Last year while on exchange, a small group of us decided to celebrate China's 'May Day' Holiday with a 10 day holiday in Bali. If Bali is not already on your bucket list, it really should be. From spending our days lounging on the beach, hiking through the jungle and discovering the waterfalls hidden inside, meeting the locals and devouring the fresh, picture perfect food there is something in Bali for ever type of traveler.
The Basics
We traveled to Bali at the end of April. It did rain while we were there but only for short periods due to the humidity. Other than that, it was clear blue skies all day everyday.
How to get there
Although the initial cost of flights can be a hit to the pocket, the day-to-day cost of life on this island paradise will more than make up for it.
We flew into Denpasar airport. We flew from Beijing so our flight took about 12 hours, laying over in Hong Kong for a short period. From Dublin to Denpasar would take roughly 19 hours with layovers.
Flying into Denpasar our first location was Seminyak. Seminyak was about a 40 minute drive from the airport.
When looking for accommodation and great places to eat, Airbnb and TripAdvisor will be your best friend. If your lucky like me, in your travel gang you'll have someone who is so good with finding both accommodation and restaurants you'll think they actually created the apps.
Where to Stay
Accommodation in Bali relative to Europe is very cheap. For the equivalent price you would pay for a small Airbnb in Europe you can stay in an amazing villa in Bali. Which is exactly what we did.
Arriving to this Villa after flying for so long would nearly bring tears to your eyes. As students it was laughable that we were able to afford to live in such luxury. The super host Made Hari could not have done more for us and on our last day she even got locals in to cook us local cuisine for our last breakfast in Seminyak.
From Seminyak we moved onto Ubud. In hindsight Bali is not that big of a place and I would recommend staying in Seminyak and doing day trips to visit the other parts of Bali.
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Exclusive Villa with Rooftop Patio, Backyard Pool & Games Room
Hungry?
Traveling from China, where our diet was mostly rice and noodles, we were in literal heaven with the food choices in Bali. All day brunches, smoothie bowls as well local Balinese cuisine.
My top picks:
Strawberry fields
We ate here for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their menu is insane from their breakfast selection, mixture of smoothies as well as their burgers. Compared to local Balinese cuisine it is more expensive however it is still cheap compared to what you would have to pay if you ate any meal similar to it in Europe.
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Balibola
The staff here were so amazing and the actual interior is super cute inside. Balibola has great vegetarian and vegan option across all its menu. Its deserts were amazing and they had vegan options which can sometimes be hard to find when it comes to desert selection.
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In a place where Breakfast can be eaten for dinner, I will always be in heaven.
What to do
Tegalalang rice terrace
Bali is not all about lounging about on the beach. The driver that was accessible to us through our villa stay brought us to the Tegalalang rice terrace. He told us we could get some of the most beautiful photos here and he was not wrong.
Within the rice terraces, locals show you how Kopi luwak (cat poop coffee) is created. We decided not give it a try. but saw many other travelers doing so and they seemed to enjoy the coffee tasting experience. Within the terraces, swings and little nest have been constructed around the green landscape allowing tourist to get their Instagram perfect picture.
Cost: 15000 IDR per person into the rice terrace.
Watch the sunset on Seminyak beach.
I think one of my favourite things to do in Bali was watching the sunset while sitting on the beach with friends drinking a Lemon Radler. No sunset was the same, each one as beautiful than the evening before.
Canggu Beach
My biggest regret in Bali, and maybe in life, is that I cannot surf or haven't tried to learn. The envy you feel sitting on the beach as surfers get their last paddle while the sun sets is like nothing else. If you can surf, Bali is definitely a place you should be visiting. Canggu beach is a very popular beach for surfing. Surfers are able to rent boards and surf instructors are available for lessons.
Ubud Monkey Forest
I realized on this trip that I am not into monkeys and find them a LITTLE scary so I went as far as waving my friends into the sanctuary and enjoyed a smoothie from the cute little coffee onsite instead while I waited.
If monkeys are your thing or your at least not petrified of them, Ubud's Monkey Sanctuary really should be on your to do list. The monkeys are just playing around you and you can get some great photos.
There are rules that you are to follow when in the sanctuary. This rules are in place for your safety and really should be followed.
Unfortunately not everyone follows these rules which is why you hear 'horror stories' but if you follow the rules, you should be OK. In the end, we are visiting their home so we should be respectful.
Being up so close to a Monkey is an amazing experience and visiting a sanctuary is a great way to support the local wildlife.
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Waterfalls
We dedicated a full day to waterfall hopping. Bali definitely has some of the most beautiful waterfalls. In some cases, tourist are asked to pay to go to the waterfalls but it was worth it. My top two waterfalls would have to be Tegenungan Waterfall and Kanto Lampo Waterfall
1. Tegenungan Waterfall
I believe this experience was free and it was thanks to our local driver that we even found this gem.
2. Kanto Lampo Waterfall
I do think we paid into this waterfall but it definitely was not expensive and a hundred percent worth it.
Mount Batur
I think my highlight of the entire trip had to be the night hike of Mt. Batur. This is a must do for anyone traveling to Bali. Although an early start, the view from the top accompanied by your complementary boiled egg and cup of coffee is unbelievable.
We booked only two days before we did the hike as we had initially forgotten about it but we had no problem booking the trip and attaining a guide in such short notice. We were very lucky.
The extremely friendly tour guides, who hike Mt. Batur every morning keep you very entertained the whole journey up. We were given two tour guides so that if the group needed to split, for different fitness levels, this was possible. It is a very safe hike. If unable to climb the mountain, locals can be found driving mountain motorbikes to drive you as close as they possible can to the summit. The price for this service is extremely expensive and if you do have the ability to hike the mountain you really should. It was exhausting but once you reach the summit and the endorphines kick in, you'll be very proud that you kept going. Also, its not a race. Tour guides are willing to stop and there is also a little shop half way up where locals sell water, energy bars, bananas and even beer if that is what you need to get you to the top.
This was my first night hike. I initially found it very bizarre. We were given head lamps, torches and hiking poles. I could hear voices but could not see people, only lights in the distance. Local dogs also climbed the mountain. If you choose to do this (you really should), then make sure you carry warmer clothes in your rucksack. They are not messing when they say bring layers for the top. It is extremely cold and if you want to enjoy the beautiful sunrise, you want to do it in three layers with your coffee in your hand.
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A tradition that has developed among my friends and I when ending our travels is stating our peaks and pits of our holiday. So that is how I'll end my Bali Blog.
Pit: Bali Belly
Unfortunately, A little bit of food poisoning occurred however this really does happen to even the best of us. It can sometimes be inevitable and comes with the territory. Just make sure you bring some stomach medication, don't drink tap water, order drink without ice and even though you might REALLY want a salad maybe don't, as the ingredients could be washed with the local water from the tap.
Peak: Mount Batur. Nothing comes close to the experience of doing a night hike and watching the beautiful sunrise with a boiled egg and good friends.
Until our next adventure,
Marie x