Ever since the first European tourists arrived more than a half-century ago and became enthralled with Balinese arts and culture, the islanders have catered to the whims of visitors while preserving their own unique worldview. Today the traveler who comes to the island looking for a rich, timeless cultural experience – from touring Hindu temples to studying traditional dance – will find it, just as the visitor who can't imagine a tropical holiday without swim-up bars and bungee jumping won't be disappointed: One observer has noted that in resort areas like Kuta, “Everything you want as a tourist and everything you hate about tourists coexist."

What inevitably captivates most visitors is the way the Balinese have managed, seemingly without effort, to hold on to a way of life in which everyday tasks, art, and religion are all intertwined. The so-called Bali Way just may reshape the way you see the world.