Bucket List: BALI, INDONESIA Edition (*UPDATED!!!*)
“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.”
As all of you know that I will be traveling SOLO to Bali, Indonesia next week. I am so excited to explore my dream place, “the Island of the Gods”. I’ve been dreaming about this magical place for how many months now, day-dreaming on just relaxing by the beach with a book on my left hand and a coconut drink on the other. I will spend 5 amazing days in Bali alone, this will be more of self-realization, soul-searching kind of thing, relaxing, adventure and many more! Here are my Bali Bucket List and hopefully cross all of them off.
-
Walk in Ubud Bali’s Rice field – too hot to walk, just had launch with Rice terraces as our view.
Watch the sun sets in Bali while sipping Pina Colada– Watched Sunset in Kuta Beach with Bali’s famous beer, Bintang!
- Watch the sun rising while sipping a local Balinese coffee – Unfortunately, the sun doesn’t rise in Kuta or Seminyak,
- Finish ” Timekeeper” by Mitch Albom
Learn how to surf without dying– Just tried body surfing since waves are too big for me, but it was awesome!
Party in Kuta– at EIKON bar, the coolest bar in Kuta
- Play with the monkeys in Ubud
Meet new people
Ride a motorbike from Seminyak to Kuta
Try at least 3 local dishes
- Have a full-body massage or organic body scrub – was so tired to hit the spa
- Do yoga – Didn’t stay in Ubud
Candlelight dinner by the beach (ALONE)– Candle light dinner by the pool
Visit Tanah Lot/ Temples
Have a drink in Ku De Ta in Seminyak
- Try local street food stalls – a bit afraid of food poisoning
Find myself– Discovered so many things about myself
Promote my blog to travelers!
Heal my soul at Tirtha Empul.
Question: Have you been to Bali? Anything that I should add on my list? Would appreciate it if you can drop some fun ideas below! 🙂 wish me a happy trip! xx Deanna ( http://www.talkaboutbeauty.co ) img source (credits)
Hello there. I can think of a few for now. If you are adventurous enough, you can try the kopi lawak (civet cat poop coffee) which is known as one of the most expensive coffees in the world. I did try this (free sample) when I was in Bali, not bad. It was rather ‘aromatic’ and ‘sweet’. There is this restaurant, called Made’s Warung which is tourist friendly and serves pretty authentic Balinese food, give it a try. I have been there a few times and love it. You should also try the satay lilit (fish satay). It will not be complete without Balinese massage, it is quite good.
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It’s kopi luwak not ‘lawak’ cause ‘lawak’ means comedy, humor, joke. 🙂
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I love Bali! Ubud especially! Do try their crispy duck! And yes yoga in Ubud is a must
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How exciting! Enjoy it girl. We are kindred spirits you and I 😉
I will also be attempting to surf without dying in PR and hit up some local yoga studios (I’m actually at the airport on my way now). I think it’s great that you’re going solo. Some of the best things in life are realized through independent discovery/adventures. Can’t wait to read about it!!
Toodles,
LD
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Hi laduhhh. Are you in Bali now? Until when will you be there?
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No, I wish! I’m headed to Puerto Rico 🙂
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Wow! Good luck girl! Keep me posted! 🙂 can’t wait to read your stories. Wish we could bump to each other next time. You’re always welcome here in the Philippines!
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Thanks, Deanna. I’m a Filipina too! Half–I’ve always wanted to go there. I have family in Cavite.
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Let me know if you’re here. Would be so glad to meet like-minded people. Hugs! Enjoy your adventure!
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So excited you are going to Bali! I was just there last January.
If you are looking for a good tour I loved my tour with Greenbike Cycling, we biked through the rice fields and also stopped to see the Volcano, drink the famous Lewak Coffee and have a traditional Balinese lunch.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297701-d3931670-Reviews-Greenbike_Cycling_Cycling_Tour-Ubud_Bali.html
I wrote about my experience here!
http://lookattheworldaroundyou.com/2014/02/22/mountain-biking-in-bali/
~Carrie
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Wow – great choice to travel alone! From my experience, it is one of the best ways to allow for some pretty significant personal growth. I am also going to Bali in October for a yoga teacher training. Keep in touch, it would be fun to exchange stories!
