A morning walk through town, countryside or along the beach is my very favorite activity in Bali.

It’s peaceful and quiet except for the rooster crows and a few buzzes from scooters beating the morning rush hour.

Women, dressed in their customary sarongs, can be seen placing hindu offerings on temples, in front of shops, villas, restaurants, sometimes even inside motor vehicles.

 

Farmers lead a team of ducks by flag to the rice fields — a natural pest control done through the ages.

I’ve encountered the same fisherman with his net at Seminyak beach on several visits.

Animal encounters are to be expected on my walks.

I can’t decide if rice field walks or beach walks are better…

Rice field walks are tranquil, though you have to step off the path if a scooter comes along… or to admire some free-range chickens.

Beach walks or jogs are not as serene due to surfers, dog walkers, and jet-lagged tourists, but they are lovely nonetheless.

This adorable lab carried a coconut in his mouth every morning I walked Seminyak beach last August.

Watching the sunrise is the best part, if I am up at that hour.

The colors and fragrances — a mixture of spice, floral, and burning incense and fire scents — are amplified even for Bali. Plus you get the added bonus of hearing the swiff, swiff, swiff of homemade straw brooms sweeping the stone paths outside.

At the end of my walk, I look forward to a rich Balinese coffee and fresh juice served at a nearby cafe or back at my villa.

After breakfast, I may convince my boys to take another walk with me… it just never grows old for me on this beautiful island.