I had the opportunity to travel around Bali for two months. Bali is a beautiful country with many things to see and do. I looked at going to Bali three years ago pre covid. I had this great plan to travel around Asia and Bali was first on my plan. As we know in life things change and so did my plan.
I ended up heading to Thailand and I end up stuck there for almost a year due to covid. I am certainly not complaining by any means. It was one of the best things that have to me in my lifetime. Ok let's get back on track about Bali.
Bali airport is the most disorganize airport I have had the privilege of visiting. My flight came in from Vietnam and I lined up with the rest of the passengers to buy my visa on arrival. On the website it clearly states they accept cards as a form of payment. After standing in line, they announced no cards accepted. I stood in that line for an hour and told get in the atm line. Which was another hour. Then you must get in line for immigration. You have that right just because you bought your visa was not clearing immigration. So, another hour of standing in line. In total I spent four hours trying to leave the airport. My driver sat outside and waited on me the whole time.
The first ten days I spent in a hotel. I quickly found out that eating out and drinking was going to eat up the budget very fast. I was able to find an Airbnb with a small kitchen. The food is good in Bali just not that affordable if you trying to slow travel. I have to be honest I came from Vietnam and Thailand that was more than affordable. Of course, if you are coming from the US or Australia, it will be a bit cheaper.
The party scene is crazy for sure. The first two weeks I was at a party every night. If you are worried about meeting people and having a good time don't be. I made plenty of friends very quickly.
I spent one day at Finns Beach Club there is always a price tag for a good time. Finns have nine bars, 4 pools, 6 restaurants and 180-degree ocean view. I went with four friends, and we rented large bed and there was a must spend of three million Rupiah (200 USD). Which was not hard between food and drinks
One thing you must do is to catch the sunsets in Bali. Most people will head to the beach and pull up a bean bag and drink a Bintang. If you are looking for a nicer place head to Double Six Rooftop Bar. The experience of explosive sunsets and good drink cannot be missed.
I really need to address driving in Bali. I am understanding that we all want to have our own way around the island. Learning to ride a motorbike should not be done in Bali. I watched people crash on a daily basis there. I consider myself experience as I have driven most of the time in Thailand and even crazy Vietnam. Honestly no way to prepare for Bali. You will see motorbikes riding on the sidewalks because there is nowhere else to go. The traffic is terrible. I have been riding behind other foreigners and watched them fall over and almost get ran over. There are better options to get around. Download the Grab and Gojek app. You can either order a car or a motorbike to pick you up and take you to your destination. These are both very cheap and safe options.
There are many things to in Bali. I have been the traveler that thought I had to have everything planned out in advance. I do plan a few things and then I decide on anything when I get there.
I loved heading to the north to Ubud, Bali. I rode my motorbike up and loved passing the many temples and rice fields along the way. Ubud is a cultural hub as beautiful as the nature that surrounds it Ubud is a major center of the Balinese culture and local spirituality that has attracted artists and travelers for nearly a century. Although its ever-increasing popularity means that this area is now sometimes as busy as Bali’s southern neighborhoods, the development of Ubud has been more focused on maintaining traditional culture. Do not forget to visit Monkey Forrest. The monkeys are very checky and will try and steal yourself.
Bali trip to isn’t complete without a water temple trip. Tanah Lot Temple sits on a craggy rock in the sea. ‘Tanah Lot’ means Land in the Sea in the local language, and it is an interesting site with waves crashing around it and the deep blues of the ocean stretching far into the distance behind. Dating back to the 16th century, it is said that a shrine was built on the rocks to honor the gods of the sea. There are elements from Hinduism and the local Balinese mythology within, and poisonous sea snakes are said to protect it from malevolent spirits and trespassers.
Sidemen is a scenic village in east Bali. The lush and verdant countryside boasts pretty rice paddies and palm plantations, with local homes speckled across the landscapes. The area is known for being a leading producer of palm wine and palm toddy, and local villagers are great at weaving. The vibe is tranquil and relaxed and it’s a top place to move away from the beaten track, escape the masses, and spend some time in rural Bali. Enjoy long walks or bike rides through the pretty countryside, stopping to take plenty of photographs of the green rice paddies that stretch out before you. Cross small rivers and see rich plantations, sample the locally produced tuak (palm toddy) and arak (palm wine), and enjoy a traditional meal in a simple restaurant. Purchase locally made woven products, which feature colorful and intricate designs. For a more hands-on experience head to Agung Silver, where you can make your own beautiful jewelry.
The coastal village of Canggu boasts lots of cool activities and a beautiful beach that stretches for around ten kilometers (6.2 miles). The black volcanic sands create a cool contrast with the blues of the ocean and the greens of the trees that line the beach. There are challenging surfing spots to tackle, fishing boats bob on the waves, and fresh catches are served in local restaurants. The most popular spot for backpackers, Canggu is the place to stay if you are looking to mix tropical living, hectic nightlife, lazy cafe mornings and a little bit of relaxation. Canggu is TBB’s favorite spot in Bali.
Located in north Bali, Aling-Aling Waterfall is one of the island’s prettiest waterfalls. Water crashes from 35 meters (114 feet) over a steep cliff, thundering down into a pool below. The surrounding jungle is home to varied flora and fauna, and there are opportunities for hiking close by. Follow the path and steps for around ten to fifteen minutes to reach the stunning Aling-Aling Waterfall. There are viewpoints along the way where you can admire the natural beauty and take great pictures. The route passes through rice terraces and pastoral land, too.
I hope you have enjoyed this blog post on Bali. I would encourage a visit to this wonderful country. Just bring your patience is the best advice I can offer.
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