-Amanda
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Hey Deana, thanks for reading my blog! I’m so excited for you to go to Bali and I hope you have a great trip!
Goa Gajah Temple (in Ubud) is cool.
If you can get to Gili Island, I would go. There are 3: Gili T, Gili Air, and Gili Menos. I liked Air the most, but Gili T is the most populated. Bluest and clearest waters you’ll ever see.
I didn’t find many food carts in Bali, most were Warung’s or actual restaurants! One of my fav dishes is Ayam Bekar Pedes (which is chicken and rice, but soo yum if done right).
These are the things that I can think of off the top of my head..
Relax! And have a great trip!
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Hi Deanna, here’s some beautiful destination :
1. Beautiful beach in Bali : Uluwatu, Jimbaran, Padang Padang, Dream Land, Tanah Lot.
2. Awesome rice field : Jatiluwih.
Have a great trip in Bali.
– Thanks for dropping my blog… cheers… 🙂 –
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Hi Deanna
First of all, thanks for visiting my blog http://kitingan.wordpress.com/
How exciting that you’ll go to Bali…. you’ll enjoy Bali for sure 😀
There are lots of places to visit in Bali, so i guess 5 days isnt enough for you hahahah just kidding….
For food and resto you can check out my blog again 😀
Ride a motorbike from seminyak to kuta;
This is an excellence choice, since Bali now have a heavy traffic around that area (seminyak,legian,kuta), but you have to be able to ride a bike properly, otherwise you’ll hurt your self and ruin you vacation 😀
There are many bike rentals around that area, the price is around IDR 60.000 – 75.000 per day, usually you’ll get helmet, raincoat, and Bali map
Enjoy your self in Bali…..
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Hi Deanna,
I love your blog too.. 🙂
I think you should try Pork Ribs, or Black Cod, or maybe Panna Cotta at Romeos Bar and Grillery while enjoying our live music. You can try your luck by join our Beer Pong Competition which is held everyday at 2pm – 6pm and 9pm-12pm.
If you have much time you can try Cooking Class experience at Romeos too 🙂 you can made reservation one day before and we will go to the traditional market in the morning, talk about Balinese history, have a great time cooking, and you can enjoy your foods for lunch or dinner.
Fyi, Ossotel and Romeos sits right in the centre of the iconic Padma Legian beach. You can see the beautiful beach just 3 minutes walk away 🙂
Can’t wait to see you in Bali.
Cheers…
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Take a motorbike (I’d hire a driver so you can relax and take photos from the back) and head up Mt. Batur to Kintamani and the hot spring baths in the caldera. The scenery is breathtaking, the baths (with fruit juice included) are great, and you’ll have coffee and chocolate plantations along the way where many samples of the local brews including lewak is served. Don’t miss an evening performance of traditional Balinese dance. I love the Kecak Fire and Trance dance but they’re all fabulous. The Ubud Palace has a preformance almost every night. Taksu Spa in Ubud is set in glorious surroundings and has everything you could possibly want in body work. OR go to Jiwa Raga Spa behind the Perama Bus Station and get the works, 4 hours of bliss for less than $10 U.S./hour. Ask for Wayan or Desak and tell them Sherry sent you.
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Hey Deanna,
So excited for you to be going to Bali, it’s as amazing as everyone says it is. I actually think I might be going back there, maybe as early as next week, so I’ll keep checking out your blog to see what you’re up to, and maybe get some new ideas! I was wondering if you’re going to be going to any other islands near Bali while you’re there? I think we’re going to check out Lombok this time, I’ve seen picture of the Pura Batu Bolong temple there that are pretty amazing, so maybe add that to your list if you have time!
Have a great trip!
