Indonesia has been on my travel list for a long time, so when the opportunity came up to visit, I was thrilled. Bali, where I spent, most of my time, had especially a great mix of interesting cultural elements and practices, delicious food, inspiring bushwalks and world-class scuba diving.
CITIES/PLACES VISITED IN INDONESIA : Bali (Ubud, Seminyak, Tulamben, Denpasar) and Jakarta.
Selamat Pagi (Phonetic : seh-lah-mat pah-gee) : Good Morning (They also use 'Hi')
Enak (Phonetic : ee-nahk) : Tasty
Mat Neuss (Phonetic : mat nay-ooss) : Damn Tasty
TOP THINGS TO DO/SEE IN BALI
Bike tour across the countryside and rice fields in Bali (25km downhill at an easy pace)
Balinese-style Food Cooking Course
Amazing & easy scuba diving in Tulamben on shipwreck The Liberty
Bushwalk in the rice fields
Check out interesting temples in Ubud, etc
Check out the fascinating main art gallery in Ubud
Check out Terraced hills for a heavenly view
Enjoy a traditional Balinese meal
Wandering around both Ubud and Seminyak - Lots to discover (especially shopping and restaurants)
BEST MEMORIES FROM BALI
Amazing gargoyles and statues throughout Bali
The zen feeling that overwhelms you when walking through the rice fields on bushwalks in Bali
Night Dive on a Shipwreck and amazing Macro Photography opportunity at Tulamben
Hanging out in Ubud... my kind of place. Very vibrant and boho.
WATCH OUT FOR...
The monkeys in any monkey park or sanctuary. (I heard some have grabbed and broken glasses right off people's faces in Uluwatu, and make sure you don't have any food with you, even commercial candy)
FAVOURITE FOODS / DRINKS IN BALI
Salak fruit (Slightly tart and dry but ever so tasty)
Dadar pancakes (Filled with caramelised coconut)
Babi Guling (Roast Suckling Pig)
Satay Pork or Chicken (Mmm, peanut sauce)
Sambal (Indonesian Chili Sauce! If you like Chili, Indonesia is your place!)
INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT...
The Balinese are lovely people. Always smiling.
Balinese vs Javanese. Two very different cultures.
Balinese vs Javanese food - Quite different food.
There are almost no stop lights or stop signs in Bali. It's all about merging and constantly moving forward but at a very careful pace. I felt very safe in that environment actually. They are very careful and aware drivers.
PHOTO ALBUMS
Gargoyles & Statues
Bali
Ubud Cooking Class
Bali
Ubud Hiking
Bali
Bike Tour
Central Bali
Food
Bali
Monkey Forest
Ubud, Bali
Ubud, the town
Bali
Art Galleries & Souvenirs
Bali
Seminyak
Bali
Denpasar City
Bali
Denpasar Markets
Bali
Terraced Fields
Bali
Offerings
Bali
Road Transport
Bali
Scuba Diving
Tulamben, Bali
Jakarta
Indonesia
WHAT TO DO WHEN I GO BACK
Full 4 hr hike from Ibah Luxury Villas in Ubud (Campuan Ridge), Bali
Experience interaction with Dolphins (Dolphin Lodge, Jalan Tukad Punggawa, Link Br. Ponjok Kelurahan Serangan, +62.361.780.3886 / 780.3881, enquiry.dolphinlodge@gmail.com), in Bali
Visit the Sidha Karya Gong Foundry (Centre of Bali, near Blahbatuh)
Visit Gianyar town to see the beautiful ornamental palace of the royal family.
Uluwatu (West Bali) for the Kecak Fire Dance performance, Classical Balinese Architecture, been told to watch out for the evil monkeys. Check out Rock Bar to watch sunset (get there early to avoid lineups).
South Bali : Jimbaran - A good place to eat fresh seafood served over coconut husks. Fishing boats with lamps set off into water at dusk.
Elephant Safari Park
Tirta Empul (spring), tampaksiring
Go East to see Taman Gili, a royal compound with beautiful ceiling paintings in 2 large pavilions.
Find the unique mango called Wani, which is found in the singaraja area and has a distinctive smell cherished by the Balinese
Diving : Manta Point at Nusa Penida, Visit & Dive Gilis Islands, The Magnet for Hammerheads (Lombok)
Volcano Hike up Mt Agung
Supposedly I must try the Bakso Chicken, balinese-style chicken.
