down from the extraterrestrial landscape of Mount Bromo I find myself in the hectic and chaotic reality' of Indonesia. With a night bus to Probolinggo I move to Bali, where I come, stoned, at 5 am. A taxi, the meter will most likely fake, takes me away from Denpasar, the city 'more' big island, Kuta, discharging directly into the heart of the bustling and crowded tourist destination worldwide.
Bali and 'different, unique and fascinating. Indonesia and 'a Muslim country but the island of Bali' of Hindu religion, if the Indonesians are polite and friendly, the Balinese are even more '. Day after day the island reveals its many facets, as a place ... fantastic.
I rented a scooter so I can move in freedom '. Although the island is tiny compared to Sumatra or Borneo, the main tourist attractions are still separate fifty km apart.
The first days were spent in Legian, in the south of the island, a short walk from Kuta beach in the pit. The beach and 'long, beautiful, with waves of average height and capricious crashing on the shore, a great place to take their first steps on a surfboard. I'm lazy days, including baths, reading, sunsets and night sweating in hot, crowded clubs along with many Australians in jeopardy and muscular surfers.
South of Kuta beach gives way to the coastline of the Bukit peninsula that ends in the beautiful promontory of Ulu Watu. Here the strength dell'oceno Indian clashes against black volcanic rocks, high and mighty waves roar continuously against the cliffs. At the point where the sea the land meets the Balinese have built a temple, high above the waves on top of this magical cape. An exciting place, full of energy, where the eye finds no rest. Not far from the rough rock, nonsense and intrepid surfers challenge waves much more 'high for them. I find myself totally immersed in the fascinating beauty of the place, so much to come back several times during the stay on the island.
In the opposite direction to the Bukit Peninsula is rather Ubud, a town near the center of the island. Lush tropical vegetation, humidity, 'rice fields and temples are the characteristics of this area. E ', cultural capital of the island, the retreat of artists, especially painters, internationally renowned. Every day, the evenings are filled with the sounds and colors of traditional dances and theatrical performances. Compared to the bustle of Kuta here you will find yourself catapulted into a new dimension, dominated by the peace '. Many hotel chains have built luxury resort in Ubud, where splendid buildings hidden by vegetation zealous uniformed staff is responsible for the care of the body and mind of their customers, beauty treatments, various therapies, meditation, yoga, painting classes and cooking. Here you can 'happen to get lost among the rice fields, and as' happened to me, and to have addressed the right way by an elderly peasant in return please do not ask for anything but a smile. Ubud and 'magnetic: the atmosphere and the kindness of the people could be attracted for weeks.
along on a scooter on the streets of this area one comes across often in religious processions: long lines of Balinese dressed in traditional clothes - men, women and children - bring offerings to the temple, including music and fragrant incense. Shows in which no one is indifferent. Women with long hair and smooth blacks, with flowers in her hair, seem to come directly from a painting by Gauguin. Religion and 'a constantly present in everyday life in Bali, and the offers of flowers, fruits and incense sticks to punctuate the entrances of houses and shops.
My explorations of the island and then take me on the east coast, to Amed, a charming fishing village. The landscape is characterized by a succession of small coves of black sand, coconut trees and the typical fishing boat of white lacquered wood: trimarans. The villages are small and you stay in bungalows on the beach or on the high cliffs. The daunting summit of Gunung Agung, an active volcano, watch over this coast, the steep slopes of his knowledge she started to touch the clear blue sea. Not far from the beaches of Amed I dive and I see the wreck of an old Japanese warship. It 'almost completely submerged by sand, but the little boxes and' beautifully studded with coral. Hundreds of colorful fish playing hide and seek in the folds of rusty metal e una stella marina si muove lenta sul fondo sabbioso.
Alla sera, seduto sotto la veranda del mio bungalow ascolto i rumori del mare e mi lascio accarezzare da una fresca brezza. Il mio soggiorno a Bali non e' ancora terminato ma nella mente si affollano gia' i ricordi dei molteplici volti di questa terra: il traffico asfissiante di Denpasar e Kuta, i templi battuti da mare e vento a Ulu Watu e Tanah Lot, le danze e le processioni religiose di Ubud, le torride notti in discoteca, le spiaggie, le onde, la lussureggiante vegetazione tropicale, i sorrisi dei balinesi, il dolce profumo dell'incenso. Bali e' tutto questo. Turismo, misticismo, rifugio tropicale, surf, arte. Fantastica.
Rene'
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