Beautiful, exotic Bali

Landing in Bali, you are greeted by the hot and humid weather,

Tourists throng from world over, going hither and thither,

The colorful atmosphere on arrival is a prelude to fun that is in store in this haven,

As excited visitors hop into taxis and head to hotels to which they are driven

The island is famous for it's yoga and meditation retreats,

Also for the vast number of two-wheelers plying on narrow streets,

The landscape greenery is so lush and refreshing as you drive through,

That the reason it is called "paradise on earth" so easily strikes you

The multitude of handcrafts on display at roadsides is such an unique feature,

The variety of intricate stone carvings is as diverse as the mind can conjure,

You cannot but admire the skill and patience of artisans working countless hours,

Carving out majestic designs in stone, wowing buyers to say "this is ours"

At other roadsides are displayed stunning hand blown slumped glass bowls on driftwood,

Each uniquely hand crafted for the specific end use that you decide if you could,

Molten glass takes on wood, creating a wonderful terrain for flowers, floating candles and an endless wish list,

The finished products are a touch exotic, making them must-have mementos for the visiting tourist

The famed rice terraces stretching across the countryside are so ethereal,

The manner in which farmers came up with this ingenious concept appears so surreal,

Steep mountains and deep gorges that were a topographic deterrent to cultivate rice,

Circumvented through creation of gorgeous terraces for water sharing, as if in a trice

Kopi Luwak coffee is one of the most expensive coffees in the world,

It is a Bali specialty with an interesting history that one gets to be told,

Free sampling of eight teas and coffees of different unique flavors at the coffee farm is on offer,

A must-have experience with the scenic splendor of rice fields below, on which views don't differ

Batik is considered the original Indonesian textile which has a worldwide reputation,

Visiting a Batik factory to whet the curiosity requires a bit of determination,

Such is the wide array of colorful floral and geometric design motifs seen on display,

That one cannot resist the temptation to splurge on shopping, before deciding to walk away

Some of the most mystical waterfalls in the world can be seen in Bali,

Many of them are hidden in the backdrop of rice fields and mountainous valleys,

Reaching dizzy heights that seemingly merge with treetops, make the views gorgeous and enchanting,

Waterfalls vie with one other in visual splendor, making it appear that nothing is found wanting

The majority of Balinese identify themselves with the Hindu religion,

Taking pride in their identity, prevalent over centuries in the region,

Numerous Hindu temples spread across the island is therefore not surprising,

Most with a history of their own, necessitating a visit to the more enterprising

Yoga, meditation and wellness retreats are spread all over the island in natural and exotic settings,

Surrounding jungles, waterfalls and trickling waters of rivers lend an ambience that feels so settling,

Massage treatments, spas and water healing sessions also facilitate visitors' well-being,

Such programs assist in mastering the body, mind and clarify life's purpose among other mundane things