Bali, Indonesia
Hindu statue, Ubud, Bali
© David Wade, 2019
Overview
There isn’t much to write about Bali, the infamous traveller hotspot in Indonesia, that hasn’t been written before. It is a mecca for budget and bougie tourists alike, somewhat mid-range with my budget I will cover the parts of the island, places and sites that I enjoyed the most.
On Arrival
I arrived mid-morning to Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar and had arranged a pick up from the hotel I was staying at for my first night. About two hours drive from the airport, I had first chosen to stay in Padang Bai due to the ease in which I could get to the Gili Islands in Lombok - the top of my hit list whilst in the area. There is lots going on at the airport so I would advise to have your next movements sorted in advance of landing.
ACCOMMODATION
During my ten days in Bali I stayed in four key locations, originally it had been five however I altered my plans before arriving to ensure that I had enough time in each to experience it better. This is something that I discovered during my time in Sri Lanka - trying to fit too much into a relatively short amount of time was a mistake.
Villa Manouria, Padang Bai
High up in the hills overlooking Padang Bai, this is a small, family-run place that has a real homely feel to it. As I was there during one of the Hindu festivals, the owner kindly took me to the temple to experience the celebrations and get involved in one of the prayers on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. This was a lovely spot to spend my first night in Bali.
Ombak Sunset, Gili Trawangan
The Gili Islands are actually part of Lombok rather than Bali, however I have included here for ease. I spent three nights in this stunning and beautiful part of the world. Still recovering from earthquakes, tourism had seen a hit meaning that luxury places like Ombak Sunset were reasonably priced. Situated on the calm side of the island, the hotel itself was very comfy and there were several great places to eat in the area. I rented a bike on a few days as well as enjoyed several of the incredible sunsets during my time here.
Pajar House Ubud Suites and Villas, Ubud
This stunning places is located in rice fields outside of the main strip in Ubud. With a majestic backdrop, the hotel is beautifully finished and the bathroom was without a doubt one of the highlights. There is a regular shuttle that takes guests to and from the main town of Ubud and they also arranged a private day tour for me which took in several key sites in the south west of the Island. The only down side for me was that the room didn’t feel that private due to the proximity of the other rooms and the abundance of windows.
Uluwatu Breeze Village, Uluwatu
My favourite place throughout my time in Bali, Uluwatu Breeze Village has a relaxed and chilled vibe that was perfect for me to end both my time in Bali and the end of my trip out to Australia - which took in five countries within five weeks. Walkable from the main area of Uluwatu, the staff were very helpful and friendly, as well as the complimentary breakfast being some of the best I’d had. There is also a pool and they can arrange trips for you.
Ombak Sunset, Gili Trawangan, Lombok
© David Wade, 2019
Uluwatu, Bali
© David Wade, 2019
The Exile, Gili Trawangan, Lombok
© David Wade, 2019
Jatiluwih Rice Terrace, Tabana, Bali
© David Wade, 2019
UNMISSABLE
Sunset on the west side of Gili Trawangan
Without a doubt the most stunning sunsets I have ever seen were on Gili T. With several restaurants and bars located on the less touristy side of the island, I ensured that each of the three nights I stayed there I visited a different one of the establishments which has the famous sea swings and majestic views.
Top tip: Scout out the different locations during the day time on bicycle to decide which you think will be the one for you. The best two were the swings outside Ombak Sunset and The Exile.
Gili Islands boat tour
Being a solo traveller sometimes you have to take a financial hit to do something you really want. One of these for me was a trip around the three Gili Islands. Charting a private boat I was taken to four popular spots in the area including blue coral, turtle point, the underwater statues and an area to feed wild fish. Part of the tour included GoPro images and video content to take away.
