From Palestine to Bali: From the Holy Land to the Island of Gods

 

From Palestine to Bali, the road is an expedition spanning boundaries, cultures, and emotions rather than only a physical one. It is a story of contrasts, of changing terrain, many customs, and the hypnotic dance between the past and the present. And now I am sharing my journey from the historic Palestine to the tropical paradise of Bali.

The Departure: Bidding Goodbye to the Land of History

Leaving Palestine is never only about stuffing a bag and running to the airport. It's about leaving behind the aroma of freshly made ka’ak, the sound of the adhan resonating through old stone alleys, and the warmth of family who always bids farewell with both pride and worry.

I started the trip carrying a passport and an eager heart. Navigating the convoluted labyrinth of travel routes came first as Palestine does not have direct flights. The first difficulty was a drive to Jordan via the resilient and patient-tested Allenby Bridge. After a thorough security check and protracted waiting times, I at last arrived at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, prepared for the next phase of my journey.

The Long Flight: Daydreams Across Time Zones

From Amman, I got on a plane to Dubai, a frequent stop for those headed to Southeast Asia. Thinking on the difference between home and my goal, I watched the flashing city lights below as the jet shot above the clouds. Soon the rich green rice terraces of Bali would replace the great Middle Eastern deserts.

The airport in Dubai was a universe unto itself, a luxurious sanctuary humming with visitors from all across the world. Following a little break, I got on my next plane headed for Denpasar, Bali. Though an 8-hour trip seemed taxing, my exhilaration overcame any tiredness. I kept picturing what lay on the other side of the globe between naps and movie marathons.

The Arrival: Initial Thoughts on Bali

The first thing I saw when the jet dropped into Ngurah Rai International Airport was the deep blue water hugging the golden coast of the island. As I emerged from the jet, the air seemed different—humid yet with a tinge of sweetness suggestive of tropical fruits and salty winds.

Bali greeted me with her usual kind politeness. Immigration was easy; within no time I was in a cab headed toward Ubud, the island's cultural center. Hindu temples, each with elaborate sculptures and gifts of flowers and incense, stretched endlessly on either side of the highways. Coming from a nation steeped in Islamic and Christian traditions, witnessing Hindu culture so alive and vivid was an eye-opening experience—a bizarre contrast.

Food, Culture, and Spirituality—A Taste of Bali

I ate Balinese food first thing when I arrived. Among the highlights were nasi goreng, satay lilit, and babi guling—though I avoided the latter because of dietary concerns. Strong but soothing, the tastes were evidence of the rich gastronomic legacy of the island.

Ubud seemed like a dream with its tranquil settings and artistic character. I went to the Sacred Monkey Forest, where free-living playful primates prowled among historic temples. Attracted by the rhythmic chanting and dramatic narrative, I watched a classic Kecak dance performance.

But the spiritual core of Bali really caught me by surprise. Balinese spirituality felt festive—offerings of flowers laid on doorsteps, rites carried out in open-air temples, and the always-present sentiment of thanks among the people, unlike the serious prayers in the mosques of Palestine. This style of life, where faith was entwined with environment and everyday schedule, drew me in.

Riding Waves and Sunset Chasing

Without seeing Bali's beaches, no journey to the island is whole. Every beach, from the busy Kuta coast to the little treasures in Uluwatu, has its own appeal. In Canggu, where the waves were both thrilling and merciless, I went first surfing. Regular falling into the water did not discourage me; rather, it made me laugh at myself and welcome the experience.

In Bali, sunsets were something else. I saw the sun melt into the horizon at Tanah Lot, painting gentle pink and flaming orange over the heavens. Rising boldly against the pounding seas, the temple set on the rock appeared quite legendary. I had an intense calm in that instant—a sensation that, despite distance from home, I was precisely where I should have been.

Thoughts on Home and Away

From Palestine to Bali, traveling was about entering a world that felt both alien and familiar, not only about moving places. Notwithstanding their great contrasts, there were startling parallels in the value of family, the enduring spirit of the people, and the deep-rooted customs.

I felt I was carrying a bit of it with me as I packed my luggage to leave Bali: the peace, the gratitude for the small joys in life, and the awareness that, in spite of all the variations, the planet is wonderfully linked in ways we often forget.

From the historic territory of Palestine to the magical island of Bali, my trip was about discovery—of new cultures, new ideas, and, most importantly, new sides of me—not only distance.