A Romantic Moment: Holding Hands - Tuantuan and Yuanyuan Explore Bali
We traveled to Bali in May 2018 on a semi-free independent tour package, staying for 5 nights and 6 days, which gave us plenty of time. The guide, Chen Mengxuehui (also known as Sydney), has now started her own travel business. If you need her services, you can contact her (DM me for her WeChat ID). She handles charter cars, custom tours, etc. She is a great guide (Chinese).
I. Itinerary Suggestions:
I personally recommend traveling to Bali independently. Just find a good hotel and stay there. An itinerary of about 5 days is suggested. Recommended attractions include:
1. Uluwatu Lover's Cliff
2. Jimbaran Beach Sunset
3. Find a farther beach for water activities (may not be feasible with children or elderly)
II. Accommodation: KILA INFINITY8 (It's advertised as a local 5-star, and the website self-claims 5 stars, but it doesn't seem to meet that standard). It has an infinity pool, breakfast is decent, rooms are small, but overall acceptable.
If budget allows, stay at better hotels. Many celebrities get married in Bali, so you can choose some unique cliff hotels for the experience.
Day 1: Shenzhen - Bali, Uluwatu Lover's Cliff, Blue Heaven Club (afternoon tea)
We departed at 3:10 AM and arrived at Shenzhen Bao'an Airport at 11:55 PM. We arrived at Bali Airport at 7 AM, and each of us was given a strand of frangipani flowers (very fragrant).
Lunch was Chinese food.
First stop: Uluwatu Lover's Cliff - Recommended
Second stop: Blue Heaven Club, viewing (the romantic glass white chapel + infinity pool) + magnificent sea view afternoon tea. Then checked into the hotel. (The area was quite remote, so we didn't go out.) The hotel's rooftop has an infinity pool with sunset views.
Day 2: South Bay Beach - Nusa Dua Beach - Jimbaran Beach Sunset
First stop: South Bay Beach (Honeymoon Bay), glass-bottom boat to Turtle Island - Highly not recommended.
Second stop: Nusa Dua Beach (Recommended) + upscale shopping area (integrated with the beach)
Third stop: Jimbaran Beach Sunset - Highly recommended, the sunset is beautiful
Fourth stop: 1-hour essential oil SPA massage (It was quite challenging for me and my mother-in-law to massage in the same room with two children)
Day 3: Classic Convertible Jeep Village Tour - Batuan Palace - Sukawati Traditional Market - Tanah Lot Temple
First stop: Classic Convertible Jeep Village Tour (It was hot, so riding or not didn't matter much)
Second stop: Batuan Palace (Extremely small palace, can be skipped)
Third stop: Sukawati Traditional Market (You can buy many fruits, but as a scenic spot, it's quite a rip-off)
Fourth stop: Tanah Lot Temple (Recommended)
Day 4-5: Free Time - Nusa Dua Beach
We woke up naturally, had breakfast, then went back to sleep. Then we took a taxi to the beach behind the Hyatt Hotel. Next time, we'll just stay directly at the Hyatt.
Day 5: Nusa Dua Beach + Jimbaran Sunset
In the afternoon, we went to Nusa Dua Beach again, bringing our wedding dress for photos.
Then we went to Jimbaran again to watch the sunset. By the time we rushed there, the sunset was almost gone, but I'm very grateful to my husband for fulfilling my request.
Day 6: Free Time - Shopping then Fly
Today we followed the guide to buy some local products. (A few ladies in our group wanted to buy some things, so we joined them.)
Attached from the tour booklet: Entry Notes (for reference):
(1) Hong Kong dollars not exceeding HKD 39,000 or equivalent USD 5,000, RMB 20,000, gold and silver jewelry exceeding 3 qian.
(2) Carrying national cultural relics or antiques out of the country is prohibited; total value of medicinal herbs not exceeding RMB 100.
(3) One duty-free watch, two cartons of cigarettes, one bottle of liquor allowed. Yellow publications prohibited.
(4) All electrical appliances are not allowed to be brought into the country. Photography equipment valued over HKD 3,000 must be declared.
(5) Valuable items and cash must be carried on person, not checked in, to avoid loss or damage during luggage handling. Please note!
Language: Indonesian, English
Shopping: The currency in Bali is Rp, short for Indonesian Rupiah. Exchange rate approx. 1 USD = 8500 Rp (for reference). Bali has many souvenirs worth buying, such as Indonesian wood carvings, batik fabrics; local products include coffee beans, curry powder, shrimp crackers, essential oils, etc., suitable for personal use or gifts. When shopping, remember to bargain. In Indonesia, if you're not sure you want to buy an item, it's best not to ask the price, let alone haggle.
Voltage: Bali uses 220V / 60Hz with two-pin round sockets. Most tourist hotels have adapters, but if you bring electrical appliances, it's safer to bring your own transformer and adapter.
Climate: Tropical island climate, hot all year round, average temperature about 28°C. Rainy season is from October to March, dry season the rest of the year.
Food: Indonesia's water quality often carries cholera and other bacteria. Never drink raw water or water of unknown origin. Safe options are bottled or canned water and beverages. Bali's dining blends Eastern and Western cuisines. Major hotels and restaurants offer food from around the world: French restaurants, Chinese restaurants, Japanese Furutaro, Italian pizza, etc.
International Calls: To call China from Bali: (008 or 001 or 017) + 86 + area code + phone number. To call Bali from China: 00 + 62 + 361 + local number.
Clothing: Wear simple summer clothing throughout; bring swimwear and slippers if you like swimming. Bring daily necessities: toothbrush, toothpaste, slippers, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen. Some hotels do not provide slippers.
Medication: Bring some common medications and emergency medical supplies (e.g., cold medicine, stomach medicine, band-aids) just in case. If you need long-term medication, prepare enough before departure to maintain good health.
Tipping: Some places may require tips, which are not mandatory but more of a courtesy:
> SPA massage: You can give based on the masseur's service quality or skill, about 10-20 RMB per person.
> Housekeeping tip: 10 RMB per room per day.
> If hotel staff serves you well, you can give a small tip, generally about 1 USD at a time.
> For activities with instructors, tips range from 10-30 RMB depending on satisfaction.
Water Activities: (1) Pregnant women, people with heart disease, high/low blood pressure, osteoporosis, elderly, young children, or anyone unfit for strenuous/stimulating activities should absolutely not participate in any water activities. (2) When boarding a boat or engaging in water activities, must wear a life jacket; when riding a speedboat, do not sit in the front seats to avoid spinal injury; when any vessel is moving, sit still in your seat and do not move around to avoid falls/injury; do not place hands or feet on the edge or railing to avoid pinching or collision injuries. (3) When swimming or playing in the sea, do not act alone, and do not exceed the safety warning lines on the beach or sea.
Safety: Due to seasonal changes, travelers may experience digestive issues abroad. Avoid raw cold food, ice, coconut, milk, etc. Eat cooked food. If diarrhea occurs, inform the tour leader or guide immediately; do not self-medicate.
During overseas travel, keep valuables with you at all times. Do not leave valuables in the car. During free time, pay attention to safety and remember the guide's and leader's phone numbers to ensure you can contact them anytime. It's best to deposit documents in the hotel safe.
Travel Insurance: Need to purchase.
