The Bali Edit
Your Shorthand Guide to Bali - Best Areas, Map, History, & FAQs
There’s a certain kind of magic that flows through the air in Bali. It’s soft, unseen, yet so deeply felt. You sense it in the cool breeze that whispers through the jungle, in the swirl of incense from daily offerings, in the warm glow from the morning sun as it rises over the rice fields.
There’s a saying here, that Bali draws in those who are meant to be here. And I can’t help but believe that it’s true.
Life here moves at a different pace, one deeply rooted in community, creativity, and spirit. Tranquility isn’t something you search for, instead it finds you. Bali has a way of slowing down time, reminding you what it means to feel truly connected… to a place, to people, and most importantly to yourself.
History
Bali is known as the Island of the Gods, and perhaps, it truly is. Formed at the edge of two restless tectonic plates and cradled by the Ring of Fire (one of the most earthquake prone and volcanically active regions in the world) Bali’s very existence feels like a miracle.
To truly understand the magic of this island you have to look back, long before written history (pre-1st century CE). The Balinese believed that everything in nature had a soul, from the leafy green trees to the flowing rivers to the vibrant green rice fields. This deep appreciation for nature became the foundation of their worldview. In time, Hinduism and Buddhism arrived from India via Java, blending into the island's spiritual fabric.
By the 15th century, things began to change. As the powerful Hindu Majapahit Empire in Java began to crumble, priests, artists, and nobles fled to Bali. They carried with them not only religion, but also rich traditions of art, dance, and storytelling. While much of Indonesia embraced Islam, Bali became a sanctuary for Hinduism, preserving it, transforming it, and making it into something wholly its own. It’s this cultural inheritance that adds to that unmistakable magic you can feel today.
Then came the Dutch. While European traders had passed through earlier, it wasn’t until the 1900s that the Dutch fully colonized Bali. But don’t let this fool you, the Balinese resisted fiercely. Entire royal families chose death over surrender, committing ritual suicide in mass ceremonies. A moment that echoes strong throughout the island’s history.
During World War II the Japanese occupied Bali. When Japan surrendered to the Allies in 1945, Indonesia declared independence and by 1950 Bali officially joined the Republic of Indonesia. This marked the beginning of a new era.
In the 1970’s Bali was “discovered” again, but this time by surfers, artists, and free spirits drawn to its magnetic energy and raw beauty. (Including my parents who had their honeymoon here in the '90s) And today, that same magic that makes Bali so special still lingers in the air… quietly calling out to travelers from around the world.
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