As we were wandering around on our first evening here in Sanur, Bali, we were wondering how many of our friends and family would be surprised about what they would see and experience when they first land in Bali (Denpasar, Kuta, Sanur areas).
What is your impression of Bali? Sandy beaches? Tiered rice paddies? Temples?
There definitely is all of that and anyone looking for it will find it! But on the drive from the airport to wherever you’re heading, you will see busy streets filled with cars honking and driving too fast for my liking and just barely missing the car your driving in, scooters swerving through traffic, garbage on the road side, crumbling or cracked sidewalks, stray dogs, people hawking their goods on the beach, tour guides selling their adventures, restauranteurs trying to convince you to come to their place to eat and not any of the other restaurants nearby, market stand owners not letting you pass until you check out their goods…. It’s busy and dynamic and ALIVE!
Arriving here straight from Canada with our North American perspectives, it feels rough around the edges and a little unnerving and assaulting on the senses at first. It takes a moment (or a number of hours, depending on how deeply rooted your viewpoint is), to adjust your lenses and get used to the pace of things and the way of life here. But once that transition is made, it feels SO good to be taken out of our comfort zone and we are ever grateful to be able to hopefully gain a greater understanding and appreciation for all of the many different ways people around the world live their lives.
Now, don’t misunderstand, we also appreciate the comfort in shutting all of that out now and again and enjoying the peaceful ambience that our hotel or villa or apartment has created. Who wouldn’t!!
We are looking forward to soaking it all in and appreciating the people, the energy, the culture, the views, the food and the adventures.
Heather
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