A day in Bali

Bali, Indonesia

Midday - rice paddies

Green leaves catch the hard midday light all around me. I twirl in a light dress among the terraces. Ubud sits amid these terraced rice fields and river valleys, and it is the heart of traditional arts, with craft workshops and daily classical dance.

Midday - Ubud temple

Warm stone under my fingers feels rough with carving. I rest my hand on the temple wall and take in the cut patterns. Hindu culture shapes daily island life, and visitors should dress modestly here, keeping shoulders and knees covered.

Midday - temple courtyard

Shade lies cool on the courtyard stones between the shrines. I pass them slowly in light, breathable clothes suited to the heat. Residents prefer this kind of everyday wear in the tropical climate, while ceremony dress uses songket and endek.

Midday - Candi Bentar gate

The split gate frames a bright view of the open temple grounds. I pause beside it and look out across the hard midday glare. May and September bring calmer, drier shoulder-season weather, with fewer visitors than the peak months of June to August.

Afternoon - Uluwatu cliff edge

Pale light lies on the limestone at the cliff edge. I gaze out to the horizon as afternoon turns toward evening. Pura Luhur Uluwatu stands on this sheer cliff at the southern tip, one of the island's primary directional sanctuaries, with wide ocean views.

Golden Hour - Uluwatu temple

Gold light spreads across the sky above the sea temple. I face that sky from the grounds as the day drops. Evening traditional performances take place here against the sunset, and the temple offers wide ocean views from the cliff.

Golden Hour - Uluwatu clifftop

The last sun warms my face on the high clifftop. I smile toward it while the sky changes colour over the ocean. This sea temple is one of the island's primary directional sanctuaries, and evening traditional performances are held against the sunset.

Night - boutique street

String lights hang warm and close above the night street. I move along beneath them in light casual clothes. For everyday wear, residents prefer light, breathable modern clothing suited to the tropical climate, and visitors should dress modestly in town.

Night - outdoor café

Lantern light pools softly on the outdoor table where I sit. I wait with the menu open in the warm night air. I order nasi campur, steamed white rice with small portions of vegetables, spiced meats, fried tempeh and a fiery sambal.

Night - night market

Bright market lights fall on the stalls and on my face. I smile under them as the night crowd moves past. Mie goreng is on menus everywhere: yellow noodles with sweet soy, vegetables and small pieces of meat or seafood.