoyed savoring the spices and flavors of the local food and exotic fruits. The beaches of Jimbaran Bay and Kuta are perfect for honeymooners looking for a relaxing experience. A quintessential tropical paradise- Bali!