When Elizabeth Gilbert wrote Eat, Pray, Love she traveled to Italy to eat, India to pray, and Bali to love. Earlier this summer my husband and I made our own way to Bali and discovered that Gilbert could have saved herself two trips: eating, praying, and loving are all thriving in Bali.
I hadn't been to Bali in two decades and had some trepidation about returning, but what I found was inspiring. Firstly, I loved the people, especially where we stayed. The Alila Hotel had impeccable service: kind staff, delicious food--including perfectly ripe papayas, homemade yogurt, and granola, plus an organic farm for fresh eggs and vegetables--and superb massages.
Secondly, the level of devotion was moving. Temples adorned each home and offerings were ever present--beautiful declarations of faithfulness to the many Hindu Gods.
Thirdly, my husband and I felt a renewed sense of discovery and a deepening of our love. Maybe because we were able to sleep well in the quiet! Also, the slower pace encouraged us to relax and enjoy massages together in a tent surrounded by fragrant, flowering plants.
Our time was short but enlightening. And I'm now more focused on finding boutique hotels, such as the Alila, that align with my values of simplicity and ecology. They didn't use plastic and favored simple, beautiful designs. For instance, the showers had ceramic containers with handmade papaya shampoo and conditioner refilled every morning. The employees were local and the home grown hospitality was both refreshing and seemed in keeping with Balinese traditions. I highly recommend Alila hotels and their program affiliates around the world.
