Here's the astonishing thing: in Bali even the scruffiest motorbike can be made sacred by hanging religious objects from the handlebars; a car dashboard can become a shrine; and an open drawer in a clothes shop turned into an altar, complete with an offering of food and flowers on a palm-leaf plate.
I have been nowhere else where Hindu shrines in the smartest internationally owned hotels are tended by staff, lighting incense and mouthing ritual prayers. I was prepared to be sceptical about claims that Bali is a special spiritual place. But I left this greenest of islands a convert – and like all born-again zealots, I need to spread the word.
Need to know
Bel Mooney travelled to Bali with Trailfinders (0845 050 5871, www.trailfinders.com), which offers tailormade holidays, including three nights at the Jimbaran Puri Bali (www.jimbaranpuribali.com), three nights at the Ubud Hanging Gardens (www.ubudhanging gardens.com) and return flights from London with Qatar Airways from £829pp, based on two sharing.
Where to stay: Ida’s Homestay (00 62 363 41096), a thatched bungalow, has B&B doubles for £17. Ida Beach Village (00 62 363 41118/9), 17 traditionally styled houses, a pool and a café, has B&B doubles from £25 a night. Poppies (00 62 361 751059, www.poppiesbali.com) has doubles from £40.
Indonesia looks really beautiful. I hope I'll be able to visit it one day. Greetings from SE Europe.
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