Bali, Indonesia is an island that will captivate your heart, revive your soul, and leave you wanting to experience its sacred grounds over and over again. I am currently in Singapore after experiencing seven blissful nights on the ‘Island of the Gods.’ I stayed at Fivelements Puri Ahimsa in the village of Mambal and the Umajati Retreat in the village of Petulu.

Both hotels are minutes from the iconic village of Ubud. Ubud has long been the cultural centre of Bali and today it has blossomed into a thriving artist commune. All along its narrow streets, you will see quaint shops selling fine wooden carvings, paintings, vintage teak furniture, and detailed objects of stone masonry. I also stayed in the spectacular Hanging Gardens Ubud Hotel, which is set in the Payangan jungle. Finally, I ended my trip in Nusa Dua, a beachfront town that is home to many luxury chain hotels and stayed in the Grand Hyatt Bali. This photo essay will take you on a journey through temples, landscapes, people, art, and architecture. I hope you enjoy these photographs, my goal is to leave you with a sense of the Balinese spirit. The island is a true paradise within an ever-increasing tumultuous world. Although Bali faces its fair share of problems, I believe it will always retain the magical charm that has made it world-famous.

This story was curated by Quinn Russell.