Bali, the honeymoon island

Text and photos:Nguyen Chi Linh

Eight years ago, on a flight from Singapore to Bali, I felt a pang of sadness because I was among the small 1% of solo travelers to this so-called honeymoon island. That flight was filled with smiles, loving glances, and passionate kisses exchanged between couples. Eight years later, on the same flight from Singapore back to Bali, I'm still among that lonely 1%.

But for me, Bali is not just the pristine green of the mountains and the famous Ubud rice terraces, or the gentle waves from the beautiful beaches, but also the charming thatched-roof temples characteristic of Hindu culture beside crystal-clear lakes with clouds resting on the mountaintops… In the simplest terms, Bali is a paradise for relaxation, especially for couples in love.

The island, approximately 144km long and 80km wide, remained captivating and enchanting upon my return, as each sub-region possessed its own unique character. When I think of Bali, I always remember the luxurious 5-star resorts with their distinctive Balinese architecture, nestled idyllic alongside pristine white sand beaches with gentle waves lapping against the shore; the traditional Balinese spa treatments that awaken acupressure points and revitalize the body after a tiring day exploring the island; and the famous roasted pork.baby gulingCut from a small pig with thick, crispy skin, the meat blends perfectly with the natural aroma when roasted over a hot fire. Or the beautiful beaches of Bali offer wonderful experiences for tourists who love water sports such as surfing, snorkeling, and parasailing…

Hindu influence

Hindus from the island of Java arrived in Bali around 100 BC, giving Bali a unique character among the 17,000 islands of Indonesia. Contrary to my initial expectations, Hinduism in Bali is quite different from the Hindu culture on the banks of the Ganges in India, which the Balinese call the Hinduism of Javanese civilization. Nestled among the lush green coconut groves are houses built with a distinct Balinese architectural style, steeped in the epic Ramayana and the unique Lara Jonggrang style of the Balinese people.

Every morning, I enjoy strolling through the narrow alleys to breathe in the faint fragrance of frangipani flowers arranged as offerings on small altars placed in front of local people's houses. As a symbol, frangipani flowers are also often worn in the hair of young women as they walk along the beaches, where the footprints of loving couples are imprinted before the waves recede.SesajenThat's the name given to that small altar, and every day the Balinese usually offer a carefully arranged platter of fragrant leaves before each of their three meals. The essential components of this platter include flowers, sticky rice, cakes, and salt, symbolizing prosperity and happiness in life.

I visited the Basakih Temple in Kintamani town, located next to Mount Batur, to learn more about the island's Hindu culture and the construction of the famous Balinese Lara Jonggrang architecture. From the temples atop the slopes, Mount Batur is reflected in the lake beside it – a truly stunning sight! The mountain rises 700 meters above the lake's surface and is believed by scientists to have formed approximately 23,000 years ago from volcanic eruptions. Basakih Temple, also known as the "Mother Temple," contains 22 large and small temples and primarily worships the Hindu gods Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu. Looking at the structure of the central stone temple, I was transported back in time to the 9th-12th centuries.

In the 9th century, two powerful kingdoms emerged in Java: the Sailendra and the Sanjaya. To demonstrate their strength, both built magnificent temples. While the Sailendra dynasty constructed the Borobudur Buddhist temple in Yogyakarta, the Sanjaya kingdom, culminating in the Mataram state, also built temples in the style of the Lara Jonggrang complex, many of which can still be found in Bali today.

The Lara Jonggrang complex comprises hundreds of temples of varying sizes situated within three interconnected square courtyards, symbolizing the three worlds: the mortal world, the world of the saints, and the world of the gods. The central square courtyard houses the main temples dedicated to the three supreme deities of Hinduism: Shiva (the god of destruction – representing death), Vishnu (the god of preservation – representing present life), and Brahma (the god of creation – representing birth).

Immediately below the towers is a corridor with a series of sculpted bands bordering the niches containing the statues of the gods. Every two niches are joined together to form wings for a raised square block depicting the gods seated in lotus positions. These reliefs have soft, delicate forms and relaxed, natural effects. The reliefs at Lara Jonggrang are no less valuable than those at Borobudur and focus on illustrating the Hindu epic Ramayana. To discuss ancient Central Javanese culture and only mention Borobudur would be incomplete, as both Borobudur and Lara Jonggrang represent two facets of ancient Javanese culture at that time.

Romantic sunset over the Indian Ocean

Everyone flocks to Tanah Lot, Kuta Beach, or Pura Luhur Uluwatu to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean, considered a memorable experience. Personally, I still prefer watching the sunset at Tanah Lot because in the twilight, the Tanah Lot temple suddenly becomes sacred.

