Escaping the Ordinary: Sathishkumar’s Story of Amazing Bali Adventure
The best trips are the ones that come to you when life nudges you out of your comfort zone.
For me, that nudge came in the form of a monotonous routine. As a software engineer in Kochi, life had become predictable - coding, debugging, and chasing deadlines. It was not bad, but it lacked the spark that made me look forward to each day- the unpredictability. Then one evening, over a quiet dinner, my wife looked up from her phone and said, “What if we just take off? Somewhere far, somewhere beautiful?”
“Like where?” I asked, half-expecting her to suggest a weekend in Munnar.
“Bali,” she replied with her twinkling eyes.
And just like that, our adventure began.
Arrival in Paradise
When we landed in Bali on November 6, 2022, the warm breeze carried a promise of something extraordinary. Our driver welcomed us with a warm smile and a cheerful “Selamat datang!” before dropping us off at our villa.
The drive was a glimpse of Bali’s magic: lush rice fields, roadside shrines decorated with marigolds, and the buzz of scooters running through the narrow roads. Upon arriving at the villa, I was speechless. It was a hidden oasis with a private pool, surrounded by palms that swayed gently in the breeze.
“Not bad, huh?” my wife teased, running her hand along the edge of the pool.
“Not bad? This might just be paradise,” I replied, already imagining myself lounging by the water.
Mountains, Waterfalls, and Swings
The next morning, we set off early for our Kintamani tour. As we climbed the winding mountain roads, the air grew cooler, and the view more spectacular. At the viewpoint, we were greeted by the breathtaking sight of Mount Batur and its serene lake.
My wife pulled out her phone to snap a picture. “This is incredible”, she said in awe.
We sipped hot ginger tea while soaking in the view, but soon it was time to move on. At the coffee plantation, we tried Luwak coffee. I could not decide if I was more intrigued by its unique origin story or its smooth and nutty flavour. However, my wife was more interested in the array of tea brews they offered.
Tegenungan Waterfall was also a sensory delight - with the sound of cascading water, the spray on our faces, and the lush greenery all around. We dipped our feet in the cool stream, laughing as tiny fish swam around our feet.
But the highlight of the day came at the Tegalalang Rice Terrace. My wife insisted on trying the famous Bali Swing, and before I could protest, I was strapped in. I was already wearing comfortable clothes, so she changed quickly into a rented red dress, looking like a queen!
And then, we were soaring over the vast terraces of paddy fields below. The swing was quite high, and I almost felt my heart come out of my mouth…yeah, I was very excited (and scared).
“Don’t look down!” she shouted, laughing.
“Too late!” I called back, gripping the ropes for dear life.
Sacred Temples and Moments of Reflection
The spiritual heart of Bali revealed itself in layers of serenity and timeless beauty. At Lempuyang Temple, known as the Gate of Heaven, the clouds shifted to reveal Mount Agung framed perfectly within the temple gates. It was a surreal scenery that looked like a reflection that connected the earth and sky.
On the other hand, Tirta Gangga, the water palace, was even more beautiful. Stepping stones were led across koi-filled ponds, which were surrounded by ornate fountains and lush gardens. Each step felt like an invitation to slow down and savour the calm.
We then visited the Tirta Empul, which brought an even deeper sense of reflection. Watching locals perform purification rituals in the holy spring water here was a humbling experience. The respect in their movements and the history embedded in the temple reminded me of life’s quieter and enduring truths.
Moments like these felt like pauses in a hurried world, urging us to be still and present.
Sunset at Tanah Lot
The following day we went to the Ulun Danu Temple, located on the shores of Lake Beratan. This temple seemed to float on water, covered in a lovely haze that blurred the lines between the spiritual and natural.
By evening, Tanah Lot called us to its iconic cliffs. We sat there and watched the sea temple standing resilient against the crashing waves. Even the horizon transformed into a spectrum of gold, orange, and crimson bouncing above the water as though the sky itself was alive.
“This is what I needed”, I murmured, and my wife smiled in agreement.
Island Hopping in Nusa Penida
The next chapter of our adventure took us on a short boat ride from Bali to Nusa Penida. Although the speedboat ride from Sanur Harbor was bumpy, it was quite thrilling too.
The dramatic cliffs at Kelingking Beach resembled a T-Rex overlooking turquoise waters. Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach also amazed us with their natural rock formations, carved beautifully by time and tide.
Crystal Bay was where we let the day settle, lounging under the palms and enjoying the sound of the sea.
Thrills and Tranquillity
Our final day in Bali combined adventure and relaxation. At Benoa Beach, the banana boat ride had us laughing uncontrollably as we struggled to row. Jet skiing offered an adrenaline rush, and the salty spray on my face made it all the more exhilarating.
In the evening, we visited Uluwatu Temple located dramatically on a cliff overlooking the ocean. The Kecak dance performance there was mesmerising. The rhythmic chants and dramatic fire stunts held us spellbound.
As the sun set and cast a golden glow over the ocean, my wife turned to me.
“This has been perfect.”
I nodded, knowing that Bali had given us memories to last a lifetime.
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