Beautiful Bali Travelogue + Guide
D1 I booked an 8-day, 6-night self-guided tour of Bali on Ctrip. Departed around 10 am on August 9, on Garuda Indonesia flight. Had to take off and land three times because of a stopover in Singapore and then a transfer in Jakarta (if there's a next time, I'll definitely choose a direct flight — 11 hours of flying is too much). Arrived at the hotel around 10 pm, the Inna Grand Bali Beach in Sanur (claiming to be a five-star, but actually more like three-star). We booked a deluxe sea view room; from the balcony, we saw an endless ocean — the environment was nice. After resting a bit, we went out for a walk on the beach, then returned to sleep without definite plans for the next day.
D2 Woke up at 7 am to the hotel's music because I forgot to turn off the radio last night. But the sun was already bright. I got up and went to the balcony to enjoy the sea view. I saw many people doing yoga on the beach, very relaxing. Also, two teams of sepak takraw were training, quite lively. I woke my wife and discussed the day's itinerary. Since we had a SIM card from Ctrip, we contacted two local drivers recommended by others. We reached one named Lanus, agreed on $35 per day (9 hours), asked him to pick us up at 10:30, and decide the specific itinerary later. Went to the hotel restaurant and found a long queue — mostly Chinese, especially Shanghainese, plus Japanese and Korean. Finally got in, but there wasn't much good food, and the omelet station had a long line — unbelievable. The driver arrived punctually at the lobby. We agreed on the day's itinerary: Tirta Empul Temple, Mount Batur, and Besakih Temple. Along the way, we passed Ubud, Batuan, Celuk (silver village), Mas (woodcarving village). The driver explained things along the way. Arrived at Tirta Empul, just so-so. Passed by Tegallalang Rice Terrace, beautiful scenery. On the way to the volcano, it started raining heavily. The driver said it was a passing shower, regional. By the time we reached the volcano, the rain had stopped. Had lunch at the buffet restaurant that many netizens rated average. Then went to Besakih Temple. Due to the rain, the scenery was a bit hazy. The temple is on a slope; you have to wear a sarong to go up. There was a big ritual happening; only locals could accompany us in. Paid 20,000 RP tip to go around. If the weather were better, it would be quite impressive, as it's called the 'Mother Temple'. For dinner, we packed food from a restaurant near the hotel. Gave $1 tip to the driver for lunch and dinner each. On the way back, we arranged for the third day: rafting + visiting Ubud. Asked him to get us the best price — rafting $30 per person.
D3 Started earlier today because Telagawaja rafting is only available in the morning. Today, we included another family of three we met at immigration. We decided to share the car (hehe, save a bit, and more fun). Didn't choose Ayung River rafting because the driver Lanus said this one was better. Indeed, it was thrilling. Had a free buffet lunch at noon, not bad. Gave the boatman $5 tip, but he seemed to want more — ridiculous. In the afternoon, we went to Ubud, the heart of Bali. Visited the old royal palace and the market (like the City God Temple of Bali). Didn't have time for the palace's roast suckling pig, didn't watch a performance, and didn't do a spa because we wanted to catch sunset at Jimbaran. Unexpectedly, traffic was heavy because it was a good day with many religious ceremonies and it was rush hour with countless motorbikes. By the time we passed Kuta, the sun had already set. We decided to go to Jimbaran another day. Instead, we went to Kuta to check out the Bamboo Corner restaurant recommended by netizens. True to form, we had to walk through alleys and ask for directions. The place was packed. Locals said the restaurant's name came from its bamboo roof, hehe. Outdoor seats were taken by two foreigners, so we sat inside. Ordered fried rice, fried noodles, seafood basket, stir-fried vegetables, and juice. Tasted okay, not expensive, total about 140,000 RP. On the way, we passed another recommended restaurant, Poppies, which looked good, so we decided to try it another day. At dinner, we arranged the next day's itinerary: half-day water sports + Kuta + Tanah Lot.
D4 Started early again because we heard we should get to Nusa Dua beach early to avoid crowds. Went to a shop run by Lanus's friend. We chose diving, flying fish, and parasailing. Bargained with the host: parasailing $10 per person, flying fish $30 for two, diving $60 for two + $10 for photos. First time diving, a bit uncomfortable, but I adapt quickly and soon got into it. Not like my wife, who was pushed into the water by the instructor, haha. Diving was fun, but time was too short. Flying fish is a new activity, very exciting, worth a try. But waiting for parasailing took too long. However, the staff at this shop were enthusiastic, and they offered free lunch. Still, we decided to have lunch at Poppies in Kuta. At the restaurant, we even had to go through bag check — safety first. The restaurant environment was fantastic: a courtyard restaurant with water features and green plants, pleasing to the eye. We ordered two portions of the Indonesian specialty set meal (for two people), so much food we couldn't finish, plus fried rice and white rice, and barbecue — very satisfying. Highly recommended. Total about 400,000 RP, because of 5% service charge and 10% consumption tax. That meal took us three hours, so we didn't have time to browse the small shops in Kuta. But the famous brand items in those shops are almost all fakes, so don't be fooled by cheap prices. It was already 4 pm when we finished this 'lunch'. Then we hurried to Tanah Lot to watch the sunset. Not only did we see the sunset, but we also saw a local bride taking wedding photos — beautiful. We sat at an open-air restaurant nearby, ordered juice, and enjoyed the view until dark. Since lunch was too filling and late, we decided to go back to our respective hotels and eat dinner later.
