Bali attracts millions of travelers with its turquoise waters and emerald rice terraces. However, the island’s beauty goes far deeper than the surface of its famous beaches. For instance, the local people follow a unique calendar that results in a day of absolute silence for the entire province. Furthermore, the island sits in a marine zone so diverse that scientists call it the "Amazon of the Seas." Prepare to discover the magic behind the incense.
Bali
Bali is a Hindu island in a sea of Islam. Although Indonesia possesses the largest Muslim population on Earth, over 87% of Balinese people practice Balinese Hinduism. Specifically, this unique faith blends traditional Hindu beliefs with local animism and ancient Javanese traditions.
Most Balinese people share one of only four names. Parents name their children based on the order of their birth: Wayan, Made, Nyoman, or Ketut. Consequently, you will meet hundreds of “First Borns” and “Second Borns” during your travels across the island.
The entire island shuts down for a day of silence called Nyepi. During this Hindu New Year celebration, the law forbids travel, electricity, and even light. Even the international airport closes for 24 hours (1,440 minutes) to ensure the island remains completely still.
Bali sits in the center of the Coral Triangle. This region contains more marine biodiversity than anywhere else in the world. As a result, the waters around the island house at least 2,000 species of fish and hundreds of types of coral.
You can visit a forest ruled by over 1,200 long-tailed macaques. The Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud serves as a spiritual sanctuary for these primates. However, the monkeys often steal sunglasses and hats from unsuspecting tourists to trade for snacks.
The island features two massive active volcanoes. Mount Batur stands at 1,717 meters (5,633 feet), while the sacred Mount Agung reaches over 3,000 meters (9,842 feet). Local people believe these mountains house the gods who watch over the island.
Balinese rice fields use a 1,000-year-old irrigation system called Subak. This cooperative water management system reflects the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which emphasizes harmony between humans and nature. Remarkably, UNESCO recognized this ancient technology as a World Heritage site.
The world’s most expensive coffee comes from a cat-like animal’s droppings. Kopi Luwak involves Asian palm civets eating coffee cherries and excreting the beans. Specifically, a single pound (0.45 kilograms) of these rare beans can cost as much as 600 dollars.
Bali actually comprises four different islands. While most people stay on the main island, the province also includes Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. These smaller islands offer some of the best diving and snorkeling spots in Southeast Asia.
The island houses more than 20,000 individual temples. Every village must maintain at least three specific temples to serve the community. Therefore, you will see small stone shrines or massive gate structures on almost every street corner.
You can find beaches with pitch-black volcanic sand. Thanks to the active volcanoes, areas like Lovina and Amed feature dark, shimmering coastlines. These beaches offer a striking contrast to the white sands found in the southern resort areas.
The Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue is one of the tallest in the world. At 122 meters (400 feet) tall, it stands higher than the Statue of Liberty. Workers took nearly 28 years to complete this massive copper and brass monument to the god Vishnu.
Balinese people leave small floral baskets called canang sari on the ground every day. These offerings contain flowers, rice, and incense to thank the spirits for their protection. Indeed, you must take care not to step on these delicate gifts while walking.
The original capital of Bali was Singaraja in the north. The Dutch colonial government used it as their administrative center until 1958. Eventually, the government moved the capital to Denpasar to better accommodate the growing tourism industry in the south.
Finally, the island’s ducks follow a strict work schedule. Farmers train their ducks to clear pests and weeds from the rice paddies. A single man with a flag can lead hundreds of ducks through the fields and back home without losing a single one.
