Bali Log: Girls from Zagreb in Bali

Late last month and early this month, I was hired by these 5 girls from Zagreb to take them on tours around Bali.

Each one special and interesting in her own way, from Ana K, originally from Dalmatia, who asked the most of the questions (which I always really appreciate!) and kept the atmosphere and ‘vibe’ in the car with her energy, to Ana I, a subtle and sensitive artistic soul who was quieter, while absorbing the surroundings and shots with her skilled eye as a fellow photographer, without the rest of us even being aware of it.

It was that moment like when I used to photograph weddings, as unnoticeable as a ‘fly on the wall’ and as silent as a Ninja, and when the newlyweds received the photos they would wonder: “So when did you get this?”

We created the itinerary together, through prior communication in a joint WhatsApp group, combining my suggestions with their wishes, interests and priorities.

In a few days, we really went through a lot of different things, and one of the cool things about these trips is interacting, having fun and taking pictures with the always smiling and lovely locals!

I also organized a one-day adventure on Nusa Penida for the girls, a trip they were thrilled with, regardless of a lot of descending, climbing and bumping on the relatively still bad roads on that island.

In the meantime, we visited Tirta Empul, a temple where there is a source of holy water, very important for the Balinese and relayed to their most important holiday called Galungan. The Balinese usually determine the dates of ceremonies and holidays according to their own lunar calendar called Pawukon.

We also visited Ulun Danu, a temple dedicated to the Goddess Danu, the goddess of water and irrigation, to whom the Balinese thank for the exceptional abundance of vegetation, plants and fertile land, especially in the interior of the island.

We also visited Jatiluwih, a beautiful terraced rice fields protected by UNESCO, where we walked around a bit, took pictures and had lunch. Thank God, we were also quite lucky with the weather, namely rain!

And the girls did not miss the markets, souvenir and art shops, gallery of batik, a traditional weaving technique, a chocolate factory, tasting local cuisine, as well as the plantation of Luwak, the most expensive coffee in the world, and the inevitable Bali swing!

At the plantation, we tasted 14 types of local coffees and teas! ☕️

And of course, everything we finished with an unforgettable seafood dinner, street musicians, the sound of ocean waves, sunset and the graceful motion of Balinese dancers on Jimbaran beach!

All in all, lots of laughter, interesting encounters, tastes, smells, stories and insights into the local way of life and thinking… and each of us collected a handful of excellent photos, both on mobile devices and cameras!

If you are also interested in not only a narrowly touristic, but a slightly deeper experience of Bali, through the senses, photos, expert information and authentic first-hand stories, in your own language, contact me via email or WhatsApp!