Sathishkumar’s Romantic Adventure to Bali with Thrillophilia- A Review
It all started at a wedding in Chennai.
Sathishkumar and his wife were seated at a table with a lively group of strangers, one of whom entertained everyone with stories of her recent trip to Bali.
“You have to see it to believe it”, the woman said, her eyes glistening. “It is not an ordinary tourist destination. It is an experience. The kind that stays with you long after you leave.”
Something about his enthusiasm lingered with Sathishkumar. It was not like he had not heard of Bali before, but the way the woman spoke made it feel almost mythical. That evening, while scrolling through his phone back at their hotel, Sathishkumar impulsively checked flights to Denpasar. By morning, tickets were booked.
“It is unlike you,” his wife teased when he told her the news.
“Maybe it is time to try something new,” he replied, surprising even himself.
As soon as they arrived in Bali, the scent of frangipani, the murmur of temple bells, and the gentle breeze carrying whispers of the ocean made Bali feel alive. Their car made its way through the narrow roads of Ubud while passing the rice paddies that shimmered under the setting sun.
Sathishkumar and his wife felt a quiet excitement building in their hearts.
Immersed in the Pulse of the Island
The first full day in Ubud began with no specific agenda - an unusual luxury for Sathish, who was accustomed to mapping out his time every single day.
After a leisurely breakfast overlooking the rice field of the villa, they decided to explore the nearby village. Wandering aimlessly turned out to be a gift as they stumbled upon a small market bustling with life.
Vendors, each with their own colourful displays, sold everything from fresh fruits to intricately woven baskets. A woman with a kind smile pressed a rambutan into Sathishkumar’s hand, gesturing for him to try. The sweet and tangy fruit burst on his tongue and gave a simple pleasure that seemed to mirror the warmth of the people around him.
Moving further, they found themselves drawn to a temple where preparations for a local ceremony were underway. Women in vibrant kebayas carried tall offerings of fruit and flowers, their steps steady and graceful. A soft hum of chants filled the air, blending with the rustle of leaves in the wind. Sathishkumar and his wife stood quietly to observe the deep connection between the people and their traditions.
At night, the stillness of the dark broken by the distant croak of frogs was a stark contrast to the constant hum of Sathishkumar’s daily life back home. For the first time in a long while, his mind was free, allowing him to simply be.
Where Mountains Meet Mysteries
Their explorations took on a new dimension when they ventured north to Kintamani, a region dominated by the imposing Mount Batur. The journey itself was an experience as the roads twisted through landscapes that shifted between dense forests and sprawling lakes. When they climbed higher, the air grew cooler and carried the faint scent of volcanic ash with it.
The trek to the summit began the next day before dawn, guided by a faint path lit only by flashlights and the stars above. It was tiring, but there was something meditative about the steady rhythm of their steps and the quiet companionship of other trekkers. As soon as they reached the top, the world below seemed to dissolve into a sea of clouds, and the rising sun painted the horizon in breathtaking hues.
Sathishkumar and his wife sipped ginger tea and felt an overwhelming sense of clarity. The beauty of the moment was not just in the view but in the journey that had led him there - the sweat, the struggle, and the serenity of the place.
The descent revealed another side of the mountain. Villages perched on its slopes seemed frozen in time, and their terraced fields felt like a perfect example of harmony between people and nature.
A stop at a coffee plantation introduced Sathishkumar to the world of Luwak coffee. The farmer’s explanation of the meticulous process was fascinating, but what stayed with Sathishkumar was the way the man described his work - with pride and gratitude that seemed to transcend material concerns.
Whispering Oceans and Inspiring Sunsets
Next, the natural essence of Bali carried them southward, where the coastline revealed dramatic cliffs and serene beaches. One evening, they visited Tanah Lot, a sea temple that seemed almost mythical as it stood against the backdrop of crashing waves. The golden hour transformed the scene into something out of a painting as the temple’s silhouette stood framed by the fiery hues of the sunset.
Sathishkumar and his wife sat on the rocks and let the salty breeze play with their hair. Here, the worries and routines that had once consumed Sathishkumar, seemed small...
“Life’s pace here feels different,” he thought. “It is not about chasing time but being in tune with it.”
Their time by the coast also included a visit to Uluwatu Temple located on a cliff edge. Watching the Kecak dance performance there as the sun dipped below the horizon was a sensory bliss. The rhythmic chants, the crackle of fire, and the vibrant costumes created a hypnotic spectacle.
On their final morning, as they packed their bags, Sathishkumar reflected on the unexpected journey Bali had offered. It was not a checklist of landmarks that made the trip memorable, but it was the moments in between - the conversations, the quiet realisations, and the way the island seemed to nudge them to slow down.
As the plane soared above the island, Sathishkumar felt something deep within…“Do you think it is possible to take some of Bali back with us?” his wife asked as if reading his mind.
Sathishkumar smiled. “Not the place, maybe. But the lessons - definitely.”
Read More: Thrillophilia Bali Reviews