Bali, also known as the Island of the Gods. Why? Well, the people of Bali would offer a few of the basic and most widely accepted answers to that theory. Bali is surrounded by Temples on all four corners, and according to local guides, shamans and Hindu Priests, that is what protects the island from any and all calamities.

To the North, you can find and visit Pura Ulun Danu Bratan temple, on Lake Bratan. This temple is a significant example of Balinese temple architecture and is dedicated to the goddess of the lake, Dewi Danu. It’s also known as the floating temple.

In the East, you’ll find the reverred Pura Besakih (the Mother Temple) and the iconic  Pura Lempuyang Luhur, known for its Gate to Heaven view of Mount Agung. Besaki is considered the most important, largest and holiest temple in Bali. Gurus often tell their students you don’t have to go to a hundred temples. Just go to Besakih and that is all you need. Go with a guide out of respect and spend some time. Hindu families go to this temple with their children to teach them the values of their religion when they are old enough to walk.

To the South, is the famous Pura Tanah Lot. This is the temple of movies, fables and dedicated to the spirit of the sea. It’s perched on a rocky outcrop and is accessible by foot when the tide is low. But, be careful, as it is believed to be guarded by snakes.

The South, is also home to the famous Uluwatu Temple. It’s located on a dramatic cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean. Uluwatu is a surfer’s paradise and is rapidly becoming the go to spot for the mid 20’s-30’s crowd looking to buy a home an settle into life.

And finally, to the West, is the Pura Taman Ayun temple, a place known for it’s peaceful feeling and sense of enveloping calm.

This is the Reality. Bali is a and of temples and dreams. Sunrise and sunset are at 7:00 AM and PM and as regular as a senior citizen on a high fiber diet. Life can be what you make of it anywhere in the world, but it just happens to be that you can make a lot more of it in Bali. The reality here is much sweeter than the reality of life in most other parts of the world. Thus, the collision of reality and fantasy. It becomes a place most people have dreamed about but never really experienced or made life there a permanent sort of thing.

So. What to make of all this. It is surely a land of spirituality, peace and love. I’ve been coming to Bali, from Los Angeles, since 2016, and there are too many times, especially when I go back to California for a few months, that I can’t wait to get back to Bali. It’s not that I do anything in particular there, it’s just that I FEEL SO FUCKING Great there, I can’t be anywhere else. I wonder if I am just living in a fantasy world, or if my fantasy has become my reality. 

There’s probably no good reason to question it in such depth. I have learned to be still there. To just sit, watch the White Herons fly overhead, to listen to the birds and frogs and ducks wake me up in the mornings. I have learned to walk out the door of my villa and just walk with no specific destination in mind. Is that a bad thing? I don’t believe so. I have no where special to go, nothing special to do. At this late stage of life, my seventies, I am happy to answer whenever anyone asks, what is the happiest time of your life- My answer is NOW.

So enjoy your Bali- make the fantasy your reality.

Peace Love, Namaste

Papa Fred

If you have any questions, find the link of this website and set up a time to talk to me.