A Romantic Bali Afternoon: Enjoying a Private Beach All to Yourself

Sitting on the beach near Puri Santrian Hotel, gazing at the cobalt blue line where the ocean meets the sky in the distance, I suddenly understood why Bali is called the "Pearl of the Gods." The Indian Ocean had shed its morning hustle and bustle, leaving only the whispers of waves against the rocks. The three o'clock sun, like sifted gold leaf, danced on the shimmering waves. Stepping barefoot onto the white sand, as fine as powdered sugar, felt even softer than the mosaic tiles at the bottom of a pool. Wearing a blue Breton shirt, the woven texture of my Panama hat cast a delicate shadow on the ground, like a sailor anticipating a long voyage. The salty sea breeze brushed against my face, carrying the scent of seaweed forests from twelve nautical miles away. In the distance, surfers became small black dots on the horizon, forming a moving Monet painting with the scattered white sails of masts. The cool sensation of the tide washing over my feet brought me back to reality. I suddenly realized I had spent three hours idling in this teak lounge chair. But what did it matter? Bali's most generous gift is this gentle permission for the soul to temporarily anchor.