Bali is a place that gets under your skin. Everyone remembers the first time they visited the island and completely fell head over heels with its unique beauty and spirit. Of course, all of us at Ocean Soul Retreat remember too. The island appeals to all walks of life, so there really is something for everyone here. Believe us, when you finally make the trip, you’ll wonder why it took you so to discover this tropical paradise.
Still not convinced? Here are our top five reasons you should book a flight to Bali, stat.
1. The people.
The Balinese are some of the friendliest, warmest, and most welcoming people you’ll ever meet. Many have that glow that can only come from genuine happiness radiating from within. We highly recommend that you spend some of your time on the island getting to know locals. We find that it renews your outlook on life and opens your eyes to those little moments we tend to be too busy to catch.
2. The culture and spirituality.
Unlike the rest of Indonesia, Bali is 90% Hindu, so they worship many gods and spirits. On a daily basis, the Balinese make many offerings to the gods to give thanks and ask for protection. You see these offerings everywhere you go—on the pavements, temples, outside stores, beaches, and sometimes even on cars. Being surrounded by this daily ritual is a constant reminder to show gratitude for all that we have.
3. The temples.
Bali is known as the island of a thousand temples. There are literally thousands of temples and shrines in Bali, all representing an aspect of life. The nine major temples are know as directional temples. The next important ones are the sea temples that are there to protect the island from evil spirits. Any one of these inspiring temples is a must see whilst in Bali. We particularly recommend some of the sea temples—they’re our favourites.
4. The natural beauty.
For a small island, Bali has a stunning landscape that ranges from lush mountains to white beaches. The centre of the island is mountainous and surrounded by stunning cascading green rice terraces. These terraces and tropical landscape merge into the coastlines, which are all varied as well. The west coast and the northern west coast are covered in black volcanic sand—the darker it gets, the more striking the beach! In contrast, the southern tip of Bali has dreamy white beaches and the clearest blue water. We encourage as much travel and sightseeing as possible.
5. The surfing and yoga
Bali is an epicenter for both yoga and surfing, attracting both beginners and experienced surfers and yoginis. For surfing, the water is warm and breaks are varied, so beaches can accommodate all levels. Plus, the tropical climate means there’s surf on the island all year round! With Yoga being such a spiritual practice, it’s no wonder so many instructors and practitioners are attracted to Bali’s highly spiritual environment. In fact, lucky for us, many talented yogis call Bali home. That means while we’re here, we have our pick of truly talented teachers to learn from and practice with!
If you haven’t experienced Bali yet, hopefully you’ll now add it to your to-go list and discover your own special connection with our favorite island. We hope to see you here sometime soon!
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