“Bali is more than a place; it is a mood, an aspiration, a tropical state of mind.”
There are moments as a photographer when the universe conspires to give you a perfect frame. You don’t create it; you just receive it.
Standing on the shores of Lake Bratan, with the cool mist of the Bedugul highlands clinging to my skin, I knew I was in the presence of something sacred. The Ulun Danu Bratan Temple didn’t look like it was built on the water; it looked like it was floating upon it, a phantom temple in a world of grey and green.
The Frame That Won Hearts
This isn’t just another picture in my portfolio. This image holds a special place in my journey because it is the one that won me the International Travel Hunt competition by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism.
Looking back, I think the judges saw what I felt in that moment: the profound silence of Bali. The lone boatman paddling through the lily pads wasn’t just a compositional element; he was a metaphor for the human journey through the divine. The soft, diffused light of the overcast day brought out the textures of the meru towers without the harshness of the sun. It was a quiet photo that spoke volumes.
The Floating Heart of Balinese Hinduism
To understand Bali, you must understand its connection to water. In a predominantly Muslim archipelago, Bali is a vibrant Hindu island where faith is woven into every aspect of life.
Ulun Danu is more than a postcard icon; it is a Pura Kahyangan Jagat—a major temple dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of the lake and rivers. Lake Bratan is the primary source of water for the farms and rice terraces of central Bali. The Balinese believe that if the goddess is appeased here, the water will flow, the crops will thrive, and life will continue. This temple is the spiritual anchor for the island’s entire agricultural system.
When you look at this image, you aren’t just seeing architecture. You are seeing a prayer in stone, dedicated to the life-giving force of water.
A Photographer’s Pilgrimage
Winning the award was an honor, but the real prize was the experience itself. It was a reminder that the most powerful travel photographs aren’t about bright colors or sunny skies. They are about capturing the spirit of a place—its mood, its silence, and its deep, unseen connections.
To the traveler in Bali: Don’t just rush to take a selfie and leave. Go to Bratan early in the morning when the mist is still dancing on the water. Sit by the shore, breathe in the cool air, and feel the ancient pulse of this island. You might not win an award, but you will win a memory that will last a lifetime.