Top tip: Shop around for the best prices and ensure that you research the key parts you want to see
Jatiluwih Rice Terrace, Tabana
This was part of my day tour from Ubud and is often cited as one of the top ten places to visit in all of Bali. The working rice fields stretch for miles and there are several public footpaths that take you around the site. The views are something else, and whilst less easily accessible than the more frequented Tegallalang fields nearer Ubud - it’s well known Jatiluwih is more spectacular.
Top tip: Make sure you allow plenty of time to wander around the rice fields and be sure to take lots of pictures
Sunset at Tanah Lot
One of the most popular spots in Bali, Tanah Lot is a Hindu temple located on a small rock formation out in the ocean. The sunset I experience here was incredible and the silhouette created by the temple was quite something.
Top tip: There are lots of restaurants and bars on the cliff overlooking the site. Ensure you get here early to reserve the best spot ahead of the sun going down - I was there two hours before sundown
Surf lesson, Dreamland Beach
Bali is one of the best known surfing locations globally so taking in a surfing lesson whilst visiting is a must. I arranged a one on one lesson through my hotel in Uluwatu which took me to Dreamland Beach. For two hours I had coaching and was able to stand up a couple of times. Whilst Bali does have a prevalence of rubbish in the water, this didn’t ruin my time riding the waves.
Top tip: Doing a lesson with a local rather than a large tour group means that there is an element of flexibility. My instructor waited until the waves were good enough before starting my lesson
Visit a beach club
Whilst my time in Bali was less of a bougie trip, there are many beach clubs on the island which cater to that crowd. On my last day, having had to check out of my hotel and hours to kill before my flight to Sydney I spent it hanging out at a local beach club in Uluwatu. The Ulu Cliffhouse was a great spot for me, it wasn’t high season which meant that the minimum spend was reasonable and they had plenty of great food and drinks. Whilst the crowd that frequent this type of place can be on the posey side, I was able to enjoy the pool and lay in the sun reading my book.
Top tip: Great places to visit with a group of people, but make sure you have plenty of budget put aside as they aren’t cheap
Signature Eats
The food in Bali is delicious and they pioneer a clean eating and Insta-friendly fare that includes lots of fresh fruit. Below are three of my favourite spots I ate at.
Jeffry Cafe, Uluwatu
Located just around the corner from where I was staying in Uluwatu, I simply fell in love with the smoothie bowls in this place - I still think about them now. A small and locally run restaurant the food is simple, delicious and very reasonably priced. I visited several times during my time here and would highly recommend.
Nau Tapioca House, Uluwatu
I always want to try new things when I’m away and this place is dedicated to dishes using tapioca - a starch extracted from the roots of the cassava plant - as the main ingredient. From savoury and sweet pancakes to açai bowls, this place is a great spot for a light and nutritious meal.
Atman Kafe, Ubud
This place had a distinct hippy and authentic vibe with a range of food and drink on offer. There is focus on the ‘eat clean’ trend and I had a delicious cocoa drink alongside a fresh smoothie bowl. Definitely one of the more memorable places I visited during my time in Ubud.
Peanut smoothie bowl, Jeffry Cafe, Uluwatu, Bali
© David Wade, 2019
Taman Ayun Temple, Mengwi, Bali
© David Wade, 2019
Top Tips
With so much to do on a small island, ensure that you identify the key areas you want to visit. I know friends who had visited the island several times and so took their advice when deciding on where exactly to go
Try and eat local where you can. The residents on Bali have got on board with the popularity of the island and it was great to be able to do experiences and eat off the beaten track
Mix up your time between the temples, the beaches and the bars. Bali has so much to offer it’s great to be able to do a variety of things
Don’t ride a bicycle on Gili T after a few alcoholic drinks, I learnt this the hard way…
A lot of places are still very much cash-based so bare this in mind when planning finances. There are plenty of ATMs in key locations.
Summary
Bali certainly lives up to the hype. With a range of hotels, experiences and establishments to suit all budgets, it is clear why the island is popular with backpackers and luxe travellers in equal measures. For my first time visiting Indonesia I am already desperate to go back again.