-Jasmine
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I will be there next week. from 23rd to 27th. Will be staying in Seminyak and Kuta. Would be so glad to meet like-minded people like you! I will be traveling alone so its also good to meet new people along the way. shoot me an email : deannasallao@gmail.com
Regards,
Deanna
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Hi there, thanks for liking my post 🙂
I found that Bali nowadays is really full with tourists, either local or international. To be honest, I cannot really enjoy that. Yet I am suggesting you if you have time, maybe you should visit Lombok, too. It’s close from Bali, there should be a boat going there. In Lombok, there are 3 famous islands that you can visit: Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan. A lot of my foreigner friends said they prefer Lombok than Bali.
Meanwhile in Bali, in case you are still struggling with the accommodation, you might want to check this: http://bali.mehthesheep.com/cheap-hotels-bali/
Enjoy!
P.S.: I am starting to follow your blog because we seem to have a common interest. In the following days, I plan to post more about my trip in Europe. So, you might want to follow my blog also. Thanks 🙂
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Hi Deanna,
Thank you for visiting our website.
Anyway, the post you commented on before, http://lifebetweenlinesblog.wordpress.com/2014/09/11/68/ – the picture was taken in Bali
My suggestion is that you visit the temples and find out about the rituals that are opened for public. It would be a whole new adventure for practically anyone who are trapped in modern society.
Anyway, your bucket lists are awesome and I really hope you enjoy visiting Bali.
Have a great adventure!!
Love,
–lifebetweenlines
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hi deanna,
its great to know that you’re coming to Bali.. maybe we can meet and talk when sunset in my favorite beach bar?? you’ll love it
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hi there!
Sure, no problem. That would be lovely.Maybe I could also tour your villa and have a review for my blog as well. Let me know how, please shoot me an email at deannasallao@gmail.com
See you!
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I’d suggest going over to the Gili Islands or Lombok if you have the time. I liked Gili T a lot more than Bali itself.
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Thanks Deanna for stopping by and liked my post. 😀
Well, if you wanna go to Bali, of course, I have some places that you might want to take a visit.
You can go to Ubud if you want to have a more relaxed atmosphere since the place has many rice fields and sure it will refresh your mind and soul.
Go to some new-found beaches there..My friend told me, she went to Pandawa beach there. It was awesome and not many people go there. So, you can have more special moment when you’re in the beach.
Also, if you like painting, you may go to Don Blanco Museum or to Museum Agung Rai of Art in Ubud as well.
Don’t forget to check Pasar Sukowati if you want to go buy some souvenirs. It’s a market where you can find any items.
If you want to have more relaxing spa, then go ahead to Seminyak.
You can go to Uluwatu if you want to learn surfing.
You can go to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan if you want to have a different view from Bali crowd.
You also can go to Pantai Lovina or Lovina beach. You’ll find dolphins there, if you’re lucky..
And if you like a more peaceful place with beautiful sceneries, then go to Buleleng. So many place you can find in Buleleng; One of them is a Buddhist temple/vihara.
Last but not least, don’t forget to check Lombok island and its territorial island such as Gili Meno, Gili Trawangan, and Gili Air. These island, Lombok, Gili Meno, Gili Trawangan and Gili Air, are quite near to Bali island. So, don’t forget to try them. 😀
Have fun!
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Oh ya, I almost forget, go to Taman Safari Indonesia Bali branch while you’re in Bali. In case you wanna see some animals.. It’s a zoo by the way. 😀
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Hi Deanna! Thanks for stopping by my blog! 🙂 wow, that is a hefty to do list! My advice – at least double your time in Bali! 😀
also, don’t forget to hit up some markets (the one in ubud is fun) to pick up some souvenirs for unbeatable prices! For food in ubud I can recommend Warung Garasi – delicious fresh pressed juices and great local food
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Hi Deanna, thanks for visiting my blog. I life in Bali and maybe we can meet each other while you are here at Double 6 beach or batu bolong beach, that my favorite spot. Save trip girl ….xxx
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Hi there! Just went to batu belgi at bar 707. Sure! But im in seminyak now. Maybe we can meet at potato head or bar 707?
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Go on a bicycle ride across the rice fields near ubud. its breathtakingly beautiful! have coconut coffee..its divine! 🙂
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would love to try
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