Maybe Bali is one of the finest winter destinations when you have the option to stay a bit out of the high season madness. That period of time when it is nice to go, but not too crowded is at the end of the rainy season.
That has it perks in the way of that it is not that crowded at all. The downside of this period of time on the other hand is that you might have some rain still coming down. 'Some rain' is a bit of the understatement of the century, there was flooding all around.
But this rain is often very locally and short but heavy. So there is a bit of luck in there if you have a nice stay or a totally watered one.
I guess the rice fields of Bali are one of the things that the island is known for mostly. You have them all around, but as us tourists do...We all flock to the same types of locations.
But searching for a bit of peace in sort of the same location, I decided to take a different entrance a bit more down the valley and I couldn't be happier with the decision.
Because with just a small detour, none of the madness around this original Tegalalang rice fields that everyone knows, is to be seen.
Leaving the madness
Let's be honest about this madness amongst the rice fields. This has all gotten a bit weird if you ask me. First and most important of all, I totally get the exploitation from the rice field owners. Because when you look at the current price of selling rice per square meter, that means it is hard work and it is really hard to keep your head above water in this business.
And if you can have some additional income coming from some tourists who want to see the area....Hey, who am I to judge. But the amount of Bali-swings that are here where you can even rent a dress to sit on a swing and rent a photographer for the perfect snap that everyone wants to make..
Well, let's say that is not the picture how it should be if you ask me. Why would you do this?
But admitting...wondering around in these rice fields is actually super peaceful and because of the shade from the trees is really something else.
There are paths everywhere from which some are more accessible than others, you can really just wonder around. There were also some super small little coffee bars and a small stand where this old lady was hanging around selling some sodas where no one else was to be seen.
Heck, those are the small initiatives which you want to support.
The calm
What is awesome in these valleys is how the wind howls through the valley as you can feel the rain coming back in again. And sure there are more rice fields which are way less popular but still equally beautiful to visit.
I sure loved visiting this area honestly and I took a detour back to see another area and and took the a different route back with the scooter as well.
Have a fried rice somewhere in a random spot in the fields and that completes the days for me. Nature in Bali is really beautiful as long as you dare to take some detours and see some different stuff.
Bali is really green and also really calm despite of what a lot of the social media will show you. Just get out of those spots and take some time for that!
These rice fields are now more protected by law and that is a really good thing. So many stories are there that the land is sold and used to build more housing on, while everything is chopped down for that and the whole ecosystem is destroyed because of it.
Short term money for long term complicates, not a good deal.
And hey, as a tourist I am aware of this as well that I am part of the problem also. Balancing in bringing in funds from tourism, but also being humble towards the people who are sharing their country with other isn't always easy.
But what I do know is maintaining and keeping these rice fields in honor, that is what is important. Keeping this functional beauty going, that should be part of history.