A Spartan in Bali

Written by: Marguerite Bysshe 

Over the summer, I was lucky enough to spend an entire month in Bali, Indonesia, a little island nestled against the big island of Java, north of Australia. Bali is known for its unbeatable surf, and as a surfer myself, those waves really were heavenly. There were consistent four to six-foot swells on the west coast and daunting waves along the southern coast. Contrarily, the waves on the east coast break past miles of coral reefs and the water lapping up on the shore is warm, calm, and crystal clear. So I can confirm, Bali is a surfer’s paradise. 

In general, when I tell people I worked tirelessly for two years, both multiple jobs and in convincing my parents, to go to Indonesia of all places, most people want to know why. My main reason for visiting was to see the Green School, a sustainably-based school made entirely out of bamboo that I’ve been dreaming of attending since middle school. Seeing it was honestly the best part of the trip. The school stresses independent learning and focusing on your passions and turning them into a real job. They grow all their own food on campus. Everything is sustainable and open air. It was a dream for me to visit and one of the most amazing experiences of my life. 

The food everywhere on the island is amazing. Everything is always fresh and healthy and there are a ton of vegan options. The cafes are super chic and very Australian influenced, as much of the island is inhabited by young Australians and Europeans. It’s actually cheaper to eat out and the local cuisine is incredible. A lot of their food is rice-based, and you can get a meal of Nasi Goreng (fried noodles) for less than $2. While the airfare may be expensive, the cost of living is extremely low. 

Besides Bali, we also visited the neighboring island of Nusa Penida and stayed on a farm on the top of a mountain for three days. Best. Experience. Ever. The view is incredible from everywhere on the island and making the trek down to the beaches is so worth it. Nusa Penida isn’t very well known but it is only a short boat ride away and gives you a feel of what Bali used to be like before tourism took over. 

Overall, everyone I met throughout my month-long stay was extremely nice and welcoming and I made some friends and memories I will never forget. The island is a paradise for surfers, skaters, and thrill-seekers as there are endless things to do and see. The climate is perfect all year long and I highly recommend stopping by, the next time you decide to conquer the 20 hours of travel, of course. The sunsets, the surf, and the food alone make it worth the time and money. However, as tourism continues to grow and sadly, take over a lot of local charm and culture, there are only a few more years left to see Bali as it should be: a perfect balance between culture and adventure.