The Hindu serenity that prevails on Bali.

The Hindu Serenity and all that's peaceful on Bali

Bali as a destination is fast coming of age, it is no longer the provincial back water romanticized by the song track emanating from "South Pacific" Bali Haii, Bali Haii referring to an era gone way by.. However, it has to be said, there are many areas that have not changed since those heady days of the 1950's or 60's. Bali has such beautiful golden sandy beaches, simply stunning sunsets, warm seas, but even that aside what really sets Bali apart and has not changed over the years except develop for the better, is best described in two parts;

1) Its Hindu serenity which lends itself so beautifully to the traveling vacationer, the way the Balinese gently drift within their environment, their prolific use of flowers or the Frangipani, their gentle and hospitable demeanor.

2) It is that of the Balinese lifestyle that has matured and matured so beautifully, the Balinese have long embraced open living where they live with their environment.  Kitchens that proudly sit with the garden all around, cool breezes that carry the heat from the times of grand family makan banquets, the sea breezes that allow you to enjoy the home without a care for pollution as the Balinese extended communities enjoying these cool breezes that comes off the turquoise seas.

Bali and its modern day designers and architects have taken all of this history and evolution of their lifestyle and produced, simply put, very opulent and stylish villas. Villas that grace the landscape so majestically, villas that are in perfect Harmony with their environment.. As you pass through the ornate wooden entrances you are then immediately met with manicured gardens that are in keeping with the growth that surrounds the plantations, there will be a pool which invariably drifts into an infinity relationship with the sea. Water has a significant place in the Balinese culture as it encapsulates the serenity and the Hindu ambiance that wafts throughout the lifestyle as their culture is at one with water, not as a feature, although to us it makes for a stunning feature on a vast lush landscape, it for its calming qualities that make it such an experience. Water will surround your every step as you pass to the open living areas of these stunning villas. Cool breezes will lift your very existences as you relax into this grand but simple lifestyle so synonymous with Bali. To appreciate the stunning Villas you can easily get a feel for the sheer magnitude of the design through www.theleadingvillasofbali.com

Bali in its development has still only touched the surface in regard to the potential that Bali has to offer the ever weary traveler, for example: Most resort areas are within a small peninsular operating from the south, the Peninsular being Nusa Dua. Only slightly outside of Nusa Dua and to its East is Sanur, to its west Seminyak. However if you take a view of a map you will see that vast amounts of coast line remain untapped. To this endeavour Bali have embarked on the planning stages of introducing a light railway, to travel along the coast throughout the entire island, I understand that the plans are advanced and that Bali by 2014 will have the makings of this railway linking the north to the south. Obviously as this evolves then remote unspoilt regions of Bali become increasingly available to the travelling public allowing ever more to experience the relaxation through Hindu serenity.

I make much of the Hindu serenity and their abundant use of the Fragipani flowers, a flower that is almost a complete symbol of all that is Balinese. But in addition and beautifully fused, you have an added serene experience as Bali has embraced the tranquil qualities of the Buddhist faith. The Buddha can be found as a central theme of many villa designs all of which add to the calming affects on you the weary holidaymaker.

To conclude as we all travel through life and bounce from all that is thrown, which in quantity has become more intense as this technological age bombards us with increasing simplistic ways in which to communicate, we are all in overload as there are few areas to escape such intense pressure. It is for this reason that Bali has become a sanctuary, with its calming qualities, Buddhist and Hindu serenity, its climate, warm seas and stunning unique villas, all of which allow your need for an intense period of a rejuvenation, a holiday as well as setting the scene for an extended period to reflect.

I will leave you with a few short lines of Bali Haii, true today as it was true over 60 years ago. Welcome to the Island of Bali:

Most people live on a lonely island,

Lost in the middle of a foggy sea.

Most people long for another island,

One where they know they will like to be.

Bali Ha'i may call you,

Any night, any day,

In your heart, you'll hear it call you:

"Come away...Come away."

Bali Ha'i will whisper

On the wind of the sea:

"Here am I, your special island!

Come to me, come to me!"