Xibalba & The Underworld

So you want to find inspiration in new things and places because you think your life is boring, or maybe just because you like adventure, change and novelty?

Well, then let me stir things up for you a little bit.

Don´t let me fool you with that image from Mexico.

I am still in Bali, and today, as I'm writing this on the 14th of February, I've noticed something unusual: it's the national election day in Indonesia.

I probably wouldn't have realized this if it weren't for Google pointing it out to me. 

This struck me as particularly odd because just a few hours before, I had posted a video on TikTok where I shared some political thoughts about Bali and how it compares to back home in Germany and the USA.

This is not something I usually do.

As a creator, I tend to steer clear of these topics because they can be a bit like walking through a minefield.

Politics really have nothing to do with photography or travel. But since in this case it was directly related to my travel and part of the cultural narrative that day, I didn't stick to my own rules.

But let me start at the beginning.

I'm sitting in my favorite cafe, Tropical Ants, mulling over all the different places around the island that might be worth visiting and photographing for my next newsletter edition.

You know how it is: when you have too many options, you end up not being able to decide on any. Decision paralysis.

Especially today, I'm feeling some restlessness, an urge to do something different, to shake things up a bit and add some novelty. I love waterfalls, and the island has an abundance of terrific, huge waterfalls. But, as I said, I wanted something different—something new.

Then I saw it. Tukad Cepung: A mysterious hidden waterfall in a cave!

The place opens at 7 a.m., so I grab my scooter and hit the road early on since 30 km would take me an hour from Ubud and I wanted to be there before anyone else.

One of the many things I love about Bali are the myriad of small roads that traverse the island and the villages weaving through the ricefields and temples.

accompanied by the morning sun. It was early enough for me to really enjoy the ride before the intense heat kicked in.

Then suddenly, I hit the breaks and stop

Almost there, I look to my right and I see a field of orange flowers and a majestic view of the volcano, Mt. Agung.

Amazed by the view, I pinpointed it on the map and decided to come again earlier for the golden hour since I was already late for the best light.

Next stop: Tukad Cepung Waterfall

@romanlbinder

Just me and that waterfall having a moment together #waterfall #nature #landscapephotography #bali #Videoleap

Completely alone, I spent about an hour at that place and since the day was still young, I decided to visit two more places:

2) Yeh Bulan Waterfall

3) Penglipuran Village

The second waterfall, based on the low number of Google reviews, seemed to be a rather unknown place and that turned out to be true.

But it was right there that I made friends and had a memorable moment.

@romanlbinder

Its about the connections you make along the journey that make your struggles worth it #travelstory #waterfall #bali #photography

As I am relaxing next to the waterfall, I ask my new friend Wayan:

“How long have you been here in this place, taking care of it?”

And Wayan, with a lifetime of stories etched in the lines of his face, says,

“All my life!”

"Always same same here," he says with his broken English and his voice a soft echo against the cascading water.

"same with family, here always here."

I smiled and nodded in silence, not sure how long that meant, but this is when I realized something about life in general and was left with mixed feelings of reverence and admiration.

Some things are not meant to change.

Change is, of course, inevitable and everything around us is changing all the time, but that doesn´t mean we should not strive to preserve some things.

There are eternal values and truths that never change. Like the value of a family.

Or the significance of cultural heritage, traditions, and spirituality, and the respect for nature these people clearly exhibited by taking care of their sacred spaces around holy waters and temples.

Or just the adherence to truth, integrity and respect for the elderly?

How about simplicity and humility?

Those are all things, I believe, that should not change and are worth standing up for.

And if you are still wondering what my political rant was about, then feel free to watch it here.

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