Tanah Lot is the second destination chosen after Water Temple to be featured in Bali travel magazines, and in the Balinese language, it means "land in the middle of the sea." The temple is built on a rocky outcrop in the middle of the sea, with its main facade facing the Indian Ocean. It was built in the 15th century by the last Brahmin priest, Nirartha. He traveled from Java to Bali and, seeing the beautiful rock formation, decided to stop and rest. He spent the night there and the next morning conceived the idea of ​​building a temple to worship the sea god who protects Bali. He shared this idea with the fishermen, and construction began. At the base of the temple is carved a large sea serpent, which, according to legend, fights evil spirits and protects the temple.

As twilight descended, the crimson sun slowly sank into the Indian Ocean. The Tanah Lot temple faded into the distance, becoming even more sacred in the faint, golden rays of the setting sun. On the rocky outcrops, amidst the gentle murmur of waves lapping against the shore, lovers held hands, watching the sunset. Some leaned their heads on each other's shoulders, whispering softly, as if exchanging vows of eternal love…

I decided to stop by a small stage about 4km from Tanah Lot to watch the Sanghyang Jalan (or Kecal) dance reenacting the Ramayana epic. This morning, I watched the traditional Balinese Barong dance, also based on the epic, but there were a few segments I didn't quite understand. These dances originated on Bali in the 13th century and have been preserved by the Balinese people to this day.

King Dasarata, having made a promise to a wife (a plot orchestrated by the demon lord Rahwana), banished his son, Prince Rama, along with his beautiful wife Sita and Rama's brother, Lakshmanas, to the deep forest for ten years. There, the demon lord Rahwana, seeing Sita's beauty, resolved to abduct her and make her his wife. The performance, with its Sanghyang Jalan dance, made a strong impression on me, particularly the scene where the gods light torches and beg Vishnu to descend and save Rama. This scene gave me the feeling that the world was entering a dark age, with evil as a shadow enveloping good, represented by the solitary torches in the night.

As dusk falls and the city lights come on, life in Kuta Bay, Bali, truly reaches its peak. Each restaurant has its own live band playing various genres, from rock and jazz to pop, or even classic hits… As I entered the restaurant to choose my dinner, the band on stage greeted me and asked where I was from and what song I'd like them to perform. I chose "Hello!"

It's so cozy and romantic to sit and eat under the flickering candlelight, listening to your favorite music. Across the table, lovers gaze into each other's eyes, lost in each other's beauty. Passionate kisses are exchanged amidst the enchanting light and sound. Out at sea, the waves from Kuta Bay gently lap against the shore, creating a soft, soothing murmur. They seem to be falling into a sea of ​​love in Bali.

Additional information:

+ Airlines operating flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Bali include Air Asia, Tiger Air, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and Thai Airways.

+ You should bring US dollar bills with serial numbers from 2000 or later. In Bali, US dollar bills with serial numbers from 1996 are very difficult to exchange and the exchange rate is very low.

The easiest way to get around the island is by taxi. Blue Bird taxi company (see here for details):www.bluebirdgroup.comTaxis with blue bodies are commonly found at most tourist spots on the island. Taxi fares are calculated per kilometer. Alternatively, visitors can rent bicycles (US$3/day) or motorbikes (US$10/day) to explore the island.

When visiting Bali, don't forget to visit Pura Luhur Uluwatu, a mystical temple built precariously on top of a rock in Uluwatu. The entrance fee is 5,000 Rp (0.5 USD), and visitors must wear a sarong (included in the fee) upon entering to show respect to the gods.

When visiting Bali, tourists should try the local specialty, babi guling (roasted pork). The best is probably found in Ubud, where the pigs are a mix of domestic and wild boar, raised naturally in the mountains. These pigs, around 5 months old, are skewered on bamboo sticks and roasted over a hot fire. The thick, crispy skin, combined with the naturally sweet meat, creates an unforgettable taste. Bu Oka restaurant is an excellent choice for tourists visiting Bali.

If you want to enjoy Bali's famous roast duck, you can visit Tepi Sawah (www.tepisawahvillas.com) or Bebek Bengil (www.bebekbengil.com). Pondok Tempo Doeloe restaurant (8 Jalan Sunset. Tel: 62 361 919 6868) is famous for its affordable traditional Indonesian dishes such as: crispy fried fish (gurame goring), fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk (nasi liwet), and grilled chicken (ayam bakar)...

Relax and experience a traditional Balinese massage. You'll find the difference is hard to describe. Massage parlors and spas that consistently satisfy visitors include Jari Merani, Royal Kirana Spa, and Bamboo Spa.

Additionally, visiting bars like Potato Head Beach Club, The Rock Bar, and Ku De Ta will help you completely relax when night falls.

The Thanh