From Tranquillity to Thrill: Shantala Naveen’s Bali Adventure with Thrillophilia
Someone rightly said, ‘You cannot buy happiness, but you can surely buy a ticket to Bali’!
So, we finally and successfully went on our dream family vacation to ‘The Last Paradise’ and honestly, although a year has passed, I still have each and every moment fresh in my heart.
We did not want to lose the excitement in planning, so decided to trust Thrillophilia with all the necessary arrangements. Little did we know that we would leave behind a piece of our heart on the island that will forever make us wonder, ‘does anything more beautiful than this exist?’
Right from the moment we arrived at the airport, things ran like clockwork. My son was excited to see the driver standing with a placard of our names, outside the airport. We were then dropped at our hotel for check-in.
The hotel had the best view of the entire city of Kuta. We spent the day at leisure and returned to our hotel for the buffet dinner featuring traditional Indonesian dishes like Nashi Goreng, Rujak and Martabak. With our tummies and hearts full, we went to sleep because guess what?
We had to recharge and prepare ourselves for the ultimate Bali Adventure from the next morning onwards.
A Glimpse of Paradise
Our vacation was filled with countless scenic spots, but one thing that lingered in our heart and soul was the iconic Gates of Heaven at Lempuyang Temple.
It was early in the morning when we set off, with the air still cool and the roads quiet. Our guide said, “You’re about to see one of the most beautiful spots in Bali.” Little did we know, he was absolutely right.
As we drove through the lush countryside, passing by rice terraces and small villages, I could not contain my excitement. “Mom, is this where we see the Gates of Heaven?” my younger son asked, wide-eyed. “Yes, beta,” I smiled.
Upon reaching, I could see the Gates of Heaven, with its towering stone structure, standing against the backdrop of Mount Agung, the highest volcanic mountain of Bali. It looked exactly like the pictures, but being there in person was something else.
I stood in front of the gate gazing at the mountain in awe. I took my time and soaked in the beauty of the peak meeting the sky.
Naveen turned to me, “I don’t think I’ll ever forget this sight.” I nodded, agreeing silently because deep down we both knew this moment was special.
It was just like the moment we shared years ago watching the Tiger Hill peek through the clouds in Darjeeling. That was our second trip after marriage and there we were standing against Mount Agung in Bali, with two beautiful kids and the kind of love that only deepened over the years.
I truly felt like Bali had opened up its heart to us in that one moment.
Calm within the Chaos
We then made our way to the main complex of Lempuyang temple and took our time appreciating the traditional architecture. We realised that we have had the best start to our day as we sat down, cherishing the serenity all around.
Bali, as a whole, was magical. But it was the combination of spiritual peace and natural beauty at Lempuyang that made this trip even more remarkable.
Everywhere we went, from the beaches of Nusa Penida to the Tegenungan Waterfall, we were met with the most amazing sights. But Lempuyang, with its sacred atmosphere and the gateway to something otherworldly, felt like the true soul of Bali.
Next, we visited the holy Tirta Gangga where we spent our time feeding fishes. The kids loved it, especially our son, who kept throwing in food and giggling every time a fish swam up close.
Happiness is all about swinging through life
It’s true that our trip to Bali wouldn’t have been complete without experiencing the iconic Bali Swing. I remember thinking, "Am I really going to do this?"
So, when it was my turn, I took a deep breath and sat on the swing. It was like flying, with the wind in my hair and Bali's breathtaking landscape below me. As I swung higher and higher, I couldn’t stop smiling.
So, “If you ever get the chance, don’t hesitate. Just swing, and let Bali show you its magic.”
Conquering the Waves
A vacation in Bali can NEVER be complete without the beach. So, we also headed to Nusa Penida on day 5 and I must say, it was a slice of paradise we didn’t expect!
We hopped through a number of beaches, each one’s beauty exceeding the other’s. Kelingking Beach, with its T-Rex-shaped cliff, was indeed a stunning sight. Trekking down was quite an adventure for us, but standing on the soft white sands with the turquoise waves crashing was magical.
Later in the trip, we also did some amazing things that the kids couldn’t stop talking about- like jet skiing and doing the sea walk. Nusa Penida’s beaches offered plenty of adventure, and it was thrilling to see the joy on our children’s faces as they experienced riding the waves, for the very first time.
But as we sat together on our last evening in Bali, recalling our favourite moments, my husband asked me, “If you could go back to just one part of the trip, where would it be?”
Without hesitation, I replied, “The Gate of Heaven.” The peace, the beauty, the feeling of standing in a place that felt timeless- it was everything I had hoped for and more.
Read more: Thrillophilia Bali Reviews