As every beautiful dream fades away with the first ray of sunshine that’s how my trip through Paradise it’s about to reach its end.

I prepare my baggage with sadness fitting inside not only the souvenirs collected during the 10 days trip but also an amalgam of emotions and memories that left deep, unforgettable marks on my soul.

I am wandering for the last time the tiny streets of Nusa Penida, surrounded by the palm trees and the unbounded ocean, while my soul is filled with desperation…I don’t want this to be over.

Ocean, sky and palm trees

I have only few hours left until the boat will take me far away from this magical land and I decide to do often stops on the road trying to inhale happiness through all my pores.

A small chalet is rising on my way destroyed by time and human negligence and I am getting closer, attracted by its spell.

The cave temple

Pressed by the time which seems to fly faster than before, I continue my ride towards the village of Suana where is located a major cultural attraction: the cave temple Goa Giri Putri.

This unique temple it’s carved inside of a huge rock guarded by a shrine and few priests responsible not only with the blessing of the visitors but also with the entrance fee.

The main door of the temple its a narrow opening in a rock and you have to bend down to be able to squeeze inside. I am taking few steps back unsure if I should continue my visit or not as early signs of claustrophobia tries to push me away from the temple.

I take a deep breath trying to fight my fear and once I step on the other side of the entrance I find myself in a large, dark hall surrounded by hindu deities and a strong smell of scents.

Like in every hindu temple the Sarong it’a a must and if you don’t have one you can always rent it from the shop across the temple.

At the end of the cave, the final praying spot it’s adorned with red lanterns being devoted to Chinese deities. When I arrived, the holy ceremony was about to end, believers queuing in for a blessing.

Curious to find more about a ritual totally unknown to me I asked one of the priest for details and he invited me to participate to the procession, sprinkling holy water on my forehead followed by few beans of rice and a three colors bracelet attached to my wrist symbolizing the most important Gods of Hindu mythology: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

The exit, unlike the entrance, it’s made through a proper size door opened towards the back side of the temple with an unbelievable view over the surrounding hills.

The 400 meters walk until the parking lot was fun and I had the change to see for the first time in my life a weird species of “balinese flamingos” and chase them for a picture.

Nusa Penida, you won my heart

I am following the street which take to the harbor, passing by the hotel to collect my belongings. Holiday it’s over and it’s time to return home but where is home if not where your heart is?