Bali is an incredible island in Indonesia that offers a mix of natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and delicious cuisine. My experience visiting Bali was unforgettable and life changing. I explored the island's beautiful beaches, lush tropical forests, ancient temples, and rice paddies. I enjoyed the stunning views of one of the islands largest active volcanoes Mount Batur, over the lake Danau Batur. I indulged in the famous local cuisine of Bali, including Satay, Nasi Goreng, crispy duck and of course the suckling pig Babi Guling. One of the cultural highlights of my trip was watching the traditional Balinese dance performance, which showcased the islands unique art and culture. Overall this trip was a perfect mix of relaxation, exploration and cultural immersion.
If planning to visit multiple parts of Bali, I would recommend skipping a car rental and hiring a driver to get from destination to destination. A lot of the best places to visit are a ways off the beaten path. It's very affordable to hire a driver for a day if you are planning to visit temples, towns, beaches or other ancient sites surrounding your home base. All throughout Bali the drivers I used were very friendly and accommodating with a flexible schedule. Plan to coordinate in advance of traveling to the area to make sure your chosen driver is available. I found my drivers using a couple Google searches comparing across various rating websites. Communications are usually conducted through Whatsapp, so make sure you have an account set up to contact tour guides, drivers, boat rentals and hotels.
One more important tip; beware of Bali Belly. I did not experience this first-hand but heard the symptoms aren't great. You can avoid it by staying away from drinking tap water, which is usually pretty easy since most hotels offer bottled water.
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Some activities and things to see when visiting Bali, Indonesia:
Visit the sanctuary that is home to over 700 long-tailed macaques and walk through the lush greenery. This is an awesome experience to roam around exploring the beautiful park observing monkeys in a natural habitat. This attraction was one of the major highlights of my vacation. Remember the monkeys are still wild animals, if you have any food accessible, the monkeys will take it with force.
I observed from afar but there are some areas you are able to take a stroll through the picturesque rice paddies. It's very interesting to speak to the friendly locals of Bali to learn about the traditional Balinese farming practices implemented into the rice growing process.
Explore the famous temple located on a rock formation in the sea and witness the beautiful sunset. This beautiful ancient site is famous for being a historical Hindu temple for worshipping the gods of the sea.
Shop and dine in this trendy coastal town known for its high-end restaurants and bars. I highly recommend stopping by Potato Head Beach Club for at least one sunset while in the area of Seminyak, the atmosphere is chilled out with a pool and some of the most amazing views of the sun setting over the beach.
Many travelers like to hike up this active volcano and catch the stunning sunrise over the lake and surrounding mountains. For my experience, I chose to view this impressive volcano far across the lake, during a late lunch with a Bintang Beer and a balcony view. I prefer to keep my distance from active volcanos when I can enjoy from afar.
Experience a sacred water temple and take a dip in the natural spring water pools. This temple is believed to have water with healing properties. People come from all over the world to bathe in the water praying to line of shrines pouring water over their heads.
Explore the cliff-top temple and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. This temple is located at the southern tip of Bali and is literally sitting on the edge of a cliff!
Relax on the white sand beach and enjoy a seafood dinner on the beachfront. This area has a very relaxed chill vibe with calm water perfect for a nice swim on a hot day.
Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang (Heaven's Gate)
This is a Balinese Hindu temple located on the slope of Mount Lempuyang in Karangasem, Bali. It is commonly known as Heavens Gate, one of the more popular Instagram photo opportunity locations. You must rent a sarong covering to get in if you don't have one and the wait could possibly be hours to get your picture taken, depending on the line.
Barong and Rangda Cultural Dance Show
Watch this show which tells the story of the mythological Barong and Rangda with traditional dance and costumes. They have shows depicting this story all over Bali, the amazing show I saw was in Batubulan Village in Gianyar, just north of Ubud.
Some types of foods and drinks to experience while in Bali:
Local Foods of Bali:
Nasi Goreng
A fried rice dish typically served with chicken, vegetables, and a fried egg on top. I am pretty sure I ate this for breakfast almost every other day. Very tasty and filling.
Satay
A grilled meat skewer, typically served with peanut sauce and rice cakes.
Babi Guling
A traditional Balinese dish of roasted pig, typically served with rice and vegetables. This suckling pig was so delicious, I would eat it every chance I had.
Crispy Duck
Simply a deep-fried duck crispy on the outside with juicy and moist thick meat inside. The flavors were good, but this dish wasn't at the top of my list to eat more than once.
Seafood
Choose from a variety of fresh seafood such as grilled fish, prawns, and squid.
Local Drinks of Bali:
Jamu
A traditional Indonesian herbal drink made from various spices and ingredients, known for its medicinal properties.
Kopi Luwak
A unique coffee made from beans that have been eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet. This sounds gross, kind of is, but surprisingly great flavor. The locals liked to refer to it as "cat-poo-cino" with a polite laugh. I swear they laugh at the tourists after the guzzle down that first extra potent cup of joe.
Arak
A distilled alcoholic beverage made from rice or coconut, often mixed with fruit juices. This drink can be a pretty strong one depending where you get it, so drink with care.
Bintang Beer
A popular Indonesian beer that is easy to find in most restaurants and bars. This is a delicious pale lager which accompanied most of my lunch and dinner meals while traveling across Bali.
Some local Bali restaurant recommendations:
One of my favorite Balinese dishes was Babi Guling at Warung Babi Guling Pak Malen in Seminyak restaurant
Link to some of the top restaurants in Bali
Additional summary:
Bali, a tropical island located in Indonesia, is known for its rich history, unique architecture, delicious food, and vibrant culture. The island's history is deeply rooted in Hinduism, and ancient temples like the Tanah Lot and the Besakih Temple can be found throughout the island. Bali's architecture is a mix of traditional Balinese styles and modern design, with many villas, resorts, and spas that offer visitors a luxurious and authentic experience. Balinese cuisine is a fusion of Indonesian, Chinese, and Indian flavors, with popular dishes like nasi goreng, satay, and gado-gado that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Bali's culture is celebrated in its many festivals and ceremonies, such as the Nyepi Day of Silence and the Galungan Festival, that showcase the island's unique traditions and customs. Bali is also known for its natural beauty, with stunning beaches, lush forests, and scenic rice terraces that are a delight to explore. Whether you're looking to relax on the beach, immerse yourself in Balinese culture, or indulge in delicious Indonesian cuisine, Bali offers an abundance of experiences that are sure to enchant and delight visitors.