Traveling to Bali can be a little challenging for first time visitors. Questions arise such as “where should we stay and what should we add to our itinerary?” I first have to ask, “what is your travel style?” Do you want to lay by the pool and relax or do you want to immerse yourself in Bali’s distinctive culture? Maybe you want to do both. After 25 visits to this magical island Marla and I have our ideas for visiting this fascinating island. On this post I’ll take you off the beaten path and show you images of Bali’s unique side. The image above is a woman coming back from the Ubud market on the “Campuhan Ridge Walk.

The impossibly green Campuhan Ridge walk with rivers on both sides.

A man cuts grass by the trail.

A mother and daughter near Keliki Village just off the Campuhan Ridge Trail.

Marla greets a man near an artist studio on the Ridge Trail.

Marla walks her bike up a steep pitch on a rural countryside path near Tanggayuda.

The black and white fabric at this shrine is seen throughout Bali and is called ”saput poleng.” It symbolizes the philosophy of balance and harmony. When you find a tree wrapped in this cloth it means a spirit resides within. The cloth keeps the spirit and energy inside and protects people from being disturbed by the spirit.

Ducks are used to fertilize rice fields.

A worker tends to a terraced rice field.

A market in a small village near Tanggayuda.

We were invited for refreshments at a family compound of an employee of Komaneka at Tanggayuda Hotel. We were on a bike tour in the country.

Marla and I took a tour of the countryside while staying at the Kayon Resort outside of Ubud.

A woman carries some Durian fruit. A prominent culinary writer, Richard Sterling, characterized it as “turpentine with onions, garnished with a gym sock” Some hotels have signs saying…”No Durian.” 

Washing clothes in an irrigation canal.

School girls taking a break from class in a rural village.

Putting finishing touches on a ”Ogoh-ogoh” demon for “Nyepi”, the Balinese New Year. Click on this link for more information on “Nyepi.” Marla and I have planned 6 of our trips to coordinate with the Balinese New Year celebrations. There is nothing like it in the entire world.

Ogoh-ogoh demons at a Nyepi New Year’s ceremony in Ubud.

Nyepi parade in Ubud.

Click on my YouTube video for the unique sights and sounds of the parade.

Marla and I are right in the parade action.

Dancers perform at the Uluwatu temple.

Click on my YouTube video below to see what the experience is like.

A monkey enjoys the sunset.

World famous surf breaks below the Uluwatu temple.

Early morning in the Ubud market.

A magnificent sunrise and a singular fisherman in Sanur, Bali.

I hope you enjoyed this Bali tour. I love this sunset at the Samaya Resort in Seminyak. Being textile people Marla and I both love shirts from the Balinese designer, Paul Ropp.

I will post on my favorite places to stay in Bali in the future.

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.