巴厘岛的香茅，古树里的自由泳
Lemongrass of Bali, Freestyle in the Ancient Trees
巴厘岛的香茅 在食中,在风中
古榕树下的自由泳，无尽生长，永无止境。
Lemongrass of Bali, in food, in the wind,
Freestyle under the ancient banyan tree, endlessly growing, never stopping.
香茅是巴厘的灵魂,榕树是生命的象征
Lemongrass is the soul of Bali, the banyan tree is the symbol of life.
静水流深,时光游弋
我手持香茅,一头扎进这古榕树的自由泳道
每一划都在低鸣自由,每一呼都在奔向广阔
Still waters run deep, time drifts by,
I hold lemongrass and dive headfirst into the freestyle lane under this ancient banyan.
Every stroke whispers freedom, Every breath reaches for the vastness.
我在这无形的水中划水,蹬腿,呼吸,滑行
在香茅和榕之间寻找自然的节奏
I swim, kick, breathe, and glide in this invisible water, Finding the rhythm of nature between lemongrass and banyan.
对自然的歌颂，在每一次自由泳中回响。
在巴厘岛的怀抱，自由不仅仅是想象，
而是每一个呼吸，与古树共生长。
The hymn to nature echoes with each freestyle swim.
In the embrace of Bali, freedom is not just an imagination,
But every breath grows together with the ancient trees.
(一首自己写的随感小词)
(A short verse I wrote as an impromptu reflection)
Lemongrass of Bali
In spring, I embarked on my first journey of 2024—to Bali. The island's air was a mix of intense heat and humidity, along with the omnipresent scent of lemongrass. During those few days, I couldn't help but take deep breaths, wanting to fill my lungs with more of that refreshing lemongrass aroma to combat the heat and awaken my senses. Above all, I felt a sense of justified relaxation and the pure joy of doing nothing.
During my stay on the island, I eagerly, even greedily, took deep breaths of the breeze infused with lemongrass, savoring the useless pure joy. I wanted to collect those fleeting moments from the trip until I had enough happiness to fill my heart, making it tangible and real. Yet every time I did this, I felt a subtle sense of melancholy, like when I was a child during Chinese New Year, and by the second day, it felt like the holiday was fading, and the countdown to normality had begun. Oh well, maybe it's just the sensitivity that comes with being human.
Back in Beijing, I could still catch the scent of crabapple and lilac flowers at night, a reminder that spring had arrived, and the long winter had finally ended.
The air laced with the scent of lemongrass is a defining characteristic of this island, impossible to ignore.
Unlike in Thailand, where lemongrass is heavily used as a bold culinary ingredient, Bali's lemongrass is more subtle. It is often used for decoration, prayer rituals, and aromatherapy, seamlessly woven into the laid-back lifestyle of the island's residents. With the gentle sea breeze, it softly infuses the island, offering a soothing, healing touch to everything it touches.
Bayan Ancient Tree
They say Bali is filled with a mysterious and tranquil energy. This spiritual essence permeates every corner of the island, where the land and faith find a harmonious resonance. When I saw the over 700-year-old Bayan ancient tree, I was at a loss for words, feeling a deep spiritual vibration. The ancient tree before me wasn't just a tree; it was an ancient soul—an embodiment of life’s strength, serenity, and solemnity.
Standing in front of the ancient banyan tree and looking up, it seemed like a natural tower reaching into the clouds, with branches forming a protective canopy that blocked out the sky. The roots were intricately intertwined, deeply entrenched in the heart of Bali. This tree has witnessed seven centuries of history and has accompanied every breath and heartbeat of the island.
Freestyle
The ancient banyan tree, with its winding branches stretching upward, feels like a natural swimming lane. When I stood within the ancient tree's embrace, I couldn't help but imagine myself swimming freestyle through invisible waters—fluid, unrestrained, and free. It was my closest moment to the upward force of nature.
Following the growth patterns of the ancient tree, I tried to envision myself growing as it does, thrusting into the clouds, reaching into the sky, seeking the inner freedom and vastness.
I wanted to use this metaphor to express my deep respect for the vibrancy that Bali brought into my life. The delicate fragrance of lemongrass, the solemnity of the banyan tree, and the sense of swimming freestyle in the heart of nature.
The Lemongrass of Bali, Freestyle in the Ancient Trees" is part of the continuation of the "Food Doing Surreal Things in the Desert" series—another lengthy title, but still rooted in a passion for travel and food. I will keep pursuing my love for travel and food, continuing to develop this unique series that combines the two.
