“We search for happiness everywhere, but we are like Tolstoy’s fabled beggar who spent his life sitting on a pot of gold, under him the whole time. Your treasure-your perfection-is within you already.”
Bali. The Island of Gods. Eat Pray Love. A book and a movie based on a true story. I’ve seen it way too many times. Little did I know, I would relive Eat Pray Love itself. And all of it in Bali. Let me share the places I visited (and that found me) in the most serendipitous ways.
Are you ready to embark on an odyssey of self-discovery, love and spiritual awakening… all while you indulge in the most healing and tasty food? Attraversiamo!
1. Merlin’s in Ubud
The first restaurant in the world where you don’t choose the food – the food chooses you. When I found this place in the middle of Ubud I was thinking to myself: how come the food chooses you? Until I was given a menu card that was actually a tarot deck. I had to draw out three cards. Each tarot pull stands for your appetizer, your main and your dessert. But here’s also the twist: the three cards also represent your past, present and future (from left to right). And here’s a photo of the cards that chose me. So definitely put this on your list and make sure you start off your trip with some magical experience!
2. Tegallalang rice terraces
Do you remember the scene where Liz rides a bike through the lush green rice fields? These picturesque paddies are called Tegallalang rice terraces, and they are a Gojek ride away from the hustle and bustle of Ubud and is where you find the uttermost tranquility. I accidentally booked a villa that was in the middle of Tegallalang and each morning when I woke up I had the rice fields across me. And the owner of my AirBnb was a Balinese priest whose name was… you guessed right – Ketut. Coincidence? Of course not. I didn’t know but I was staying in this home temple. It is all pre-destined if you ask me, just like Liz met her Ketut who left her a prophecy.
3. Pyramids of Chi
Speaking of prophecy, when a Balinese healer tells you to go back to Bali, you buy the ticket, right? In my case, one day I asked Ketut if he knew any palm readers I could go to. He gave me a mysterious smile and told me that he knows many but demanded I didn’t have time. Instead, he sent me to a place called Pyramids of Chi.
I was looking for a palm reader, but I ended up being my own palm reader. Maybe that’s another story – of how two pyramids changed my life. The one thing I know for sure: you must go there if you’re looking for healing and spiritual awakening. Thank me later when we share your own personal story from one of their sound healing sessions!
4. Tirta Empul Temple
You must do the Melukat Ceremony and Tirta Empul. It is a deeply spiritual Balinese Hindu practice which cleanses your mind, body and soul. I remember the first time in Bali when I immediately went to this temple looking for balance between the physical and spiritual body. I was wearing a green sarong, and I bathed in 3 different pools fed by sacred spring water flowing from carved stone fountains. You chant a mantra under each fountain. This symbolizes cleansing chakras and the release of negative energy. It is a strange feeling, but I really left this place in the lightest state I’ve ever found myself in.
5. Sakti Healing
A huge incense stick drew my attention to a store called Sakti Healing. I quickly went in and got lost in all the crystal jewellery they offer, together with some raw crystals. My eyes wandered off to the woman on the counter who greeted me in the sweetest way. Something drew my attention – they were offering a personal tarot reading. For the first time in my life, I knew I wanted to book my first private tarot reading: “You’re lucky, the tarot reader has only one availability for the upcoming weeks and that is tomorrow.”
The next day I went back. I quickly entered a secret back room where magic happened. From the first sentence it felt like this woman was inside my head and was speaking things out loud that I could never say to anyone. Looking for answers and guidance? Make sure to book a private tarot reading at Sakti Healing!
6. Padang Padang Beach
The iconic scene where Liz and Felipe have a confrontation on the beach. One of the hotels I was staying in was called Dreamsea Surf Camp with the most stunning views over the ocean. If lucky, the low tide makes it possible to walk to the beaches around. One morning I woke up at 5am just to walk around the empty coastlines and listen to the ocean. Crossing over some rocks and going under some tiny beach caves, I ended up on a beach that looked strangely familiar. I realized that this was THE beach.
7. Nyang Nyang Beach
This is my personal favorite secluded beach in Uluwatu. This isn’t exactly a beach where the movie was filmed, but time has stopped there. It is off the beaten path and very difficult to reach, but most worth it.
It is the clearest water I have seen, the softest sand and the most raw, untouched and empty beach in Bali. There are no umbrellas or sunbeds (except for 6 to be precise) and an old Indonesian man takes care of them. I saw him dusting off the sand with an old broom made of wood sticks he was picking up from the area. I asked him kindly how much it costs, to which he responded: “You pay what you want.”
The beaches in Uluwatu definitely make you sweat to get there, but the view is worth it. This beach has a strange way of making you tune in with your inner self and reflect.
8. Mount Batur sunrise trek
I got picked up at 3am to climb an active volcano by a driver I never met. You become strangely brave when you travel to another country: you trust strangers with your life. I didn’t know what I signed up for. The ironic part of the story is that I met a man while climbing, but that is a different story. But it did make it feel like scenes from Eat Pray Love were playing in my life. I leave the rest to your imagination.
It is one of the most stunning views I have ever seen in my life – and the prettiest sunrise from the top overlooking a serene lake. The trek took around 8h but it was worth it – to Balinese people mountains are sacred. You can feel this in the air up there.
9. Intuitive Flow Yoga
I got this one recommended by a dear friend of mine who has been based in Bali for over 10 years. Yoga on top of a tree hill overlooking Ubud and the mountains in the distance. The serenity there is insane – everywhere you look you encounter lush green surroundings. Occasionally monkeys may stop by, geckos are a must and the sound of birds chirping are the only music you will hear during your practice. The smell of incense sticks while you do the next asana will make you exhale in a world that makes it difficult to inhale.
10. Wild Vegan Medicinal Restaurant in Ubud
All these scenes with home remedies in the movie! What if I told you that there is a restaurant where the food heals you? Each food you can order at Wild Vegan is supposed to heal your body. Every combination is crafted specifically so that the food matches and brings out the proper nutrients. There’s one rule only however – you have to be barefoot when you enter. You have to sit on the ground on some cushions. The restaurant has no walls and no doors – you’re under the night sky eating healing food. Tip: the best strawberry kombucha you’ll ever taste!
There’s a wonderful old Italian joke about a poor man who goes to church every day and prays before the statue of a great saint, begging: ‘Dear Saint, please, please, please let me win the lottery.’ Finally, the exasperated saint appears to the man and says: ‘My son, please, please, please buy a ticket.
Did you buy your ticket yet?
