Bali
We travel to exotic Indonesia and specifically to Bali or Bali where it is known for its volcanoes, vast rice fields and its enchanting seabed...
Photograph by https://capturetheatlas.com/
Before we start...
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Our trip to Bali was combined with Singapore, where it was also the intermediate station of our trip. We spent 8 days in Bali in total (2 nights in Ubud & 6 nights in Seminyak)
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It was one of our first trips to an exotic destination and so far away that we had to organize it and see as much as possible.
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Bali is an island in Indonesia and is famous for its natural beauty of active volcanoes, vast green rice fields that exude a sense of peace.
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While Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country, in Bali more than 80% of the population are Hindu Balinese and you will notice countless temples in every area of the island.
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In order to see the island better, we divided the sights and excursions into northern and southern parts and started exploring...
Ubud accommodation & tours
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After our arrival at Denpasar airport we had arranged from the hotel in ubud to pick us up to transfer us to our hotel, on our way which lasted about 90 minutes. We stopped to try Luwak coffee and tea. The entrance was free, as was the guided tour of the site, and if you wanted at the end you could buy the products
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During our stay in Ubud we rented a scooter (2€/day) and started our tour of the surroundings. Our first stop is the Sacred monkey forest (5€ entrance) where we will encounter a green area with Hindu temples, streams and of course infinite monkeys living their daily lives. Be careful with your things as curious monkeys will approach you and may grab something... You can get bananas and feed them if you want.
Next stop the Tegallalang Rice Terrace rice fields (20' distance) where we admired the terraced levels and the green landscape and learned about rice cultivation on the island. Before the rice fields you will find the famous swing overlooking the rice fields Aloha Ubud Swing for a photo at a cost of $25-30/person
We drive another 20 minutes to visit Pura Tirta Empul , Hindu temple with baths containing water from a sacred spring, Balinese Hindus go to cleanse their souls and ward off evil.
This tradition still continues almost unchanged and today, apart from devotees, tourists from all over the world also come to this place to admire its beauty and bathe in its refreshing blessed water.
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Back to Ubud and after a day full of activities we ate the most delicious crispy duck at Bebek Bengil Ubud restaurant in a superb traditional restaurant with a green courtyard.
The second day in Ubud starts for more distant destinations so from the previous day we rented a car with a driver and a guide to go to places we had in our program as well as intermediate stations that were suggested to us. Cost was $100 after negotiation. (Click on the map to see the route)
First Stop Besakih Temple, known as the Mother Templeof Bali for over 1,000 years, sits 1,000 meters high on the southwestern slopes of Mount Agung. Besakih is an artistic and unique complex that includes at least 86 temples that include the main Pura Penataran Agung (the Grand Temple of the state) and 18 others. Besakih is the largest and holiest of the island's temples and is surrounded by majestic and picturesque rice paddies, hills, mountains, streams and more.
Second stop the Tirta Gangga a former royal palace located in the eastern part of the island of Bali, the park is famous for the water palace, belonging to the Kingdom of Karagasem. The former royal palace of Tirta Gangga, it means that the water in the palace came from the river Gangga, as the sacred river of Hindus has cascading fountains, tropical gardens and carvings of mystical creatures spewing water into pools. Just outside the palace grounds, the lush green rice paddies of northeast Bali are very impressive.
Third stop and after 20 minutes we faced the gate of heaven or paradise as it is called, it is located in the famous temple of Lempuyang and belongs to the most photographed spots in Bali. The view towards Mount Agung when standing between the gate is unique
Last stop of our tour is the Pura Goa Lawah temple, one of the unique and most picturesque temples in Bali. It features a complex built around a cave opening inhabited by hordes of bats and its name translates to Bat Cave;. This temple was founded in the 11th century by Mpu Kuturan, one of the first priests who laid the foundations of Hinduism on the island.
Last day in Ubud and before our departure for Seminyak we had time in the morning to visit the majestic Tegenungan waterfall! The route to the waterfall was easy and at the beginning of the route you will find a shop with fresh juices and snacks with a great view.