D5 Since we hadn't had time for a spa before and felt Ubud needed more exploration, we headed straight to Ubud today. On the way, the driver took us to a silver workshop he knew. We looked at two small pieces of jewelry. Perhaps because it was the first deal, the price was hard to negotiate down, so we didn't buy. Later, while exploring Ubud, we found that silver items there were even more expensive. (Later, on the way to Jimbaran beach, we asked the driver to take us back to that workshop. Maybe because it was getting dark, we successfully bargained and bought what we wanted. Happily, I must say.) At noon, we dined at the famous Bebek Bengil (Dirty Duck) restaurant, enjoying smoked duck and other specialties. Actually, it's just another courtyard restaurant, taste was okay. The four of us spent 300,000 RP in total. After lunch, we went to Bali Ratu Spa for a traditional massage, 1.5 hours, $45 per person. The surroundings were nice, with green rice fields. After bargaining, got a 20% discount, plus tax and service charge, it came to $38.8 per person. The experience was just average, except for the environment. After the spa, we headed straight to Jimbaran. No traffic jams or other surprises today. We arrived smoothly, saw the beautiful sunset, sat at the front row tables at Jimbaran Bay Café, and enjoyed grilled crab, corn, peanuts, and other delicacies.
D6 Today we didn't hire a car because Lanus had a family ceremony, and we felt we hadn't fully enjoyed the hotel facilities. So we had a free day. Slept in until naturally awake, then went to the beautiful pool until noon. Decided to go to the nearby Hardys supermarket in the afternoon to see if there were any local products to buy. Heard that local taxis are extremely expensive, so we decided to walk 2 kilometers. Left through the back door of the hotel, passed a golf course and villas, met two handsome security guards, and realized we had taken a detour. With the guards' help, we climbed over a wall, haha, and found ourselves outside the hotel on a small street lined with hotels and bars, full of local atmosphere. We strolled along, had a delicious lunch at a bar, and finally reached the supermarket. It was quite large (suggest avoiding Carrefour, heard it's more expensive). Inside the supermarket, there was a massage shop offering foot massage for only 30,000 RP. At my wife's insistence, we tried it. It was very professional and comfortable. I even fell asleep, but my snoring wasn't loud, hehe. After the massage, we had renewed energy and continued shopping, buying many local products and gifts for others. Carrying heavy bags, we firmly decided to walk back (sweating, hehe). On the way, we again packed dinner from a bar and returned to the hotel. Tonight is the last night in Bali.
D7 Checked out early in the morning. Today we decided to hire a car to go to Ubud again and also try Verona's four-hour spa, which was very cheap at 230,000 per person. We left our luggage in Lanus's car, no need for Ctrip pickup. On the way, when we passed the silver village, we decided to browse again. This browsing took 2-3 hours, going from shop to shop, bargaining continuously, following the rule of starting at 20% of asking price and settling at 30% at most. We gained a lot. No time left for the woodcarving village or to see the Barong dance in Batubulan — a bit regrettable. Arrived in Ubud at the appointed time. Without time for lunch, we started the spa. This time it was Lulu Spa for exfoliation. The technique was much better than the expensive one earlier, and the environment was nicer — semi-open, surrounded by rice fields. But it wasn't all massage; part of the time was for facial and hair treatment, hehe. After finishing, we hurriedly explored the nearby small shops, spending all our remaining rupiah. Lanus picked us up on time to go to the airport. At the airport, we took a group photo with the driver and his Suzuki 7-seater minivan. Flight at 6 pm, again three takeoffs and landings, hehe. We were so tired; we fell asleep as soon as we boarded.
D8 At around 7 am, we finally arrived at Pudong Airport after eight days.
1. It's best to exchange US dollars; don't change all your money at once because the exchange rate fluctuates. At the airport, we got 1:9000; later the rate was 1:9295. Remember the departure tax: 150,000 RP. Exchange US dollars at home, and get plenty of small bills, especially $1, for tips.
2. The local weather is currently pleasant. Suggest bringing a long-sleeved shirt because it's cool on the plane, on Mount Batur, and at night. Sunscreen and essential medicines are necessary. Mosquitoes are not many.
3. Local juices are mostly mango, banana, strawberry, priced between 10,000 and 20,000 RP, tasty. Didn't try avocado juice.
4. If you hire a car, remember to tip at lunch and dinner — $1 per family per meal. Also, place $1 tip on the pillow in the morning when leaving.
5. Before a self-guided tour, read others' travelogues and guides; it's very helpful. Eight days is definitely not enough. There are many places we didn't go, such as Ulun Danu Temple, Lovina to see dolphins, and the eighth wonder of the world, Borobudur in Java. Plan time well; don't just rush through attractions. Maybe it's good to leave some regrets so you'll want to come back.
