Bali has a beautiful and very chill vibe. The Balinese people are incredibly sweet and kind, and it’s genuine – not an act. The parts I’ve seen are super crowded but beautiful, especially the innumerable temples. What also strikes me is that getting around on the road, although it borders on complete chaos, works amazingly well, no doubt because of how mellow everyone is.

I know one thing for sure – I would never drive here. Normally I rent a vehicle when I arrive somewhere and figure things out on my own. Here, the streets are a procession of speeding cars, trucks and motor scooters that all works seamlessly and seemingly without effort. The frenetic pace on the roads and in traffic appears to be a hair’s breath from total chaos, yet it somehow works perfectly. Wow.

No traffic lights, lanes or yield signs, yet no horns sound and everyone simply weaves in and out of the ever moving motorized maelstrom that surrounds and swallows them. If you’ve been here, you know what I mean. It’s very different from other third world countries I’ve visited, where chaos reigns on urban roads and you sense that a collision or accident is going to happen every second (and they often do). It must be the nature of the Balinese people to be so chill while negotiating what to me are hair-raising escapades at high speeds behind the wheel or handlebars. I was blown away. Random theory scientists would do well do stop in and check things out here.

I did something yesterday that I virtually never do – I played tourist rather than finding my own way around to the things I wanted to see. Because I said no to driving, my hotel recommended a guide and driver for the day, and he turned out to be one of the kindest, most patient individuals I’ve ever met. Gusti knew so much about the temples, forests, dances, waterfalls, wood carving shops and everywhere else that we went that I just sat back and had a grand time. Very cool.

Yesterday was a visual and aesthetic treat for the eyes and mind, so I think it best to let some photos do the talking now. Batwan Temple:

Entry to terraced rice fields (yes, they’re a tourist attraction here).

Wood carving shop. Thank you, Steve Gold, for your suggestion to check these out. Really incredible handiwork on display, all of which is done purely with the carvers’ imagination.

The way of the world.

Monkey Forest. He looked pretty chill until he chased and tried to bite me (apparently the reflections of my water bottle entranced him).

Waterfall entrance. Why would you need to evacuate here? It was a couple of hundred feet above the falls.

This little guy is gonna have to grow into those ears.

Off to meander through the streets and hit the beach today.