Last walk in the center of Ubud and visit Tjampuhan Old Bridge a wonderful wooden bridge as well as the Agung Rai Museum of Art
Accommodation Seminyak itinerary 6 days
- For our transfer from Ubud to Seminyak we kept in touch with the driver from the previous tour and agreed on the price to take us to our hotel. With the same guide and guide we also arranged the second excursion to the north of the island.
A few basics about Bali will be written below before we expand on the planning and attractions.
- If you want to move around at night and have the place where you stay alive then don't choose to stay in nusa dua. This is the area that most agencies choose because of the 5-star hotels and the beach without waves. The area does not represent Bali it has been made for tourist reasons. Choose to stay in the areas of Seminyak or Legian where you will find hotels for all tastes and preferences and walking a few steps you will find plenty of options for entertainment and shopping.
On our first day we walked and explored the surrounding area and looked into renting a scooter for the rest of our island adventure... Seminyak is in line with Legian and Kutahowever is the most expensive area and with the mostcarefully restaurants and beach bars.
We recommend:
La Plancha Bali , KU DE TA - Desa Potato Head - Ultimo Restaurant - La Favela Seminyak
Our hotel was: Mutiara Bali Boutique Resort Villas & Spa
- The next day we drove south to find a calm beach to swim and stopped at Padang Padang Beach with lovely waters and lots of monkeys around the beach (this is where eat pray love was filmed).
- We then headed to Uluwatu Temple where it is famous for its magnificent location, perched on top of a sheer cliff about 70 meters above the waves. As one of the 6 main temples considered to be thespiritual pillars of Bali, Uluwatu also shares its magnificent sunset scenery.
- If you visit at sunset you can also witness the traditional Kecak fire dance, an elaborate performance based on the Hindu epic, Ramayana. It is performed by about 50 people with a large portion of them tasked with chanting the famous chuck, chuck, chuck & sound and performing basic routines while sitting on the ground.
On our way back from Uluwatu we stopped at Jimbaran Beach where when the sun goes down they put out tables on the beach and do a huge seafood barbeque where you can have lunch on the beach
The continuation to the main street of Seminyak where, in addition to the many restaurants, you will also find several shops that offer massages... After such a full day, we needed it...
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We got back to the hotel and it wasn't dark yet... So what could be more beautiful than seeing the sunset at Tanah Lot temple. . There is also a story-myth about this temple and the water snakes you will see around there..
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Legends say that all the sea snakes in this area with the black and white color on their skin are the beings that guard this religious site. These snakes are known to protect the area and its people from harm – and in return the people respect, protect and allow the snakes to exist in their natural habitat.
The next day was a day with an excursion, the goal is to explore the northern part of the island with our guide.
Our first stop (2 hours drive) was Ulun Danu Beratan Temple on the shores of Lake Beratan. The temple is located on the second largest lake of the island and is surrounded by large mountains. The combination of the calm waters as well as a small mist that rises from the surface of the water in the morning hours compose a magical scene.
We then drove 30 minutes north and came to one of the most impressive waterfalls we have seen Gitgit Waterfall. We had to walk 15 minutes on a tropical path very easy and you will also come across small shops selling fruit and water as well as handmade decorations.
The next day it was time to cruise. It was impossible not to snorkel the coral reefs and get to know the enchanting beaches of Penida Island.
The excursion was booked online before we arrived and as advertised invited us to experience a castaway adventure in a fairytale setting for a whole day. The cost of the excursion was $102/person and included everything. Click here for details on what is included HERE
The excursion started with a wonderful Catamaran waiting for us where fruit refreshments and juices were complimentary. The beach we went to was private to the company and we were the only passengers on the catamaran and people on the excursion in traditional clothing. The place had all the comforts as well as a buffet with food. From the beach you could go snorkelling in an amazing seabed....
Behind the beach there was a path where you could go to a traditional settlement where they sold handmade jewelry and decorations...
At the time we had made the trip we had not discovered the spectacular Kelingking Beach on Penida Island. If you are interested in taking an excursion, go there here take a look...
Also if you are a hiker you will love the sunrise hike on Batur volcano with breakfast on top as the sun rises for detailed views here
