My Simple Life

by Valerie Tan (Singapore)

I didn't expect to find Indonesia

Amed, Bali. I am born and bred in Singapore, a bustling city state. A land with little room for sights and trails. My late grandad was a farmer. Green tales were a fixture often peppered in conversations when family gathers. I am often intrigued but even more so enchanted by its simplicity- though a farmer’s life does sound tiresome. I didn’t expect to find the answer to this longing in a place that begins as a casual mention from a friend who knows I travel to Bali regularly. The packing begins, the expectedness of a routine holiday to a favourite destination is in motion. Book a ride, get to the airport, stuff yourself at the airport (fingers crossed, this time you will not fall prey for the ever so alluring whiff of instant noodles) on sale on budget flights. The drill. Our driver picks us up at the airport and preps us for the long drive. Long drives ain’t a bore, I love being visually enthused by the display of everyday life, plantains, and the blue skies that constantly accompanies the scene playing outside the window while we weave through town after town to arrive at the destination. We arrived after nightfall. We were greeted by friendly but sleepy reception. We make our way down mini flights of stairs set amongst lush landscaping with with few lamps guiding our steps. I wondered about the condition of the villa and if the trip was off to a good start. After gaining entry into the villa, I was elated at how well-kept the condition of the crib for the next couple of days was. It was a joy to finally be able to retire after a long day’s travel. With the arrival of the new day, we headed out to the dining area for breakfast. The place is beautiful. There was no telling when the place was camouflaged in darkness. The contrast is vast. The beach is just a stone’s throw away, the water a crystal blue. The sun hanging out and the air at the right temperature. Excited to get acquainted with the sea life in our new backyard, we sorted out the gears for snorkelling after breakfast. Sea life is booming in the backyard! It was a visual feast. The coral reefs were expansive and the water was densely populated with Nemo and friends. I was thrilled. This place is unassuming.  Here, life begins beneath the surface. Hunger calls and we are on the hunt for sustenance. It is not a tough one, as dining options accessible by foot were a mere handful. We settled for a shop less than twenty-meters away. The menu is skimpy which expedited the selection process. The food took awhile. It did not look impressive. I wasted no time to dig in as the proof is in the pudding anyways. I will save you the suspense, actually I think you guessed it. The food was marvellous. Yummy to the core. Every bite a reinforcement of the previous delightful mouthful. Jolly and fuelled, we headed back with a milkshake in hand - it is always a good idea to order yourself a milkshake where fruits are as fresh as it gets in locations like this (the fruit supplier might just be the neighbouring fruit tree). Taking a break, we turned our attention to a prominently displayed piece of appliance in the room while sipping away. We decided to head out to procure the next meal before it gets too dark. Like clockwork, we were delighted. We were served yet another lovely meal. Snuggling under the sheets and breezing into sweet slumber, I recounted the unfolding of the day past. It is such a blessing to have encountered this hidden gem. I think this can be liken to how an accusation cleared up, infatuation begins, a friendship built and the entrance of a solid love. The next couple of days’ itinerary was simple. Repeat. This is the dream of the simple life fulfilled - as long as the visit lasts.