I am a bold believer that there are indeed different strokes for different folks, and there is no greater example of this than what we all like to do on holidays.
Like, I’m fully aware that not everyone would be bang up for cycling through Bhutan on their precious time off, and yet, I loved it. And so, I just accepted that Bali wasn’t for me.
And yet almost everyone I know loves to head north at any opportunity, whether it’s for three days or three weeks to soak up the Bali sun. And, dear friends, last weekend, I was one of them.
It wasn’t my first trip to this little island haven, but it was the first time I appreciated it for what it is. And what it is, is the perfect getaway for Perth people. We are excited by a dead whale on the beach, remember. We will flock to look at a seal who’s lolling about. We love anything that is slightly different to our normal, idyllic lives.
So yes, I’m excited that I can have a foot massage every day for less than 10 bucks. Are you joking? I felt like I was floating on air the whole time I was there. I’m excited that I can sit on the beach on a sun-lounger beanbag and cocktails are delivered to me while I watch the sunset and unregulated fireworks are exploding nearby. You really feel alive, you know.
Of course, Bali’s not all cocktails and sunsets, although that’s a pretty solid foundation if you ask me. But you also get the wild ride of footpaths that are comically uneven. Pavers poking up here. Random holes there. And oh, look, a giant puddle. You have to keep your wits about you and it’s exhilarating.
When you make it to your destination without falling spread-eagled into the oncoming traffic, you really have a sense of achievement, especially for a tremendous klutz like myself. I felt like I should have been awarded an “I went to Bali and didn’t trip over” badge at the airport when I departed. Instead, I paid 10 bucks for a long black, because alas, Bali prices do not extend to the airport.
Anyhoo, I can now fully appreciate that Bali has a little bit for everyone. Want to learn to surf? You literally cannot walk down the beach without someone offering you surfing lessons. Hankering for a tattoo? They’ve got you covered (in ink, obviously). In fact, the number of people walking around with cling film wrapped around a newly inked limb was truly impressive.
Maybe you’re more the zen type who wants a full-on yoga retreat. See, Bali can do that too. So you have to admire its diversity. Lush rainforest or upscale shopping? Cheap handbags or fine dining? Beach club with an international DJ or turtle spotting? As that little girl in the taco ad says “Por que no los dos?” What a hilarious place.
As for me, mostly I just ambled from handbag shop to day spa to cafe with occasional stints of lying by the pool reading my book. And when I say “lying by the pool” I mean, cowering in the shade and shuffling every time the sun started to shine on me. But I did get through a solid chunk of the book I’m supposed to finish by next book club.
The challenge for me, though is that I can’t sustain that sort of activity level for long. Yes, I can lie by the pool. But my limit is about an hour. I’m actually impressed by people who race to reserve a sun-lounge at dawn and then stay there ALL DAY. How? I admire their ability to completely wind down. I need more neurological input, even if I’m reading a really good book. Besides — and perhaps this is too much information — my butt gets sore if I sit around for that long.
But to the Bali lovers, I get it now. And I’ll certainly be back. Maybe only for four days at a time. And maybe not several times a year. But for an extended girls’ weekend or a destination wedding (somebody else’s — don’t get excited) I’d be back in a heartbeat.
In the meantime, I feel like I need to book a cycling holiday in Montenegro or some falconry in Kyrgyzstan or something just to balance things out. I’ll miss those foot massages, though.
