Finding Deep Rest Amid the Sound of Waves on Pantai Beach
Leaving the bustling Ubud behind and heading towards Pantai Beach, my heart fluttered with excitement right from the start. Since Pantai Beach is situated roughly in the middle of famous tourist destinations stretching far north and south, I expected that staying around here would let me enjoy a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere. The main purpose of this move was simply to fully enjoy a time of rest. In the moving car, I asked the Grab driver if we could grab a cup of cool coffee on the way, and he gladly turned the steering wheel, saying he would guide me to a place he knew.
The first cafe recommended by the driver was already fully booked, with cars queuing from the parking lot, so we turned our steps to another nearby coffee spot. Upon arrival, it turned out to be a unique space closer to a coffee museum than a simple cafe. There, I got to observe in detail the production process of Luwak coffee, which I had only heard about. Hearing the explanation that they collect the beans swallowed and excreted by civet cats, and then wash them thoroughly twice before processing, made me nod in understanding. As we entered the cafe, they served us a complimentary tasting platter filled with various cups. After savoring the coffee and tea in the cute little cups, I treated the driver and the friendly staff member who guided me to a cup of coffee each. I hesitated on whether to buy some beans as a gift, but to a traveler carrying only a single backpack, space inside the bag was the most precious asset of all. Instead of filling my bag out of greed, I handed a tip to the helpful staff member to express my gratitude and walked out with light footsteps.
A Hearty Meal Met Beneath the Symbol of the Sea
As soon as I finally arrived at Pantai and unpacked at my accommodation, I went out to the beach. At the beach entrance, a huge statue, which acts as the symbol of this area, stood majestically against the backdrop of the blue sea and sky. Feeling the ocean breeze blowing from afar, I walked past the statue and took a seat at a beachside restaurant. To soothe my pressing hunger, I ordered a handmade burger, and my jaw dropped at the overwhelming height of the burger placed on the table. It was my first time seeing such a giant burger in my life, so I carefully sliced and ate the patty and ingredients layer by layer. Although it might have looked awkward to onlookers, it was more than enough to enjoy the taste at my own pace. Amused by the thought that I should look up a YouTube video on how to cut a burger elegantly once I got back to my room, I finished the entire plate clean.
As evening came, the craving for Korean food that had started back in Ubud returned intensely. Longing for hot, spicy soup, I looked for a nearby Korean restaurant and ordered yukgaejang, a spicy beef soup, without hesitation. The spicy and deep flavor tasted exactly like what I used to have in Korea, and my bowl of rice was emptied in no time. Adding a savory-smelling pajeon (scallion pancake) to the order made the table look truly abundant. In the past, when traveling alone, I used to feel self-conscious ordering multiple dishes generously at a restaurant, but now I have learned how to fully enjoy the food I want without worrying about other people's eyes.
A Quiet Seaside Path Walked Along the Sound of Cool Waves
The next morning, Pantai Beach opened the day with the sound of waves even more powerful than yesterday's. Watching the waves rise high and break into white foam, I took a seat at a cafe near the beach. Before opening my laptop to start working, I ordered eggs Benedict and a cold latte as an breakfast meal that also served as my table fee. The savory taste of the eggs Benedict, with its yolk bursting open, was excellent enough to exceed my expectations. The taste was so impressive that it made me want to seek it out or cook it myself even after returning to Korea.
After focusing on work all afternoon, I felt the need for some protein. Since there was a place famous for pork rib barbecue right next to my accommodation, I went for a late afternoon meal. Eating the well-grilled, sweet and savory pork ribs paired with sour and crisp green mango salad offered a perfect balance of flavors. After finishing the satisfying meal and stepping outside, I saw the sun slowly setting, coloring the beach in shades of orange.
I took off my shoes and walked barefoot, stepping on the wet sand. While the upper neighborhood of Canggu Beach bustles with crowds of people, Pantai was incredibly quiet and peaceful, to the point where there seemed to be more dogs running around freely than humans. Walking while feeling the cool breeze, I eventually reached a modern shopping mall located further down the beach. Coming across a grand, modern commercial space right in the middle of a quiet, rustic seaside village gave me a strange sense of contrast. Since I didn't have anything in particular to buy, I slowly looked around the interior and walked out with just a small Bali magnet as a souvenir.
There was absolutely no reason to rush on the way back to my accommodation either. Along the beach turning dark as the sun went down, I surrendered my mind to the sound of waves endlessly rolling in and out. Emptying my head, I walked along the long, straight sandy beach for a long time. Thanks to the silence offered by this long beach and the resonance of the waves, the weight of the thoughts that had built up seemed to wash away little by little.
The Moment Even the Noise of a Travel Destination Becomes Daily Focus
For some reason, I kept thinking of a warm bowl of udon since the night before. The next morning, as soon as I finished my errands early, I went to a Japanese restaurant that serves udon. The large bowl was filled with big shrimp tempura, deep-fried tofu, and various vegetable ingredients, giving it a visual closer to Korean kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) than a typical udon, but I finished the bowl very deliciously thanks to the hot and rich broth.
After filling my stomach, I headed to a spacious cafe with an open layout. Normally, when working at home or in the office, I prefer a quiet environment, but the natural ambient noise heard in a cafe at a travel destination strangely helps me immerse myself in work. Setting up my laptop in a corner to continue working, I wanted to order another drink and asked a staff member to recommend a menu item with a pretty visual. While it was a gorgeous and pretty drink that would look great in photos, taking a sip made me laugh because it was simply way too sweet.
Immersing myself in work beyond the laptop screen while enjoying sweet desserts. Even without visiting grand tourist attractions, walking as much as I wanted, eating delicious food, and doing my work in front of the sea—this simple daily life was the best gift Pantai gave me. Much like the light load I packed into a single backpack, my mind became a journey that felt much lighter and fuller.
