The road to Tanah Lot
The road to Tanah Lot
Bali, Indonesia, January 2000. What is it about Bali that makes it so special? Everyone seems to have their own reason for loving Bali, and I guess that's the secret to its success. There is so much about Bali, so much richness, so much to offer, that it appeals to many interests.
Each visit to Bali brings new rewards and rekindles old loves. Love for the beautiful island and its charming people. The countryside, with its intricate terraces and mirror-like reflections, offers some of Asia's most spectacular scenery. One of the most colorful drives on the island is the drive to Tanah Lot on the southwest coast.
After inching your way through the shopping mecca of Seminyak and Legian, the journey takes on a whole new appearance. Suddenly, the real Bali begins, with images of family temples, creeks and rivers. It was here that Sting got his inspiration for that wonderful ballad Fields of Gold. For as far as the eye can see, the drive along what has now become known as sunset road, there are rice fields. The ever-changing look of the hills is fascinating, even for the long-time visitor to Bali. The scalloped terraces with their intricate gravity-defying watering systems and the cycles of rice farming which unknowingly create a patchwork of rich, deep colors.
Many frequent travelers to Bali have wondered at its beauty, and the road to Tanah Lot is no exception. Each visit reveals something new. Others may choose to have drivers, but not me; I love the thrill of winding roads, the smiles of the people, the farmers from whom I get a nod in acknowledgement. I love my bewildered ibu, grinning with gummy smiles and beetle-juice lips, easily balancing a myriad of offerings on her head. I love my friends in the warung that hoot and howl as I pass by! This is where the real Bali begins.
The view of Tanah Lot, perched proudly on its outcrop of land, basking in the sunlight. As the sun sets on the western horizon, one wonders if there can be a more beautiful sight in the whole of Bali. (Desmond James, Director of Sales and Marketing, Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort, Bali)