In the lifetime, someone was telling: “Bali in Pali language means offerings”. That was shocking. Especially, he never been asked, but he was still talking and talking about this. Moreover, he is not a Balinese and does not live in Bali

For us, in Bali, we see offerings everyday. There was a Dutch visiting Bali in 1920s to research Bali. The researcher said, Balinese people at that time do not find an art as a commercial show. Every single daily movement, such as farming or dancing, is done as an offering to God.

If there is anyone who is walking slowly in a silence in offering places, ans also being fused in order of bhur bvah svah, tourists with the hidden treasure of Bali are no more being monopoly of tourists.  They are included of the treasures which were born, lived, grown, old and died in Bali. And when we find Bali in ourselves, the tears are dropping, because we are very touched of the beauty and the great of Bali’s nature. There is something telling in the soul: “Matur suksma!” which means deliver to the soul. Even the soul is offered. Modifying the words of Mahatma Gandhi: my life is my true message, the last one would be whispering: my life is my true offering.

There is something unique about visiting Bali by plane: those are more blonde hair than black hair on the plane. Most of them have been to Bali many times. When asked to a tourist about the reason why he always come and come again to Bali, he answered that he found  hidden treasures of Bali every time he came.

If we think about the answer of the tourist that every time tourists come to Bali they find hidden treasures of Bali, so what about us Balinese? Have we found the hidden treasure of our own island? Try to find out of Bali is like peeling red onion: when we peel it more and more, the onion becomes whiter and whiter, and after that there is nothing but our tears. What about us Balinese people? Do our tears come out after trying to find out of Bali?

Ubud is one of art center in Bali. It has been known since long time in the beginning of 20th century, when the artists and intellects came for an enjoyment of life. Ubud is known by its paintings, graven, music instruments and dances. There are also lots of museum of art and gallery which are showing paintings from great people.

At another side, Ubud nowadays has high class hotels, villas, restaurants and spas. It became a major tourism destination in Bali for some tourists from every part of this world. Most of them come to Ubud to seek a peaceful and the balance of life. The beauty of Ubud’s nature brings other sensation of naturalness. People come for yoga, spa and retreat.

Ubud’s nature is dominated by jungles and rice fields. They are beautiful and really give a refreshing of mind out of the routines. There is Tegallalang which has wonderful rice fields we can see along the journey. If you want to feel the real taste of Bali, just come and diffuse to the local people activities. In Ubud, it is still possible to find women are bringing their offering on their head, walking through the small path between rice fields to the Pura (Hindu’s temple). They are all elegant and really show the exoticism of Balinese women.

In the center of Ubud, we can find Ubud art market. People come here for shopping various art things. There is Sukawati which is known as the center of art gifts. There is Ubud Palace, Bali’s royal heritage. It is a place to stay king of Ubud. Between Padang the village of Padang Tegal and Nyuh Kuning there is a small forest being a residence of hundreds of monkey. The monkeys is nice and tourists usually play with them. But should be remembered that most of them wait for food, so we should give some food to them to keep they are being nice. Beside it, the tourists also come there to see the Balinese grave. If the time is right, they can see the ritual of burying the body (odalan) or burning it (ngaben).

Exoticism of Ubud is unmatched with other place in the world. The nature and also the culture mixed together in a beautiful harmony. If you want to reach the peaceful and the balance of life, Ubud is the best place you can visit.

(Ritual sembahyang)

Mengawali hari, terlihat seorang wanita memberikan persembahaan di sebuah sanggah, di tengah sawah yang hijau dan tenang. Sebuah ungkapan syukur atas segala hal yang telah diterima dari Yang Maha Kuasa, untuk membawa kebaikan bagi seluruh anggota keluarga bagi umat Hindu.

Mengawali hari di Bali memiliki kesan yang tersendiri, di mana alam masih hijau, kicauan burung masih terdengar dan aroma rumput masi tercium. Bersyukur bisa berada di tengah alam yang hijau. Ketika matahari mulai muncul, orang-orang mulai beraktivitas sehari-hari. Ada yang pergi ke sawah untuk bertani, ada yang berjualan di pasar-pasar tradisional.

Keasyikan terasa saat menyaksikan sebuah sekolah dasar yang dipenuhi oleh anak-anak SD yang hendak menuntut ilmu. Wajah-wajah mereka terlihat ceria. Ada yang diantar orang tua, tapi juga ada yang pergi sendiri dengan berjalan kaki dan naik sepeda. Wajah-wajah yang sangat natural. Mereka berlarian ke sana ke mari, berkejar-kejaran dengan kawan-kawannya. Jadi flash back ke masa lalu.

Kalau sudah jam kerja, huh, jalanan jadi macet! Banyak kendaraan lalu lalang di jalan. Ditambah lagi dengan jalanan Bali yang sempit, urat jadi menegang berkonsentrasi dalam berkendara. Terlihat pak polisi sibuk mengatur lalu lintas yang padat. Kasihan pak polisi, yang sabar ya pak!

Tapi biar bagaimana pun Bali tetaplah Bali, yang Bersih Aman Lestari Indah.